How to book a boat?
Booking a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide
When you're looking to book a boat, you're essentially planning a trip aboard someone else's boat. Each boat owner has their sensitivities, particularly in how they prefer to interact with potential renters. Some owners prefer to manually approve bookings (Booking Request), while others accept instant bookings without requiring prior approval. Here are the steps you need to follow regardless of the booking type.
1. Complete Your Profile
Regardless of the owner's preference, boatUnity is a community built on trust. It's essential to complete your profile before requesting a booking, allowing boat owners to understand who you are when they confirm your reservation. Make sure your profile is verified and includes photos, as some owners require a profile picture or verified ID to accept bookings.
2. Find the Ideal Boat
With many boats available on the platform, selecting the right boat or captain based on your needs is key to a successful trip. Enter your travel dates and passenger count to get accurate pricing. Carefully review the descriptions, captain's rules, reviews, and available amenities. Have questions? Use our secure messaging system to contact the owner directly.
3. Book Your Boat
Found the perfect boat? It’s time to finalize your booking. The process depends on the owner’s settings:
- Booking Request: Your booking must be approved by the owner.
- Instant Booking: Your trip is confirmed immediately.
4. Payment and Confirmation
Whether you're booking through a “Booking Request” or “Instant Booking,” we’ll ask for your payment details to secure the reservation.
- Booking Request: After reviewing your reservation details, add your payment information (and discount codes if applicable), and accept the terms of use, including the cancellation policy and boat rules. Then, wait for the owner's response. Owners have 24 hours to reply, but most do so within a few hours. Some may require identity verification before confirming. Your payment won't be charged until the booking is accepted. Once confirmed, you’ll be charged in full, and receive a confirmation email with your receipt and trip details. If the owner declines or doesn't respond within 24 hours, your request will expire and no payment will be processed.
- Instant Booking: Your booking is confirmed immediately and your payment is processed right away.