Terms & Conditions

  1. The Kitty trip boat is operated by John Pinkerton Canal Cruises Ltd (the Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Basingstoke Canal Society.
  2. The boat is licenced to carry up to a maximum of 12 passengers, which includes babes in arms, plus a crew of two.
  3. The boat is equipped with a hydraulic lift, and so can also accommodate a maximum of 2 unpowered wheelchair users. However, please note:
    • We are unable to accommodate users of powered/motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
    • Each wheelchair user must be accompanied by an able-bodied carer. The crew cannot assist with the handling of wheelchairs or their occupants.
    • For reasons of safety, each wheelchair user will occupy 2 of the available passenger places. Thus 11 passengers in total can be accommodated including one wheelchair user, and 10 passengers in total including two wheelchair users.
  4. Bookings for all Kitty trips must be made in advance on-line using our secure booking system or contacting our booking team. Tickets must be presented to the crew for validation before trips commence.
  5. If you have not made a pre-paid booking, it may still be possible for you to get aboard if there are spaces available, in which case you would pay your fare to the skipper.
  6. On-line bookings for advertised trips must be made by 10pm on the night before the trip. Kitty may be chartered for the exclusive use of the hirer if there are no previous bookings for an advertised trip. Kitty may also be chartered at any other time when there is no advertised trip, but one week’s notice is required to ensure that a volunteer crew is available.
  7. Customers wishing to cancel a trip booking should contact our booking team for assistance. Refunds will not normally be given, particularly if the booking cannot be resold, however the customer will be offered a trip another on an alternative date.
  8. Dogs are not allowed on-board, except for assistance dogs.
  9. The Company reserves the right to refuse bookings without giving a reason for doing so.
  10. The Company reserves the right, when necessary and without notice, to alter the trip schedule. Although any such action will be exceptional, we do not guarantee to operate any services in accordance with published schedules, or at all. If the Company is unable to fulfil its commitment to undertake a trip, it will be cancelled and customers will be offered a trip on an alternative date or, at the option of the Company, have all the charges paid refunded, but the Company will not be liable for other losses incurred by the customer.
  11. The Company has no objection to parties bringing their own food and alcoholic beverages for consumption during a trip. However, neither food nor alcohol will be available for sale on the boat.
  12. Smoking and vaping are not permitted whilst on board the boat.
  13. For your own safety and the safety of others, passengers must follow instructions given by our crew when embarking/disembarking or whilst on board.
  14. The Skipper may refuse to carry any passengers, or direct any passenger to disembark, where the behaviour of that passenger is liable to cause nuisance or offence to the other passengers or put at risk the safety of the passenger, other passengers, crew or vessel.
  15. The Hirer is responsible for the behaviour of his/her party and any damage caused by them, and for ensuring that all members of his/her party are aware of these ‘Booking Conditions’.
  16. The Company shall not be liable for any loss, damage or delay to any persons or their possessions whilst embarking or disembarking from the vessel or during the voyage, unless such loss or damage is caused by the negligence of the crew on board the vessel.
  17. Passengers are advised to limit valuables and property brought on board to that which they can safely carry, as space on the boat is limited. All personal property is the passenger’s responsibility and must be kept with them at all times.
  18. There are no toilet facilities aboard the boat. There are toilets nearby at the Lightbox public gallery and museum during opening hours or in the nearby Woking shopping centre.
  19. At the end of a charter trip, hirers are required to remove from the boat everything they brought with them or ordered in, including all decorations and catering supplies.
  20. Conditions for Use of Cruise Gift Vouchers on Public or Charter Trips: 
  • Public Trip Gift Vouchers can be redeemed when you book and pay online.
  • Boat Gift Vouchers can be redeemed only by contacting the booking team in advance with your proposed date.
  • Gift vouchers can be redeemed for trips on either boat but have no other cash value.
  • The trip boat skippers cannot accept vouchers as payment for a trip in lieu of cash.
  • If the value of the voucher exceeds the price of the trip, the residual amount may be used towards another trip. A cash refund cannot be given.