Terms & Policies

Liveaboard Courses — Exumas (Bahamas) & Sea of Cortez (Mexico)

Payment Schedule

• Deposit: 50% of the course fee is due at the time of booking to confirm and hold your berth.
• Remaining Balance: Due no later than 60 days before the course start date. Bookings made within 60 days of departure are payable in full at the time of booking.

Cancellations — All Payments Are Non-Refundable

• All liveaboard bookings are final. Every payment — the deposit and the full course fee — is non-refundable, in whole or in part, under any circumstances and for any reason.
• No refund will be issued for cancellation, no-show, late arrival, early departure, missed days, or any portion of the course you choose not to use.
• This applies without exception to circumstances including illness, injury, family emergency, bereavement, missed or delayed flights, passport or visa problems, work or personal commitments, and any change of plans.
• Berths are strictly limited. When you book, your berth is removed from sale and held for you — this is why liveaboard payments cannot be refunded.
• Comprehensive travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption coverage is strongly encouraged and is your only protection against loss. Because these bookings are non-refundable, read your policy terms before you buy and confirm it covers the reasons you may need to cancel, as coverage and exclusions vary between insurers.

Travel Insurance & No Double Recovery

Because liveaboard payments are strictly non-refundable, the amount you paid is the non-refundable cancellation cost that a travel insurer reimburses when you cancel for a covered reason. This is also why we cannot offer a credit or rebooking in place of a refund: if we returned value to you, that amount would no longer be an unrecoverable loss, and your insurer could decline that part of your claim. Where you recover any part of your payment through travel insurance or any other source, Happy Sailing will not additionally refund, credit, transfer, or rebook that amount, and any future course is a new booking at the current price. If you do not already have your own coverage, our TICO-registered travel advisor, Cathy Davis of Zebrano Travel Inc., can provide a travel insurance quote when you book.

Transfers

Transfers to a different date or to another participant are not guaranteed. Any transfer is granted solely at Happy Sailing's discretion, is subject to availability, and may be subject to a fare difference and an administration fee.

Force Majeure

If Happy Sailing must cancel or reschedule a liveaboard course due to extraordinary events beyond our control (severe weather systems, hurricanes, government or border restrictions, war, civil unrest, epidemics, piracy, or vessel damage), all payments made will be converted to a transferable credit toward a future course. Credits never expire. Refunds will not be issued.

Prince Edward County (PEC) Courses

Payment Schedule

• Deposit: 50% of the course fee confirms booking.
• Remaining Balance: Due 60 days before course date.

Cancellations

• The deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances.
• If you cancel more than 60 days before the course start date, any payment made beyond the deposit is refunded, and the deposit is retained as a credit valid for one calendar year from the original sailing date.
• If you cancel 60 days or less before the course start date, all payments made are non-refundable and are retained as a credit valid for one calendar year from the original sailing date.
• No-shows and same-day cancellations forfeit all payments and any credit.
• Credits may be applied to any Prince Edward County course or experience, subject to availability.

Local Sailing Experiences (Day Sails & Short Programs)

Payment Schedule

• Final Payment: Charged 48 hours before departure.

Cancellations

• If you cancel 72 hours or more before departure, your deposit becomes a non-expiring credit.
• If you cancel less than 72 hours before departure, or do not show, your deposit and any final payment are non-refundable and become a non-expiring credit.
• If Happy Sailing cancels due to unsafe weather or conditions, you may choose a postponement, a credit, or a full refund.

Liability & Participant Responsibility

Assumption of Risk

Sailing is an activity that involves inherent risks, including but not limited to slips, falls, equipment malfunction, rapidly changing weather, seasickness, and interaction with the marine environment. By booking with Happy Sailing, you acknowledge these risks and agree to participate at your own risk.

Medical Fitness

It is your responsibility to ensure you are medically and physically fit to participate. Happy Sailing may decline participation if a condition presents a safety concern.

Insurance

Happy Sailing does not provide health, accident, personal property, or trip insurance. We strongly encourage every participant to obtain comprehensive travel insurance — including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical, and evacuation coverage — before their course. You are solely responsible for obtaining adequate coverage. Review your policy's terms, conditions, and exclusions carefully to confirm it covers your reasons for cancelling or interrupting your trip, since coverage varies between insurers and cancel-for-any-reason protection may require a specific add-on. If you do not already have suitable coverage, our TICO-registered travel advisor, Cathy Davis of Zebrano Travel Inc., can provide a travel insurance quote at the time of booking. Any policy you purchase is a contract between you and the insurer; Happy Sailing is not the insurer and is not responsible for claims decisions.

Personal Property

Happy Sailing is not liable for the loss, theft, or damage of personal belongings brought aboard.

Liability Waiver

By booking, you agree that Happy Sailing, its instructors, staff, and vessel owners shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or expense arising from participation, except in cases of gross negligence.

Compliance

Participants must follow all safety instructions given by instructors or crew. Failure to comply may result in removal from the program without refund.

Liveaboard Bookings — Exumas & Sea of Cortez (TICO)

• Liveaboard sailing courses in the Exumas (Bahamas) and the Sea of Cortez (Mexico) are sold through Zebrano Travel Inc., a TICO-registered travel agency.
• TICO Registration: #50026079
• Travel Advisor: Cathy Davis — Zebrano Travel Inc.
• These bookings are also governed by the terms and conditions of Zebrano Travel Inc. and by applicable TICO regulations. Nothing in this policy limits any non-waivable rights you may have under the Ontario Travel Industry Act and its regulations.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information: We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you fill out forms, subscribe to our newsletter, or contact us. This may include your name, email address, phone number, and any other information you choose to provide.

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7. Data Security

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8. Your Rights

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to ask for corrections to that information. If you wish to exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices regarding your information, please contact us at:

Email: hello@happysailing.ca

Address: 681 B County Rd 4, Picton, ON K0K2T0