Ocean Nomads B.V. | KVK 77877535 | VAT NL861181311B01 | The Netherlands
Last updated: May 2026 | Contact: ahoy @ oceannomads.co

These terms cover your relationship with Ocean Nomads when you apply for and join one of our curated trips. They are short on purpose. Please read them before you apply.

For each trip, the trip page on our website names the Operator of that specific trip, links to the Operator’s terms, and sets out the cancellation schedule, what is included, and any trip-specific requirements. These terms and the information on the trip page together cover the Ocean Nomads side of your booking.

1. Who does what

Ocean Nomads is the recruiter and curator of the crew. We run the application process, build the cohort, and provide the surrounding programme: preparation materials, pre-trip calls, community access, and integration afterwards.

The trip itself is operated by an independent Operator, named on the trip page. When your place is confirmed, you enter into a booking with the Operator, governed by the Operator’s own terms. The Operator provides the vessel or accommodation, the professional crew or guides, the licensing, and the operational insurance. The Operator is responsible for running the trip.

Although Ocean Nomads chooses its partner Operators carefully, we are not liable for the operation of a third-party Operator and do not guarantee that the Operator complies with the laws of your country of residence.

Ocean Nomads is not a travel insurer or travel guarantor and does not provide insolvency protection, travel guarantees, or insurance for the trip itself, unless we explicitly state otherwise for a specific trip. The Operator carries the operational and trip insurance. You are responsible for your own travel insurance (see section 7).

Your trip contract is therefore with the Operator. These terms cover only the Ocean Nomads part: application, selection, payment coordination where applicable, the Ocean Nomads programme, and the community.

2. Who can apply

The minimum age for all participants is 18 years. You are responsible for telling us about any pre-existing medical condition or disability that might reasonably affect your ability to take part or might increase the chance of you needing medical attention during the trip.

3. Application and selection

You apply through our application form. We review every application and may invite you to a short video call. We aim to respond within two weeks.

We select for fit with the cohort: motivation, openness, ability to live in close quarters with strangers who become friends, and willingness to participate fully in the trip. Ocean Nomads decides on selection at its own discretion and is not required to give detailed reasons for declining an application.

If you are selected and accept your place, you pay a deposit to confirm. The deposit and balance amounts and timing are set out on the trip page. The balance is typically due six weeks before departure unless stated otherwise. The trip page also states whether the deposit is refundable, partly refundable, or non-refundable in case of cancellation.

4. Payments

The payment route depends on the trip. For some trips you book and pay directly through the Operator’s own booking portal, with Ocean Nomads being paid a recruitment commission by the Operator. For other trips Ocean Nomads acts as the Operator’s collection agent and receives payment on the Operator’s behalf, which we then pass on. In either case, your trip contract is directly with the Operator under the Operator’s terms. The trip page states which payment route applies.

Currency is euros unless otherwise stated. The trip price includes what the trip page says it includes. It excludes travel to and from the start and end points, travel insurance, visas, personal gear, gratuities, and personal spending, unless the trip page says otherwise.

All discounts, promotions, and reduced pricing are applied at Ocean Nomads’ discretion.

5. If you cancel

The cancellation schedule for each trip is set out on the trip page and follows the Operator’s own terms. As a general rule across most trips:

  • Cancellation well before departure: you are refunded a portion of the trip price.
  • Cancellation close to departure: no refund unless Ocean Nomads finds a replacement for your place, in which case you receive a partial refund.

Whenever there is a refund, Ocean Nomads retains a non-refundable administration fee of €50 to cover processing, communications, and coordination work already done. This fee is in addition to anything the Operator retains under its own terms.

The exact percentages and timelines for each trip are on the trip page. We strongly recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover the moment you book; it is often the only way to recover non-refundable costs.

6. If the Operator or Ocean Nomads cancels, or the trip changes

Cancellations on our side only happen for serious reasons: under-recruitment, operational issues, safety, or force majeure.

  • If the trip is cancelled for reasons within the Operator’s or Ocean Nomads’ control, you receive a full refund of all amounts paid, within 14 days of cancellation, or you may move to another departure at no extra cost.
  • If the trip is cancelled for reasons outside reasonable control (force majeure, severe weather, government action, serious equipment damage, epidemic, or similar), you receive a full refund of amounts paid to Ocean Nomads, less any non-refundable third-party costs already spent on your behalf. We will be transparent about what those costs are.

If the trip starts but cannot reach the planned destination or complete the planned itinerary due to weather, safety, or force majeure, the trip is treated as having taken place. The Operator’s terms govern any partial-trip outcome. Ocean Nomads does not refund in that case.

Sailing and expedition itineraries depend on weather, sea state, safety conditions, port availability, and the Operator’s operational judgement. Flexibility is part of the nature of this kind of travel, and changes to ports, routes, or daily plans are normal and expected. Ocean Nomads and the Operator may make changes to the trip, itinerary, inclusions, vessel, or activities with reasonable notice if needed.

Trip prices may change before your booking is confirmed. Once your booking is confirmed, the price will only increase if unavoidable third-party costs (such as fuel, port fees, taxes, or tariffs) change significantly, and only within the limits allowed by EU consumer law. If a significant increase is necessary, we will give you clear notice and you have the right to cancel for a full refund.

