COMPREHENSIVE REFUND, CANCELLATION & MARITIME SAFETY POLICY
Effective Date: October 15, 2026
Website: https://mikewatersports.com
Operator: Mike’s Watersports (“the Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”)
1. BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT & STATUTORY EXEMPTION
1.1. By placing a reservation, paying a deposit, or completing a booking in person or via mikewatersports.com, the customer (“you”, “the Customer”, “the Hirer”, or “the Driver”) expressly acknowledges that they have read, understood, and irrevocably agreed to be bound by this Comprehensive Refund, Cancellation & Maritime Safety Policy.
1.2. Statutory Exclusion of Right of Withdrawal: Pursuant to Article 44(1)(l) of the Cyprus Consumer Protection Law of 2021 (Law 112(I)/2021) (implementing Directive 2011/83/EU), contracts for the provision of leisure and maritime recreational services that specify a specific date or period of performance are strictly exempt from the statutory 14-day cooling-off period. Consequently, you do not have an automatic statutory right to withdraw from or cancel your booking once confirmed, except strictly in accordance with the terms set forth below.
2. MANDATORY DRIVER ELIGIBILITY & PHYSICAL DOCUMENTATION (STRICT CONDITION PRECEDENT)
2.1. For the safety of all passengers, maritime traffic, and vessels, compliance with the following eligibility criteria is a strict condition precedent to the release of any self-drive boat, jet ski, or motorized watercraft:
- Minimum Age Requirement: The designated Driver/Hirer of any motorized watercraft must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of the rental. No exceptions shall be made under any circumstances.
- Mandatory Physical Identification & Licensing: Prior to boarding or taking control of any watercraft, the designated Driver MUST present in person at our station:
- An original, valid, physical National Driving License (or an original, valid Boat/Speedboat Operator’s License where applicable by vessel category); AND
- An original, valid, physical International Passport or EU National Identity Card.
2.2. Prohibition of Digital Copies or Photos: Photocopies, screenshots, photographs on mobile devices, expired documents, or digital/app-based wallet versions of driving licenses, passports, or ID cards will NOT be accepted under any circumstances in accordance with Cyprus Port & Marine Police regulations and our maritime insurance underwriters’ mandates.
2.3. Forfeiture Upon Non-Compliance: If the Customer or designated Driver arrives for their booking and fails to meet the 21+ age requirement, or fails to physically produce both the original valid physical driving license and original physical Passport/National ID, the Company shall immediately refuse handover of the vessel and cancel the booking. Such failure constitutes a Fundamental Breach of Contract by the Customer, and 100% of the booking fee and/or deposit paid shall be forfeited with ZERO right to a refund, credit, or rescheduling.
3. ZERO-TOLERANCE ALCOHOL, DRUGS & INTOXICATION POLICY
3.1. Operating watercraft requires full cognitive and physical capacity. Mike’s Watersports enforces a strict Zero-Tolerance Policy regarding alcohol, narcotics, controlled substances, and any medication that may impair judgment, balance, or reaction time.
3.2. Absolute Right of Refusal & Immediate Termination: The Company, its management, instructors, and beach/marina staff reserve the unconditional and absolute right to refuse boarding, deny handover of any vessel, or immediately terminate an ongoing rental if, in the sole, subjective, and absolute opinion of our staff, the Driver or any passenger:
- Appears to be under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs, or intoxicating substances;
- Smells of alcohol or cannabis/narcotics;
- Exhibits slurred speech, erratic behavior, impaired coordination, or aggression; or
- Consumes or attempts to bring alcohol or illicit substances aboard a self-drive vessel or watercraft without express authorization.
3.3. No Requirement for Chemical/Breathalyzer Proof: The Customer expressly agrees that the Company’s staff is not required to administer a breathalyzer, blood test, or medical examination to establish reasonable suspicion of intoxication. The good-faith assessment of our on-site staff regarding maritime safety is final, binding, and non-negotiable.
3.4. 100% Forfeiture of Funds: Any cancellation, refusal of service, or early termination of an activity under this Section 3 shall be treated as an immediate breach of safety protocols by the Customer. No refund, partial refund, rescheduling, or credit voucher shall be issued under any circumstances, and the Company shall retain 100% of all monies paid as liquidated damages.
4. CUSTOMER-INITIATED CANCELLATIONS & NO-SHOWS
4.1. Because vessel allocation, staffing, and fuel preparation are reserved exclusively for your time slot, all cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to our official booking desk.
