General Terms and Conditions

1.1.
By purchasing a ticket or voucher, but at the latest when boarding the ships of Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH (hereinafter “KD”), the passenger accepts the following conditions as binding. They become part of the corresponding contract between KD and the customer.

1.2.
In the case of a ticket purchase without immediate handover of the ticket, a contract is concluded by acceptance on the part of KD. The booking constitutes a binding offer in the legal sense, which KD can accept within a period of seven working days.

1.3.
KD is entitled to refuse to conclude a contract with the customer without giving reasons.

KD differentiates between scheduled trips, panoramic trips and party and event trips.
Event trips are evening trips, trips with program content, trips as part of fireworks events and trips with an integrated catering component.
Party trips are trips with a dance character.

3.1.
According to the accommodation options on board, one bicycle may be carried by a passenger for a fee per person per day in accordance with the current timetable. The ship’s staff may allocate a specific space for accommodation. It is not possible to take bicycles on board with partner shipping companies.

3.2.
Passengers may keep easily portable hand luggage with them if this does not inconvenience fellow passengers. Chairs, tables and benches, especially in the lounges, are generally not used for storing luggage and clothing. Luggage and wardrobe must be stored in accordance with the instructions of the ship’s staff.

4.1.
Consumption is not compulsory on board. Food or drinks brought on board may not be consumed on board. No alcoholic beverages may be brought on board. No goods may be sold on board. At the request of the ship’s staff, passengers who wish to take advantage of the catering facilities must be given a seat in the salons. There is no entitlement to a seat. It is generally not permitted to bring food and drinks on party and event trips or trips with catering included in the ticket price.

4.2.
Passengers must supervise their dogs at all times and keep them on a short leash. Dogs may not be accommodated on seats. Dogs that may pose a danger to other passengers or the ship’s crew or that are required to do so by law must wear an appropriate muzzle for the duration of their stay on board. Other animals are excluded from transportation.

4.3.
Passengers should arrive at the pier approx. 15 minutes before the ship’s regular departure time and report to the sales agency on site.

4.4.
Each passenger must ensure that he/she leaves the ship in good time at the destination of his/her journey. Due to the short stopping times, it is necessary for passengers to make their way to the ship’s exit or report to the nautical staff before reaching their destination.

4.5.
A break in the journey is permitted as often as desired, subject to prior certification by the nautical personnel. Passengers who wish to interrupt their journey at intermediate stops must inform the nautical staff of their intention at least ten minutes before the ship arrives.

4.6.
All passengers must follow the instructions of the ship’s personnel.

4.7.
The consumption of tobacco products and similar (e-cigarettes) is only permitted in the outside areas of the ships.

4.8 The consumption of illegal substances is prohibited on board.

4.9.
Passengers who persistently violate the General Conditions of Carriage, violate legal or official regulations, willfully cause damage to property, whose participation in the voyage represents a danger to themselves, the proper operation of the ship or other third parties, or who otherwise disturb or could disturb the peace and order on board, in particular harass other passengers, may be prevented from continuing the voyage or from boarding the ship. before the start of the journey, with simultaneous forfeiture of the ticket, without any claims arising from this. After their name has been ascertained, they may be handed over to the authorities at the next landing stage where this is possible without delaying the operation of the vessel.

4.10.
For KD party cruises, unless otherwise indicated, and all other cruises indicated accordingly, a minimum age of 18 years applies.

4.11.
If a ticket purchaser or ticket holder arrives after the start of an event, they lose the right to the seat shown on the ticket.s

5.1.
If the visit is not commenced on the day of the event, the admission ticket shall be forfeited. In the event of loss of the admission ticket, the organizer will not provide a replacement. In the event of loss of the admission ticket, claims for damages, prevention, conversion and reversal are excluded. If the event is canceled by the organizer, the legitimate ticket holder will be refunded the admission price against return of the ticket to the advance booking office from which the ticket was purchased. In the event of overbooking or cancellation of the event for reasons for which the organizer is responsible and in the event of cancellation of the event due to high or low water, the organizer is entitled, at its discretion, to refund the admission price or to issue an admission ticket for another equivalent event day within the performance period. The organizer excludes any further liability. In the event of high or low water and other traffic obstructions due to operational disruptions or interruptions for which KD is not responsible, the organizer reserves the right to hold the event on a moored ship and possibly also at a different safe location (port) than planned in the performance schedule. This does not justify a reduction in the ticket price. The organizer excludes any further liability. The organizer expressly reserves the right to change ships, change the program or replace individual artists or performers. This does not justify a reduction in the ticket price.

