Welcome to our Covid-19 Information HUB
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
You want to know that you’ll be safe, your money is safe and that, if Covid-19 should disrupt your holiday plans, you have the flexibility to amend them. We can provide this reassurance, and at no extra cost to you. So why not secure your ideal holiday now, while there’s still availability, and give yourself something wonderful to look forward to?
Then relax in the knowledge that we’ve got you covered. Who's on board?
Covid flexibility
For ALL new bookings (and re-bookings) made on or after 24th August 2022, which depart in 2023.
- Change your booking with no amendment fee
- Or cancel and receive a credit note
- Only for Covid-19 related reasons
- Changes permitted within 14 days of, and then right up to, your day of departure
- Terms apply - see below
Financial Confidence
Not only do we have over 50 years’ of boat charter experience with more boats and bases than any other company, we are also part of Travelopia, the world’s largest collection of specialist travel brands. This makes us, by far, one of the most financially stable boat charter companies in the world.
Covid safety
We've reviewed and enhanced our operational procedures since the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure we continue to keep our colleagues and customers safe. If there are any specific requirements of our customers or our teams, at any given time, they will be updated in this hub.
Additional flexibility can be purchased with our new Holiday Flex Plan, which covers you from when you book until 14 days before departure and allows changes to be made for any reason. See our optional extras for further details.
Booked before 24th August 2022? See the 'ALREADY BOOKED' section below for more information
Covid flexibility: Only applicable to 2023 departures. If one of the covid-19 related reasons below applies to you, we will waive our amendment fee for changes made to your departure date, duration, base, region and boat type, subject to availability. Such changes are only permitted within 14 days of departure. If the new holiday cost is higher, you will need to pay the difference. If the new holiday cost is lower a cash refund of the difference will be given. Please note that only one free-of-charge change is permitted per booking. If one of our applicable covid-related reasons does not apply, you may only make amendments in accordance with our booking terms and conditions. You may transfer your booking to another person although written permission from the original lead booker will be required. Please note: testing positive for Covid-19 is not an applicable reason, in itself, to make an amendment under our 'Covid Flexibiliyt' policy. However, if government-imposed restrictions prevent people with Covid-19 from travelling or requires them to self-isolate, then you will be covered under our 'Covid Flexibility' policy. We will require proof of a positive test.
Applicable Covid-19 related reasons are:
For any of the below reasons to apply, it must be confirmed that they will still be in place on your date of departure. If restrictions are in place with no definitive end date, you may not make a free-of-charge amendment until 7 days prior to your departure, at which point they must still be in place to qualify as a valid reason.
- We have confirmed we are unable to operate your holiday as local government restrictions prevent us from doing so.
- Your home government, or the government of your destination country has imposed Covid-19 related restrictions on movement and travel, which apply to you or members of your party, and which prevent you from travelling.
- The government of your destination country, instructs you not to mix with households with whom you planned to travel with.
- You, or a member of your party, are required to self-isolate in accordance with government guidelines.
- You are instructed by the authorities that you must self-quarantine on arrival at your destination or after your return to your home country, regardless of whether you present a negative Covid-19 test or not. Some countries do not require you to quarantine if you present a negative Covid-19 test taken 24 hours before your departure. In this instance, refusal to take a test and then being asked to quarantine is not an applicable reason for not being able to travel.
ALREADY BOOKED?
For bookings made prior to 24th August 2022
If you booked (or rebooked using refund credit) prior to 24th August 2022, our 'Cash Refund Guarantee' and 'Total Flexibility' policy applies to you and you are covered by the below terms. You may cancel or make an amendment under these policies within 8 weeks of departure if there are restrictions in place, which prevent you from traveling, that have no definitive end date.
Cash Refund Guarantee: You can accept a refund credit note or receive a full cash refund, right up to the day of your departure, if you have to cancel your trip before you depart, due to any of the Covid-19 related reasons outlined below. In accordance with our booking terms and conditions, if your balance is not paid in time, we shall cancel your booking and will retain your deposit and any other relevant charges. You then will not be eligible for any subsequent reimbursement under our Cash Refund Guarantee. Your balance due date will be clearly shown on your booking confirmation. Testing positive for Covid-19 is not an applicable reason, in itself, to claim a refund under our Cash Refund Guarantee. However, if government-imposed restrictions prevent people with Covid-19 from travelling or requires them to self-isolate, then you will be covered under our Cash Refund Guarantee. We will require proof of a positive test.
