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RESERVATION - PURCHASE - CHANGES - LOSS - CANCELLATION- CLAIMS

To consult the terms and conditions for crossings after 8th November 2010, follow this link.

For crossings up until 7th November 2010, consult the terms and conditions below. 

For sales by Internet, in accordance with the legislation concerning e-commerce, the client has the right of retraction for 24 hours from the conclusion of the sale.  This right of retraction is applicable up to 72 hours before the departure of the outward crossing.

• BOOKING AND PURCHASE OF TICKETS

When booking, an option date can be given to you. After this date and without confirmation on your part, the reservation will automatically be cancelled.
You can confirm your reservation by paying a deposit and a voucher is then issued (it is not valid for travel). Payment of the balance must be made by the date indicated on the voucher and a ticket is then issued, the conditions of which are described in the present document. If the voucher is not confirmed as a ticket within the required time, the reservation is cancelled. Refunds are given, subject to the application of penalties as described below.
Fares indicated when issuing the voucher may be changed when the ticket is issued.
Some fares are conditional upon immediate purchase of the ticket (no option, no voucher).

Directive 98 /41/EC - Art .5. International regulations on shipping safety require us to collect the following information when issuing the final ticket: surname, first name, sex (man or woman), age category.

When booking we ask for a telephone number (preferably mobile) to allow us, as far as possible, to warn you of any changes in times or cancellations.

If you qualify for a reduction, you are invited to point this out before collecting the ticket. After that, no refund or change in reduction can be made. You must provide proof concerning the reduction (supporting documents) and identification when boarding. The absence of supporting documents will lead to readjustment of the fare.

Ticket and voucher are valid for one year from the date of issue. During this time, they can be modified and refunded according the conditions defined hereafter. Outward and return crossings must take place during the period of validity of the ticket (for some special fares, the date of the return crossing must also fall within certain periods).
A ticket (or voucher) that has expired cannot be the object of a request for changes, refunds or claims.

• COMPOSITION OF AN A4 FORMAT TICKET
  (apart from the general conditions of sale and transport)

On lines to/from Corsica and Sardinia, for a single or return trip, the ticket includes :
- 1 client coupon to be presented when completing boarding formalities.

On lines to/from Algeria and Tunisia, in the case of a return trip, the ticket includes :

- 1 OUTWARD-BOUND coupon, 1 RETURN coupon to be presented during boarding formalities.
- 1 CLIENT coupon.

After inspection when boarding for the outward crossing, you must always have the RETURN coupon in your possession.

In the case of a SINGLE journey, the ticket will include OUTWARD-BOUND and CLIENT coupons.

The CLIENT coupon includes all relevant information concerning the crossings that have been booked. It must be kept by the passenger and must be presented upon any request or claim.

Changes
If you are obliged to change the dates of your trip (or to modify special Corsica fares), or to make a reservation for an open return, payment of fees for the change will be requested as shown in the table below (in addition to the readjustment of the fare).

• FEES FOR CHANGES TO FARE, JOURNEY, CLOSURE OF AN OPEN RETURN, REVALIDATION

- Per person, per vehicle and per crossing
- Fees for changes paid when changing your ticket are not refunded if you should cancel that ticket.

LINE	AMOUNT	ON BILLET	ON VOUCHER	TYPE OF FEE
Corsica	3€ 10€ on some special fares including Prima fares	Yes	Yes	- For changes in fares and in crossings
		Fixed rate of 30€ per ticket		- For changes in crossings - For changes concerning Prima Corsa fares
Sardinia	3€	Yes	Yes	- For changes in crossings
Algeria and Tunisia	10€ with a maximum of  50 € per billet	Yes	No	- For changes in crossings - To close an open return - To revalidate tickets purchased in Algeria or Tunisia

 

• CANCELLING YOUR TRIP - REFUND

If you are obliged to cancel your trip definitively, contact the agency that issued your ticket (or voucher) as soon as possible (and before the planned date of departure), to cancel and request a refund.

Refunds and request for exchange must be made by presenting the client coupon and the coupon or coupons for the cancelled trip (for lines to North Africa). It is absolutely necessary to present identification corresponding in type and number to that shown on the coupons.

Terms and conditions for refund

If you cancel your trip
- More than 72 hours before departure: refund of 90%* of the ticket.
- Between 72 and 24 hours before departure: refund of 70%* of the ticket.
- Less than 24 hours before departure: refund of 50%* of the ticket.