5.2.
The legal relationship between KD and the passenger is subject to the law of the Federal Republic of Germany. KD’s liability towards the passenger shall be governed by the statutory provisions of the Federal Republic of Germany. All items not accepted for safekeeping by KD for a fee shall remain in the sole custody of the passenger on board. KD shall only be liable for the loss of or damage to money, jewelry or other valuables if KD, its representatives or its vicarious agents act with intent or gross negligence.

5.3.
The respective ship’s restaurateur shall be solely responsible for the catering services on board the ships, which are run by independent ship’s restaurateurs for their own account. Insofar as KD is not itself responsible for services, it shall only arrange for other transportation and service providers, even if tickets or service passes are issued by KD. In this respect, KD is only liable for the careful selection of these transport or service providers. KD is also entitled to carry out the ship tours with rented third-party ships. No price reductions can be claimed from this. For operational reasons, scheduled trips may be canceled in whole or in part. In such cases, the pro rata fare will be refunded. Further services are excluded.

5.4.
Deviations from timetables due to high or low water, high passenger volumes and other traffic obstructions due to operational disruptions or interruptions for which KD is not responsible shall not give rise to any obligation to pay compensation; in this respect, no guarantee is given that connections will be kept.

5.5.
For all claims that do not involve personal injury to passengers or damage to their luggage, the following liability applies: a) In the event of slight negligence, KD is only liable up to the amount of three times the fare; in any case, this liability is limited to the foreseeable typical damage. b) Insofar as KD is responsible for damage incurred by the passenger solely due to the fault of a service provider, it is only liable up to the amount of three times the fare. This limitation shall not apply if KD acts with intent or gross negligence in the selection of the service provider. Such claims must be asserted against KD within one month of the end of the journey. After expiry of this period, the passenger can no longer assert claims if the damage he/she has suffered was obvious.

5.6.
Passengers should report any damage, of whatever nature, which could give rise to claims against KD and its personnel to the responsible persons on board immediately after discovery, but at the latest by the time they leave the ship at the destination, so that any
required findings can be made without delay. A violation of the above requirement does not lead to an exclusion of claims for damages.

Items found on board must be handed over to the nautical personnel immediately. There is no entitlement to a finder’s fee. Lost property is stored in accordance with statutory regulations. The owner must report the loss to KD immediately. KD will not actively investigate the loser. Items left behind will only be returned at the request, risk and expense of the owner.

7.1.
By purchasing the ticket or boarding the ship, the ticket purchaser/holder expressly authorizes image and sound recordings of his/her person and the use of these for the purposes of marketing and press and public relations work by KD and third parties, as well as publication in social media, such as on third-party digital media.

7.2.
Tape recorders, film, photo or video cameras may not be carried or operated at KD program events (rides with stage program). Recordings in any form – including the use of cell phones – are prohibited. Any misuse will be prosecuted under criminal and domestic law.

8.1.

The fares for boat trips can be found in the current “KD timetable”.

8.2.
For a one-way trip and a return trip, the zone fares are always charged according to the current KD timetable. The price zones are also shown in the price zone table in the current timetable. In the event of possible increases in fuel costs, KD reserves the right to charge a fuel surcharge appropriate to the increases.

8.3.
In the case of discounted fares, the current fare is automatically rounded up to the next higher decimal place.

8.4.
Fees according to the currently valid price list must be paid for the carriage of dogs.

8.5.
The resale of tickets or admission tickets (original tickets and print@home tickets) purchased from KD at a higher price than the final price stated on the ticket is prohibited. Commercial resale is not permitted. Any violation of these conditions will result in the loss of the right of admission to the respective event without compensation. The tickets lose their validity.

8.6.
In addition to advance booking and service fees per ticket, a flat order fee may be charged. The amount of any fees and flat rates will be indicated when the order is placed. If KD sends tickets, admission tickets or gift vouchers to the purchaser by post at the purchaser’s request, the purchaser shall bear the shipping risk. The total price of the order includes statutory VAT and is due for payment, including all fees, immediately after conclusion of the contract.

9.1.
Children under the age of 4 are only transported when accompanied by an adult supervisor. A maximum of 3 children aged 4 up to and including 13 years can be transported per full-paying adult. Children between the ages of 4 and 13 accompanied by an adult (families) travel daily on all panoramic and scheduled trips at the fixed children’s price according to the current KD timetable (max. 3 children accompanied by a full-paying adult). Exception: cheaper price zones according to the current KD timetable.

9.2.
Persons aged 65 and over receive a discount on KD Panorama and scheduled services in accordance with the current timetable. The minimum fare is the current children’s fare. Exception: cheaper price zones according to the current KD timetable and trips with included catering services. Discounts are also not granted on panoramic cruises operated by KD partner shipping companies.