Total flexibility: We will waive our amendment fee for changes made to your departure date, duration, base, region and boat type, subject to availability. If the new vacation cost is higher, you will need to pay the difference. If the new vacation cost is lower and your change is made up to 14 days before departures, we will give you credit for the difference which you can redeem against pre-booked extras or a future booking. If the new vacation cost is lower, and the change is made within 14 days of departure for a covid-related reason, a cash refund of the difference will be permitted. Please note that only one free-of-charge change is permitted per booking. If one of our applicable covid-related reasons does not apply, amendments within 14 days of departure are not permitted in accordance with our booking terms and conditions. You may transfer your booking to another person although written permission from the original lead booker will be required. Please note: as well as the below applicable reasons, if you test positive for Covid-19 within 14 days of departure, regardless of whether you're affected by government restrictions or not, we will allow you to change your booking under our ‘Total flexibility’ policy.
For bookings made on or after 24th August 2022
If you booked (or rebooked using refund credit) on or after 24th August 2022, you will not be covered by our Cash Refund Guarantee or 'Total Flexibility' policy as outlined above. Our 'Covid Flexibility' policy will apply to your booking - see the 'BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE' section above for more details. Amendments under our flexibility policies are only permitted within 14 days of departure.
If your departure date is less than 14 day away, and if you can no longer proceed with your holiday for one of the coronavirus-related reason listed above, please call us on 0800 333 302 during office opening hours (Mon to Fri: 8:30am - 5pm / Sat & Sun (closed)) to amend your booking. Call volumes may be higher than normal and we thank you for your patience.
You may also complete our online rebooking form and we will check availability and get in touch with you.
If you have booked via an agent, you must contact your agent directly.
Your booking must be affected by one of the coronavirus-related reasons listed above to amend free-of-charge under our Covid Flexibility policy, otherwise our standard amendment fees, terms and conditions will apply.
Unfortunately not. If you wish to keep your booking in place, you must pay your balance in accordance with our usual terms and conditions.
The same applies to any mid-payment deadlines detailed on your booking confirmation. If your balance (or mid-payment) is not paid in time, we shall cancel your booking and will retain your deposit and any other relevant charges. Your balance due date will be clearly shown on your booking confirmation.
If you feel unwell and display symptoms of Covid-19, then we recommend that you take a lateral-flow or PCR test to confirm whether you have Covid-19.
If you test positive within 14 days of departure and government-imposed restrictions prevent anyone with Covid-19 from travelling, or requires them to self-isolate, then you can amend your booking for free under the terms of our ‘Covid flexibility’ policy. In these circumstances, you may request to change your booking right up to the day of departure. However, we will require you to provide evidence to support your claim. Please call us as soon as you know. (If you have booked via an agent, please contact them directly.)
If government-imposed restrictions DO NOT prevent people with Covid-19 from travelling, or require them to self-isolate, then the terms of our Covid Flexibility policy will not apply.
In the event that you or a member of your party begin to display coronavirus symptoms (Please refer to local government or heath service advise for the latest coronavirus symptoms) during your trip, please isolate all crew members on board your boat and contact our base team who can advise the most appropriate and nearest source of medical advice and/or testing. You may need to make arrangements to return home as soon as feasible. The base team will discuss with you if, and where, you should navigate your boat to. The base team will arrange a postal check-out with you to prevent any contact with other customers and our colleagues at our base.
LOOKING FOR MORE? CLICK BELOW...
Can you cross the border? Are you allowed to travel to and from our bases?
Rules and restrictions while on holiday >
Do you need to be vaccinated? How will local restrictions affect your holiday experience?
If you're required to test while on holiday, find out where the local test centres are here
AM I ALLOWED TO TRAVEL?
