Guides › Package Holidays and Hotels › Ferry Delayed or Cancelled: Your Rights
Ferry Delayed or Cancelled: Your Rights
If your ferry is delayed by 90 minutes or more, you should be offered re-routing or a refund (within 7 days), refreshments, and a hotel if needed, up to £70 a night for 3 nights. If you arrive late, you can get 25% of the ticket price back, or 50% for longer delays. Unsafe weather is an exception.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Delays and Cancellations
Re-Routing or Refund
For a delay of 90 minutes or more, you should be offered re-routing to your destination or a refund. Refunds are due within 7 days, using the original payment method. You should get refreshments from 90 minutes, rising to a hot meal at 8 hours. source
Accommodation
If you cannot be re-routed, you should get overnight accommodation up to £70 a night for up to 3 nights. Accommodation is not due when the delay is caused by weather. source
Compensation for Late Arrival
How Much
You are entitled to 25% of the ticket price for late arrival if the delay is at least 1 hour (journeys up to 4 hours), 2 hours (4 to 8 hours) or 6 hours (over 24 hours), and 50% if the delay is twice those times. Compensation of £5 or less is not paid. The operator must pay within one month. source
Exceptions and Complaints
No refund or compensation for unforeseen weather that makes it unsafe to sail, or other extraordinary events such as natural disasters or strikes. Complain to the company first, then the relevant body (for example ABTA for ferries, CLIA for cruises); the Maritime and Coastguard Agency can review your case. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 90 minutesDelay that brings re-routing or a refundAnd refreshments
- 7 daysFerry refund paidBy the original payment method
- 1 monthOperator pays compensationAfter your claim
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Keep your ticket and note the scheduled and actual times.
Step 2 of 5
At the port, ask for refreshments and, if needed, re-routing or a refund.
Step 3 of 5
Keep receipts for meals and hotels.
Step 4 of 5
Claim compensation from the ferry company in writing. Our free letter templates can write it for you.
Step 5 of 5
If refused, complain to the relevant body, then ask the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to review.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
ABTA Complaint, Mediation or Arbitration
The company is an ABTA member and has not put the problem right. A fee applies for mediation or arbitration.
Card Provider: Section 75 or Chargeback
You paid by card and the company has not put it right. Use the Financial Ombudsman Service if the card provider refuses.
Small Claims Court
A last resort when the company refuses. It can be slow and costly, so check the time limit first.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
If your ferry is part of a package holiday, your package rights apply too.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/guidance/maritime-passenger-rights-your-journey Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/claim-compensation-for-a-holiday Checked 12 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/somethings-gone-wrong-with-a-purchase/getting-your-money-back-if-you-paid-by-card-or-paypal Checked 8 October 2026
- gov.uk/make-a-court-claim-for-money Checked 8 October 2026