7. Insurance you must have

Before departure you must provide proof of valid travel insurance covering at minimum:

  • Medical expenses, including any pre-existing conditions
  • Accident, injury, illness, and emergency repatriation
  • Personal liability

You carry your own insurance and must be able to produce proof on reasonable request. Ocean Nomads does not insure you for the trip.

8. Passports, visas, and entry

You are responsible for a valid passport and any required visas for departure, arrival, and stopover countries on the route. Schengen visas for non-EU nationals are your responsibility. If you are refused boarding, refused entry, or unable to depart because of documentation, Ocean Nomads does not refund and is not responsible for any related costs.

9. Health, fitness, and participation

You declare that you are physically and mentally able to take part in the trip, and that you have disclosed any condition that could reasonably affect your or others’ safety. Our trips are demanding in different ways depending on the format. The trip page sets out the fitness expectations for each trip.

You are expected to take part actively. On sailing trips this includes watchkeeping, helping with sails, cooking, cleaning, and other shared duties as instructed by the skipper. On other trips, expect a similarly hands-on, shared format. Good participants look for ways to help.

You must follow the instructions of the skipper, guide, or trip leader at all times. On safety matters, their decision is final.

10. Behaviour during the trip

You will treat all crew, guides, and fellow voyagers with respect, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or background. Harassment, discrimination, or aggression are grounds for immediate removal from the trip without refund.

Drug use during the trip is prohibited. The Operator’s safety policies, including any rules about alcohol at sea or in remote settings, apply. On board sailing trips, alcohol at sea is not permitted under Operator policy.

If you are removed from a trip for behaviour, competence, safety, or health reasons, you are responsible for your own onward travel and costs from the point of removal.

11. Risk acknowledgement

Adventure travel involves inherent risks, including injury, illness, weather, equipment failure, psychological strain, and in extreme cases death. You voluntarily take part in remote and adventure travel and accept these risks as part of the experience. This does not limit your statutory rights as a consumer.

12. Photos, video, and use of your image

Ocean Nomads or the Operator may take photographs and video during pre-trip events and during the trip. We may use this material for Ocean Nomads’ marketing, social media, website, and editorial purposes, including content about the trip and our community.

By accepting these terms you agree to this use. If you do not want to appear in marketing material, please tell us before the trip starts (or during the trip, to the skipper, guide, or trip leader). We will respect this and will not use identifiable images of you for marketing. You can also withdraw consent at any time afterwards by emailing ahoy @ oceannomads.co, and we will remove identifiable images of you from current campaigns where reasonably possible.

We will not sell your image. We will not use images in ways likely to embarrass or harm you.

13. Your data and privacy

We collect the personal data needed to run the application, the booking, and the programme. We process it under our Privacy Policy at oceannomads.co/privacy. We share necessary booking information with the Operator. We do not sell your data.

14. Your gear and belongings

You are responsible for bringing suitable clothing, gear, medication, and any personal items listed in the trip information for your trip. We recommend packing in a soft case or backpack of no more than 20 kg.

Ocean Nomads is not responsible for securing your belongings before, during, or after the trip, and is not liable for theft, loss, or damage of personal property. Do not leave valuables unattended in public areas, on transport, or on board.

15. What Ocean Nomads is and is not responsible for

Ocean Nomads is responsible for:

  • Running the application and selection process fairly
  • Providing the Ocean Nomads programme as described on the trip page
  • Passing your payment and booking information accurately to the Operator where applicable
  • Honest description of what each trip involves, based on information from the Operator

Ocean Nomads is not responsible for:

  • The operation of the trip itself, which sits with the Operator
  • The vessel, vehicle, accommodation, equipment, crew, guides, or anything that happens during the trip
  • Decisions made by the skipper, guide, or trip leader
  • Your travel to and from the departure point
  • Items lost, stolen, or damaged before, during, or after the trip
  • Changes to the route, departure point, or arrival point due to weather, safety, or force majeure

Where Ocean Nomads is liable, total liability is limited to the amount you paid Ocean Nomads for that trip. Nothing in these terms limits liability we cannot legally limit, including for death, personal injury caused by negligence, or fraud.

16. Complaints

Raise anything that goes wrong during the trip with the skipper, guide, or trip leader at the time so it can be addressed. After the trip, please send any written complaint to ahoy @ oceannomads.co within 30 days of the trip ending, with any supporting documentation.

Submitting a complaint within this window helps us investigate and respond properly. This does not affect any statutory rights you may have under Dutch or EU consumer law.

17. Communication

We will communicate with you using the email address you provide. Please make sure it is correct and that you can receive our emails (check spam if needed).

18. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms occasionally because our business changes or to better serve you. The current version is always on our website at oceannomads.co/terms, and the version published at the time you apply is the one that applies to your booking.

19. Law and jurisdiction

These terms are governed by Dutch law. Any dispute about them will be brought before the competent court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The contract for the trip itself is governed by the Operator’s own terms and the law set out in them.

20. Acceptance

By submitting your application and paying your deposit, you confirm:

  • You have read and accept these terms
  • You understand the trip contract for the trip itself is with the Operator on the Operator’s own terms
  • You have given us complete and honest information in your application, including any relevant medical or fitness information
  • You will not bring illegal items on board or on the trip, and will inform the skipper, guide, or trip leader if you become aware of anything that could affect the safety of others