GENERAL TRANSPORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

of Slovenská plavba a prístavy – Lodná osobná preprava, a.s.

§ 1 General Provisions – Scope of Application

The General Transport Terms and Conditions apply to all cruises on passenger ships operated by Slovenská plavba a prístavy – Lodná osobná preprava, a.s. (hereinafter referred to as “LOD”), including sightseeing cruises and gastro cruises, according to the valid sailing schedule and for all related services and deliveries.

These conditions do not apply to charter and special cruises; in such cases, only the General Business Terms and Conditions for events (charter and special cruises) stated in the contract or special price offer apply.

The General Transport Terms and Conditions are exclusive; contradictory or differing conditions of the passenger will not be recognized unless explicitly confirmed in writing.

These conditions apply to the purchase of LOD tickets, regardless of whether the customer purchases them:

Directly at the agency office of LOD, Fajnorovo nábrežie 2, 81102 Bratislava (hereinafter referred to as the “agency”),
Onboard the ships (where possible),
Through travel agencies,
Via the online store on www.lod.sk or through third-party online stores, or
As part of a written advance reservation.

By purchasing a ticket, accepting a booking confirmation, or boarding an LOD ship, the customer agrees to these General Transport Terms and Conditions as binding.

§ 2 Tickets

Tickets must be purchased before the cruise starts, either at:

The agency's ticket office,
Onboard the ships,
Travel agencies, or
The online store.

For ticket or voucher purchases via email or phone, the contract is concluded upon sending the tickets, vouchers, or booking confirmation via email.

Passengers must present a valid ticket in printed or electronic form upon boarding and when requested by the staff. Tickets are valid only on the designated sailing day. If a valid ticket is not presented during ticket control, a new one must be purchased.

Tickets are fully transferable to another name.

No refunds are provided for unused tickets.

Reserved tickets must be confirmed, paid for, and collected at least:

1 hour before a sightseeing cruise,
4 hours before a gastro cruise; otherwise, the reservation will expire.

§ 3 Vouchers

Vouchers can be purchased at the agency or through the online store and serve as a means of payment when buying tickets in the online store or at the agency. However, they do not serve as a direct ticket for travel.

The validity of vouchers is limited by statutory expiration periods.

§ 4 Fares

Ticket prices are determined according to the current sailing schedule, including the applicable VAT rate.

Discounts for specific groups are calculated from the full adult ticket price. Relevant documents must be presented before the ticket is issued to qualify for a discount.

§ 5 Payment Terms

Tickets can be paid for by:

Cash,
Card,
Online payment, or
Advance invoice (prepayment).

Invoices must be paid at least 24 hours before departure.

Tickets purchased at the agency ticket office, travel agencies, onboard the ship, or in the online store must be paid for immediately.

§ 6 Cancellation Policy

The cancellation policy varies by cruise type. The charter and special cruise cancellation terms are not covered by these General Transport Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation Policy for Sightseeing Cruises

More than 24 hours before departure → 100% refund.
Less than 24 hours but more than 1 hour before departure → 50% refund.
Less than 1 hour before departure or no-show → No refund.

Cancellation Policy for Gastro Cruises

More than 24 hours before departure → 100% refund.
Less than 24 hours but more than 4 hours before departure → 50% refund.
Less than 4 hours before departure or no-show → No refund.

Ticket Changes

Changes such as rescheduling or changing the ticket holder’s name are possible via phone, email, or in person with LOD.

§ 7 Transport of Vehicles, Luggage, and Other Items

Bicycles can be transported on sightseeing cruises for a fee listed in the sailing schedule. Due to limited storage capacity, bicycle transport may be denied in individual cases.
Cars, motorcycles, boats, and kayaks are not transported.
Baby strollers and wheelchairs are transported free of charge, subject to available space.
Weapons, flammable, corrosive, and other dangerous items, as well as illegal or prohibited goods, are not allowed on board. If such items are discovered, the captain has the right to confiscate and remove them at the owner’s expense at the next port.
Live animals are not permitted unless explicitly agreed upon.
Dogs are allowed only on sightseeing cruises if:
a) They do not disrupt safety or order on board.
b) They do not threaten or disturb other passengers.
c) They are on a short leash and, if necessary, muzzled.

Dogs are not allowed on seats and require a paid ticket according to the sailing schedule.

§ 8 Changes to the Sailing Schedule

In cases of bad weather, technical failures, or force majeure, LOD may interrupt or alter the cruise route.
In such cases, gastro cruises may be conducted on a stationary vessel.
No claims for compensation or refunds will be granted in such cases, even if sound systems (music, guided services, etc.) malfunction.
LOD reserves the right to use different vessels than those stated in the sailing schedule.

§ 9 Special Transport Conditions

Passengers must follow crew instructions, especially when moving on outdoor decks, gangways, and through locks.
Passengers violating the General Transport Terms, damaging property, or compromising safety/order may be excluded from the cruise without refund and reported to authorities.
Outside food and drinks (except water) are not allowed onboard.
Smoking is permitted only on designated outdoor decks.

§ 10 LOD’s Right to Cancel a Cruise

LOD may cancel a cruise for economic reasons if the minimum number of passengers is not met. In such cases, ticket payments will be refunded within 3 working days. No further claims apply.

§ 11 Liability

LOD is liable for damages only in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by its staff or contractual partners.
Liability for property and personal damage onboard is limited according to inland navigation law.
Passengers must report any damages immediately to the ship’s staff and file claims within 7 days after the cruise.
Lost tickets cannot be refunded or replaced.
LOD is not liable for lost/damaged luggage, clothing, money, jewelry, or valuables unless a special fee was paid for their safekeeping.

§ 12 Passenger Property Damage

Passengers are responsible for any damage they cause to port facilities, ships, or onboard equipment, even without proof of fault.

§ 13 Final Provisions

The place of jurisdiction is Bratislava.
If any provision is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions remain unaffected.
In such cases, both parties must replace the invalid provision with one that best reflects the original intent from a legal and economic perspective.

Effective date: February 2025
Slovenská plavba a prístavy – Lodná osobná preprava, a.s.