Terms & Conditions | Inspiration Cruises Gold Coast

Inspiration Cruises – Terms & Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply to all charters booked with Inspiration Cruises, operated by Gisbro Pty Ltd (ABN 99 158 703 569). By requesting a booking, paying a deposit, making payment, accepting an invoice, or boarding the vessel, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Definitions

“We / Us / Our” means Gisbro Pty Ltd trading as Inspiration Cruises.
“Client / You” means the person making the booking and/or any passenger in the booking group.
“Charter Fee” means the total amount payable for the charter (including GST) for the booked duration and any agreed add-ons/surcharges.
“Credit Voucher” means a non-cash credit that may be applied to a future available charter date in accordance with these Terms.
“Peak Day” means Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, and any special event dates we designate as peak.

2. Bookings, Confirmation, Deposits & Payments

Booking request vs confirmed booking: A booking is only confirmed once we have provided written confirmation and the required deposit/payment has been received.
Deposit to secure date/time: A $500 deposit (or full payment) is required to secure your booking and reserve the vessel/date/time. The deposit is applied to the Charter Fee.
Balance due: The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days before your charter date.
Short-notice bookings: Bookings made within 14 days of the charter date require full payment upfront.
Non-payment: If payment is not received by the due date/time, we may treat the booking as cancelled by you and apply the cancellation terms in Section 3, and/or release the date/time for resale.
Payment methods: Bank transfer or credit/debit card (surcharges may apply).

3. Client Cancellations, Rescheduling, Reductions & Credit Voucher Policy

Credit-voucher first policy: If you cancel, reschedule, reduce the charter duration, reduce guest numbers, or otherwise change your booking for any reason (including change of mind, illness, weather concerns, travel delays, or late arrivals), refunds are not provided. Amounts paid may be issued as a Credit Voucher at our discretion, except where required by Australian Consumer Law.
Deposit: The $500 deposit is a booking fee to reserve the vessel and date/time. It is non-refundable, subject to Australian Consumer Law.
Credit Voucher validity: Any Credit Voucher issued is valid for 12 months from the original charter date, is non-transferable (unless we approve in writing), and may be used only on an available date/time.
Reschedule limits: We may limit rescheduling to one change per booking. Further changes may be refused or attract an administration fee.
Minimum charter / reductions: Our minimum charter duration and minimum Charter Fee apply. Reductions in charter duration or guest numbers do not entitle you to a refund or reduction once the booking is confirmed.
No-shows: No-shows or cancellations on the day of the charter result in 100% forfeiture of the Charter Fee.

Cancellation Fees (Payable / Forfeited): Because we remove the vessel/date from sale and often cannot re-sell short-notice charters, the following cancellation fees apply. These are the amounts payable/forfeited (and may be deducted from any amounts already paid):

30+ days prior: $500 deposit forfeited (Credit Voucher may be offered at our discretion)
15–29 days prior: $500 deposit forfeited
14 days or less: 50% of the Charter Fee payable/forfeited
7 days or less / no-show: 100% of the Charter Fee payable/forfeited
Peak Days: The 14-day and 7-day cancellation fees apply strictly for Peak Days due to low re-sale likelihood.

Travel insurance: We strongly recommend travel insurance (especially for interstate/international guests) to cover unexpected changes.

4. Operator Cancellations, Weather & Safety

Proceeding in most conditions: Charters proceed in most weather conditions, including light rain and overcast skies.
Skipper decision: The skipper’s decision regarding weather and safety is final.
If we cancel: If we must cancel due to unsafe weather, mechanical issues, vessel unavailability, or operational reasons, you will be offered a rescheduled date or a Credit Voucher valid for 12 months. Refunds are not offered except where required by Australian Consumer Law.
Comfort & itinerary: We may adjust the route/itinerary for safety, tide, traffic, or operational reasons without refund.
Waterway operations: Cruises operate primarily within sheltered inland waterways (not open ocean).

5. Responsible Behaviour Onboard

BYO welcome: BYO food and drinks are welcome. Responsible behaviour is required at all times.
No red wine: No red wine is permitted onboard.
Illegal substances: No illegal substances are permitted.
Misconduct: Aggression, unsafe conduct, property damage, harassment, or failure to follow crew instructions may result in immediate termination of the charter without refund or credit.
Booking party responsibility: The booking party is responsible for the conduct of all guests.

