SYDNEY STAR CRUISES - TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated: 23/9/2026

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These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings for cruises, events, private charters, functions and related services provided by Sydney Star Cruises ("Sydney Star Cruises", "we", "us" or "our").

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By making a booking, purchasing a ticket, accepting a quotation, or otherwise using our services, you agree to these Terms & Conditions. The person making a booking is responsible for ensuring that all members of their group are aware of these Terms & Conditions.

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These Terms & Conditions should be read together with any booking confirmation, quotation, invoice, event-specific conditions or other written information provided by Sydney Star Cruises.

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1. BOOKINGS AND ACCEPTANCE

1.1 A booking is confirmed only when Sydney Star Cruises has received the required payment or deposit and issued confirmation of the booking.

 

1.2 A quotation or proposed booking is not guaranteed until it has been accepted by Sydney Star Cruises and the required payment has been received.

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1.3 The person making the booking warrants that they are authorised to make the booking and accept these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons included in the booking.

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1.4 Where a booking is made by a business, organisation or other entity, the person making the booking represents that they have authority to bind that entity.

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1.5 Availability, vessel allocation, departure times, routes and other operational details may be subject to change before confirmation.

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2. PRICES AND PAYMENT

2.1 Prices are those displayed or quoted by Sydney Star Cruises at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed in writing.

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2.2 Prices may vary according to the cruise, date, vessel, passenger numbers, menu, inclusions, event, seating arrangement and other applicable factors.

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2.3 Unless otherwise stated:

individual or shared-cruise bookings require full payment at the time of booking; and

private charters may require a deposit, with the balance payable by the date specified in the quotation or booking confirmation.

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2.4 Sydney Star Cruises may require payment of additional charges for agreed extras, additional passengers, overtime, cleaning, damage, special services or other costs incurred in connection with a booking.

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2.5 If a required payment is not received by the due date, Sydney Star Cruises may cancel the booking and retain any amounts permitted under these Terms & Conditions or the applicable booking agreement.

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2.6 Credit card, booking or payment-processing fees may apply where disclosed at the time of booking.

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3. PASSENGER NUMBERS

3.1 The number of passengers must be accurately stated when making a booking.

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3.2 Maximum passenger numbers are determined by the relevant vessel's approved capacity and operational requirements and must not be exceeded.

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3.3 Additional passengers may only be accepted if Sydney Star Cruises confirms that sufficient capacity is available.

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3.4 Additional passengers may incur additional charges.

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3.5 Sydney Star Cruises may refuse boarding to passengers where accepting them would exceed an applicable safety, regulatory or vessel capacity limit.

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4. CHANGES TO BOOKINGS

4.1 Requests to change a booking must be made in writing and are subject to availability.

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4.2 A change of date, vessel, passenger numbers, cruise type or other material booking detail may result in a change to the price.

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4.3 Sydney Star Cruises is not required to accept a requested change where doing so would create operational, safety, regulatory or commercial difficulties.

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4.4 Any applicable change fees or fare differences will be advised before the change is confirmed.

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4.5 A booking is not considered changed until Sydney Star Cruises confirms the change in writing.

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5. CUSTOMER CANCELLATIONS

5.1 Cancellations must be made in writing via email to info@sydneystarcruises.com.au. All payments are non-refundable under most circumstances. 

 

For events cancelled by the customer, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

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5.2 Unless different cancellation terms are stated in the booking confirmation:

 

Shared or individual cruises

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All payments are generally non-refundable unless stated otherwise; and failure to attend the cruise or arriving after boarding has closed will normally result in the booking being forfeited.

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Private charters and functions

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5.3 Private charter cancellation terms will be specified in the applicable quotation or booking confirmation.

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5.4 Where no specific cancellation schedule has been provided, Sydney Star Cruises may apply the following:

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more than 30 days before the event: deposit may be retained to cover costs already incurred;

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• 30 days before the event: 50% of the booking price may be payable;

• 7 days before the event: remaining 50% of the booking price may be payable.