*Of the amount of the ticket, excluding taxes and port fees.
On lines to/from Corsica and Sardinia, for a voucher, the same rates will be applied to the amount corresponding to the trip and not the amount of the deposit.
On lines to/from Algeria and Tunisia, vouchers are refundable with a penalty of 30% of the value of the voucher.

No refunds will be accepted if the trip is not cancelled before departure; only port taxes, regional transport tax and fuel tax will be refunded.
On lines to/from Corsica and Sardinia, in addition to penalties, a cancellation charge of 3€ per person, per vehicle and per crossing will be made.

Important : some tickets issued at special prices are subject to restrictions with regard to changes, cancellation and refund. The conditions are available in all our ticket sales outlets.

• LOSS

 In case of loss or theft of your voucher or ticket :

- You must inform the issuing agency as soon as possible (before the date of the outward trip if you have a return ticket) or the nearest SNCM /CTN/ENTMV agency.
- No duplicate of the voucher or ticket will be issued; its loss, theft or other similar event will require the purchase of a new document.
- Upon request from you, it can be refunded before expiry. The refund will be made after having checked that the ticket has not been used including, for represented companies, for lines from North Africa.
- If no ticket is purchased and if the trip is not cancelled, only the taxes will be refunded.

• CLAIMS

 Only claims received while the ticket is valid, i.e. one year from the date of issue, will be accepted. In case of claim, the tickets (client coupon) as well as originals of boarding cards will be requested from you.

All claims concerning charges for vehicles must be presented before boarding, no refund will be granted after departure.

TRANSPORT OF MINORS, PREGNANT WOMEN, PASSENGERS NEEDING PARTICULAR ASSISTANCE

* Minors : The Company does not transport minors under 16 years old if they are not accompanied by an adult. However, on request by parents or legal guardians, minors of at least 14 or 15 years old can travel alone with their own identification documents, on condition that the parents or legal guardians sign the form "Authorisation for travel of an unaccompanied minor" when boarding, thus releasing the Company from all responsibility.

Consequently, the Company cannot be held responsible for any cause whatsoever, in case, despite the provisions above, an unaccompanied minor were on one of our crossings.

* Pregnant women can make a sea voyage up to the end of the 6th month of their pregnancy, on condition that they present a medical certificate authorising the trip.

* Passengers needing particular assistance during the trip (breathing difficulties, disabled, blind…) are requested to notify the Company when booking and when boarding.

 

TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS

Importing animals is subject to special regulations. For domestic animals (EC regulation n° 998/2003 and Ministerial decree of 19 July 2002): a sanitary certificate showing that vaccinations have been carried out as per regulations must be produced.
In accordance with the regulations in force, dogs belonging to Category 1 or 2 of the French classification for dangerous dogs must wear a muzzle.
Dogs belonging to Category 1 are prohibited in public areas including in the kennels. They must therefore travel on lines from Corsica and Sardinia in their owners’ vehicle and under full responsibility of the latter. On lines from Algeria and Tunisia, due to the duration of the crossing, these dogs are not admitted.

Importing food products of animal origin (EC regulations n° 745/2004 and EC n° 136/2004): import prohibited of fresh meat, meat-based products, milk and milk products.
We recommend that you enquire at the competent public health and veterinary authorities concerning the regulations in force in the countries of departure and arrival.

 

WHEN BOARDING

Latest times to arrive at the boarding desk :
The latest time to arrive at the boarding desk appears on the ticket.
Important: after this time, boarding is not guaranteed.

Boarding formalities : apart from the ticket,
On lines from Corsica : SNCM and its representatives reserve the right to check your identity cards, car registration documents, and supporting documents for reductions.
On international lines : the presentation of identity cards or passports and car registration documents is obligatory. Supporting documents for reductions will also be requested.
Entering Tunisian and Algerian territories is subject, for members of the European Union, to OBLIGATORY presentation of a valid passport* and/or VISA. In case of non-admission, passengers concerned will have to make the return journey at their cost, without being able to claim a refund for the outward journey made.  
* (including for children unless they are included on the passport of one of the parents making the trip)  

Important : temporary or definitive restrictions as well as specific formalities are sometimes applicable when entering the territory of countries in North Africa and European territory (formalities applicable to passengers, their vehicles, their luggage, goods and domestic animals); they may be modified at any time by the authorities and therefore SNCM strongly advises you to check with the consulates and embassies before any departure.