6. Bond, Damage & Additional Cleaning

Security bond: A security bond may be required depending on group size, event type, guest profile, or prior history.
Damage liability: The booking party is responsible for any damage, breakage, theft, loss, or excessive cleaning caused by any guest (whether accidental or due to negligence, intoxication, or misconduct).
Costs: Repair/replacement costs will be charged at commercial rates including labour and materials.
Loss of income: If damage or cleaning causes the vessel to become unavailable for future bookings, the booking party is liable for resulting loss of charter income.
Cleaning fee: A minimum $500 cleaning fee applies if bodily fluids or excessive mess occur.
Payment timeline: Unpaid repair/cleaning costs will be invoiced and must be paid within 7 days.

7. Guest List & Capacity

Maximum capacity: 25 passengers plus crew.
Final numbers: Final guest numbers are due 48 hours prior to departure.
Refusal of boarding: Additional guests beyond capacity or beyond confirmed numbers may be refused boarding for safety and compliance reasons.

8. Footwear, Safety Briefing & Movement Onboard

Footwear: Clean non-marking / white-soled shoes only, or barefoot onboard. We may refuse boarding to guests with unsuitable footwear to protect the vessel.
Safety: Guests must follow crew instructions and use handrails when moving around the vessel.
Slip risk: Decks may be slippery when wet. Take care at all times.

9. Pickup, Departure & Timing

Main departure: Surfers Paradise Public Pontoon, 73 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217.
Secondary pickup: 10 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217.
Please arrive 10–15 minutes early for smooth boarding.
Late arrivals: Late arrival may reduce cruising time; the schedule cannot be extended and refunds/credits are not provided for late arrival.
Alternative pickup/drop-off: May be arranged by prior agreement and may incur a surcharge.
Operational changes: We may adjust departure times/locations due to factors beyond our control (e.g. pontoon access, tides, works). We will notify you where possible.

10. Swimming & Water Activities

Swimming is only permitted with the captain’s approval based on conditions and guest safety.
All water activities are at guests’ own risk, including use of inflatables, SUPs, lily pads, or any equipment supplied or brought onboard.
Life jackets are available and may be required at the captain’s discretion.

11. Liability & Risk

All guests board and participate in any onboard or water-based activities entirely at their own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we exclude liability for loss, damage, injury, delay, or expense arising from the charter, including from weather, water conditions, or guest conduct.
Nothing in these Terms excludes any consumer guarantees, rights, or remedies that cannot be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.
We are not responsible for personal property brought onboard or left onboard.

12. Photography & Promotion

Guests are welcome to take personal photos and videos onboard.
We may capture promotional images/video during charters. Please advise the crew before departure if you prefer not to be included.

13. Privacy

Contact details are used for booking, safety, and operational communications.
Your information is not sold or shared with third parties without consent, except as required by law.

14. Third-Party / Agency Bookings (Agents & Event Planners)

If your charter is booked through an agency, event planner, concierge, or partner platform (“Agent”), these Terms apply in full. Where an Agent is involved, the Agent and the end client are jointly responsible for compliance with these Terms.

14.1 Confirmation: A booking is only confirmed once we have provided written confirmation and received the required deposit/payment.
14.2 Holds: We may hold dates/times at our discretion. Unpaid holds may be released at any time.
14.3 Agent payment schedule: Unless agreed otherwise in writing, a $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of booking acceptance to secure the date/time, and the remaining balance is due 14 days prior. Bookings made within 14 days require full payment upfront.
14.4 Cancellation fees payable even if unpaid: Where an Agent cancels a booking, the cancellation fees in Section 3 apply and are payable whether or not payment has been received, as the vessel/date/time has been reserved and removed from sale. Any unpaid cancellation fee must be paid within 7 days of invoice.
14.5 Agent communication responsibility: Agents must not confirm with their client until they have received our written confirmation. Agents are responsible for ensuring their client receives and agrees to these Terms.

15. Chargebacks, Disputed Payments & Debt Recovery

If a payment is reversed, charged back, or disputed, and we are not at fault, you remain liable for the outstanding amounts payable under these Terms.
Where amounts remain unpaid (including cancellation fees, damage/cleaning fees, or chargeback amounts), we may recover reasonable costs incurred in collecting the debt (including administration and legal costs) to the extent permitted by law.

16. Indemnity

The booking party (and where relevant, any Agent) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Gisbro Pty Ltd, its owners, employees, and contractors from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from the acts, omissions, negligence, or misconduct of any guest in their group, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

17. Agreement & Updates

By paying a deposit or any portion of the Charter Fee, you confirm your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions and acknowledge that all guests have been made aware of their responsibilities while onboard. We may update these Terms at any time by publishing an updated version on our website.

Gisbro Pty Ltd (ABN 99 158 703 569)
Trading as Inspiration Cruises
bookings@inspirationcruises.au
📞 0411 611 191
Boarding Locations: 73 Cavill Ave & 10 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217