Aldiss Boat Hire Terms and Conditions
Aldiss Boat Hire – Holiday Cruisers Terms and Conditions of Hire – 2026
Self-drive hire cruisers are available for hire by Aldiss Boat Hire Ltd whose registered
office is at 2 Meadowside, Barnards Road, Worstead, Norfolk, NR28 9RL.
The following conditions, together with the information provided on our website form
the basis of your agreement with us for your booking. Please read the following carefully
which out set the rights and responsibilities of all involved. Reference to ‘you’ and ‘your’
throughout the terms and conditions refers to all people named on the booking. ‘We’,
‘us’ and ‘our’ means Aldiss Boat Hire Ltd.
When you book a boat with us, you are entering directly into a contract. The contract is
made in England and governed in all aspects by English Law.
Booking
Process
The person in charge of the party booking (party leader) must be at least 18 years old at
the time of booking. There must be at least two adults over the age of 18 years in every
party. By making the booking, you confirm that you are authorised to make the booking
and that all other members of the party agree that the booking will be governed by
these conditions. You are responsible for making all payments due to us.
Subject to the availability of the accommodation and receipt of relevant payments, we
will issue a written confirmation as soon as reasonably possible. The confirmation will
contain your booking details and amount owing for booking. Your contract will be
binding from the date we give you the written confirmation. For any bookings made
within 14 days of departure date, you will have a binding contract when we give spoken
or email confirmation to you and you have made appropriate payment to us.
Correspondence regarding your holiday will be sent via email, therefore it is important
to inform us of any changes to your email address.
We reserve the right to refuse any booking prior to sending out your written
confirmation. If so we will contact you by phone or email and promptly refund any
money you have paid to us. In this case, we the boat operator will not have any legal
responsibility to you.
Duration
All terms are either per week, or per short break (start day as specified) for the
accommodation as equipped and described. The usual check- in time is between 2pm
and 4pm. The check-out time (usually 10am) will be shown on your booking
confirmation. You are obliged to leave everything in a clean and tidy condition and you
are responsible for any damage done or loss sustained during your stay.
If you return the boat late or to the wrong place because of poor planning on your part,
then you will be liable to pay up to £100 for every hour or part hour of the delay in
returning the boat to giving possession, and the cost of recovering the boat to the return
point and any other expenses and losses the company may incur as a result of the
delay, including the loss or cancellation of subsequent booking.
Payment
When booking, the standard deposit amount is due by debit, credit card or bank
transfer (payment only accepted in pounds sterling). A deposit of 25% will be taken at
booking. With the remaining fees due 8 weeks prior to start date. If booking is placed
within 8 weeks of start date, then full payment will be required at time of booking.
Pricing
Prices are under constant review and monitored throughout the season and may be
increased or reduced at any time. We may correct mistakes in the pricing of unsold
products and services at any time. We will confirm the price of your booking when you
make it. As changes and mistakes can happen, you must check all details at the time of
booking.
All prices include VAT (where applicable) at the rates applicable at the time of printing
and are subject to change if the rates or application of the tax changes. All prices
quoted are for the boat and are not on a per person basis.
Insurance
Aldiss Boat Hire does not provide travel or cancellation insurance. We strongly
recommend that you have your own travel insurance which covers you for the duration
of your trip. You are responsible for covering us if we suffer any losses or expenses
arising out of your failure to take out proper insurance. Please also ensure your vehicle
insurance is adequate for holiday parking. Aldiss Boat Hire is not responsible for any
damage, theft or loss to vehicle and its contents when parked on site. By parking on our
property, you acknowledge and accept these terms.
Damage Waiver and Fuel
The price of the holiday includes a non-refundable damage waiver, which covers
accidental damage to the boat or it’s equipment. The waiver does not cover damage or
loss caused by negligence or failing to comply with the rules of being on the water.
Please see individual charges listed under Lead Hirer Obligations. Your boat will depart
the marina with a full tank of fuel, included in your holiday price. No refund will be given
for any remaining fuel upon your return. If you choose to add additional fuel during your
holiday, the cost of this will not be reimbursed.
