Terms of Service

Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using the website irirshferries.com or any services provided by Irish Ferries. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, you must immediately cease use of our website and services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User," "you," or "your") and Irish Ferries ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the website located at irirshferries.com (the "Website") and all related travel services, booking platforms, and associated features offered by Irish Ferries.

By accessing the Website, making a booking, purchasing a ticket, or otherwise engaging with our services in any capacity, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and any other policies or notices posted on our Website, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

If you are using our services on behalf of a business, organisation, or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms, in which case the terms "you" and "your" shall refer to that entity. If you do not have such authority, you must not accept these Terms or use our services on behalf of such entity.

These Terms apply to all visitors, registered users, passengers, and any other persons who access or use our services. Irish Ferries reserves the right to update, modify, or replace these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Website following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes.

2. About Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries is a passenger and freight ferry service operating routes primarily between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe. We provide sea travel, vehicle transportation, passenger cabins, on-board facilities, and related travel services to individuals, families, groups, and commercial freight operators.

Our contact details are as follows:

3. Description of Services

Irish Ferries provides the following services through its Website and associated platforms:

3.1 Passenger Ferry Services

We operate scheduled passenger ferry crossings between ports in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France. Passengers may book individual seats, cabin accommodations, and vehicle deck space for private cars, motorcycles, campervans, and coaches.

3.2 Freight and Commercial Services

We provide commercial freight transport services for haulage companies, logistics operators, and businesses requiring the movement of goods across our operational sea routes.

3.3 Online Booking Platform

Our Website provides an online booking engine allowing users to search for available sailings, select travel options, complete purchases, manage existing bookings, and access their travel documentation electronically.

3.4 On-Board Services

On-board services including dining, retail, entertainment, and accommodation facilities are offered subject to availability and may vary by vessel and route. These services are subject to additional terms and conditions as displayed on board.

3.5 Ancillary Services

We may offer ancillary travel-related services including but not limited to travel insurance referrals, car hire partnerships, hotel accommodation packages, and port parking facilities. Such third-party services are governed by the respective third-party provider's terms and conditions.

4. User Obligations and Prohibited Activities

4.1 User Obligations

As a user of our Website and services, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information when creating an account or making a booking;
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials and not share them with third parties;
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised use of your account or any other breach of security;
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including those relating to travel documentation, customs, and immigration requirements;
• Ensure that all passengers travelling under your booking possess valid travel documents, including passports, visas, and any other documentation required for the relevant crossing;
• Arrive at the port of departure in accordance with the check-in times specified in your booking confirmation;
• Comply with all on-board rules, vessel safety procedures, and instructions from crew members at all times;
• Ensure that any vehicle transported complies with the size, weight, and safety requirements specified by Irish Ferries;
• Use our Website only for lawful purposes and in a manner consistent with these Terms.

4.2 Prohibited Activities

You agree that you will NOT engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

• Using the Website or services for any fraudulent, unlawful, or deceptive purpose;
• Making false or misleading bookings, including the use of fraudulent payment methods;
• Attempting to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Website, our servers, or any connected systems or networks;
• Introducing viruses, malware, trojans, or any other malicious code into our systems;
• Using automated bots, scrapers, or similar technology to extract data from the Website without prior written consent;
• Reproducing, duplicating, copying, selling, or reselling any part of the Website or its content for commercial purposes without our express written authorisation;
• Posting, transmitting, or distributing any content that is defamatory, obscene, threatening, discriminatory, or otherwise objectionable;
• Impersonating any person or entity or misrepresenting your affiliation with any person or entity;
• Transporting hazardous, illegal, or prohibited materials on our vessels without proper authorisation and disclosure;
• Engaging in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the operation of our vessels, services, or the safety of other passengers and crew;
• Reselling or transferring tickets or bookings without our prior written consent, except as permitted by applicable Irish law.

Irish Ferries reserves the right to refuse service, cancel bookings, or terminate accounts at our sole discretion where we reasonably believe a user has engaged in any prohibited activity. In cases involving criminal activity or threats to safety, we will report matters to the relevant authorities.

5. Intellectual Property Rights

5.1 Ownership

All content on the Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, software, and the overall design and compilation of the Website (collectively, the "Content"), is the exclusive property of Irish Ferries or its content suppliers and is protected by Irish and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.

5.2 Licence to Use

Subject to your compliance with these Terms, Irish Ferries grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Website and its Content solely for your personal, non-commercial use in connection with booking and using our travel services. This licence does not permit you to:

• Modify or create derivative works based on the Content;
• Use the Content for any commercial purpose or for any public display;
• Remove any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices from the Content;
• Frame or mirror any part of the Website on any other server or internet-based device.

5.3 Trademarks

The name "Irish Ferries," our logos, vessel names, and all related marks, designs, and slogans are trademarks or registered trademarks of Irish Ferries. Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as granting any right or licence to use any trademark without the prior written consent of Irish Ferries.

