Conditions of Transportation

The purchase of this ticket implies the acceptance by the passengers of all the following rules and conditions.

Price

The price of the ticket includes the sea journey and Malta Government Port Departure Tax and Levy when applicable. The charge does not cover meals and excludes any other tax levied by port / embarkation authorities and fuel surcharge which may vary from time to time.

Validity

The validity of this ticket is restricted to the person/vehicle and sailing / sailings indicated thereon. All tickets are valid for 3 months and open tickets must be exchanged for a fixed dated ticket within this period.

Passengers

Passengers are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that they are fit to travel; your attention is drawn to the possibility of weather conditions changing during a voyage. Passengers with a medical condition, for which they have not sought professional advice, are asked to inform a member of the Company’s staff prior to departure. The Master of the vessel may, at his discretion and in the interest of the passenger, disallow boarding.

It is the passengers responsibility to check carefully the booking details / travel documents and inform the travel agent should any inaccuracies be found. Passengers with special needs are to advise the Company of any requirements when effecting a reservation. Passengers are to ensure that they are in possession of all necessary (valid) documents prior travelling.

Embarkation

Passengers should, before departure, ensure that no variations have taken place concerning the vessel’s time and date of sailing indicated on the ticket. Therefore a booking reconfirmation 24 hrs before departure both on the outgoing and the incoming voyages is recommended. Passengers must be present for embarkation at least 1 hour before departure.

Passengers travelling with vehicles must be present for embarkation at least two hours before departure time. Embarkation may be denied to passengers / vehicles arriving after the set time. Check in closes half an hour prior to every departure. Passengers are responsible for complying with border formalities. The Company is not responsible in the event that the passenger is not allowed to embark at the point of origin or to disembark at the port of destination due to lack of the necessary documents or non observance of formalities by the passenger. In such instances the passenger shall compensate the Company for any eventual damages and expenses including the issuance of a return ticket if this is applicable.

Accompanying Vehicles

The embarkation of vehicles carrying dangerous or harmful goods, disallowed by the regulations in force, is forbidden. Vehicles with liquid gas fuel must be declared when purchasing ticket. Failure to do so may result in embarkation being denied. Vehicles are loaded in the order established by the Master and must be left unlocked, windows shut and ignition keys on the dash board. Personal belongings left in cars are at passengers own risk.

The company will not be held responsible for any damage to the vehicles or to items therein. Any damage caused to the vessel or third parties by a vehicle is the liability of the owner of the vehicle and compensation must be settled before disembarkation. Master of the vessel may, at his discretion and in the interest of safety, not allow loading of vehicles/cargo whose weight/dimensions exceed the maximum allowed or the nature of which may constitute a hazard. The driver of the vehicle is responsible to ensure that cargo carried in/on vehicle is safely secured. The master may disallow carriage if the cargo is not safely secured. Maximum vehicles height must not exceed 2.5 meters side lanes (light vehicles) and 4.4 meters centre lanes (commercial vehicles). Maximum axle weight, including cargo, must not exceed 2 tons per single wheel axle and 3.5 tons double wheel axle for vehicle side lanes (light vehicles) total of 5.5 tons and 9 tons per single wheel axle and 12 tons per double wheel axle for centre lanes (commercial vehicles). Total vehicle weight in centre lanes must not exceed 40 tons.

Extra cargo will be unloaded and carried at drivers expense. Hazardous Cargo, including dangerous weapons/illegal substances, are strictly forbidden on board. Passengers, their baggage/vehicles are liable to security searches by Company personnel. The Company will fully co-operate with the appropriate Authorities to prosecute persons found in possession of forbidden items.

Baggage

Passengers may take to their seats or allotted places only one item of hand luggage of not more than 37cm x 45cm x 25cm in measure and 5Kg in weight, all other luggage is to be deposited by the passengers in the storage place reserved on the vessel as indicated by the vessel’s crew. Passengers may bring on board any amount of luggage provided this is carried by the passenger on passing boarding control. Excess luggage or accompanied cargo may be carried at the discretion of the Master of the vessel and subject to a charge in accordance with a tariff from time to time in operation. Only luggage containing passenger’s personal effects will be accepted as luggage. The Company is not responsible for loss of or willful damage to luggage. In the interest of safety, the Company may destroy any unaccompanied baggage or baggage left behind after disembarkation.

Pets

All necessary sanitary documents are required. Pets in cages / pets in cars are to remain in the garage during all voyages. Port Vet to be contacted directly by clients prior to arrival Malta. Kindly contact Virtu Ferries for further information.

Refunds

Passengers cancelling are entitled to a refund of the unused portion of the ticket subject to the following deductions:

• 10% for tickets cancelled up to 7 days before sailing;
• 50% for tickets cancelled up to 3 days before sailing;
• Passengers cancelling in less than 3 days before sailing are not entitled to a refund;
• Passengers not checking in on time for departure or for any reason not embarking are not eligible for refunds, partial or otherwise of the amount paid;
• Open dated tickets may be refunded within the limit of their validity (3 months) subject to a deduction of 10%;
• Vehicle tickets are not refundable. Vehicle tickets not utilised on the booked date shall be cancelled and non refundable.

Lost tickets

In such cases customers must pay a penalty of €10.00 for each replacement ticket. If the lost tickets are found within their validity and submitted to the Customer Care at Virtu Ferries Office, then a full refund of the €10.00 will be paid. Customers must be in possession of valid tickets at time of travel.

Delay/Cancellation/Rerouting

The Company reserves the right to delay, cancel or reroute the sailing of the vessel without prior notice whether on the outbound or inbound journey, if this is required for safety or technical reasons or due to force majeure. In the event of cancellations, the Company shall refund the unutilized portion of the ticket but shall in no circumstances whatsoever be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage caused thereby and will not accept any claim to reimburse any supplementary expenses.

Travel Agents Responsibilities

It is the Travel Agent’s responsibility to convey all information in these conditions of contract to the passenger. In the event an Agent fails to do so, the Agent is responsible for any direct or indirect damages incurred by the client. The Travel Agent is also responsible to forward to the client any information that might be issued by Virtu Ferries from time to time.

Boarding conditions

Passengers are reminded to read the boarding conditions printed on the boarding passes which are issued to every passenger during check in.

Law

This contract is governed by Maltese Law and The Maltese Merchant Shipping Act of 1973 shall apply.

Jurisdiction

All questions arising out of or in connection with this contract shall be determined by the Maltese Courts to the exclusion of the jurisdiction of the Courts of any other Country.