Red Funnel and Wightlink have compensation and refund policies to help and support you.

Here’s what both ferry operators say about compensation due to delays and cancellations.

Red Funnel

Red Funnel vehicle and Red Jet passenger ferries (Image: NQ)

You can claim here through the Red Funnel website.

Red Funnel says that if your ferry has been delayed by more than 90 minutes, you can choose to wait for the next available crossing, rebook and travel within seven days at no additional charge or cancel your booking to receive a full refund.

Refreshments

No matter the reason, if your scheduled crossing is 90 minutes late, Red Funnel will offer you a drink, typically a hot drink or bottle of water.

If your sailing is four hours late, you’ll be offered a light snack, and if your sailing is eight hours late, Red Funnel will offer you a hot meal.

Accommodation

Due to a cancellation or delay, if you miss the final crossing of the day, Red Funnel will cover the cost of paid accommodation at a rate of £70 per customer per night, for up to three nights.

Refunds

If your sailing is delayed, you may be entitled to a refund, but compensation can only be offered to customers booked on specific sailing times and does not apply to Red Jet passengers, as booked tickets are not for specific times.

If your scheduled crossing time departs:

• 60-120 minutes late: You can claim a 25 per cent refund.
• Over 120 minutes late: You can claim a 50 per cent refund.

However, if your sailing has been cancelled or delayed due to adverse weather, sea conditions or medical emergencies, Red Funnel will not provide compensation.

You will also not receive compensation if your sailing was affected due an 'obstruction to the vessels infrastructure or interior caused by a third party'.

Wightlink

Wightlink vehicle ferries (Image: NQ)

You can claim here through Wightlink’s compensation form. 

As for Wightlink, if the arrival of your sailing is delayed by:

• Less than 60 minutes – no compensation is payable.
• Between 60 and 120 minutes – you can claim 25 per cent of the price paid for that crossing.
• Over 120 minutes – you can claim 50 per cent of the price paid for that crossing.

Refreshments

If your sailing is delayed by more than 90 minutes, Wightlink will offer you a drink, four hours a light snack and eight hours a hot meal. 

There may be times, however, when Wightlink are unable to offer refreshments and a voucher may be provided instead.

Compensation

To qualify for Wightlink compensation, you must be booked on a particular sailing or have a season ticket.

You must have checked in at least 30 minutes before your booked sailing or 15 minutes for foot passengers.

Compensation is not payable when weather or sea conditions endanger the safe operation of the ferry, says Wightlink, or by 'extraordinary circumstances hindering the performance of your ferry service which could not have been avoided'.