FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS ATBOAT?
Atboat is a web platform owned by Aba Holding srls (a shipbroker certified society) based on the Sharing Economy principles. Atboat makes sea transport for tourism (holiday on boat) approachable, putting in direct contact who wants to rent a boat and who owns one or more boats.
WHAT DOES ATBOAT MEAN?
“At Boat” means “In barca”. But it has a second meaning because “At” in english means @ too, to denote a digital and innovative service.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
AtBoat works in an easy and coherent way. Anyone can sign up to the platform and create an account; whether you are a shipowner, or a broker or a tourist, you can interact with the rest of the community and find/offer a rental for touristic purposes.
WHO ARRANGES THE PUBLISHED RENT?
AtBoat is not a tour operator neither a travel agency or a sea carrier.
We are a shipbroker society and we ease the meeting between shipowners and consumers within a safe system, but we don't deal directly with the rent organization.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS?
Destinations vary depending on the offers published by shipowners.
CAN I RENT A BOAT WITHOUT A COMMANDER?
Yes, you can, but not on all boats.
If it were possible you will read it on the description of the services offered by that single boat, where it will be shown if boat license is needed or not.
HOW CAN I GET IN TOUCH WITH ATBOAT SUPPORT TEAM?
Support team will be happy to help you.
You can send us an e-mail at support@atboat.com, or use our help desk service on Facebook if you have a quick question, we will answer as soon as possible!
Consumer
HOW CAN I FIND A RENTAL AT A CERTAIN PLACE?
There are 2 possible ways to find an ad
Insert the city in the search bar in the homepage. The system will give you the search results for that city.
Click “search” at the top of the screen and select the filters according to your need.
WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A RENTAL DUE TO?
The price of a rental is determined by the shipowner himself and it depends on a few elements, for example, destination, season of navigation, type of used boat etc.
Sometimes the shipowners decide to give the first customers a discount…a good reason to hurry up and book!
CAN I SAVE THE RENTAL WHICH INTEREST ME?
Yes, you can save the rental which interest you in a favourite list by clicking on the heart shaped icon in every ad and in the thumbnail. You will find them in your area under the heading “Favourite”.
HOW CAN I BE INFORMED OF THE NEW DESTINATIONS?
SHOULD I HAVE A BOAT LICENSE TO BOOK A BOAT?
Not necessarily, there are also boats with a crew.
HOW CAN I BOOK A RENTAL?
Select inside an ad the dates you are interested in, click on the button “Book now” (you can find the button on the right corner of the screen within each ad). The shipowner decides whether to allow you to immediately book the boat (in this case you find the option “Instant Booking”) or wait for his confirmation. As soon as you will send your booking request, the shipowner will answer within 24 hours to confirm your booking, if you won't receive an answer within 24 hours, you should contact the customer service, which will provide to make your request approved as soon as possible. If the booking will be confirmed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, which will warn you about the acceptance, and you should login to your area where you will find a summary of your booking, with the deposit to pay immediately to AtBoat with credit card and the amount to pay to the shipowner when the rental will begin.
MY BOOKING HAS BEEN REJECTED, WHY?
The shipowner could reject your booking for many reasons, in this case look for a new boat;
The shipowner may accept your bookind and delete it within the 14 days before the rental will begin, in this case you will be getting a refund.
If the shipowner will send the deletion over the 14 days, you will be getting a refund and 5% of the rental cost which we set aside as the penalty clause.
WHAT DOES “SHARING” MEAN?
With AtBoat you can book not only a whole boat, but also a shared boat, renting a cabin only instead of the whole boat.
Therefore when you find “Sharing” it means that the shipowner offer his boat even to different groups of people.
IF I DECIDE TO BOOK A “SHARED” RENTAL WHICH FURTHER INFORMATION SHOULD I CHECK?
Make sure the maximum number of people the cabin can host.
IF I DECIDE TO BOOK A “SHARED” RENTAL CAN I BOOK MORE THAN A CABIN?
Sure, you can even book many cabins at the same time.
CAN I SEND MORE THAN A BOOKING REQUEST?
Sure, you can book many boats at the same time.
CAN I GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SHIPOWNER BEFORE A BOOKING?
No, you can't. If you need information, before or during booking, contact the customer service. When it will be all clear, and you will have completed the payment, you can interact directly with the shipowner using AtBoat's communication system.
I'M INTERESTED IN DIFFERENT ADS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET FURTHER INFORMATION, CAN I GET THEM?
Sure! Contact the customer service
IF I BOOK A BOAT, WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON BOARD?
- You should bring soft luggage in order to easily stow them. There won't be much room on board to stow stiff and bulky luggage.
- White-soled shoes to use only on board.
- Comfortable outfit, both for mild and for windy climate (at sea climate could quickly vary according to season and place).
