THE FINE PRINT

Note: the following items will show up at the bottom of the registration form, and you'll have to agree to them before proceeding to the payment screen to lock in your passage registration. Read it here first, FYI.

These terms apply to every passage operated by ISBJORN SAILING AB and/or 59 North, Ltd. (together, "59° North," "59° North Sailing," "we," "us"). By registering you agree to all of the policies below.

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CODE OF CONDUCT

Our boats are small, shared spaces at sea. Everyone aboard — crew, staff and fellow sailors — has the right to a safe, secure and respectful environment. By registering, you agree to the following while booked on, travelling to, or participating in any 59° North passage or related shore activity:

  • Treat all crew, staff and fellow participants with respect. We have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, sexual advances, intimidation, bullying, discrimination, or threatening, violent or abusive behaviour.
  • Follow all safety instructions from the skipper and crew at all times. The skipper's decisions on matters of safety and seamanship are final.
  • Do not board or operate the vessel while impaired in a way that compromises safety, and do not bring illegal substances or unlicensed weapons aboard.
  • Do not engage in any conduct that is unlawful, or that endangers, harms, or causes serious discomfort, inconvenience or distress to any other person aboard.

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Reporting. If you experience or witness conduct that breaches this Code, tell the skipper, a crew member, or contact our office as soon as it is safe to do so. We take reports seriously, will handle them as confidentially as is reasonably possible, and prohibit retaliation against anyone who makes a good-faith report.

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BACKGROUND & HONESTY DECLARATION

By registering, you confirm that the information you have given us (including on your application and medical/sailing forms) is true, accurate and complete; and that, to the best of your knowledge, there is nothing about your background or conduct — including any criminal conviction, charge, or legal restriction relevant to the safety or wellbeing of others — that you have not disclosed and that a reasonable operator would want to know before placing you aboard a small vessel with other people.

You agree to promptly tell us if anything relevant to the above changes between booking and departure. A false, misleading or incomplete declaration is a serious breach of these terms and is grounds for refusal, cancellation or removal under the section above, with forfeiture of all amounts paid to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

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RIGHT TO REFUSE, CANCEL OR REMOVE

To uphold our duty of care to crew, staff and passengers, 59° North reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to:

  1. Refuse or cancel a booking before departure if, after booking, information comes to light that we reasonably consider relevant to the safety, security or wellbeing of others aboard — including (without limitation) relevant criminal convictions or charges, conduct in breach of this Code of Conduct, or a false, misleading or incomplete declaration under the "Background & Honesty Declaration" section above.
  2. Refuse boarding to any person who, at the time of departure, we reasonably believe poses a risk to the safety or wellbeing of others, or who is in breach of these terms.
  3. Remove a participant during a passage by disembarking them at the next safe and practical port if they breach this Code of Conduct or these terms, or pose a risk to others aboard.

Effect on payment. Where we refuse, cancel or remove a participant for any of the reasons in this section: any deposit and balance already paid are non-refundable and forfeited, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law; and where a participant is removed during a passage, all costs of disembarkation and onward or return travel are the participant's own responsibility.

This is separate from, and in addition to, the ordinary Deposit & Cancellation Policy below, which applies when you choose to cancel.

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DEPOSIT & CANCELLATION POLICY

1. Approval & deposit (50%). If your application is approved (usually immediately, unless we are at sea and unable to respond), we will email you an online invoice for a 50% deposit. The deposit is due immediately to reserve your berth and is non-refundable. If your application is not approved (rare), we will notify you as soon as possible and no deposit invoice will be issued.

2. Final balance (remaining 50%). The remaining 50% balance is due no later than 90 days before departure (or as otherwise shown on your invoice/booking confirmation).

3. Cancellation 90+ days before departure. If we receive your written cancellation notice at least 90 days before departure, you will not be billed for the final balance (if it has not already been paid). The deposit remains non-refundable.

4. Cancellation after final balance is paid. If you cancel after paying the final balance, and we are able to rebook your berth, you may apply your deposit as credit toward a future passage, minus an administrative fee. If we cannot rebook your berth, you agree that no refund or credit can be provided for any reason, including illness.

