Terms & Conditions 

These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") govern all bookings and participation in tours operated by Arctic Whale Tours AS ("AWT", "we", or "our"). By booking a tour or participating in any of our services, you agree to the terms outlined below. These Terms apply to all guests, whether the booking is made directly, through an authorized reseller, online travel agent (OTA), or destination management company (DMC). In the case of third-party bookings, the cancellation/refund policy of the third-party provider may apply instead.

1. Bookings & Payment

• All bookings must be made through our website, our authorized resellers, or directly with AWT staff.
• Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your reservation.
• A booking is confirmed only when payment has been received in full and a confirmation email has been sent.
• Accepted payment methods include Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard) and Google Pay.

2. Cancellation & Refund Policy

a. Guest-Initiated Cancellations

• Cancellations made 24 hours or more before scheduled departure are eligible for a full refund.
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable.
• No-shows (failure to check in or board the vessel without prior notice) are treated as late cancellations and are non-refundable.
• Cancellations must be made via email to info@arcticwhaletours.com.

b. Arctic Whale Tours-Initiated Cancellations

We reserve the right to cancel a tour prior to departure due to:

• Unsafe weather or sea conditions
• Mechanical or technical issues
• Force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, strikes, pandemics)
• Insufficient number of passengers (minimum of 15 required per tour)

In case of AWT-initiated cancellations:

• Guests will be offered a full refund or a rebooking option, subject to availability.
• Cancellations are communicated via text message, email, or phone. Please check your contact details the evening before departure.

3. Whale Pass

In the unlikely event that no cetaceans (whales, dolphins, or porpoises) are sighted during your tour:

• You are entitled to one free rebooking on a future tour (same or following season).
• Rebookings are subject to availability, non-transferable, and not redeemable for cash.
• Guests must contact our reception team to schedule a new tour.

Partial Tour Departures:

• If the boat departs but the tour is cut short and no cetaceans are seen, and the tour lasted less than 2 hours, the Whale Pass applies.
• If cetaceans are seen at any point during the tour, it is considered fulfilled.

4. Check-In & Tour Duration

• Guests must check in at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure.
• If a guest fails to check in on time, AWT reserves the right to deny boarding without refund.

Typical Tour Durations:

• Stø: 6–8 hours
• Andenes: 3–5 hours
• Tromsø: 6–7 hours

Note: Tour durations may vary due to wildlife activity, sea and weather conditions, or unforeseen circumstances. Refunds will not be issued for trips that are longer or shorter than scheduled unless canceled outright.

5. Safety, Participation & Guest Responsibility

• All guests must follow safety instructions provided by the captain and crew.
• Guests are required to wear flotation suits or lifejackets provided by AWT.
• Guests must be physically capable of participating in the tour. If unsure, consult a doctor prior to booking.
• Notify us in advance if you have:
  
  • Severe motion sickness
  • Limited mobility
  • Pregnancy (consult your physician before participating)
• Children:
  
  • Must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times

6. Liability & Insurance

• AWT is not liable for:
  
  • Delays or changes to schedule due to wildlife or weather
  • Lost or damaged personal property
  • Personal injuries resulting from failure to follow safety rules
• AWT complies with all Norwegian maritime safety laws and is fully insured for passenger transport and tour activities.

7. Use of Guest Photos

By participating in our tours, you grant Arctic Whale Tours the right to use photos or videos taken onboard (where you may appear) for marketing purposes unless you request otherwise in writing.

8.  Privacy Policy

• We collect personal information only to manage your booking and communicate with you.
• We do not sell or share your data with third parties.
• For more details, please read our Privacy Policy.

9. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by Norwegian law. Any disputes arising from bookings or participation in our tours shall be settled in the courts of Nordland County, Norway.

📞 Contact

• Email: info@arcticwhaletours.com
• Phone:
  +47 47 38 46 21 – Stø / Tromsø
  +47 48 15 10 97 – Andenes
• Addresses:
  Fiskeværsveien 17, 8438 Stø, Norway
  Hamnegata 75, 8483 Andenes, Norway

For rebooking due to Whale Pass, cancellations, or any policy questions, please reach out to our team.

We thank you for choosing Arctic Whale Tours and look forward to welcoming you aboard!