Terms and Conditions
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using Our Service or booking a cruise.
Interpretation and Definitions
Interpretation
The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural.
Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions:
- Affiliate means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a party, where “control” means ownership of 50% or more of the shares, equity interest or other securities entitled to vote for election of directors or other managing authority.
- Booking means any reservation made through Our Service for a cruise aboard one of Our vessels.
- Captain means the licensed United States Coast Guard captain in command of the Vessel during Your cruise. The Captain has final authority over all matters of safety, route, and operation.
- Company (referred to as either “the Company”, “We”, “Us” or “Our” in this Agreement) refers to Chicago Tiki Boat LLC, 400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603.
- Country refers to: Illinois, United States.
- Customer or You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service or making a Booking.
- Cruise means the chartered trip aboard a Vessel that You have reserved through a Booking.
- Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet.
- Guest means any person on board the Vessel during Your Cruise, including the Customer and any additional passengers.
- Rental Date means the scheduled date of Your Cruise.
- Service refers to the Website, the Booking process, and the charter boat and cruise services provided by the Company aboard its Vessels.
- Service Area means Lake Michigan and the Chicago River within the navigable waters reasonably accessible from Monroe Harbor, as determined by the Captain.
- Terms and Conditions (also referred as “Terms”) mean these Terms and Conditions that form the entire agreement between You and the Company regarding the use of the Service and Your Booking.
- Vessel refers to any boat operated by the Company, including the Tiki Pontoon (capacity up to 12 Guests) and the Tiki Fun Time (capacity up to 20 Guests).
- Website refers to Chicago Tiki Boat, accessible from chicagotikiboat.com.
Acknowledgment
These are the Terms and Conditions governing the use of this Service and Your Booking, forming the agreement that operates between You and the Company. These Terms and Conditions set out the rights and obligations of all users regarding the use of the Service and the Cruise.
Your access to and use of the Service, as well as Your Booking, is conditioned on Your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions apply to all visitors, users, Customers, Guests, and others who access or use the Service or board one of Our Vessels.
By accessing or using the Service or making a Booking, You agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If You disagree with any part of these Terms and Conditions then You may not access the Service or book a Cruise.
You represent that You are over the age of 21 and have the legal authority to enter into this agreement. Guests under 21 may be aboard a Cruise booked by an adult, but the Customer making the Booking must be 21 or older. Anyone consuming alcohol on board must be 21 or older and may be required to show valid government issued identification.
Your access to and use of the Service is also conditioned on Your acceptance of and compliance with the Privacy Policy of the Company. Our Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your personal information when You use the Website or make a Booking.
Intellectual Property Rights
Company Ownership
The Service, Website, and all content, features, and functionality thereof are and will remain the exclusive property of Chicago Tiki Boat LLC and its licensors. The Service and Website are protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws. Our trademarks and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service without Our prior written consent.
Proprietary Content
All content on the Website, including but not limited to:
- Text, graphics, logos, images, and photographs
- Software, code, and Website functionality
- Vessel branding and design elements
- Company name, logos, and branding materials
- Cruise descriptions and pricing information
- Customer testimonials and reviews
Are the exclusive property of Chicago Tiki Boat LLC and are protected by intellectual property laws.
Restrictions on Use
You may not:
- Copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of Our Service or included software
- Reverse engineer or attempt to extract the source code of Our software
- Use Our trademarks, logos, or branding without written permission
- Create derivative works based on Our content or Service
- Use Our Vessel branding or design elements for commercial purposes
Booking Terms
Service Area and Availability
Our Cruises operate on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River from Monroe Harbor. The specific route, duration, and waters covered during Your Cruise are at the discretion of the Captain and may be adjusted based on weather, water conditions, marine traffic, and safety considerations.
We reserve the right to decline Bookings, modify routes, or shorten Cruises when We determine that We cannot safely or effectively provide the requested Service.
Booking and Reservations
- Bookings must be made in advance through Our Website (via Checkfront) or by calling (312) 566-8454.
- A 50% deposit is required at the time of Booking to lock in Your reservation.
- The remaining balance is due 30 days before Your Rental Date. You will receive a notification when payment is due.
- If the remaining balance is not paid by the due date, the Company reserves the right to cancel the Booking and retain the deposit.
- Bookings made within 30 days of the Rental Date require payment in full at the time of Booking.
- Capacity is strictly limited to the Vessel’s maximum: 12 Guests for the Tiki Pontoon and 20 Guests for the Tiki Fun Time. Capacity limits are set by the United States Coast Guard and cannot be exceeded.
Check In and Arrival
- Guests should arrive at the dock at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
- Cruises depart on time. Late arrivals will not extend Cruise duration and no refund is issued for time missed due to late arrival.
- All Guests must board at the designated location at 400 E Monroe St, Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL.
