Legal

Terms and Conditions

Fiordland Expeditions Limited

Last updated: 15 May 2026

1. About these terms

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") are binding on both parties and apply to all bookings made with Fiordland Expeditions Limited ("FEL", "we", "us", "our") for cruises, charters, and related services. Please read them carefully before making a booking. To enable FEL to confirm your booking, you must first agree to these Terms.

If you are booking on behalf of others (for example, family members or a group), you confirm that you have authority to accept these Terms on their behalf and that they will be bound by these Terms. You also accept responsibility for ensuring those other passengers meet all requirements for travel with FEL or its subcontractors. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of any potential refunds.

2. Definitions

"Booking" means a confirmed reservation for one of our services, as set out in your confirmation email or itinerary.

"Guest" means each person travelling with us under a Booking.

"Charter" means a private hire of one of our Vessels.

"Cruise" means a scheduled or by-arrangement journey aboard one of our Vessels.

"Operator" means Fiordland Expeditions Limited.

"Skipper" means the master of the Vessel on a given Cruise or Charter.

"Vessel" means MV Tutoko II, MV Tutoko, or any other vessel operated by FEL.

"Website" means fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz and any related online platforms operated by FEL.

3. Our services

We operate boutique cruise and charter services in Doubtful Sound and surrounding areas of Fiordland National Park, under commercial concession AUTH-20202007 issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

Our services include:

• Doubtful Sound overnight cruises (scheduled departures)
• Fishing and private charters
• Multi-night and bespoke private charters (by arrangement)
• Research and special-interest charters

Specific inclusions, exclusions, and itinerary details are confirmed in your booking confirmation.

4. Bookings and payment

4.1 Booking confirmation

Bookings can be made through our online booking system (FareHarbor), by email, or by phone. You will be contacted by email at the time of booking to confirm receipt of your booking request, and email is the primary method for all further correspondence.

Your booking is confirmed once we have sighted your payment in our bank account, either by way of the specified deposit at the time of booking, or in full. Confirmation of your booking request does not in itself constitute confirmation of receipt of payment.

4.2 Minimum passenger requirement

Our scheduled overnight cruises are only confirmed once a minimum of two passengers are booked and paid for. If you are travelling alone, please be aware that your departure depends on at least one additional booking for the same date.

If this minimum is not achieved by the date of departure, you agree that our liability is limited to a maximum of a full refund of the affected booking.

4.3 Payment

Bookings must be paid in full no later than nine (9) days prior to departure. Bookings not paid in full by this time will be released for resale, and FEL offers no express right to the original booking holder for the original dates or any other dates if the booking is resold.

For private and multi-night charters, a deposit is required at the time of booking with the balance due before departure. Specific deposit amounts and balance due dates are confirmed in writing at the time of booking.

We accept credit cards, debit cards, and direct credit. Payments are deducted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) at the value specified at the time of booking. Refunds, where due, are made at international exchange rates current at the time of refund; FEL is not liable for fluctuations in exchange rates between booking and refund.

4.4 Pricing

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include GST where applicable. Prices are subject to change without notice, but the price quoted and accepted at the time of booking will be honoured. FEL reserves the right at any time to alter ticket pricing for future bookings.

4.5 Payment processing

Payments are processed through our third-party booking and payment providers. We do not store credit card details on our own systems.

5. Cancellation, changes and refunds

5.1 Guest-initiated cancellations

If you need to cancel or change your booking, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellation charges depend on how far in advance of departure the cancellation is made:

• More than 72 hours before departure: 15% of the booking value is retained; the balance is refunded.
• Less than 72 hours before departure: no refund.

Different terms may apply to private charters, multi-night bookings, and peak-season departures, which will be confirmed in writing at the time of booking.

We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations and changes of plan.

5.2 Cancellations or changes by FEL

We may need to cancel, postpone, or vary a Cruise or Charter due to weather, safety, mechanical issues, illness, regulatory requirements, or other operational reasons. Where this happens:

• We will offer you an alternative departure date where reasonably available
• If no alternative is acceptable to you, we will refund the affected portion of your booking
• We are not liable for any additional costs you may incur (such as travel, accommodation, or other arrangements made in connection with your booking) — we strongly recommend travel insurance to cover these risks

6. Weather, safety and operational changes

Fiordland is one of the wettest regions on earth, and weather and sea conditions can change rapidly. The safety of our Guests and crew is our highest priority.