9.3.
Severally disabled persons generally pay the standard price in accordance with section 8.2 If the need for an accompanying person is expressly noted in the official ID, this accompanying person travels free of charge. Party and event trips as well as event trips and combination tickets are excluded from this discount.

9.4.
Birthday children and one accompanying person receive a discount on all panoramic and scheduled trips in accordance with the current KD timetable. Tickets for birthday children cannot be purchased in advance, but only at the KD Ticket Office and only on the day of the birthday (= day of travel) on presentation of an official ID.

9.5.
Pupils and students up to the age of 27 receive a discount on KD Panorama and scheduled trips on presentation of their pupil or student ID. The minimum fare is the current children’s fare. Exception: cheaper price zones according to the current KD timetable.

9.6.
Bicycle day: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, two cyclists travel for the price of one on all scheduled trips on the Rhine (one way, surcharges excluded). The offer does not apply to partner shipping companies (see 3.1).

9.7.
The following applies to all discounts, discount cards, etc.: In principle, only one discount is applicable. The discounts listed do not apply to evening trips, trips with program content, combination tickets, trips as part of fireworks events, trips with an integrated catering component and not to party trips.

9.8.
No further discounts will be granted on already reduced fares (e.g. KD saver fares, senior citizen or bicycle day, KD combination tickets or special promotions)

Pre-booking for groups is recommended.

10.1.
Group discounts are granted on the zone fares according to the current KD timetable.

10.2.
Additional provisions for children’s, schoolchildren’s and youth group travel: The reduced price applies in principle to all travel groups with participants up to the age of 27. We grant the following discounts per 10 paying participants: For accompanying persons (teachers and other supervisors) one free place; for up to two additional accompanying persons the reduced student rate. Each additional accompanying person pays the regular fare.

11.1.
We accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards.

11.2.
EC card payments and credit card payments are free of charge (EC terminals are not available at all KD agencies).

12.1.
The KD RheinCard is valid immediately from the date of issue for a period of 12 months. The KD RheinCard is only valid with a signature and is non-transferable. It can only be used in conjunction with a valid identity document.

12.2.
With the RheinCard, all KD Panorama and scheduled trips can be used as often as you like with a discount of up to50%. Journeys with partner shipping companies are excluded.

13.1.
KD vouchers purchased at KD agencies or at the KD head office are valid until the end of the third year after the voucher was purchased. The date of purchase can be found on the voucher. An extension of the voucher beyond the expiration date or a cash payment is excluded. The KD value voucher is valid for all KD offers and can be redeemed at all KD ticket agencies on the Rhine, Main and Moselle. If the voucher exceeds the remaining amount, a new voucher for the remaining value will be issued at the KD ticket agencies. The voucher can also be redeemed for catering services on board KD ships. However, the voucher can only be redeemed in full on board KD ships. No new voucher will be issued on board KD ships for any remaining value. Cash payment is also excluded here. Vouchers are not valid on the ships of KD partner shipping companies.

13.2.
The KD Online Value Voucher purchased via the KD Webshop is valid until the end of the third year after purchase of the voucher. The expiration date can be found on the voucher. An extension of the voucher beyond the expiration date or a cash payment is excluded. The KD online voucher can only be redeemed online at www.k-d.com. It is only valid for KD’s own offers (e.g. scheduled trips, panoramic trips, themed trips). If the invoice amount exceeds the value of the voucher, the remaining amount can be paid using another approved payment method or another voucher. This may incur transaction costs. If the voucher value exceeds the invoice amount, the remaining amount of the KD online voucher remains valid under the same voucher code until the expiration date and can be redeemed with another booking on www.k-d.com. No new KD voucher will be issued for the remaining amount. Cash payment of the remaining balance is excluded

There is a statutory right of withdrawal for KD online vouchers. You can find more information on this under “Cancellation policy”.

14.1.
At every KD landing stage, Deutsche Bahn customers receive a flat-rate 20% discount on the regular KD fare for KD scheduled trips on presentation of the corresponding ticket, a BahnCard or a valid BahnPass.

14.2.
The conditions of carriage of the respective means of transport apply.

15.1.
Tickets can be purchased at the KD head office, at the KD agencies at the landing stages or online via digital sales channels such as the KD webshop. Tickets can be mailed on request. A fee will be charged for shipping in accordance with the price list valid at the time of booking.

15.2.
One group ticket serves as a ticket for the tour guide; the other group participants – including free riders – each receive a control ticket. The tour guide – with the group ticket – must board the ship at the head of his group, i.e. first, after the control cards have been handed out individually to the other group members.