Cancellation Policy
Customer Cancellations are refunded according to the following schedule, based on the date written notice of cancellation is received relative to the Rental Date:
| Notice Given | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 30 days before Rental Date | 100% refund |
| 15 to 21 days before Rental Date | 75% refund |
| 8 to 14 days before Rental Date | 50% refund |
| 2 to 7 days before Rental Date | 25% refund |
| Less than 48 hours before Rental Date | No refund |
To cancel, contact Us by email at info@chicagotikiboat.com or by phone at (312) 566-8454. The earlier You let Us know, the better.
Company Cancellations: We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule Cruises due to weather, mechanical issues, safety concerns, harbor or governmental restrictions, or other circumstances beyond Our reasonable control. In the event the Company cancels a Cruise, You will be offered the choice of:
- Rescheduling Your Cruise to another available date within the operating season, or
- A full refund of all payments made for the cancelled Cruise.
The Company is not responsible for any incidental costs incurred by Customer or Guests in connection with a Company cancellation, including but not limited to travel, lodging, or related expenses.
No Show Policy: If the Customer and Guests do not arrive at the dock within 30 minutes of the scheduled departure time and have not contacted the Company, the Booking is forfeited and no refund will be issued.
Weather Policy
The Captain has sole authority to determine whether a Cruise can safely proceed based on weather and water conditions. Light rain alone is not typically grounds for cancellation. If the Captain determines that a Cruise cannot safely proceed due to severe weather, lightning, high winds, or unsafe water conditions, the Customer will be offered the choice of rescheduling or a full refund as described under Company Cancellations.
Pricing and Payment
- All prices are quoted in US dollars and are subject to applicable taxes and fees.
- We accept major credit and debit cards through Checkfront. Additional payment methods may be available upon request.
- Add-ons, gratuities, and any additional services requested during the Cruise are billed separately.
- Disputed charges must be reported in writing within 30 days of the Rental Date.
Gratuities
Gratuities for the Captain and crew are not included in the Booking price and are appreciated. Recommended gratuity is 15% to 20% of the Cruise total, at Your discretion.
Conduct, Safety, and BYOB Policy
Captain’s Authority
The Captain has full authority over the Vessel and all persons aboard at all times. All Guests must comply with the Captain’s instructions regarding safety, conduct, route, and operation of the Vessel. The Captain reserves the right to end a Cruise early, return to the dock, or refuse boarding without refund if any Guest poses a safety risk, refuses to comply with instructions, or violates these Terms.
BYOB Policy
Chicago Tiki Boat permits Guests of legal drinking age (21 and over) to bring their own alcoholic beverages aboard (“BYOB”), subject to the following:
- All Guests consuming alcohol must be 21 or older and may be required to show valid government issued identification.
- Glass containers are not permitted on the Vessel. Beverages must be in cans, plastic, or other non glass containers.
- The Customer is responsible for the conduct of all Guests, including monitoring alcohol consumption.
- The Captain reserves the right to refuse boarding, refuse further service of alcohol, or end the Cruise early if any Guest is visibly intoxicated, disruptive, or unsafe.
- Drug use of any kind, including marijuana, is strictly prohibited aboard the Vessel regardless of state or local law.
Guest Conduct
Guests must:
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear at all times. Footwear with non marking soles is recommended.
- Refrain from sitting on rails, standing on furniture, or any other unsafe behavior.
- Keep all body parts inside the Vessel while underway.
- Not jump, dive, or otherwise enter the water unless expressly authorized by the Captain.
- Treat the Vessel, crew, and other Guests with respect.
Smoking
Smoking, including vaping and e-cigarettes, is permitted only in designated areas of the Vessel as identified by the Captain or crew.
Damage to the Vessel
The Customer is responsible for any damage to the Vessel or Company property caused by the Customer or any Guest during the Cruise, beyond ordinary wear and tear. Repair or replacement costs will be billed to the Customer.
Removal from the Vessel
The Captain reserves the right to terminate the Cruise and return to the dock at any time if Guest conduct creates an unsafe environment. No refund will be issued in the event of early termination due to Guest conduct.
Assumption of Risk and Release
Inherent Risks of Marine Activity
You acknowledge that boating, cruising, and water activities involve inherent risks that cannot be eliminated, including but not limited to: rough water, weather changes, slips and falls on a moving Vessel, collisions, equipment failure, drowning, and personal injury. By making a Booking and boarding the Vessel, You and all Guests voluntarily assume these risks.
Release of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Customer, on behalf of themselves and all Guests, releases the Company, its owners, employees, captains, crew, and contractors from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of or related to the Cruise, except for claims arising from the Company’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Each adult Guest may be required to sign a separate waiver and release of liability prior to boarding. The Customer is responsible for ensuring all Guests are made aware of this requirement.
Personal Items
The Company is not responsible for personal items lost, stolen, damaged, or left aboard the Vessel. Guests are responsible for their own belongings.