Boarding card :
It is printed during the check-in formalities on the date of departure when boarding.
It allows access on board and must be presented without fail by the passenger when boarding. It includes all information necessary to find and access the place allotted to you on the ship.
In case of loss, theft or any other similar event, the passenger will be required to purchase a new ticket.
This card must be retained on board and after the end of the trip in order to be presented in case of any request or claim.

When boarding, on all our lines, any ticket with billing anomalies and issued without conforming to the regulations in force will be readjusted (payment of the difference in price) and modification fees of 10€ per person, per vehicle and per crossing will be made.

Lines to Algeria and Tunisia: embarkation of vehicles
Embarkation of private passenger vehicles of more than 1.80 m in height and utility vehicles of more than 2.30 m in height due to roof-racks or car-roof luggage boxes on board car ferries is authorised according to space available, after paying an extra height charge (the amount and dates of application of which are shown in the timetable booklets) and after formal agreement of the commanding officers.

On BOARD

Please note that a doctor is not necessarily present on board the vessels.
We inform you that all of our vessels are non-smoking (decree nº 2006 - 1386 of 15 November 2006).
Sleeping in top bunks is not suitable for children under 6 years old (decree of 19 August 1995).
On the Algeria and Tunisia lines you can travel in sleeping accommodation (cabins or compartments), armchairs or without any accommodation. Sleeping accommodation is sold :
- either for exclusive occupation: you have a private cabin, only members of your family have access, including your children travelling without accommodation,
- or for non-exclusive occupation: persons of the same sex other than members of your family may be allotted space in your cabin. In this case, your children travelling without accommodation cannot be admitted in your cabin. It cannot be guaranteed that the family will travel together in one cabin.
By reserving an armchair, you will be allotted a space in an “armchair” lounge.
If you travel without accommodation, you can occupy the seats and benches situated in the public areas of the vessel.

No sale of tickets on board ship : only passengers holding a ticket with a confirmed reservation for the ship’s destination will be authorised to board the vessel.
Any change of accommodation made on board will be calculated on the basis of the full price.

Only vehicles running on GPL and equipped with a safety valve are admitted on board ships.

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF TRANSPORT

• PASSENGERS
  

ART.1 – The present contract is governed by the modified law of 18 June 1966 and its decrees of application, but only in cases and within the limits where these laws are obligatory for the parties, and in addition by the conditions and stipulations mentioned below.

ART. 2 – This ticket is personal and cannot be transferred – whatever the date of issue of the present ticket, it is expressly agreed that the price of the trip will always be calculated according to the fares in force on the day of use. Consequently, the bearer of the present ticket formally undertakes to pay, in case of price increase, the amount of the increase before boarding – the price of the trip is established in any event. This ticket is only valid for the departure indicated. If it does not show any departure date, it can only be used during the year following its issue and according to availability. After this time, it becomes invalid, even with regard to obtaining a refund.

ART. 3. - Passengers undertake to comply in all cases with the regulations established by the Company on board its vessels – They only have access to the areas of the class indicated on their ticket except by authorisation of the Purser. Any person contravening these regulations must pay the supplement for the trip equal to the fare for the higher class without prejudice to any other legal action.

ART. 4. - The Company maintains the right to substitute one of its vessels for the vessel announced for departure. The price of the vessel used will be applied and according to whether it is higher or lower than the price originally announced, the passenger will have to pay a supplement or obtain a refund for the different price.

ART. 5. – Each adult passenger is allocated, for their luggage, a limit of 60 kg in cabin class (40kg per child) and 30 kg in economy class (20kg per child) on Algeria lines (ENTMV), 60 kg per adult, 40 kg per child in one-class on Algeria and Tunisia lines, 30 kg in all classes on the other lines. Excess is charged according to the Company tariff. Luggage must be checked in before boarding by the agencies of the Company. Unclaimed luggage upon arrival will remain at the port, at the cost and risks of its owners. Passengers undertake to label each package or piece of luggage with their name and destination in very clear, indelible lettering.

ART. 6 – Passengers undertake not to pack, as luggage items, other than those belonging personally to the passenger, in particular saleable goods. Any person contravening this regulation will be liable for double freight charges and neither the Captain nor the Company takes any responsibility for loss or damage.

ART. 7.- Any passenger who packs or places in their luggage any inflammable, explosive or dangerous materials, such as matches, powder, cartridges, films, firecrackers, etc... or items whose import is prohibited, or which do not conform to the laws and regulations of the customs or the police, will be responsible to the Company or any other Carrier for damage or expenses resulting from their embarkation and without prejudice for penalties prescribed by French and foreign law.