The Skipper has absolute discretion to vary, postpone, or cancel any Cruise or Charter on safety grounds. This may include:

• Departing earlier or later than scheduled
• Modifying the route or destinations within the Cruise
• Returning to port early
• Cancelling activities such as fishing, kayaking, or shore excursions

FEL also reserves the right to change timetables or to use alternative vessels, plant, or equipment, in order to maintain service quality and safety standards.

Variations made on safety or operational grounds do not give rise to a right to a refund beyond what is provided in clause 5.2.

7. Passenger conduct

While on board, all Guests must:

• Follow the directions of the Skipper and crew at all times, particularly safety instructions
• Behave in a way that does not endanger themselves, other Guests, the crew, or the Vessel
• Refrain from excessive consumption of alcohol or use of illegal substances

We reserve the right to refuse boarding, or to disembark at the next safe port, any Guest whose conduct in our reasonable opinion poses a risk to the safety or enjoyment of others. No refund is payable in such cases.

8. Health, fitness, and accessibility

Our cruises are accessible to most able-bodied people, but Vessels involve stairs, narrow walkways, and other features common to small ships. If you or any Guest in your booking has health conditions, mobility limitations, or accessibility needs that may affect your trip, please tell us at the time of booking so we can advise and accommodate where possible.

Guests are responsible for ensuring they are fit to travel and for bringing any medication or assistive devices they require.

All Guests travelling on FEL Vessels must meet the current — at the time of travel — New Zealand Government health requirements.

FEL is proactive in keeping our Guests' and crew's health foremost in our operations. If you are feeling unwell in the days before departure, please contact us at least 36 hours prior to your scheduled departure to discuss options.

FEL reserves the right to refuse boarding to any Guest who, in our reasonable opinion, presents a health risk to other Guests or the crew, or whose condition would be unsafe to travel with in the operating environment.

9. Insurance

We strongly recommend that all Guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation, medical events, personal property, and other risks. We do not provide insurance and our liability to you in connection with such events is limited as set out in these Terms.

10. Personal property

You are responsible for your own personal property at all times. While we take reasonable care of the Vessel and its environment, we are not liable for loss, damage, or theft of personal property except where caused by our negligence and to the extent allowed by law.

11. Photography and media

From time to time, FEL or our authorised photographers may take photographs or video of Guests during Cruises and Charters for use in our marketing, on our website, on social media, and in other promotional contexts.

By making a booking, you consent to such use, provided that you may at any time request that specific images of you not be used. To make such a request, please contact us at info@fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz.

Guests are welcome to take their own photographs and videos for personal use. Commercial use of photographs or video taken on our Vessels requires our prior written consent.

12. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, FEL's liability to you for any loss, damage, injury, or cost arising in connection with our services is limited to the total price paid by you for the affected Booking.

We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or special losses, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of enjoyment, missed connections, or additional travel and accommodation costs.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes any rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or other consumer protection laws that cannot be lawfully excluded.

If you are using our services for business purposes, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 does not apply, and additional liability limitations under these Terms apply.

13. Intellectual property

All content on our Website, marketing materials, and other publications — including but not limited to text, images, video, designs, and logos — is owned by FEL or licensed to us. You may not reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use this content without our prior written consent, except for personal, non-commercial use such as sharing your trip with friends and family.

14. Privacy

FEL respects your right to privacy and does not on-sell private information to third parties. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy. By making a booking, you acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

15. Governing law and dispute resolution

These Terms are governed by New Zealand law. Any dispute arising in connection with these Terms or our services will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

We will always attempt to resolve any concerns directly with you in the first instance. If you have a concern, please contact us at info@fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz.

16. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The current version will always be available on our Website with the "last updated" date shown above. The Terms in force at the time of your Booking are the Terms that apply to your Booking, unless otherwise required by law.

17. Contact us

Fiordland Expeditions Limited
PO Box 300, Te Anau 9600
Fiordland, New Zealand
Phone: 0508 888 656 / +64 3 249 9005
Email: info@fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz
Charters: charters@fiordlandexpeditions.co.nz

Note: These Terms are subject to ongoing review by qualified NZ maritime tourism legal counsel. For complex private charter arrangements, supplementary terms may apply.