General Terms and Conditions

Article 1 – Identity of the contracting party

The activities offered under the name “Spirit of Ostend” are organised and legally operated by:

Ramblinjoe BV
Dunantplein 1
3550 Zolder
Belgium
VAT: BE0760.605.209

In these General Terms and Conditions, Ramblinjoe BV is referred to as “Spirit of Ostend”.

Article 2 – Scope and applicability

These General Terms and Conditions govern all agreements, bookings and participation in voyages organised by Spirit of Ostend, including but not limited to:

  • Leadership Journeys

  • Discovery Journeys (to be developed)

  • Any bespoke or in-company journeys expressly agreed in writing

They apply irrespective of whether the booking is made by a private individual (B2C) or by a company or organisation (B2B), unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing.

In case of contradiction between:

  1. a specific written agreement or offer, and

  2. these General Terms and Conditions,

the specific written agreement prevails.

Any general or special conditions of the participant or booker are expressly excluded unless explicitly accepted in writing by Spirit of Ostend.

Article 3 – Booker and Participant

The person or entity making the booking and/or payment (the “Booker”) may be different from the actual participant (the “Participant”).

In that case:

  • the Booker acts in the name and on behalf of the Participant;

  • the Booker guarantees that the Participant has taken note of and agrees to these General Terms and Conditions;

  • the Booker and Participant are jointly and severally liable for all obligations arising from the agreement.

Participation is strictly personal. Substitution of a Participant is only possible with the prior written consent of Spirit of Ostend.

Article 4 – Nature of the voyages

Spirit of Ostend organises sailing-based journeys on board a seagoing sailing vessel.

The voyages:

  • are not training courses unless explicitly stated;

  • are not commercial passenger transport;

  • involve inherent maritime and outdoor risks.

The role of the skipper and crew is to ensure the safe operation of the vessel and the overall conduct of the voyage. The journeys are not performance-based or outcome-guaranteed experiences.

Article 5 – Prices, VAT and transparency

5.1 Leadership Journeys

Prices communicated for Leadership Journeys are:

  • expressed exclusive of VAT, unless explicitly stated otherwise;

  • intended primarily for professional or organisational contexts.

VAT treatment follows applicable Belgian VAT legislation and will be specified on the invoice.

5.2 Discovery Journeys

Prices communicated for Discovery Journeys are:

  • expressed inclusive of VAT;

  • intended for private participants.

5.3 What is included and excluded

Each voyage description specifies what is included and what is not included in the price. Unless explicitly stated, the price does not include:

  • transport to and from the embarkation location;

  • personal insurance (travel, cancellation, medical);

  • personal expenses;

  • onboard shared expenses (e.g. food, fuel, harbour fees), if applicable.

Article 6 – Booking and payment

A booking is only confirmed once:

  • Spirit of Ostend has confirmed the booking in writing, and

  • the required payment (deposit or full amount) has been received.

Payment terms, deposits and deadlines are specified in the booking confirmation or invoice.

Failure to pay within the agreed timeframe may result in cancellation of the booking, without prejudice to applicable cancellation fees.

Article 7 – Right of withdrawal

In accordance with Belgian and European consumer law, there is no right of withdrawal for leisure activities taking place on a specific date or within a specific period.

Once a voyage has been confirmed, the agreement is binding. Cancellation remains possible subject to the cancellation conditions below.

Article 8 – Cancellation by the Participant or Booker

Cancellation must be made in writing.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following cancellation fees apply:

  • More than 90 days before departure: 50%

  • 61–90 days before departure: 60%

  • 31–60 days before departure: 80%

  • 30 days or less before departure or no-show: 100%

Cancellation fees are calculated on the total voyage price (excluding VAT where applicable).

Spirit of Ostend recommends taking out adequate cancellation insurance.

Article 9 – Cancellation or modification by Spirit of Ostend

Spirit of Ostend may cancel or modify a voyage in exceptional circumstances, including but not limited to:

  • safety concerns;

  • technical issues with the vessel;

  • illness or unavailability of essential crew;

  • weather or maritime conditions;

  • force majeure.

In such cases, Spirit of Ostend will, where possible, propose an alternative. If no suitable alternative is available, amounts paid will be refunded. Further liability is excluded to the extent permitted by law.

Article 10 – Safety, authority and conduct on board

The skipper has full authority on board at all times.

Participants undertake to:

  • follow all safety instructions;

  • respect the vessel, crew and fellow participants;

  • behave in a manner compatible with maritime safety.

Spirit of Ostend reserves the right to refuse embarkation or to disembark a Participant whose behaviour endangers safety or seriously disrupts the voyage, without entitlement to refund.

Article 11 – Health, fitness and responsibility

Participants declare that they are physically and mentally fit to participate in a sailing voyage at sea.

Any relevant medical conditions must be communicated prior to departure. Participation remains at the Participant’s own responsibility.

Article 12 – Insurance

Participants are required to have adequate:

  • travel assistance insurance;

  • medical insurance;

  • cancellation insurance.

Spirit of Ostend carries insurance in accordance with applicable legal requirements for the vessel and its operation, but this does not replace personal insurance.

Article 13 – Liability

Participation is at the Participant’s own risk.

Spirit of Ostend is only liable in cases of intent or gross negligence, within the limits imposed by Belgian law. Liability is in all cases limited to the amount paid for the voyage, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

Article 14 – Privacy and image rights

Personal data are processed in accordance with applicable GDPR legislation.

Photos or audiovisual material taken during voyages may be used for communication purposes, unless the Participant objects in writing prior to departure.

Article 15 – Applicable law and jurisdiction

These General Terms and Conditions are governed exclusively by Belgian law.

Any disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the judicial district where Ramblinjoe BV has its registered office.