Conditions of Carriage and General Terms and Conditions
Conditions of Carriage – Public Cruises
Carriage is provided in accordance with the general conditions of carriage of the shipping company. Force majeure, high or low water levels, mechanical failure, lock issues, closures of the Weser, insufficient participation (minimum number of participants: 20 persons) and adverse weather conditions release us from our obligation to adhere to the published timetable.
Departure and arrival times are approximate. No entitlement to punctual carriage exists. Pre-booked seats must be occupied no later than 10 minutes before departure – failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the right to carriage.
Should a cruise be unable to take place for reasons beyond the control of Hal över, only the amount already paid will be refunded. Further claims are excluded.
Ticket Returns
| Return submitted | Refund |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month before departure | 80% of the purchase price |
| Between 1 month and 10 days before departure | 70% of the purchase price |
| Between 10 and 4 days before departure | 30% of the purchase price |
| 3 days or less before departure | No refund |
General Terms and Conditions – Charter
These terms and conditions apply to the organisation of events on board the passenger vessels of Hal över Bremer Fahrgastschifffahrt GmbH (hereinafter "Hal över") and to all related deliveries and services.
1. All verbal and written agreements regarding events, catering services, the course of events and further deliveries and services are binding on both the organiser and Hal över.
2. All prices include statutory VAT. Any statutory increase in VAT after conclusion of the contract shall be borne by the client.
3. A deposit of 10% of the charter fee is payable upon conclusion of the contract. In justified cases, a further deposit may be required prior to the event.
4. Invoices issued by Hal över are payable within 7 days of the invoice date without deduction.
5. A minimum of 20 guests applies to buffet catering. Where this minimum
is not reached, a surcharge per actual participant will be charged. The final
number of participants must be communicated to Hal över no later than five days
before the event date.
Where the notified number of participants is reduced within 72 hours of the
start of the event, 50% of the agreed catering services will be invoiced; where
the reduction occurs within 24 hours, 100% will be invoiced. Should the actual
number of participants exceed the notified number without prior notification to
Hal över, Hal över accepts no responsibility for the adequate provision of food,
beverages or staffing.
6. Should an event be unable to take place through no fault of Hal över,
Hal över retains the right to reasonable remuneration, the amount of which
shall be determined by the time of cancellation and the services already
rendered or agreed. Cancellations by the organiser must be made in writing.
The following cancellation fees apply:
| Time of cancellation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 months before the event | 10% of the agreed charter fee |
| Less than 1 month before the event | 30% of the agreed charter fee |
| Up to 10 days before the event | 75% of the agreed charter fee |
| Less than 5 days before the event | 80% of the agreed services |
7. Where all-inclusive events exceed the agreed duration, any services not included in the package will be charged on an itemised basis.
8. Should the organiser require more staff than Hal över would typically deploy, the additional costs arising from this shall be borne by the organiser.
9. The organiser is liable for any losses or damage caused by themselves,
by auxiliary staff engaged by them, or by event participants. It is the
organiser's responsibility to take out adequate insurance; Hal över may request
proof of such insurance. Cleaning and repair costs will be charged to the
organiser where applicable.
The installation of decorative materials, banners, flags, posters or other
items – whether inside or outside – must be agreed with Hal över in advance.
This includes any text and imagery on such materials. Hal över reserves the
right to prohibit their use. The client guarantees that all decorative materials
comply with fire safety requirements; Hal över may request written confirmation
from the relevant fire safety authority where necessary.
Fireworks, Bengal flares, sparklers or comparable pyrotechnics are not
permitted on board or on the landing stages.
10. Where Hal över procures technical or other equipment from third-party providers on behalf of the organiser, it does so in the name and for the account of the organiser. The organiser is responsible for treating such equipment with care and returning it in proper condition, and shall indemnify Hal över against all third-party claims arising from the provision of such equipment.
11. Guests are not permitted to bring their own food or beverages on board. In exceptional cases, a deviating written agreement may be reached; in such cases, a corkage fee will be charged, the amount of which will reflect the lost revenue and shall be agreed with Hal över.
12. Newspaper advertisements or other publications containing invitations to job interviews, sales events or references to events on Hal över vessels require the prior written consent of Hal över. In the event of unauthorised publication that materially affects the interests of Hal över, Hal över reserves the right to cancel the event; in such cases, the provisions of clause 6 shall apply accordingly.
13. Hal över is entitled to cancel or terminate an event where there are justified grounds to believe that the smooth operation, safety or reputation of the company is at risk, or in the event of force majeure.
14. Responsibility for the supervision of children rests with their parents or accompanying supervisors.
15. Hal över holds the right of domicile on board. Instructions issued by crew members and the vessel's captain must be followed.
16. The place of performance and the place of jurisdiction shall be the registered seat of Hal över.
17. Should any provision of these General Terms and Conditions be found to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects its intended meaning. These General Terms and Conditions form an express part of every contract and will be provided upon request.
Bremen, May 2026