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5.5 Any cancellation charge will be subject to applicable Australian Consumer Law and other mandatory legal requirements.

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5.6 Certain special events, peak-period cruises and ticketed events may have stricter cancellation conditions. Where applicable, those conditions will be disclosed at the time of booking.​

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6. CANCELLATIONS BY SYDNEY STAR CRUISES

6.1 Sydney Star Cruises may cancel, postpone, shorten, relocate or materially alter a cruise or event where reasonably necessary, including because of:

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• severe weather or unsafe conditions;

• marine or navigational conditions;

• mechanical or technical issues;

• vessel availability;

• safety concerns;

• government directions or restrictions;

• emergency situations;

• industrial action;

• changes to harbour access;

• infrastructure or wharf restrictions;

• insufficient bookings;

• third-party supplier failure; or

• circumstances outside our reasonable control.

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6.2 Where Sydney Star Cruises cancels a booking before departure, we will advise affected customers of the options available in the circumstances.

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6.3 Depending on the circumstances, available options may include a replacement date, alternative service, booking credit or refund.

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6.4 Sydney Star Cruises will not be responsible for additional costs incurred by a customer as a result of a cancellation or change, such as accommodation, travel, parking, flights or other consequential expenses, except to the extent required by law.

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7. REFUNDS AND CREDITS

7.1 Refunds will be processed using the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.

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7.2 Where a credit is offered instead of a refund, the applicable expiry date and conditions will be provided with the credit.

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7.3 Booking fees, payment-processing charges and other amounts expressly identified as non-refundable may not be refundable except where required by law.

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7.4 Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits any refund, cancellation or other remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

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8. WEATHER AND OPERATING CONDITIONS

8.1 Cruises operate in a range of weather conditions.

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8.2 Light or moderate rain, wind, cloud or changes in temperature do not automatically result in cancellation or a refund.

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8.3 The Master of the vessel has ultimate authority over navigation and may alter, delay, shorten, suspend or cancel a cruise where they consider this reasonably necessary for safety.

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8.4 Where weather or other conditions prevent the vessel from safely operating, Sydney Star Cruises will determine the appropriate response having regard to the circumstances and applicable law.

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8.5 Customers should dress appropriately for the weather and understand that outdoor areas may become unavailable during adverse conditions.

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9. VESSEL AND ITINERARY CHANGES

9.1 Sydney Star Cruises may substitute the advertised vessel with another suitable vessel where reasonably necessary.

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9.2 Vessel substitutions may occur because of maintenance, mechanical issues, operational requirements, safety considerations, availability or other circumstances.

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9.3 We may alter the route, departure point, itinerary, duration, entertainment, menu or other inclusions where reasonably necessary.

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9.4 We will endeavour to provide a service broadly consistent with the booking purchased.

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9.5 Unless otherwise required by law, a reasonable operational change does not automatically entitle a customer to cancel or receive a refund.

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10. HARBOUR EVENTS AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS

10.1 Cruises associated with fireworks, festivals, sporting events, celebrations, regattas or other third-party events are subject to the availability and operation of those events.

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10.2 Sydney Star Cruises does not guarantee that a particular third-party event will proceed, occur at its advertised time or be visible from every part of the vessel.

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10.3 Cruises scheduled in connection with major Sydney Harbour events, including New Year’s Eve, Vivid Sydney, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and Australia Day, may be subject to additional conditions. These cruises may be planned around third-party events such as fireworks, drone shows, lighting displays and maritime spectacles, which are outside Sydney Star Cruises’ control.

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If an associated event is cancelled, postponed or significantly changed, the cruise may continue as scheduled and no refund will ordinarily apply solely because the external event does not proceed. If Sydney Star Cruises is notified by the event organiser at least 48 hours before departure of a significant change or cancellation, we will make reasonable efforts to notify affected customers and may, at our discretion, offer an alternative cruise or date, booking credit or revised fare.

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Sydney Star Cruises is not responsible for travel, accommodation, parking or other costs incurred in connection with attending a cruise or any changes to the associated event, except where required by law.

