⚠️ Please note that ferry companies’ policies can change, and it’s essential to verify the current terms and conditions directly from the respective ferry operators before making travel arrangements!
When a severe storm occurs, ferry companies may cancel the crossing for safety reasons. The cancellation policies vary depending on the ferry company and the company’s vessels. Some companies offer a replacement ferry ticket, while others may classify the situation as ‘force majeure,’ meaning you may have to accept the loss. We looked at all terms and conditions, so you don’t have to. This is the cancellation and storm refund policy summary per large ferry company:
Cancellation policies of the large ferry companies
Most recent update: March 2025
BC Ferries cancellations and refunds
Cancellation Circumstances:
BC Ferries may cancel sailings due to severe weather conditions, mechanical difficulties, or other unforeseen circumstances. Source
Refund Policy:
If sailing is cancelled after you’ve checked in at the terminal, BC Ferries will attempt to load you onto the next available sailing. If you choose not to travel, you can return to the ticket booth to check out, and your fares and any reservation fees will be automatically refunded to your original form of payment. Source.
Popular BC Ferries Routes: Vancouver Nainamo, Tsawwassen Swartz Bay
Irish Ferries
Cancellation Circumstances:
Sailings can be disrupted due to technical, operational, or weather-related issues. Source
Refund Policy:
Please note that no refund is applicable if due to adverse weather conditions. Source
Popular Irish Ferries Routes: Dublin–Holyhead
P&O Ferries
To inform you upfront, P&O Ferries has large modern vessels that can withstand severe weather conditions.
Cancellation Circumstances:
P&O Ferries: “Once checked-in, if we cannot provide the anticipated service within 90 minutes of your scheduled departure time, we will try to arrange a suitable alternative ferry crossing, provided that alternative travel is available and can be reasonably supplied. We will refund the total P&O ferry fare for the affected inbound and/or outbound crossing if we cannot ship you at all with us or arrange a suitable alternative ferry crossing, or if you do not wish to take any alternative journey offered by us. If your departure is delayed and your journey will no longer serve any purpose regarding your original travel plan, a refund of the full ticket price shall be considered upon submission of reasonable supporting evidence. Source
Refund Policy:
Provisions related to refunds do not apply to tickets where no departure time is specified or to delays or cancellations caused by severe weather conditions. ” In no circumstance can we make a refund regarding cancellations or amendments made at any time on Standard tickets. “
Once checked in, if we cannot provide the anticipated service within 90 minutes of your scheduled departure time, we will try to arrange a suitable alternative ferry crossing, provided that alternative travel is available and can be reasonably supplied. We will refund the Total P&O ferry fare of the affected inbound and/or outbound crossing if we cannot ship you at all with us or arrange a suitable alternative ferry crossing or if you do not wish to take any alternative journey offered by us. If your departure is delayed and your trip no longer serves any purpose regarding your original travel plan, a refund of the full ticket price shall be considered upon submission of reasonable supporting evidence. Source
Popular P&O Ferries Routes: Calais – Dover, Hull – Rotterdam
Brittany Ferries
Cancellation Circumstances & Refund Policy
If we change or cancel your booking, you may be entitled to certain legal rights described in the Conditions of Carriage. Other than as described in these sections, we shall not be liable to compensate you for any loss or costs you incur as a result of our changes or cancellations.
FORCE MAJEURE
Force majeure is unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which are pandemics, lockdown or travel restrictions, war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, level of water, closure of ports, technical or engineering problems, or other similar events.
Except as set out in these Terms, we and the suppliers shall have no responsibility or liability to you for any failure to perform or a delay in performing any obligations owed to you caused by force majeure. Source
Popular P&O Ferries Routes: Portsmouth – Bilbao
Baleària
Cancellation Circumstances:
Trips may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or operational or technical reasons. Source
Refund Policy:
In cases of cancellations due to adverse weather conditions or force majeure without a travel alternative, Baleària offers a free ticket change or a full refund. Source
Popular routes: Denia – Ibiza
Tallink Silja Line
Cancellation Circumstances:
Travelers have the right to cancel their trip if they believe that the ferry company’s ability to perform the journey as agreed has been significantly compromised due to force majeure circumstances at the destination or its vicinity, such as severe weather conditions. Source
Refund Policy:
A traveler who cancels their contract under such circumstances is entitled to be refunded any amounts they have paid without undue delay and, in any case, within 14 days of the cancellation. Source
GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci)
Cancellation Circumstances & Refund Policy:
In the event of a departure delay of more than ninety minutes or travel cancellation, passengers are offered to reroute on another available departure or cancellation with a full reimbursement. Source
If the ship is late, passengers can request a refund by filling out the appropriate form. The reimbursement value is determined by the number of hours the travel was delayed.
Source.
DFDS Ferry Cancellation Terms
Cancellation Circumstances & Refund Policy:
In the event of a cancellation or a delay in departure of more than 90 minutes beyond the scheduled departure time, you may choose to be: A – re-routed to the final destination, under comparable conditions, as set out in the confirmation advice, at the earliest opportunity and no additional cost, or reimbursed the ticket price and, where relevant, a free return service to the first point of departure as stated in the confirmation advice at the earliest opportunity. Accepting an offer of reimbursement of the ticket price will nullify the contract and cause it to be void. This means that you have no further rights to assistance/welfare or compensation. Source
Popular DFDS routes: Dover – Dunkirk, Newcastle – Amsterdam