Should the deposit be refundable?

It is a business choice. Whatever you decide, write it down, with the dates, and show it before the guest pays.

Do I have to refund a guest if there was no wind?

That depends on what your terms say and on the consumer rules where you sell, which is why wind should be covered in writing before the season.

What happens to the cabin when a guest cancels?

In KiteDeck the berth becomes free again on the plan, and you can offer it to the guests on the waiting list.

Guide for operators

Writing a cancellation policy for kite trips

A sick guest, a missed flight, a boat that breaks down, a week with little wind: kite trips get cancelled or changed for reasons nobody controls. A clear policy, written before the season, keeps those moments short. Here is what it usually covers.

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When a guest cancels

What the guest gets back, depending on how long before departure they cancel.
What happens to the deposit, and from which date it is no longer refunded.
Whether the guest can pass their place to a friend, or move to another date.
A recommendation to take travel insurance, so the guest is covered where you are not.

When you cancel

The minimum number of guests to run a departure, and the date by which you decide.
What happens if the boat cannot sail, for safety or a breakdown.
What you refund or offer instead: another date, a credit, a full refund.

Wind and weather

Riders book a kite trip for the wind, and no operator can promise it. Say so in writing: what happens on days without wind (another spot, another activity, a change of route) and whether a calm week is a reason for a refund. Guests accept a rule they read before paying far better than one they discover on board.

Make it visible before guests pay

Show the policy on your booking page and repeat it in the confirmation email.
Use the same wording everywhere, so there is only one version to argue about.
Have it checked locally: consumer rules differ from one country to the next.

How KiteDeck helps

Cancel a booking and choose whether you keep or refund the deposit.
Deposits paid online are refunded through Stripe, back to the guest's card.
The cabin frees up at once, and the waiting list shows who to offer it to.
Every refund and kept deposit is journalled, so the cruise's figures stay right.

Frequently asked questions

Should the deposit be refundable?: It is a business choice. Whatever you decide, write it down, with the dates, and show it before the guest pays.
Do I have to refund a guest if there was no wind?: That depends on what your terms say and on the consumer rules where you sell, which is why wind should be covered in writing before the season.
What happens to the cabin when a guest cancels?: In KiteDeck the berth becomes free again on the plan, and you can offer it to the guests on the waiting list.

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