Terms & Conditions

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Terms & Conditions

These Terms & Conditions govern every booking made with Hills and Cruise Houseboats (“the Company”), whether made through the Website, by phone, email, or through an authorised travel partner. By making a booking, you agree to be bound by these terms.

Booking & Confirmation
  1. Your contract for a houseboat cruise is made directly with Hills and Cruise Houseboats, and all bookings are subject to these Terms & Conditions.
  2. All booking-related communication will be sent to the phone number and email address provided at the time of enquiry or booking.
  3. Bookings must be made through our Website, official contact channels, or an authorised representative of the Company.
  4. Submission of a booking enquiry or payment of an advance does not, by itself, guarantee confirmation. A booking is confirmed only once the Company issues a written confirmation by email or WhatsApp on our official number.
  5. The Company reserves the right to decline any booking without assigning a reason, in which case any advance received will be refunded in full.
  6. The balance payment must be cleared before boarding/check-in, as specified at the time of confirmation. Failure to pay the balance may result in cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of the advance as per our Refund & Cancellation Policy.
  7. Special requests such as dietary requirements, celebrations, or accessibility needs must be communicated at the time of booking so that we can make reasonable arrangements.
  8. Parents/guardians travelling with minors are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children throughout the cruise.
Pricing & Payment
  • Package prices displayed on the Website are indicative and may vary based on season (regular/peak), number of guests, add-ons (Jacuzzi, swimming pool, corporate set-up, meal upgrades) and availability at the time of confirmation.
  • Prices are subject to applicable taxes (GST) unless stated otherwise.
  • The Company reserves the right to revise prices before a booking is confirmed; once confirmed in writing, the price will not be increased except to reflect government-imposed tax changes or charges for additional services requested by the guest.
  • Accepted modes of payment include UPI, bank transfer, and credit/debit card, as advised at the time of booking. Additional bank or gateway charges, if any, will be communicated in advance.
Cruise Timings & Check-in
  • Day Cruise timings are generally 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM (inclusive of lunch and evening snacks).
  • Night/Overnight Cruise boarding is generally from 5:30 PM, with check-out by 9:00 AM the next morning (inclusive of dinner and breakfast).
  • Exact timings may vary by season, water traffic, weather, and jetty allotted, and will be confirmed at the time of booking. Guests are requested to report at the boarding point at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
  • Valid original photo identification (Passport & Visa, Driving Licence, PAN Card, or Voter ID) must be produced by all guests at check-in, in line with Kerala Tourism regulations. The Company reserves the right to refuse boarding if valid ID is not produced.
Guest Conduct & Responsibilities
  • Guests are expected to behave in an orderly manner and must not disrupt the safety, comfort, or enjoyment of the crew or other guests.
  • Guests are responsible for the safekeeping of their personal belongings; the Company is not liable for loss of, or damage to, personal items unless caused directly by the negligence of our staff.
  • Guests are liable for any damage caused to the houseboat, its fittings, or equipment during their stay, and the cost of repair/replacement may be recovered from the guest.
  • Smoking is not permitted inside the cabins or enclosed areas of the houseboat. Designated on-deck areas or stops may be arranged for guests who wish to smoke. Use of illegal substances or drugs on board is strictly prohibited.
  • It is the responsibility of the person making the booking to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, mobility restrictions, or allergies of members of their party in advance.
  • The Company reserves the right to deny boarding or discontinue the cruise for any guest whose conduct, in the Company’s reasonable opinion, endangers the health, safety, or enjoyment of others, without any obligation to refund.
Safety & Liability
  • Life jackets and other safety equipment are provided on board, and guests are requested to familiarise themselves with safety instructions given by the crew at the start of the cruise.
  • While the Company takes all reasonable care to ensure guest safety, backwater cruising, like any water-based activity, carries an inherent element of risk that cannot be entirely eliminated.
  • The Company shall not be liable for death, injury, illness, or loss arising from (i) the acts or omissions of the guest or their travel party, (ii) the acts of third parties unconnected with the provision of the cruise, or (iii) events that could not reasonably have been foreseen or avoided, including force majeure events.
  • Guests are advised to arrange their own travel/health insurance for the duration of their trip.
Changes & Cancellations by the Company
  • Occasionally, it may become necessary for the Company to modify the itinerary, houseboat allotted (to one of similar or higher category), or timings due to operational, safety, or weather-related reasons. Guests will be informed at the earliest opportunity.
  • No compensation will be payable for changes or cancellations arising from Force Majeure events, including but not limited to acts of God, floods, adverse weather, government/Kerala Tourism restrictions, strikes, civil unrest, or any other event beyond the Company’s reasonable control. In such cases, the Company will offer guests the choice of rescheduling the cruise or a refund, as set out in our Refund & Cancellation Policy.
  • If the Company is unable to provide the specific houseboat booked due to technical or unforeseen reasons, an alternative houseboat of the same or a comparable category will be provided. If no alternative is available, the Refund & Cancellation Policy shall apply.
Complaints
  • Any concern arising during the cruise should be raised immediately with the crew member in charge or our onshore coordinator so that it can be resolved promptly.
  • If the matter remains unresolved, guests may submit a written complaint to admin@hillsandcruise.com within 7 days of completion of the cruise.
Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of India. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with a booking shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts at Alappuzha, Kerala.

Amendments

The Company reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation shall apply to that booking.