ART. 8. – The Company declines all responsibility for luggage or items not checked-in by passengers, as well as for silver, cash, titles, jewels or other precious items, if they have not been declared and charged according to their value when remitted against a receipt from the Purser. Any declaration of value will only be accepted by the Carrier if it is preceded by an inventory of content and against payment of a charge of 1 % of the value declared.

ART. 9. – If the Company is requested to transport packages or luggage for a period prior to embarkation or after disembarkation, it is expressly agreed that it is acting as an agent on behalf of the owners of the luggage and that is responsibility cannot substitute that of the carriers employed. In all cases, the period during which the luggage is in the care of the Company begins with embarkation and ends with disembarkation.

ART. 10. - The Company makes no engagement to proceed to the delivery of luggage checked in outside normal working hours of customs. No claim for delay in collection will be accepted. The Company reserves the right to load luggage on the vessel planned or one of the two following vessels, without giving any prior notice to the passengers.

ART. 11. – The Captain and the Company are not responsible for route changes, modifications or interruptions in services or delays in departure or arrival of the vessel, nor problems of connection in arrivals, departures or connections of ships or trains, nor cases of quarantine, health care, costs of food and other being – in this case – at the cost of passengers. The Captain and the Company are not responsible, in particular, for delay in executing the transport contract, nor its non-execution, nor any consequences that may result from damage, bad weather conditions, unemployment, civil or international war, total or partial strike, any coalitions of owners, workers, officers, sailors or employees, whether they be or not in the service of the Company, either by lay up or partial or total stoppage of the vessels of the Company due to general or partial lock-out, whoever be those responsible: they decline, as a result, all responsibility for the consequences of these irregularities or interruptions or suppressions of service and costs and risks of stay will be at the passengers’ cost.

ART. 12. – The Captain may, at any time, tow, come to the aid of other vessels in all situations, change course, carry out rescue operations and transship goods, the passengers renounce any claim in this regard.

ART. 13. – Regarding bodily harm to passengers, either on board or during operations of embarkation or disembarkation, as well as for loss or damage affecting passenger’s luggage, the responsibility of the Company can only be engaged by passengers themselves or their beneficiaries under the conditions and limits fixed by French law as modified on 18 June 1966 and its decrees of application governing the responsibility of the maritime carrier.

ART. 14. – Live animals, whose presence is prohibited in passenger areas, are accepted with no guarantees for loss, sickness or death and the Company therefore takes no responsibility for damage, of any nature whatsoever, that might take place during their transport by sea.

ART. 15. – For all injury to their person, passengers must send reserves to the Company by recorded letter with proof of reception, at the latest 15 days after the date of disembarkation. If the passenger does not comply with this requirement, they will be presumed, unless there is proof to the contrary, to have disembarked safe and sound.

 

• VEHICLES

The present contract is governed by the modified law of 18 June 1966 and its decrees of application, or by the International Convention (Brussels) of 25 August 1924, but only in the cases and within the limits where these laws are obligatory for the parties. The transport of vehicles is carried out without guarantees of time limits. Dates of the vessel’s ports of call shown in the timetables or notices from the Company are given as an indication only. The Company reserves the right to load vehicles onto the vessel planned or one of the two following vessels, or as deck cargo without giving any prior notice to passengers. No damages or interest is due in case of delays in delivery of vehicles, nor in case of immobilisation due to damage.

• JOINT PROVISIONS

a) All limitations, exemptions and stipulations of the present contract concerning the responsibility of the carrier also apply, where relevant, to the responsibility of its agents, vessels, employees and other representatives, and also to responsibility in the case where it is engaged, of owners, agents, employees and other representatives of any substitute vessel.

b) The illegality or nullity of a clause, paragraph or any stipulation of this contract, will not affect or invalidate another paragraph or stipulation of the said contract.

c) The Court with jurisdiction over difficulties to which the execution of the present contract could give rise is, even in the case of third-party appeal or multiple respondents or related claims, the Tribunal de Commerce (Commercial Court) of Marseille.

The passenger accepts this jurisdiction and undertakes not to pursue the Company before any other court.

Important : When this ticket is used for a carrier other than S.N.C.M., the general conditions of Passages are those of the carrier concerned, that the passenger  concerned declares to be aware of and to accept, S.N.C.M. in no case acts as an agent of the actual carrier.

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