Travelling TO your destination country
It is your responsibility to check and conform to any relevant guidance and measures that are in force to help keep you, our other customers and our team safe. These may include government travel restrictions and that prevent you and your party from being able to travel to your destination country or vaccination requirements that must be complied with as a condition of entry.
Further advice and useful links about all such restrictions can be found below, for each of our destinations.
Travelling TO Belgium from South Africa
The authorities in Belgium set and enforce entry rules. Please check the Belgian Covid-19 Travel Website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO Canada from South Africa
The authorities in Canada set and enforce entry rules. Please check the Government of Canada's website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website
Travelling TO UK from South Africa
The authorities in the Ireland set and enforce entry rules. Please check the UK Government's website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO France from South Africa
The authorities in France set and enforce entry rules. Please check the French Government’s Ministry of the Interior website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO Germany from South Africa
The authorities in Germany set and enforce entry rules. Please check the German Government’s Federal Ministry of Health's website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO Ireland from South Africa
The authorities in the Ireland set and enforce entry rules. Please check the Irish Government's website for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO Italy from South Africa
The authorities in the Italy set and enforce entry rules. Please check the Italian Government's online questionnaire to check if you are compliant with current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling TO the Netherlands from South Africa
The authorities in the NETHERLANDS set and enforce entry rules. Please check the Government of the Netherlands Covid-19 web pages for current entry requirements. Further information and advice for South African citizens can be found at the South African COVID-19 Travel Website.
Travelling back to South Africa FROM your destination country
There maybe also be measures imposed by your home government, such as quarantine requirements, that apply when returning home from your destination country. You should check and comply with all. The following summary is our interpretation of the current rules that apply to South African citizens. It is meant for general guidance only. If you intend to travel, you MUST visit the South African COVID-19 Travel Website to corroborate the information and for further details.
ALL travellers (in place from 4 May 2022 to 22 Jun 2022): any traveller entering South Africa must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before the date of travel. If you cannot provide a negative test, you will be required to do an antigen test your own costs. If you test positive for COVID-19, you are required to isolate at your own cost for 10 days.
Restrictions WHILE IN your destination country
Regardless of where you are travelling from, you should ALSO keep checking the latest local advice and guidelines for the country you are cruising in. There may be requirements you need to prepare for in advance, such as getting vaccinated or buying facemasks. Or there maybe restrictions that prevent you and your party from going on your cruise together or restrict what you can and can’t do while on holiday.
If you booked prior to 24th August 2022 and you are affected by any Covid19-related restrictions and you are unable go on you cruise as booked or if you are required to quarantine upon your return, don't worry… our 'Cash Refund Guarantee' and 'Total Flexibility' Policy will apply.
If you booked on or after 24th August 2022 and you are affected by any Covid19-related restrictions and you are unable go on you cruise as booked or if you are required to quarantine upon your return, our 'Covid Flexibility' Policy will apply and you may amend your booking to an alternative date.
Before you carry out your test, please make sure you check the test timing requirements for the country you’re travelling to. If you carry out your test too early, it may be invalid.
If you are traveling by air, sea or rail we advice you follow testing advice and requirements from your airline, ferry company or train operator. Many ports and airport are working with laboratories to offer testing before you travel. Please ensure that you check if you are required to book tests in advance.
Additionally, the following are a selection of locations that can supply tests for travel purposes. The following information is not an exhaustive list and is subject to change.
Le Boat is not connected to the above companies or services and cannot be held liable for the information or services they supply.
If you are travelling by air, sea or rail we advice you follow testing advice and requirements from your airline, ferry company or train operator. Many ports and airport are working with laboratories to offer testing before you travel. Please ensure that you check if you are required to book tests in advance.
Before you carry out your test, please make sure you check the test timing requirements for the country you’re travelling to. If you carry out your test too early, it may be invalid.
Le Boat does not have the facilities to directly offer customers Covid-19 tests, however we have compiled a selection of local laboratories that supply tests near to our bases.
If your pre-departure test result is positive, you should follow government guidance and you may need to seek treatment where you are, until you have recovered. If the local authorities tell you to quarantine, you should expect to do this prior to traveling home. It is not possible to quarantine on board one of our boats, but our base or customer services teams will provide you with advice and support to find accommodation that is suitable for your needs.