5. No exceptions; insurance recommended. You understand there are no exceptions to this policy. We strongly recommend purchasing "for any reason" trip cancellation insurance, which is your responsibility.

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STANDBY CREW POLICY

In the event that a crew member must cancel their passage spot inside the 90-day timeline to departure outlined above, and after they have paid their balance payment, they will have the option to join the Standby Crew list for a period of one year after their original passage departure date. The Standby Crew list works as follows:

  • Anytime there are unsold bunks on either boat, all crew on the Standby list will be notified by email of the opening no earlier than 3 weeks prior to sailing.
  • Spaces for the Standby list are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and must be requested by replying to the Standby email notification.
  • After one year has passed, crew will be removed from the Standby Crew list.

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The Standby list is a way for 59° North to accommodate a crew member who had to cancel late but was not offered a credit in the event we were unable to re-book the cancelled spot. We still highly recommend that crew get travel insurance for such eventualities, but we'll continue to do what we can to accommodate everyone fairly.

The Standby Crew Policy does not apply where a booking is cancelled or a participant is removed under the "Right to Refuse, Cancel or Remove" section.

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LATE-PAYMENT POLICY

By checking the box below, you agree to make payments on or before the dates specified on this website and email receipts. You also agree to a $250 late payment fee for any payments received seven days or more past the payment due date.

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TRAVEL, INCIDENTAL & CONSEQUENTIAL COSTS

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, 59° North is not responsible for, and will not reimburse, any costs you incur in connection with a passage other than the passage fare itself. 

This includes (without limitation) flights and other transport, airport transfers, accommodation before or after the passage, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, gear and equipment, and any lost wages or other consequential losses.

This applies whether a passage is cancelled, delayed, shortened, re-routed or otherwise changed — including for weather, safety, operational or force-majeure reasons, and including where we refuse, cancel or remove a participant under these terms. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel and "for any reason" cancellation insurance to cover these costs.

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PASSPORT, TRAVEL VISA, VACCINES

Crew are responsible for having an up-to-date passport (valid for 6 months past your travel dates), appropriate visas for the countries you are visiting (and transferring through), and relevant vaccines, if any are required in the places we sail to. 59° North cannot keep track of changing international regulations regarding visas and vaccines, but will provide guidance when we're able. 59° North no longer has a policy on COVID-19 vaccinations for crew.

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ASSUMPTION OF RISK

Acknowledgement of Risk & Release (Sailing Passages)

This acknowledgement is required for each participant travelling with ISBJORN SAILING AB and/or 59 North, Ltd. (together, "59° North Sailing," "we," "us").

1. Acknowledgement of risks. I understand that offshore sailing and related travel involve inherent risks, including (without limitation) rough seas, slips and falls, heavy weather, equipment failure, collision, man overboard, injury, illness, limited medical resources onboard, delayed evacuation, and travel in remote locations.

2. Medical care and evacuation. I understand that we are not medical providers and that medical care at sea and in remote ports may be limited. Evacuation may be delayed or impossible due to weather, distance, or availability of rescue services. I accept these limitations and understand that outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

3. Compliance with safety rules. I confirm that I have read and will follow the safety guidance and expectations provided by 59° North Sailing (including instructions from the skipper and crew, and the Code of Conduct above) while onboard and during related shore activities.

4. Assumption of risk. I voluntarily choose to participate and assume the inherent risks of the voyage and related activities.

5. Release and limitation of liability (to the extent permitted by law). To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, I release and agree not to hold liable ISBJORN SAILING AB, 59 North, Ltd., their employees/contractors, and their agents for claims arising from my participation, except where liability cannot legally be excluded (for example, intentional acts and gross negligence, and any non-excludable statutory rights).

6. Travel arrangements. If we suggest travel providers (airlines, agents), I understand we do not control their services and are not responsible for their acts or omissions.

7. Indemnity. If my acts cause loss or damage to others or the vessel, I may be responsible for resulting costs, to the extent permitted by law.

8. Severability. If any part of this agreement is found unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect.

9. Governing law / venue. This agreement is governed by Swedish law, and disputes shall be brought in Sweden, to the extent permitted by applicable consumer protection laws.

I have read and understand this agreement and accept it voluntarily.