15.3.
The period of validity of tickets for panoramic and scheduled trips ends at the end of the day of travel printed on them, but at the latest at the end of the calendar year in which they were purchased. Date-based tickets are only valid for or on the day issued.

15.4.
Anybody who boards the ship without a valid ticket or loses their ticket during the journey and cannot otherwise prove that they have already purchased a ticket must immediately report to the nautical staff without being asked to do so. In the event of culpable violation of any of these provisions, the passenger must pay the fare plus a surcharge of EUR 40.

15.5.
Tickets and control cards must be presented personally and openly when boarding and alighting, kept during the journey and presented on board on request.

15.6.
Tickets and admission tickets lose their validity upon leaving the ship and are not transferable to third parties. Exception: interruption of journey as part of scheduled trips. See point 4.6.

15.7.
For tickets at special fares, different provisions apply in some cases, which are printed on these tickets.

15.8.
KD free travel tickets are only valid on KD’s own boat tours and only for the journey and period printed on the ticket. Free tickets are not valid on the cruises of partner shipping companies.

15.9.
Unpersonalized tickets are transferable to third parties until the start of the journey, provided they have not been purchased at special rates.

15.10.
If the ticket holder loses tickets or if they are lost within their area of responsibility, KD is not obliged to replace them. Delivered tickets or gift vouchers remain the property of KD until full payment has been made and can be reclaimed by KD from the ticket purchaser if payment is not made.
The purchaser must check the tickets delivered to him/her immediately upon receipt for correctness and conformity with the order (in particular correct type of journey/event, date, number of tickets, seat category, ticket price). Such and other obvious deviations or defects must be reported to KD in writing (letter, fax or e-mail) within five calendar days of receipt of the tickets or, in the case of orders placed at short notice, up to three calendar days before the journey/event in order to give KD the opportunity to rectify them. KD is entitled to reject late objections. KD must be notified in writing (letter, fax or e-mail) of any objections due to tickets not being received no later than ten calendar days after the order or, in the case of orders placed at shorter notice, up to three calendar days before the trip/event, in order to give KD the opportunity to rectify the situation, e.g. in the form of admission arrangements. KD may reject late objections. Insofar as late notifications of discrepancies in the delivered tickets or their non-delivery result in uncertainty of evidence, this shall always be at the expense of the ticket purchaser.

The refunds listed below only apply to scheduled regular and panoramic journeys. For party trips and event trips, no tickets will be refunded after the start of the event. In the case of refunds before the start of the journey, the cancellation conditions according to the booking confirmation apply. Tickets for fireworks events, such as “Rhine in Flames” and tickets for New Year’s Eve events are generally not refundable.

16.1.
Totally unused tickets will be taken back by the issuing office on the day of issue and the fare refunded.

16.2.
For partially unused tickets, a pro rata fare refund must be applied for during the scheduled travel time of the ship, for group tickets at the KD in Cologne, otherwise also at the agencies. The application must be accompanied by the unused ticket with a corresponding certificate from the nautical personnel, and in the case of group tickets also the corresponding unused control cards. The refund will be based on the difference between the fare paid and the fare for the route traveled. Skipped sections are deemed to have been traveled.

16.3.
A processing fee of 20% (at least EUR 3.00) is charged for all refunds, which is waived in the event of ship-related deviations from the timetable or canceled trips. Transfers will only be made if the refund amount is at least EUR 6.00 within the Federal Republic of Germany and at least EUR 20.00 for international transfers. Costs for the transfer will be deducted from the refund amount.

The personal data of the buyer will be collected, processed and used in compliance with data protection law to the extent necessary for the execution of the contract. KD is entitled to pass on the data to natural or legal persons who perform the contract or are significantly involved in the performance of the contract.

In the event that provisions of these terms and conditions are invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the contract or the terms and conditions. For disputes regarding the mediation of ticket purchases, Cologne is agreed as the exclusive place of jurisdiction, provided that the purchaser is a registered trader or a person under public law. Only German law shall apply. The place of performance for the provision of tickets, admission tickets, vouchers and for payment is Cologne.

When tickets are ordered via the Internet on the KD website, the contract, including the customer’s obligation to pay, is already bindingly concluded by clicking on the corresponding order button. A subsequent order confirmation merely documents that the contract has already been concluded.

When boarding the ship, the print-at-home ticket must be presented as an A4 printout and in good quality. Otherwise, or if the print-at-home ticket is illegible, a replacement ticket must be purchased for a fee.