Prior to traveling we also advice you check you have adequate travel insurance to cover you if you are required to self-isolation away from home.
LOOKING FOR MORE? CLICK BELOW...
Should you book now? Can you cancel or amend an existing booking? Do you have refund credit to use?
Rules and restrictions while on holiday >
Do you need to be vaccinated? How will local restrictions affect your holiday experience?
If you're required to test while on holiday, find out where the local test centres are here
VACCINATION STATUS AND TESTING
Do I need to be fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative Covid-19 test?
FOR TRAVEL TO AND FROM YOUR BASE: Travel restrictions relating to vaccination status and Covid-19 testing vary by country. Please see the 'Travel restrictions' tab for advise on where to find the most-up-to-date information.
FOR BOATING: We do not require to see any evidence of vaccination against Covid-19, or a negative test result, before you are allowed into our bases or before you depart on one of our boats. However, we kindly ask that you help to keep our other customers and our colleagues safe by taking a test shortly before your vacation if possible. And, if any member of your party starts to display coronavirus symptoms or tests positive for Covid-19 in the weeks prior to your departure, they should follow the latest government advice in your home country with regards to taking a test and self-isolating.
FOR GETTING OUT AND ABOUT: Your vaccination status and the requirement to take a Covid-19 test in order to visit certain public places (such as shops, restaurants and attractions) varies by country. Please see below for more details about this, as well as other rules and restrictions in place which may affect your holiday experience... in all our destinations.
HOW WILL COVID-19 AFFECT MY HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE?
What are the current local Covid-19 restrictions in my destination?
To find out about any restrictions that may affect your travel to or from our base, please refer to our 'Travel restrictions' tab for advise on where to find the most-up-to-date information. For Covid-19 restrictions that may affect what you can and can't do in each of our destinations, and what precautions are currently in place - we've provided a helpful summary below. Such rules and guidance often changes, so we’d recommend you start checking restrictions no earlier than 4 weeks prior to travel and you should keep checking right up until the day of departure in case they are updated.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - the mandatory requirement to wear masks has been removed for these venues, although is still required in some places such as on public transport.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No– there are currently no restrictions.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - there are currently no requirements, however you should wear a mask if you are recovering from, or have symptoms, of COVID-19 or you have been in close contact with someone who is recovering from, or had symptoms, of COVID-19. Businesses and organizations may implement their own rules and policies related to masking within their settings.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - a face covering is not currently mandatory in enclosed public spaces.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No – there are currently no restrictions
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are no current requirements for these venues.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
In England and Scotland, the wearing of face coverings is no longer required, but is recommended in crowded, enclosed spaces.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No– there are currently no restrictions.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - there are currently no requirements. Masks are only required in health care facilities and recommended on public transportation.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are currently no restrictions
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
Not for shops. However, for restaurants and leisure venues, people over 18-years-old will be admitted if they have recovered from COVID or are fully vaccinated, and only if they can also present a negative test result (although, people with a booster vaccination do not need a test). See: www.integrationsbeauftragte.de/ib-de/staatsministerin/corona/
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
Yes - wearing of facemasks is mandatory in enclosed public spaces. Wearing a medical-grade mask remains a legal requirement in shops.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No - there are currently no such restrictions
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are no current requirements for these venues.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - the mandatory requirement to wear masks has been removed, although is recommended on public transport and in healthcare settings.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No– there are currently no restrictions.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Are shops, restaurants and leisure venues required to close?
No – there are currently no restrictions.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination to be allowed into shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No – there are no current requirements for these venues.
Do I need to wear a facemask when inside shops, restaurants and leisure venues?
No - In the Netherlands wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory anywhere.
Are there limits on the number of people in my group?
No– there are currently no restrictions.
LOOKING FOR MORE? CLICK BELOW...
Should you book now? Can you cancel or amend an existing booking? Do you have refund credit to use?
Can you cross the border? Are you allowed to travel to and from our bases?
If you're required to test while on holiday, find out where the local test centres are here