Legal
Last updated: 14 July 2026
Charter Wise is a New Zealand-based, independent yacht charter advisory and booking service. We help clients find, compare and book bareboat and skippered yacht charters with third-party charter operators worldwide. We are not a charter operator ourselves and do not own or crew the yachts we help you book.
When you book through Charter Wise, your charter contract is ultimately with the charter operator providing the yacht, not with Charter Wise. We act as an independent intermediary: recommending operators and yachts, handling communication, and assisting with the booking process. The operator's own terms and conditions, including their payment schedule, security deposit and cancellation policy, will apply to your booking, and we'll make sure you have sight of these before you confirm.
Prices and availability shown or quoted are indicative until confirmed directly with the relevant operator. Prices may be affected by exchange rates, seasonal demand and operator pricing changes outside our control. We do not add booking fees on top of the operator's own charter price.
Standard practice across most operators is a deposit on booking confirmation and the balance due some weeks before your charter start date, plus a refundable security deposit paid locally. Exact terms vary by operator and will be confirmed with you in writing before you commit to a booking.
Cancellation terms are set by the individual charter operator and will differ depending on the destination, operator and how far in advance you cancel. We'll explain the applicable cancellation terms clearly before you confirm a booking, and always look for a no-fee date change first where a swap is possible. Charter Wise does not charge a separate cancellation fee on top of the operator's own terms, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
For bareboat charters, you are responsible for holding the sailing qualifications required by the operator and destination (such as an ICC, RYA Day Skipper or recognised equivalent), and for complying with local regulations. We're happy to advise, but final verification of qualifications sits with the charter operator at handover.
Charter Wise is not responsible for the condition, seaworthiness, crewing or operation of any yacht, or for acts or omissions of the charter operator. Our liability is limited to the advisory and booking-assistance services we provide directly. Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot be excluded under New Zealand law, including under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or Fair Trading Act 1986 where applicable.
Sailing is weather-dependent. Neither Charter Wise nor the charter operator is responsible for disruption, delay or itinerary changes caused by weather, sea conditions or other events outside reasonable control.
Content on this website is provided for general information and is not a guarantee of current pricing or availability. We try to keep information accurate and up to date, but we don't warrant that the website will be error-free or uninterrupted.
These terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand, and any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
Questions about these terms can be sent to hello@charterwise.co.nz or via WhatsApp.