Terms and Conditions – Shenron Liveaboard Diving Adventures

Shenron Liveaboard Terms and Conditions 

Please read this document carefully, then make sure you write ‘YES’ under the ‘Terms and Conditions’ section in the Shenron Liveaboard ‘Guest Data Sheet’ for ALL customers.

All prices stipulated in this document are in United States Dollar ($USD).

 1. RESERVATIONS, PAYMENTS, SINGLE TRAVELERS & SINGLE SUPPLEMENT

Our rates are based on shared occupancy and are quoted per person. If you book as a party of two, you will have exclusive access to your reserved cabin for the two guests. For guests who prefer a private cabin, we offer single occupancy at an additional 35% surcharge. Please note that our upper cabin is available exclusively for a minimum of two guests. If a solo guest wishes to book this suite, a 100% surcharge will apply.

Payment Options:

• A 25% deposit is required to confirm your reservation.
• The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the Shenron Liveaboard cruise departure date.
• Failure to make payments within the specified timeframes will result in the forfeiture of the deposit and cancellation of your booking, allowing Shenron Liveaboard to resell the spot.

For reservations made within 61 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking. Please be aware that all deposits and final payments are non-refundable.

All prices provided by our booking office or authorized agents are quoted as net prices. When making payments via bank transfer, please ensure all fees are covered, as Shenron Liveaboard must receive the full amount due. Payments made using credit cards or other gateways may incur additional charges, as communicated by our reservations team.

It is the responsibility of the primary guest or booking party to ensure all participants in the booking meet the payment obligations and adhere to our terms and conditions. The contractual obligations extend to all guests in the party.

For guests booking through our office, please discuss your preferred payment method with our team. We also accommodate bank transfers within Indonesia at competitive rates. If booking via an agent, all payment and booking inquiries must be handled through them.

To confirm your reservation, each guest must submit a completed ‘Shenron Liveaboard Guest Data Sheet,’ sign our ‘Terms & Conditions,’ and, where applicable, provide a signed medical statement from a doctor confirming fitness to dive before boarding.

We accept USD, Euro, Pound Sterling, AUD, and IDR for onboard payments, with currency exchange rates calculated at the time of payment. Please note that we are unable to accept small, old, or damaged banknotes. We only accept denominations of 10, 20, 50, or 100. For foreign currency payments, a 2.5% surcharge will apply to account for exchange rate adjustments. Card payments are subject to a 3% fee, with other payment gateways possibly incurring higher charges.

Children Policy:

Children aged 12 and older are welcome on Shenron Liveaboard during scheduled open charters. Exceptions may be made for private full boat charters with prior arrangement. Please note that children remain the sole responsibility of their parents or guardians at all times during the trip. Parents are expected to ensure that children follow all safety protocols, attend safety briefings, and maintain a respectful atmosphere for other guests. Shenron Liveaboard does not provide childcare services or facilities onboard.

 2. FULL BOAT CHARTER

Shenron Liveaboard is available for exclusive charter, allowing you and your group to have the vessel entirely to yourselves. In such cases, pricing and conditions are tailored to a special group offer. The vessel comfortably accommodates a maximum of 8 guests (2 guests per cabin). Please note that full boat charters are non-refundable once the deposit is paid, as it signifies your commitment to proceed with the booking and subsequent payments.

To secure a full boat charter, a 25% deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be paid 60 days prior to departure. For bookings made less than 61 days before departure, 100% of the payment is required upfront, and this is non-refundable.

For those seeking custom itineraries or destinations outside our regular schedule, Shenron Liveaboard can be chartered under the following terms:

• A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking.
• The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to departure. Please note that cancellations are not eligible for refunds.
• Additional costs for repositioning the vessel will apply, depending on where the boat is located before and after your charter. These costs will be communicated in advance and must be paid at the time of the deposit. Availability is subject to our existing schedules and bookings.

 3. CANCELLATIONS AND ALTERATIONS

If a passenger is unable to travel on the reserved voyage, the booking may be transferred to another person. In such cases, Shenron Liveaboard must be notified as soon as possible, with a minimum of 14 days’ notice before the scheduled departure. The reason for the transfer, along with complete details of the replacement passenger, must be provided. Please note that an administration fee will be charged for this transfer.

For direct bookings made before September 2023, we offer flexible rescheduling for Free Independent Traveler (FIT) bookings. To qualify for rescheduling, the request must be made at least 61 days before the original trip date. Rescheduling is not permitted within 60 days of the trip’s departure date. Please note that trips can only be rescheduled once. If a trip is not taken after rescheduling, the booking will be forfeited without a refund. A rescheduling administration fee of $100 per person will apply.

If a booking needs to be transferred to another person with a change in schedule for a later date, Shenron Liveaboard must be informed at least 61 days in advance of the originally scheduled departure date. The reason for the transfer and the details of the replacement passenger must be provided. An administration fee will be charged for this process.

The replacement passenger must adhere to all terms and conditions of the original booking. Shenron Liveaboard cannot be held responsible for any expenses or changes outside the cruise itself (e.g., hotel bookings, flights). A new contract will be established with the replacement passenger as soon as possible, ensuring all contractual obligations are met, including passport validity, dive certification (if applicable), medical certificates, and payment of the remaining balance.

 4. CANCELLATION BY SHENRON LIVEABOARD

 4.1. Client Behavior

To ensure the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all guests, crew, and staff aboard the Shenron Liveaboard, we reserve the right to cancel any reservation prior to departure if a guest’s behavior is deemed inappropriate, disruptive, or in violation of our standards. Should such a situation arise, no refunds will be issued for any payments made, and the guest will be asked to leave the vessel.

In the event of any disputes or complaints against Shenron Liveaboard, these will be handled exclusively under the jurisdiction of the courts in Indonesia.

 4.2. Unforeseen Events, Force Majeure or Similar Reasons

Shenron Liveaboard reserves the right to modify, interrupt, or cancel a charter if unforeseen events arise that impact our operations or compromise the safety of our guests and crew. Such events may include, but are not limited to: the refusal or cancellation of navigation rights, restrictions on flight landing rights, strikes, civil or international conflict, political or economic instability, terrorist threats or activities, fire, and natural disasters such as storms, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.

In such cases, Shenron Liveaboard or your booking agent will notify you as soon as possible. However, please note that no refunds or compensation will be provided under these circumstances.

We strongly recommend that customers obtain travel insurance that covers such unforeseen events. Any claims for reimbursement should be directed to your insurance provider.

In the rare event of technical issues aboard Shenron Liveaboard that prevent the departure of the cruise, we will:

• Offer an equivalent service on a similar vessel.
• Reschedule the trip without additional service fees from Shenron Liveaboard.

 5. LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

Shenron Liveaboard accepts no liability and does not offer compensation for any injury, death, or damage sustained by passengers, nor for any loss or damage to passengers’ personal property during the cruise, unless such incidents are directly caused by the negligence of our staff.

 6. INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS

 6.1. Included in the price:

• VAT
• Transfer from local hotel/airport to the harbor
• Transfer from disembarkation harbor to local hotel/airport
• All meals, non-packaged snacks, coffee and tea, and post-dive refreshments
• Diving services include tanks, weights, SMB reel, air fills, guides, and dive tenders
• Land excursions where applicable

6.2. Not included in the published price:

• Flight tickets
• Travel, dive, and repatriation insurance
• Visas and associated fees
• Airport taxes and extra baggage fees
• Transfers between the airport and hotel (outside included transfers)
• Port, clearance, ranger, anchorage, village, and marine park fees
• Dive rental equipment at $35 per person per day
• Nitrox at $25 per person per day, for up to 4 tanks per day
• Diving computers
• 15L tanks at $15 per person per day, for up to 4 tanks per day
• Dive courses and certification (pricing available upon request)
• Alcoholic beverages, including beer (the availability of wine and spirits in Indonesia is limited and can be expensive; we strive to offer the best options available for our guests)
• Soft drinks and packaged snacks
• Fuel surcharges (subject to market fluctuations; you may be asked to pay an additional fuel allowance of up to $20 per person per day, with notice provided up to 30 days before departure)
• Staff gratuities (many guests choose to tip between 5% and 10% of the trip cost; tipping is entirely optional but always appreciated)
  
  

 7. ASSOCIATED TRIP COSTS

We charge the following additional fees to cover Indonesian national marine park fees, local area access fees, harbor fees, anchorage fees, ferry tickets to Waisai, and land-based activities that require donations:

These fees are subject to change in line with supplier/provider costs at any time.