In principle, there is no entitlement to the return or refund of tickets or admission tickets or vouchers for third-party services. In the case of services in the area of leisure activities with a fixed time of performance, in particular the sale of tickets for events, there is an exception to the right of withdrawal and return otherwise existing in distance selling transactions in accordance with Section 312 g (2) sentence 1 no. 9 BGB. Every order is binding upon conclusion of the contract and requires payment. However, tickets or admission tickets will be taken back by KD if the trip or event is canceled in accordance with the organizer. As a rule, the purchase price will only be taken back and refunded up to two weeks after the date of the event and at the advance booking office where the tickets were purchased.

There is a statutory right of withdrawal for KD online vouchers. You can find more information on this under “Cancellation policy”.

In addition to advance booking and service fees per ticket, a flat order fee may be charged. The amount of any fees and flat rates will be indicated during the ordering process. If KD sends tickets, admission tickets or gift vouchers to the purchaser by post (instead of print-at-home) at the purchaser’s request, the purchaser shall bear the shipping risk. The total price of the order includes statutory VAT and is due for payment, including all fees, immediately after conclusion of the contract.

If the ticket holder loses tickets or if they are lost within their area of responsibility, KD is not obliged to replace them. Delivered tickets or gift vouchers remain the property of KD until full payment has been made and can be reclaimed by KD from the ticket purchaser if payment is not made. The purchaser must check the tickets delivered to him immediately upon receipt for correctness and conformity with the order (in particular correct type of journey/event, date, number of tickets, seat category, ticket price). Such and other obvious deviations or defects must be reported to KD in writing (letter, fax or e-mail) within five calendar days of receipt of the tickets or, in the case of orders placed at short notice, up to three calendar days before the journey/event in order to give KD the opportunity to rectify them. KD is entitled to reject late objections. KD must be notified in writing (letter, fax or e-mail) of any objections due to tickets not being received no later than ten calendar days after the order or, in the case of orders placed at shorter notice, up to three calendar days before the trip/event, in order to give KD the opportunity to rectify the situation, e.g. in the form of admission arrangements. KD may reject late objections. Insofar as late notifications of discrepancies in the delivered tickets or their non-delivery result in uncertainty of evidence, this shall always be at the expense of the ticket purchaser.

KD has unlimited liability with regard to the contract for the event visit for culpably caused damage to life, body and health as well as in cases of liability under the Product Liability Act. The following applies to damage to other goods in the aforementioned field of activity of KD: KD shall be liable without limitation in cases of intent or gross negligence if material contractual obligations are breached. In the event of gross negligence, liability shall be limited to the direct average damage typical of the contract if only insignificant contractual obligations have been breached. Liability shall be limited to the same extent in the event of a slightly negligent breach of material contractual obligations. KD shall not be liable for slightly negligent breaches of insignificant contractual obligations. Insofar as KD’s liability is excluded or limited, this shall also apply to the liability of its vicarious agents and assistants. KD shall not be liable for disruptions caused by circumstances beyond its control. This applies in particular to impairments caused by the failure or disruption of the telephone communication network and the power supply. Furthermore, KD accepts no liability for the accuracy of the data provided on the Internet or for the technical fault-free nature of the Internet offering.

The resale of tickets purchased from KD (original tickets and print-at-home tickets) at a higher price than the final price stated on the ticket is prohibited. Commercial resale is not permitted. Any violation of these conditions will result in the loss of the right of admission to the respective event without compensation. The tickets lose their validity.

In the event that copies or duplicates of tickets are presented at the entrance control, the organizer reserves the right to demand payment of the total value of the duplicated tickets from the owner of the original ticket, which was duplicated due to his fault.

The personal data of ticket purchasers will be collected, processed and used in compliance with data protection law to the extent necessary for the performance of the contract. KD is entitled to pass on the data to natural or legal persons who execute the contract for the cruise or are significantly involved in the execution of the cruise.

In the event that provisions of these terms and conditions are invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the contract or the terms and conditions. For disputes regarding the mediation of ticket purchases, Cologne is agreed as the exclusive place of jurisdiction, provided that the purchaser is a registered trader or a person under public law. Only German law shall apply. The place of performance for the provision of tickets, admission tickets, vouchers and for payment is Cologne.

In principle, there is no entitlement to the return or reimbursement of tickets or admission tickets or vouchers for third-party services. In the case of services in the area of leisure activities with a fixed time of performance, in particular the sale of tickets for events, there is an exception to the right of withdrawal and return otherwise existing in distance selling transactions in accordance with Section 312 g (2) sentence 1 no. 9 BGB. Every order is binding upon conclusion of the contract and is subject to payment.