Accuracy of brochure and website details
Whilst we aim to make sure that all information provided by us is presented accurately
in brochures and other promotional materials we produce and provide, there can on
occasion be small differences between the actual boat and their description as we are
aways trying to improve services and facilities onboard. On occasion, problems with
some facilities and services may not be available or may be restricted. We will
endeavour to contact you as soon as reasonably practicable as we become aware of the
situation.
Amendments to bookings and cancellation policy
Changes
If you want to change any details of your confirmed booking, we will do our best to
accommodate these. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your
request. All change requests need to be submitted in writing via email.
Individual members of the party may be able to transfer their place to someone else as
long as you inform us at least 14 days before departure date.
Should you choose to finish your holiday earlier than the scheduled date you will not be
entitled a refund of the remaining percentage of the holiday.
Some changes may be subject to an administration fee.
Cancellations
If you are forced to cancel your holiday you must notify Aldiss Boat Hire as soon as
possible by telephone which should be followed up with written confirmation of
cancelation by email. Refunds will be processed in line with the table below and will be
processed within 14 days. Refunds will be made via the same method of most recent
payment. It is imperative that you advise us if the card has since expired or if the
account is out of use due to probate or similar. These cancellation terms do not affect
your statutory rights.
Cancellation charges
56 days or more – Loss of full deposit
29-55 days – 50% of total booking price
15-28 days – 75% of total booking price
1-14 days – 100% of total booking price
Cancellations by Aldiss Boat Hire
We will not cancel your holiday after sending a booking confirmation unless it is for
reasons beyond our control, or if full payment has not been received.
If Aldiss Boat hire cancels for reasons other than non-payment, we will contact you as
soon as reasonably possible and you will be offered either;
i)
A holiday of comparable standard (if available) together with a full refund of any
price difference; or
ii) A full refund of any monies you have paid
Aldiss boat hire may use its discretion to refuse to hand over a boat, where by in the
opinion of Aldiss Boat hire, a person or group are likely to cause damage, or distress to
the boat, other persons or property. In such an event, Aldiss boat hire will be under no
obligation to refund, compensate or indemnify you.
We reserve the right to terminate a holiday at any time if in our reasonable opinion you
or any member of the party is unsuitable to remain in charge or be on the boat. Reasons
for unsuitability include, but are not limited to, ill health, inexperience, suspected or
actual influence of alcohol or drugs, or because of irresponsible behaviour which is
causing or likely to cause danger to you or any other person(s) or damage to any
property. In such an event, we will be under no obligation to refund, compensate or
indemnify you.
In the unlikely event that your holiday is cancelled by Aldiss Boat hire and cannot be
rescheduled due to a material change in our business operations (including, but not
limited to; pandemic, war, terrorist activity, flooding, authority closure of waterways),
we will issue a statement of intentions to all Lead Hirers as soon as viable.
Our legal responsibility to you
We cannot be responsible for noise or disturbance which comes from outside the boat
and is beyond the company’s control.
We cannot be held responsible for the breakdown of mechanical equipment such as
pumps, engines or boilers, nor the failure of public utilities such as water, gas or
electricity.
We cannot be held responsible for any fines, charges or unpaid fees incurred by you
whilst hiring our boat.
Aldiss Boat Hire Obligations
We will provide you a fully tolled vessel with an up to date safety certificate.
We will respond as quickly as possible to any issues reported to us. Our 24/7 on call
engineer will assess the situation by phone and if needed, arrange a visit in an
appropriate time frame for urgent and non-urgent maintenance.
Aldiss boat hire will not pay any compensation as a result of a breakdown, malfunction,
loss of time or enjoyment. Any choice to provide a refund of any kind will be at the
discretion of management.
If in the unfortunate event that your boat cannot continue your holiday, we will discuss
possible options with you at the time depending on availability and circumstances.
