Ferry delays can disrupt travel plans, leading to missed connections and lost time. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be entitled to compensation.
Ferry cancellation cover typically covers significant delays - usually over 90 minutes - and can include refunds, reimbursement for alternative transportation, or additional expenses incurred due to the delay. To claim compensation, you'll need to follow specific procedures, such as providing proof of delay and receipts for related costs.
What are my rights when claiming compensation for a delayed ferry?
If your ferry is delayed, before turning to your travel insurance, the first port of call should be your ferry operator.
Depending on the length of the journey, a delay could mean you're entitled to compensation equivalent to 25% of the ticket price. This kicks in when your ferry is delayed by:
- 1 hour for a journey scheduled to last up to 4 hours
- 2 hours for a journey scheduled to last between 4 and 8 hours
- 6 hours for a journey scheduled to last more than 24 hours
Plus if a delay is twice as long as the timings above, you’re entitled to a refund of 50% of the ticket price. Any compensation must be paid within a month of the delayed departure.
If the facilities are available, you're also entitled to refreshment if your journey is delayed for:
- 90 minutes or more (light refreshments, such as tea or water)
- 4 hours or more (snack or a light meal)
- 8 hours or more (hot meal)
Your rights are set out in more detail at maritime passenger rights at GOV.UK.
What if my ferry is cancelled?
If your ferry is cancelled, you can either:
- Take the next crossing for no additional cost
- Get a full refund for your ticket, available within a week
If your ferry is delayed for over 90 minutes or cancelled, and you can't be re-routed to your destination, you should be entitled to overnight accommodation. This is to a maximum value of £70 a night, for up to 3 nights.
There are some exceptions, however. You won't be entitled to accommodation or compensation if the cancellation or delay is caused by the weather, or if going ahead could compromise the safe operation of the ferry.
Steps to claiming ferry delay compensation
If your ferry is cancelled or delayed, you can raise a claim for compensation with the ferry operator.
You should do this within 2 months of your intended departure date. Then if the ferry company decides to award compensation, they must do this within a month of receiving the claim.
If your ferry is delayed, it's a good idea to:
- Keep any receipts as a record of what you've paid
- Make a note of how long you were delayed for
- If your ferry was cancelled, make a note of any further expenses incurred
If your complaint isn't resolved to your satisfaction, you can get in touch with ABTA - The Travel Association. This is a voluntary body which handles complaints related to ferry trips. The ferry company must be a member of ABTA itself though, which is why you should check this before you book.
What’s not covered by ferry delay compensation?
Generally speaking, you won't be entitled to a refund or compensation if your delay or cancellation is caused by 'extraordinary and unforeseen events'. This might include:
- Unforeseen weather conditions which make sailing unsafe (more on this in a moment)
- Acts of god', such as natural disasters
- Strikes or industrial action
Not only are you unlikely to qualify for a refund or compensation in these circumstances, but your ferry company also won't be obliged to offer alternative accommodation.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, the primary reason for not setting sail is when the safety of passengers can't be guaranteed. This tends to be more to do with how safe berthing is at the destination port, as opposed to the crossing itself.
Travel insurance and ferry cancellation cover
As mentioned, when a ferry is delayed or cancelled, you should first turn to your ferry company. Your travel insurance usually won't pay out where there's a more direct route for compensation.
But it may come in handy for times when your ferry company won't compensate you - such as where a ferry is delayed or cancelled due to adverse weather. This is likely to be the case where you're covered for travel disruption, but check your policy T&Cs to be sure.
It's also worth noting that having a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place offers numerous other benefits. It can offer financial protection if your holiday is cancelled or cut short for other reasons, for example. It can also provide cover for medical expenses, and lost or stolen luggage.
Plus it could be a safety net if your journey falls through due to the ferry company going bust. These are among the many reasons why it's a good idea to pack travel insurance before setting sail.
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