5.4 User-Generated Content

Where you submit reviews, feedback, or other content to us, you grant Irish Ferries a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, and distribute such content in any media, for the purposes of operating and promoting our services. You represent and warrant that any such content is your original work and does not infringe the rights of any third party.

6. Payment Terms and Booking Conditions

6.1 Pricing

All fares and prices displayed on the Website are quoted in Euro (EUR) unless otherwise stated and include applicable Value Added Tax (VAT) at the rates prescribed under Irish law. Prices are subject to availability and may change at any time prior to the completion of your booking. Once a booking is confirmed and payment is received, the price is fixed for that booking.

6.2 Payment Methods

We accept payment by major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and other payment methods as specified on the Website at the time of booking. All payment transactions are processed through secure, encrypted payment gateways in compliance with applicable Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS).

6.3 Booking Confirmation

A booking is not confirmed until you receive a booking confirmation via email from Irish Ferries. Irish Ferries reserves the right to decline or cancel any booking at its discretion, in which case a full refund will be issued to the original payment method.

6.4 Cancellations and Refunds

Cancellation and refund entitlements are subject to the fare type selected at the time of booking. In accordance with the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013, which implement EU Directive 2011/83/EU in Ireland, consumers may be entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period for certain online purchases. However, please note that in accordance with Article 16(l) of that Directive, the right of withdrawal does not apply to passenger transport services. Specific cancellation terms applicable to each fare type are set out in our Booking Conditions, available on the Website.

6.5 Amendments

Amendments to existing bookings may be subject to amendment fees and fare differences, as set out in our Booking Conditions. Amendment requests must be submitted through our Website or customer service team in advance of travel.

6.6 No-Shows

Failure to check in within the required timeframe prior to departure will be treated as a no-show. No refund or credit will be provided for no-show bookings unless otherwise provided under applicable law or our Booking Conditions.

7. Limitation of Liability

7.1 General Limitation

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Irish law, Irish Ferries, its directors, officers, employees, agents, and suppliers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of data, loss of goodwill, or the cost of substitute services, arising out of or in connection with your use of, or inability to use, the Website or our services, even if Irish Ferries has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

7.2 Cap on Liability

Where liability cannot be fully excluded by law, Irish Ferries's total aggregate liability to you for any claims arising under or in connection with these Terms shall not exceed the total amount paid by you for the specific booking or service giving rise to the claim, or €500, whichever is the lesser amount.

7.3 Maritime Law

Our liability in respect of death, personal injury, or loss of or damage to luggage and vehicles carried on our vessels is governed and limited by the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974, as amended, and applicable EU maritime passenger rights legislation, including EU Regulation 1177/2010. Nothing in these Terms shall limit our liability below the minimum amounts required under such legislation or applicable Irish law.

7.4 Force Majeure

Irish Ferries shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, severe weather conditions, industrial action, port closures, government restrictions, acts of war or terrorism, pandemic, or any other event constituting force majeure under Irish law.

7.5 Third-Party Websites and Services

Our Website may contain links to third-party websites or services. Irish Ferries has no control over and accepts no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

8. Disclaimers

8.1 As-Is Basis

The Website and all information, content, materials, products, and services included on or otherwise made available to you through the Website are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without any representations or warranties of any kind, either express or implied, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Irish law.

8.2 No Warranty of Accuracy

Irish Ferries makes no warranty that the Website will be error-free, uninterrupted, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components. While we endeavour to ensure that information on the Website is accurate and up to date, we make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for purpose of any information on the Website, including sailing schedules, fare information, or port facility details, which are subject to change without notice.

8.3 Sailing Schedules

Published sailing schedules and departure times are provided for guidance only. Irish Ferries reserves the right to modify, delay, or cancel sailings due to weather conditions, technical issues, port authority requirements, or other operational reasons. We shall not be liable for any costs, losses, or inconvenience arising from changes to sailing schedules beyond our reasonable control, save as required under applicable EU maritime passenger rights legislation.

8.4 Consumer Rights

Nothing in these disclaimers shall exclude or restrict any rights you may have under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980, the Consumer Protection Act 2007, the European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013, or any other applicable Irish or EU consumer protection legislation. If any provision of these Terms is inconsistent with your statutory rights, your statutory rights shall prevail.

9. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Irish Ferries, its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, awards, losses, costs, expenses, or fees (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your violation of these Terms;
• Your use of the Website or services in a manner not expressly authorised by these Terms;
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation;
• Your violation of any rights of a third party, including intellectual property rights, privacy rights, or contractual rights;
• Any false or misleading information you have provided to Irish Ferries;
• Any damage caused by you to vessels, port facilities, or the property of other passengers or crew members;
• Any claim arising from your failure to comply with applicable travel documentation, customs, or immigration requirements.

Irish Ferries reserves the right to assume exclusive control of the defence of any matter subject to indemnification by you, in which case you agree to cooperate fully with us in asserting any available defences.

10. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

10.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, their subject matter, or their formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland, including but not limited to:

• The Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980;
• The Consumer Protection Act 2007;
• The European Union (Consumer Information, Cancellation and Other Rights) Regulations 2013;
• The Data Protection Act 2018;
• EU Regulation 1177/2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway;
• The Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, as incorporated into EU law by Council Regulation (EC) No. 392/2009.

10.2 Jurisdiction

Subject to the dispute resolution provisions set out in Section 11 below, each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of the Republic of Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms or their subject matter or formation. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the Irish courts for such purposes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a consumer resident in another EU member state, you retain the right to bring proceedings in the courts of your country of residence under applicable EU consumer protection legislation, to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement.

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Informal Resolution

In the event of any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of our services, we encourage you to first contact Irish Ferries directly to attempt to resolve the matter informally. Please contact us at [email protected] with a detailed description of your concern. We will use reasonable endeavours to acknowledge your complaint within five (5) working days and to resolve the matter within thirty (30) working days.

11.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution

If a dispute cannot be resolved through informal means, you may be entitled to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. In accordance with EU Regulation 524/2013 on Online Dispute Resolution for consumer disputes, we are required to inform you that the European Commission provides an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, accessible at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. This platform may be used by consumers to seek resolution of disputes arising from online contracts.

11.3 Competition and Consumer Protection Commission

Consumers in Ireland may also contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for information and assistance regarding consumer rights. The CCPC can be contacted at www.ccpc.ie.

11.4 Legal Proceedings

If a dispute cannot be resolved through the above mechanisms, either party may pursue their legal remedies through the courts of the Republic of Ireland as set out in Section 10 above. Nothing in this Section shall prevent either party from seeking urgent injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm pending the resolution of a dispute.

12. Term and Termination

12.1 Duration

These Terms shall remain in full force and effect for as long as you continue to access or use the Website or any of our services, or for as long as you maintain an account with Irish Ferries, whichever is the longer period.

12.2 Termination by You

You may terminate your relationship with Irish Ferries at any time by ceasing to use the Website and, where applicable, by closing your registered account. Termination of your account does not affect any bookings already made or any outstanding obligations you may have to Irish Ferries.

12.3 Termination by Irish Ferries

Irish Ferries reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate your access to the Website and our services, with or without notice, if we reasonably believe that:

• You have materially breached these Terms;
• You have engaged in any fraudulent, illegal, or abusive behaviour;
• You pose a risk to the safety or security of our vessels, passengers, crew, or operations;
• Continued provision of services to you would expose Irish Ferries to legal, financial, or reputational risk;
• We are required to do so by applicable law or a competent authority.

12.4 Effect of Termination

Upon termination of these Terms for any reason, all rights and licences granted to you shall immediately cease. Provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall do so, including but not limited to Sections 5 (Intellectual Property), 7 (Limitation of Liability), 8 (Disclaimers), 9 (Indemnification), 10 (Governing Law), and 11 (Dispute Resolution).

13. Changes to Terms

Irish Ferries reserves the right to amend, modify, update, or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. We will provide notice of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated Terms on the Website with a revised "Last Updated" date at the top of the page;
• Sending a notification to the email address associated with your registered account, where applicable;
• Displaying a prominent notice on the Website's homepage for a reasonable period following any significant changes.

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically. Your continued access to or use of the Website or our services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must cease using the Website and our services immediately and, where applicable, close your account.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, changes to these Terms will not affect any bookings made prior to the effective date of such changes, which shall continue to be governed by the Terms in force at the time of booking.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found by a court of competent jurisdiction or other competent authority to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable, or in conflict with any applicable law or regulation, such provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal, and enforceable, or if such modification is not possible, the provision shall be severed from these Terms.

The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions of these Terms, which shall continue in full force and effect as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never formed part of these Terms. The parties agree that they would have entered into these Terms even without the severed provision.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and any applicable Booking Conditions, constitute the entire agreement between you and Irish Ferries with respect to your use of the Website and our services, and supersede all prior agreements, representations, negotiations, understandings, and communications, whether written or oral, relating to the same subject matter.

No failure or delay by Irish Ferries in exercising any right, power, or remedy under these Terms shall operate as a waiver of that right, power, or remedy. No single or partial exercise of any right, power, or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, power, or remedy. A waiver of any breach of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

16. Accessibility

Irish Ferries is committed to ensuring that our Website and services are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. In accordance with EU Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies and the broader obligations under Irish equality legislation, we endeavour to meet recognised accessibility standards. If you experience any difficulty accessing our Website or services, please contact us at [email protected] so that we may assist you.

17. Data Protection

Irish Ferries is committed to protecting your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR"), the Data Protection Acts 1988–2018 (as amended), and all other applicable Irish and EU data protection legislation. The collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal data in connection with your use of our Website and services is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference and is available on the Website.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the supervisory authority for data protection matters in Ireland and can be contacted at www.dataprotection.ie. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the DPC if you believe that the processing of your personal data infringes applicable data protection law.

18. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints regarding these Terms of Service, or if you wish to exercise any rights you may have under applicable law, please contact Irish Ferries using the details below: