Booking Terms and Conditions – when you book direct with Lady of Avenel

Updated January 2023

Itinerary

The weather, particularly the strength and direction of the wind, is the main determining factor for the safety and comfort of the voyage.

We will aim to achieve the chosen departure point, arrival point and any planned itinerary, but cannot guarantee that we will do so. In the event of any changes, we will endeavour to contact you at the earliest opportunity. All decisions regarding such changes will be made by the skipper in consultation with your guides.

Booking and payment

Once we receive your enquiry, we will check availability on the voyage and contact you to confirm your place. We will normally hold a this for 7 days.

Your booking is secured when we receive your booking form and a deposit which is normally 25%.

Please do not book any travel arrangements until you have received confirmation of your booking. The balance is payable eight weeks before the start date of the voyage.

Cancellation by you

If you cancel your booking more than 8 weeks before the start of the voyage, we will make a full refund less £50 administrative charge. If you cancel your booking within 8 weeks of the voyage, you are liable for the total fee.

However, we do appreciate that in life plans change and in such a case will endeavour to fill your place. If this is possible, we will then refund any money we recover by selling the place, less a £50 administrative charge. Please note that if the cancellation is short-notice we might sell your place at a discount and the money we recover might be less than the fee paid.

We strongly advise you to take out suitable travel insurance including cancellation cover. Please contact us early if you may need to cancel or change a booking.

If for any reason you decide to leave the ship before the end of the trip, we will help facilitate this. However, we will be unable to refund any money.

Cancellation by us

In the unlikely event that we are forced to cancel a voyage we will endeavour to offer a suitable alternative vessel or date, but failing that we will give a full refund.

This is limited to the fee paid and we advise you to take out insurance against any additional loss which might be incurred such as travel or accommodation.

Personal travel insurance

Lady of Avenel is covered by professional insurance that includes third party liability. This cover is for activities on board but not ashore.

We strongly recommend you take out your own travel insurance to cover as a minimum: medical and personal accident expenses, loss and damage to personal effects, sailing over 12 nautical miles offshore, and voyage cancellation.

What’s included?

A berth for each person in a twin cabin
All food during the voyage including snacks tea and coffee.
All safety equipment including life jackets and harnesses.
Mooring and fuel costs

What’s not Included?

Travel to and from the harbour
Any food or drink you choose to buy ashore
Alcoholic beverages – there is an honesty bar

Accommodation

Accommodation is in comfortable twin berth cabins. Where possible, we allocate cabins on a same gender basis. Showers and toilets are separate to cabins.

What to bring?

We will supply you with a kit list in advance.

Age limits

The lower age limit is 18 years if unaccompanied, and 12 if accompanied by parent or guardian.

We have no upper age limit but suggest that you discuss any concerns you may have over the physical demands of the trip with us before booking a voyage. Younger people welcome after discussion.

Safety

Your safety is our primary concern. Lady of Avenel is certified by the MCA to operate in Category 2 waters (up to 60 miles from a safe haven), equipped with appropriate safety equipment, and run by highly experienced and qualified crew.

You will receive a full safety briefing at the start of the voyage. You must agree to abide fully with the instructions of the skipper and professional crew.

Medical and disability

A reasonable level of fitness is required to sail on Lady of Avenel, but we pride ourselves in taking on board and supporting people affected by a range of medical and disability issues. It is important that you disclose any significant medical concerns on your application form.

These would include: heart conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, mobility issues, sensory impairments, allergies and medication. This enables us to advise on the suitability of a particular voyage and to plan any support you may need.

This information will be held in confidence by the skipper and professional crew of the ship. It is essential that you bring with you any medications you are taking or may need in an emergency, such as inhalers, EpiPens and daily medications. We carry standard First Aid Equipment which includes CAT C kit.

Diet and special requests

If you have any special diet or other requirements, please let us know on your booking form and talk to us in advance. We can cater for most needs.

Equal Opportunities policy

You will be living on a small ship with people who may have very different opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds. It is essential that we can all work, have fun, and feel safe together.

Lady of Avenel welcomes people regardless of age, sex, race, disability, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. You must agree to abide by this ethos.

Complaints & Compliments

YLady of Avenel is an old ship and not everything will be perfect. We want you to have a great time and tell all your friends good things about your voyage on Lady of Avenel.

If you are in any way unhappy, please to tell us a soon as possible so that we have the opportunity to make any changes and improve. Please talk with the skipper or professional crew in the first instance.

If this is not appropriate, or does not resolve the issue please write to the senior skipper and owner Stefan Fritz office@ladyofavenel.com

Behaviour onboard

The behaviour of everyone on board needs to be of a high standard to ensure safety and enjoyment of participants. If a participant behaves in a manner which puts this at risk, they may be asked to leave the ship.

The Skipper is personally responsible for the safety of the vessel and all those aboard and would make this decision. In such a case Lady of Avenel is not liable for any refunds of other costs incurred

Alcohol and smoking policy

We are not a dry ship but, consumption of alcohol must be sensible and is at the discretion of the skipper. Smoking is only permitted on deck and down wind.

Data Protection

All data is collected and held under the General Data Protection Regulations 2018.

Travel – Getting to Oban

Glasgow to Oban by public transport

If you’re coming from the East coast, Edinburgh or the UK you will need to first travel through Glasgow. Once in here the best form of travel is via train, the easiest website to organise all of this is through www.thetrainline.com – booked in advance tickets can be very cheap. Regular trains travel to Oban that take just over 3 hours and costs approximately £40 for a return ticket. Information on train fares and timetables can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk.

Oban is also serviced by regular buses via www.citylink.co.uk. The bus stops right outside Oban train station, when you exit the train station, follow the water’s edge with the sea on your left for 400m and you will see the ‘Lady of Avenel’ waiting in all her beauty at the quay.

Driving to Oban

By car from Glasgow take the A82 which skirts the west side of Loch Lomond.

From here, you need to join the A85 at Tyndrum which takes you right to the centre of Oban. When the A85 reaches the coast, you will see the ‘Lady of Avenel’ moored on your right as you look to sea. Parking is available at Oban train station, but there is a daily fee of £3.

Lady of Avenel - Tall Ship Adventures