4.2. Discretionary Cancellation Tiers:
- Cancellations made more than – 48 hours – prior to the scheduled booking time: Eligible for a refund or rescheduling, subject to the Company’s verification and deduction of any non-recoverable payment processing or administrative fees.
- Cancellations made less than – 48 hours – prior to the scheduled booking time: Strictly NON-REFUNDABLE (0% refund). 100% of the booking amount is retained by the Company as pre-agreed liquidated damages for loss of vessel availability.
- Late Arrivals & “No-Shows”: Customers must arrive at least 20 minutes prior to their scheduled departure for safety briefings and document verification. Failure to arrive on time, or failure to show up, will result in the immediate cancellation of the booking without notice and 100% forfeiture of all amounts paid (or reductions in rental duration without fee adjustment, at the Company’s sole discretion).
4.3. Absolute Discretion on Refund Requests: Save where expressly required by mandatory provisions of Cyprus law, the Company reserves the sole and absolute discretion to approve or reject any request for a refund, credit note, or date modification that falls outside the strict parameters of this Policy. Any waiver or goodwill refund granted by the Company in a specific instance is strictly ex-gratia and shall not create a precedent or legal obligation.
5. WEATHER CONDITIONS, SEA STATE & OPERATOR CANCELLATIONS
5.1. Determination of Safe Weather: Maritime safety is governed by wind speed, swell, and Port Authority directives—not by cloud cover, lack of sunshine, or air temperature. The determination of whether weather or sea conditions are safe for navigation rests exclusively with the Company’s management and the Cyprus Port & Marine Police.
5.2. Subjective Customer Weather Cancellations: If the Company determines that sea conditions are safe to operate, a Customer’s personal decision not to participate due to cloudy skies, wind, or cool temperatures will be treated as a Customer-Initiated Cancellation under Section 4 (non-refundable within 48 hours).
5.3. Company-Initiated Cancellations: If the Company cancels or suspends your booking prior to departure due to hazardous sea conditions, Coast Guard/Port Authority restrictions, or unforeseen mechanical/operational requirements:
- The Company will first offer to reschedule your booking to the next mutually convenient date and time, or issue a Credit Voucher valid for the remainder of the season.
- If rescheduling is demonstrably impossible prior to your departure from Cyprus, the Company may, at its discretion, process a refund of the unused portion of your booking fee to the original payment method.5.4. Limitation of Liability on Cancellation: In the event of any cancellation by the Company, the Customer’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be limited strictly to the rescheduling or return of the booking fee actually paid to the Company. The Company shall NEVER be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental expenses, including without limitation taxi/transport costs, hotel stays, flight changes, or loss of enjoyment.
6. EARLY RETURN & CURTAILMENT OF RENTAL
6.1. Once a watercraft has departed the station, no full or partial refunds will be given if the Customer chooses to return the vessel early for any personal reason, including but not limited to seasickness, fatigue, fear of the water, change of mind, or passenger discomfort.
6.2. If a rental is terminated mid-session by Company patrol boats due to reckless driving, entering prohibited swimming/diverging zones, exceeding speed limits in restricted areas, or violating Cyprus maritime navigation rules, the vessel will be confiscated immediately with 0% refund, and the Customer shall remain fully liable for any fines or damages incurred.
7. CHARGEBACKS, PAYMENT DISPUTES & INDEMNITY
7.1. By completing a transaction on mikewatersports.com, you agree that this Policy forms part of the binding record of transaction presented to your credit card issuer or payment provider (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, Revolut).
7.2. You expressly waive the right to initiate an improper credit card chargeback or payment dispute for any booking refused or forfeited due to:
- Failure to be 21+ years of age;
- Failure to present a physical driving license and physical Passport/National ID;
- Suspected alcohol or drug intoxication; or
- Late cancellation or No-Show.
7.3. Should you initiate an unfounded or fraudulent chargeback in breach of this Policy, the Company reserves the right to submit this Policy, your digital acceptance logs, IP address, and on-site incident reports to your issuing bank, and to pursue recovery of the full disputed amount plus all administrative, bank penalty, and legal recovery costs in the Courts of Cyprus.
8. SEVERABILITY, GOVERNING LAW & EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
8.1. Severability: If any provision or clause of this Policy is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable under any applicable statute, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.
8.2. Governing Law & Exclusive Jurisdiction: This Policy, and any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to any booking, cancellation, or maritime activity with Mike’s Watersports, shall be governed by and construed strictly in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. Both parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Republic of Cyprus, waiving any objection to venue or forum non conveniens.