The terms of your charter.

1 · Who you are booking with

Boat Tour Interlaken is operated personally by Captain Chris from Merligen, on Lake Thun. Every charter is fully private and captained by him: there are no shared departures, no rotating crews and no subcontracted skippers.

• Licensed Swiss commercial passenger vessel, authorised for passenger transport on Lake Thun.
• Member of the Swiss Nautic Union · established 2020.
• Licensed capacity: 12 guests plus the captain. That is a legal limit and cannot be exceeded.

2 · Making a booking

A booking exists once you have received a written confirmation from Captain Chris and payment has been made. The confirmation states the date, the departure time, the duration, the number of guests, the departure point and the total price.

• Online bookings hold your slot for 48 hours while you pay. If payment has not arrived by then, the slot is released.
• Requests by WhatsApp or email receive availability and a fixed price, usually within hours and at the latest within 24 to 48 hours.
• The number of guests in the confirmation is the number the price is based on. Children and babies count towards it. Tell us as soon as it changes, as the price and the boat's capacity both depend on it.
• Groups of 9 to 12 guests, charters longer than shown online, proposals, wine and fondue cruises are arranged individually.
• All charters are by advance reservation. Same-day departures are sometimes possible; ask on WhatsApp.
• A confirmed booking is not refundable, except where we cancel for weather or safety. Please see sections 8 and 9 before you pay.

3 · Prices and what is included

Prices are per boat, never per person, and are quoted in Swiss francs. They depend on the duration, the size of your party and the season.

• Always included: exclusive use of the boat, Captain Chris, fuel, safety equipment and a route planned around your day.
• Hosted cruises also include the hospitality stated in your confirmation, such as Moët & Chandon, a Swiss cheese platter, chocolates or soft drinks.
• Not included: travel to and from Merligen, anything ordered as an extra, and gratuities, which are never expected.
• Winter rates apply from 1 November to 31 March on charter-only bookings.

4 · Payment

Full payment in advance confirms your booking. You can pay by card, TWINT, PayPal or bank transfer; all the details are on the payment page. Please use your name and your booking date as the payment reference.

• Hotels, concierge teams and travel agencies may be invoiced by prior arrangement, under their partner terms.
• Bank transfers take one to three working days. If your charter is sooner than that, pay by card, TWINT or PayPal.
• By paying, you accept the terms on this page, including that the charter is not refundable once confirmed, except where we cancel for weather or safety.

5 · Extras and special requests

Cake, flowers, decoration, photography, a private chef and other extras are arranged with third parties on your behalf and quoted in advance. Nothing is ordered without your written agreement.

• There is no cooking or heating on board. Everything, including food from partner chefs, arrives ready to serve.
• Refrigerated storage cannot be guaranteed.
• Food or drink you bring yourself is welcome on charter-only bookings, by prior agreement and subject to the service fees listed in your quote.
• Lead times apply to most extras, and last-minute requests may not be possible.

6 · Arrival and departure

Charters depart from and return to Merligen. The exact meeting point, directions and a map link are sent with every confirmation; you can also see them at how to find us.

• Please arrive 5 minutes before your departure time.
• Late arrival shortens the charter rather than moving it, and the price does not change. Another booking is often waiting.
• If you are running late, message or call as soon as you know.
• Boarding is by steps. There is no full wheelchair access, but tell us in advance and assistance is arranged.
• There is no toilet on board. Facilities are available before boarding, and on charters of three hours or more a stop can be planned.

7 · On board, safety and swimming

The captain is responsible for the vessel and for everyone on it. His instructions must be followed at all times, and his decisions on route, timing and safety are final.

• Approved life jackets are on board for every guest, adults and children. The captain may require them to be worn.
• Children remain under the supervision of an accompanying adult at all times.
• Alcohol is served and enjoyed responsibly. The captain may decline further service; on a commercial vessel this is a legal duty, not a preference.
• The captain may end a charter early, without refund, in case of behaviour that endangers the vessel, the guests or third parties.
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted on board.

8 · Weather

The lake is not always sunny, and a charter is not cancelled because of cloud. The vessel has a full soft-top cover and side windows, so charters go ahead in most conditions. Today's conditions on the lake.

The final weather decision is made 30 minutes before departure, by the captain, using official Swiss meteorological data and the conditions on the water.

Lake Thun has an official storm warning system: flashing orange lights around the shore. Forty flashes per minute is a caution, ninety flashes per minute is a storm warning. Both are taken seriously.

9 · Changes and cancellation by you

Because there is one boat and one captain, a date given to you is a date refused to someone else. Once a booking is confirmed and paid, the charter is not refundable. The only exception is a cancellation by us for weather or safety, as set out in section 8.

• Extras already ordered are not refunded at any stage.
• Reducing the number of guests does not reduce the price, as the whole boat is reserved for you.
• Where a refund is due, it is made by the same method you paid with, within 10 working days.
• Travel insurance covering cancellation is recommended.

10 · Insurance and liability

• The vessel is fully insured, with commercial liability cover of CHF 5,000,000, and is inspected annually.
• Guests take part in the charter, and in any swimming, at their own risk.
• Personal belongings remain your responsibility. We cannot accept liability for items lost, damaged or left on board.
• We are not liable for indirect costs such as travel, accommodation or missed connections if a charter is cancelled for weather or safety. Our liability is limited to the amount you paid for the charter.
• Your own travel insurance is recommended.

11 · Your information

The details you give us are used to arrange your charter and to contact you about it. They are not sold, and they are not shared beyond what a booking requires, such as a partner supplier for an extra you ordered.

• We may take photographs of the lake and the boat. Guests are not photographed without their agreement.
• If you would like us to delete your details after your charter, just ask.

12 · Law and complaints

If something is not right, tell Captain Chris directly, ideally on the day. Almost everything can be settled on the spot.

These terms are governed by Swiss law, and the courts of the Canton of Bern have jurisdiction. Where a term is invalid, the rest continues to apply.