Lead Hirer Obligations
The obligations of the lead hirer are as follows;
i)
To inform Aldiss Boat Hire if you are likely to arrive after 4pm due to traffic or
other unforeseen circumstances, so that we can make alternative arrangements
for your handover. If the party arrives after 5pm on day of hire, check-in and
handover procedure will take place the following day at our earliest convenience.
ii) To advise us of any party members with limited mobility before booking so we
can risk assess and provide information on cruiser suitability
iii) To provide full attention and active participation during handover and river trial.
By signing handover paperwork, you are agreeing that you are competent in the
boats operation and functionality, are satisfied with the boats condition and the
training that has been given
iv) To not allow any person under 14 years of age to control the boat or to allow
additional passengers on board that are not listed on the manifest
v) To wear life jackets as instructed whilst moving around the outside of the boat,
mooring up and embarking/disembarking
vi) To adhere to all speed limits on the water and navigational instructions
vii) To read the skipper manual thoroughly
viii)
Ensure pets do not cause damage to upholstery/flooring or cause
excessive mess on the vessel. Charges may apply
ix) To return the boat and onboard equipment in a clean and tidy condition and
vacate by 10am on the day of departure
x) To not smoke or vape on the boat. Charges will apply in relation to any damage
and/or odour
xi) To carry out daily maintenance checks as instructed and report any issues as
soon as discovered. Complaints regarding problems with the boat that have not
been reported as soon as discovered, will not be responded to after the holiday
has finished
xii) To not put anything other than 2 ply toilet paper down the toilet. Wipes and
sanitary products that claim to be flushable are not suitable for boat toilets and
will cause a blockage, which you may be charged for
xiii)
To report any accidents immediately to the boatyard, providing full
details on all vessels involved and obtain names and number of all witnesses.
Upon return to the boatyard a full statement will be required
xiv) To report any vessel damage, broken, lost or stolen items whether accidental or
otherwise as soon as possible
xv) To not tow or be towed by other cruisers unless with professional assistance
authorised by Aldiss Boat Hire
xvi) To not cruise after dark (your vessel is not insured or equipped for this purpose)
xvii)
To not take your boat out to sea
xviii)
To not participate in racing of any kind
xix) To not pass under Wroxham or Potter Heigham bridge without using the
services of a bridge pilot
The following charges will be administered if required;
Letting off fire extinguisher or life jacket without just cause – £70
Putting wipes or sanitary products down the toilet – £50
Evidence of smoking or vaping on board – £250
Late return on day of departure – £100 per hour late
Cleaning fee for unsatisfactory condition of boat, including pet damage – £150
Complaints and Concerns
If you wish to make a complaint, it is vital that you contact Aldiss Boat Hire during your
holiday. If you find a problem with your boat or the service we provide, we ask that you
bring this to our attention as soon as possible to give us the opportunity to
investigate/rectify the problem and within the holiday period. Complaints must be made
within 14 days of the end of the holiday. Aldiss Boat hire will not enter into
communication regarding issues that were not highlighted during the holiday period
unless there are exceptional circumstances. We will have liability in respect of
complaints made outside of the holiday period.
Broads Authority or Other Private Property
You are responsible for any changes made by the above in respect of loss of or damage
to their property, or anti-social behaviour caused by you while in charge of the boat. You
are also responsible for mooring fees as advertised at each location and the payment
directly for any services carried out by bridge pilots.
Miscellaneous
• In the event of problems preparing the boat the right is reserved to delay
departure without compensation until a repair is complete. This is for your own
safety and the enjoyment of your holiday. We will endeavour to make any such
waits as comfortable as possible.
• You may not take any gas/electrical appliances such as portable heaters of any
type, lighting equipment, hair straighteners, barbeques or any items which may
cause danger to the boat, its equipment or its occupants.
• Aldiss Boat hire is not liable for death, personal injury, or loss or damage to you
or your property, or any property belonging to or in the possession of the Lead
Hirer or any member of their party unless caused by our negligence or wilful
default.
January 2026