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10.4 Views may be affected by other vessels, crowds, harbour conditions, weather, operational requirements or restrictions imposed by authorities.

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10.5 Unless otherwise stated at the time of booking, the purchase of a cruise does not constitute a guarantee of access to or visibility of a particular third-party event.

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11. DEPARTURE TIMES AND BOARDING

11.1 Passengers must arrive at the nominated departure location with sufficient time to complete boarding.

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11.2 Boarding may close before the scheduled departure time.

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11.3 The vessel will not be delayed for passengers who arrive late.

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11.4 Customers who miss departure due to late arrival, traffic, parking difficulties, incorrect arrival location or other personal circumstances are generally not entitled to a refund or credit.

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11.5 Sydney Star Cruises may require passengers to provide valid booking details or identification before boarding.

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12. ALCOHOL AND RESPONSIBLE SERVICE

12.1 Sydney Star Cruises is committed to responsible service of alcohol.

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12.2 Alcohol may only be consumed in accordance with applicable laws and vessel policies.

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12.3 BYO alcohol is not permitted unless Sydney Star Cruises has expressly approved it in writing.

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12.4 We may refuse service of alcohol to any person where required or permitted by law.

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12.5 A passenger who is intoxicated, aggressive, threatening, disruptive or otherwise behaving inappropriately may be refused service or required to leave the vessel.

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12.6 No refund will ordinarily be provided where a passenger is refused boarding or removed because of their behaviour or breach of these Terms & Conditions.

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12.7 Passengers must not bring illegal drugs or prohibited substances onto the vessel.

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13. PASSENGER BEHAVIOUR

13.1 Passengers must follow reasonable directions from the Master, crew and Sydney Star Cruises staff.

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13.2 Passengers must not:

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• endanger themselves or others;

• interfere with the operation of the vessel;

• obstruct safety equipment or emergency exits;

• engage in threatening, abusive or unlawful conduct;

• damage the vessel or its equipment;

• interfere with other passengers' enjoyment of the cruise; or

• breach applicable maritime, safety, alcohol or other laws.

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13.3 Sydney Star Cruises may refuse boarding or remove a passenger where reasonably necessary to protect safety, security, property or the enjoyment of other passengers.

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14. DAMAGE AND CLEANING

14.1 The customer and, where applicable, the booking organiser are responsible for damage caused by members of their group beyond ordinary wear and tear.

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14.2 Additional charges may apply for damage to the vessel, furniture, equipment, fittings, glassware, linen or other property.

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14.3 Additional cleaning charges may apply where a booking requires cleaning beyond normal post-cruise cleaning.

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14.4 Sydney Star Cruises may require a security or damage bond for certain private charters or events.

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14.5 Any reasonable claim for damage or additional cleaning will be supported by appropriate information where practicable.

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15. DECORATIONS AND PERSONAL ITEMS

15.1 Decorations, signage, entertainment equipment, furniture, catering items or other property may only be brought onboard with prior approval.

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15.2 Nothing may be attached to the vessel using methods that may damage paintwork, fixtures, furniture or equipment.

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15.3 Confetti, glitter, balloons filled with loose materials, open flames, pyrotechnics and other potentially hazardous materials are prohibited unless expressly approved in writing.

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15.4 Customers are responsible for removing approved personal decorations and items at the conclusion of the booking unless otherwise agreed.

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16. FOOD, ALLERGIES AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

16.1 Dietary requirements and allergies should be notified to Sydney Star Cruises as early as possible and preferably at the time of booking.

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16.2 We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate notified dietary requirements where the relevant service permits.

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16.3 Food may be prepared in environments where allergens are present, and Sydney Star Cruises cannot guarantee the complete absence of traces of allergens.

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16.4 Passengers with severe or life-threatening allergies should contact us before booking to discuss whether the requested service can safely accommodate their requirements.

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16.5 Nothing in this section limits rights or obligations imposed by applicable law.​