Raja Ampat national park tags are valid for one year. You will receive your tag onboard the vessel at the end of the trip. If you still have a valid tag, please contact us directly to allow us to recalculate the cost of your park fees. You will be required to bring your old tag along to show to the relevant authorities when they board the vessel. Failure to do so may result in a fine and the guest(s) in question being detained as dictated by the port authorities.

Shenron Liveaboard generally organizes all associated costs for its customers, which are payable in USD onboard the vessel.

 8. TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ITINERARY FLEXIBILITY

We highly recommend that guests arrive at least one day prior to the charter start date. This allows time to recover from any travel delays and ensures you are ready to begin the adventure without stress. For return flights—whether domestic or international—we encourage booking at least 24 hours after disembarking from Shenron Liveaboard. This buffer allows your body sufficient time to off-gas after diving, enjoy land-based activities, and transition comfortably after being at sea. Please note that Shenron Liveaboard is not responsible for missed flights or other onward connections.

Our team has carefully designed itineraries to align with the best times of the year for diving in Raja Ampat, Alor, and Komodo, taking into account factors such as swells, waves, wind patterns, and tides. However, weather conditions in Indonesia can be unpredictable, and Shenron Liveaboard cannot control natural climatic events.

While your itinerary provides a planned route, the Captain and Cruise Director may make adjustments if they determine that weather conditions or other factors pose a risk to the safety of the vessel, crew, and passengers. In such cases, their decision is final. Rest assured, any changes are made with your safety and overall experience in mind. There are many excellent dive sites in the regions we explore, and alternate routes often still provide incredible diving opportunities while avoiding less favorable conditions.

Your safety is our top priority, and we are committed to delivering the best possible experience within the operational capacity of the vessel.

 9. PASSPORT, DOCUMENTATION, AND DIVING REQUIREMENTS

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates and contain at least 2 blank pages. Additionally, you are required to have a return ticket out of Indonesia before entering the country.

It is each guest’s responsibility to ensure they have the correct documentation for travel to all countries on their itinerary, as well as for re-entry into their home country. Please verify your passport, visa requirements, and any additional documentation needed with the relevant consulates or embassies before traveling.

To participate in any scuba diving activities with Shenron Liveaboard, guests must hold a valid certification from a recognized scuba diving agency such as PADI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC, or equivalent. Certified divers are responsible for following the instructions provided by Shenron Liveaboard’s guides and adhering to the regulations of their certification agency.

Guests are solely responsible for providing a valid diving medical statement or physician’s clearance dated within the last 12 months, along with their certification card and dive logbook. Failure to follow the guidelines provided by our guides, or inability to present valid documentation, may result in limitations or disqualification from diving activities during the trip. Divers must acknowledge and accept their responsibility to be physically and technically capable of participating in scuba diving and fully understand the risks involved.

For safety reasons, Shenron Liveaboard reserves the right, at the discretion of our guides, to restrict or deny access to one or more dives if a diver is deemed not sufficiently competent.

All divers must be either Advanced Open Water certified with at least 20 logged dives or Open Water certified with a minimum of 40 logged dives and have dived within the past 5 years. A mandatory refresher dive will be conducted at our first dive site for those who have not dived within the last year, which is included in the trip cost.

Shenron Liveaboard was designed with protection and conservation as core values, and we expect all guests to respect these principles. We require all diving and snorkeling guests to adhere to the following environmental guidelines:

• Do not harass marine life—this includes chasing animals or touching corals.
• Be mindful of your fins’ position and length when swimming near coral, whether hard or soft.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen (available onboard).
• Do not intentionally break coral or collect anything found underwater.
• Practice environmentally and socially responsible photography when capturing underwater images.

Any deliberate damage to the reef or marine life will result in immediate exclusion from all in-water activities for the remainder of the trip, and the matter will be reported to the marine park authorities. Shenron Liveaboard assumes no responsibility for malicious damage caused by any guest.