Limitation of Liability
Service Limitations
Notwithstanding any damages that You might incur, the entire liability of the Company and any of its suppliers under any provision of these Terms and Your exclusive remedy for all of the foregoing shall be limited to the amount actually paid by You for the specific Booking that gave rise to the claim.
Excluded Damages
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall the Company or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever including, but not limited to:
- Personal injury resulting from inherent risks of marine activity assumed by Guests
- Damages for loss of business, profits, or data
- Damages resulting from Guest intoxication, misconduct, or failure to follow Captain or crew instructions
- Damages caused by weather, water conditions, or other acts of nature
- Costs related to missed travel, lodging, or other arrangements due to a Cruise cancellation
- Loss, damage, or theft of personal property brought aboard the Vessel
Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages, which means that some of the above limitations may not apply. In these states, each party’s liability will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law.
Professional Standards and Licensing
The Company operates under all applicable United States Coast Guard regulations and Illinois state law. All Captains are licensed by the United States Coast Guard. The Company maintains commercial marine insurance and other coverage as required by law.
All Cruises are conducted in accordance with applicable maritime safety regulations.
SMS and Communications
By providing Your phone number and opting in through Our Website, booking form, or other Company channels, You consent to receive text messages from Chicago Tiki Boat LLC related to Your Booking, customer service, weather and safety updates, and (with separate opt in) promotional offers. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time or HELP for assistance.
By using Our Service, You also consent to:
- Recording of phone calls for quality assurance and training purposes
- Email communications for Booking confirmations, reminders, and customer satisfaction surveys
- Use of tracking technologies (including WhatConverts and Google Tag Manager) to improve Our Service delivery
For complete details on SMS communications, see Our SMS Terms and Conditions. For information on how Your data is collected and used, see Our Privacy Policy.
Force Majeure
The Company shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance under these Terms which is due to fire, flood, earthquake, severe weather, lightning, ice, harbor closures, governmental restrictions, elements of nature or acts of God, acts of war, terrorism, riots, civil disorders, rebellions or revolutions, pandemic, mechanical failure, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Company. In the event of Force Majeure, the Company will offer rescheduling or refund as described under Company Cancellations.
Termination
We may terminate or suspend Your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if You breach these Terms and Conditions.
The Captain may terminate a Cruise in progress at any time for reasons of safety, weather, or Guest conduct as described in these Terms. Upon termination, Your right to use the Service will cease immediately.
Dispute Resolution
Informal Resolution
If You have any concern or dispute about the Service or Your Cruise, You agree to first try to resolve the dispute informally by contacting the Company at (312) 566-8454 or info@chicagotikiboat.com.
Governing Law
The laws of the State of Illinois, excluding its conflicts of law rules, shall govern these Terms and Your use of the Service. Federal maritime law shall apply where applicable. Your use of the Service may also be subject to other local, state, national, or international laws.
Jurisdiction
Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and the parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts.
“AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” Disclaimer
The Website and Service are provided to You “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” and with all faults and defects without warranty of any kind. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, the Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates and its and their respective licensors and service providers, expressly disclaims all warranties, whether express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to the Website and Service.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Company provides no warranty that the Website or Service will meet Your requirements, achieve any intended results, be compatible or work with any other software, applications, systems or services, operate without interruption, meet any performance or reliability standards or be error free.
Important Note: The above disclaimer applies to the Website and digital Service only. Cruises are subject to the safety, conduct, and operational terms specified elsewhere in this agreement.
Consumer Protection
Illinois Consumer Rights
Illinois customers have specific rights under state consumer protection laws. Nothing in these Terms is intended to waive rights that cannot be waived under Illinois law.
Links to Other Websites
Our Service may contain links to third party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by the Company, including Checkfront, social media platforms, and review sites.
The Company has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third party websites or services. You further acknowledge and agree that the Company shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such websites or services.
We strongly advise You to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any third party websites or services that You visit.
Severability and Waiver
Severability
If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision will be changed and interpreted to accomplish the objectives of such provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
Waiver
Except as provided herein, the failure to exercise a right or to require performance of an obligation under these Terms shall not affect a party’s ability to exercise such right or require such performance at any time thereafter nor shall the waiver of a breach constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach.
Translation Interpretation
These Terms and Conditions may have been translated if We have made them available to You on Our Service. You agree that the original English text shall prevail in the case of a dispute.
Changes to These Terms and Conditions
We reserve the right, at Our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material We will make reasonable efforts to provide at least 30 days’ notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at Our sole discretion.
By continuing to access or use Our Service after those revisions become effective, You agree to be bound by the revised terms. If You do not agree to the new terms, in whole or in part, please stop using the Website and the Service.
Contact Us
If You have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, You can contact Us:
- By email: info@chicagotikiboat.com
- By phone: (312) 566-8454
- By mail: Chicago Tiki Boat LLC, 400 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
- Admin Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time
- Operating Season: May 1 through October 31