- Sunscreen! It's very important. Don't you want to get back from a holiday looking like a lobster, do you? We recommend a hat too.
- Don't forget a big towel, probably you're willing to go swimming!
- If you are subject to seasickness, make sure you have the medicines you need!
- Make sure to bring con te all the medicines you need, it will not always be possible to easily find themduring the holiday!
- Bring some snacks and drinking water too, for your stay on board. If you didn't plan to have a meal on land and the shipowner doesn't offer meals on board, bring the right amount of food to cook. On board there is usually a kitchen with a fridge and a stove, but you have to ask the shipowner how to organize yourself.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY STANDARDS?
We recommend to follow all the instructions given by the shipowner about safety on board. We recommend to read the rules mentioned in the ad.
WHAT ARE THE EXTRA CHARGES?
Sometimes a shipowner could add extra charges besides the rental price, but it is always in the ad, like for example the cost of fuel, the cleaners cost, etc. Sometimes the shipowner provides the opportunity of optional services, like for example additional crew, transfer from the airport, etc. For further information about extra charges, contact the customer service.
CAN I CHANGE AN ALREADY CONFIRMED BOOKING?
You should get in touch with the shipowner through AtBoat's communication system and ask him if it's possible to make the wanted changes. The shipowner cooperating with AtBoat can always a accomodate your needs whenever possible.
HOW CAN I PAY MY BOOKING? WHICH PAYMENT SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED BY ATBOAT AND HOW ARE THEY MADE?
You can make the payment of a booking deposit with credit card through Stripe.
Once you've sent a deposit which is 7,0% of the rental amount, your booking is confirmed. You will pay the remainder directly to the shipowner. You can pay it the day of the rental beginning (recommended) or pay an advance with bank transfer, but you should keep in mind that AtBoat doesn't have the resources to attend in case of contention.
IS PAYMENT SAFE? AM I PROTECTED?
You should keep in mind that we are licensed in the practice of shipbroking at Latina's Chamber of Commerce and we are subject to strict behavioural rules.
The advance for AtBoat is very safe because it will be made through an encrypted connection, and no payment detail will be saved on our server.
we use Stripe as payment method of the advance (7,0%), the safest method in the world
For any issues toward us you can open a complaint with Stripe which will open an internal investigation in order to refund you.
Regarding the payment of the rental's remainder to the shipowner, we recommend to make it at the place and at the moment of the rental's beginning, because we are not in charge of any issues. You should check in advance the method of payment of the rental's cost with the shipowner through AtBoat's communication system.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR A BOOKING?
All the details concerning prices are always clear in the ad. You can see the effective price of an ad choosing on the calendar the dates you prefer. If you have any further questions concerning the prices of an ad, we recommend to contact the customer service.
WHAT ABOUT ATBOAT'S TERMS OF CANCELLATION AND REFUND?
Our terms of cancellation and refund are made to be flexible. The shipowner and the consumer can cancel rental without penalties until 14 days before the rental's beginning. If cancellation doesn't occur within 14 days, the party at fault will be subject to the payment to AtBoat of a penalty clause that is 7,0% of the rental's cost, which will be paid 5% to the one damaged by the cancellation exceeding the time limit.
Shipowner
HOW CAN I PUBLISH AN AD CONCERNING MY BOAT ON ATBOAT?
There are 2 possible ways to publish an ad
Click Add Boat at the top right corner, if you aren't recorded yet, the system will ask you to do it.
Create a title for your ad and don't be afraid to be fanciful, describe your boat (remember: a detailed description has more chances to be chosen), click “save” and continue to complete your ad.
WHAT TYPES OF BOAT ARE ACCEPTED?
You can publish ads concerning sailboats, boats and powered yachts, fishing boats, speedboats, catamarans, schooners, wooden caiques, dinghies, watercrafts.
IS IT REQUIRED TO HAVE A PROPERTY BOAT TO OFFER A RENTAL?
No, you can also be a broker or a someone nominee by the shipowner. You should keep in mind that AtBoat could require a certification which demonstrates that you own the boat.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ATBOAT'S TEAM TO APPROVE MY AD?
Since you have completed your ad, AtBoat's team will carry out a review within 24 hours and will publish your ad or will get in touch with you in order to suggest you some changes.
WHY DO RENTALS HAVE TO BE APPROVED?
All AtBoat's consumers are the platform's beating heart.In order to ensure a quality offer we carry out checks on the proposal analyzing material, images, and type of proposal in accordance with AtBoat's policy.
ARE THERE PUBLICATION COSTS FOR ADS?
No, AtBoat won't ask you publication costs. It's a free selling and promoting network.
WHAT IS ATBOAT'S FEE?
AtBoat don't ask the shipowners fees if the boat is not rented. If the boat is rented by AtBoat, on the other hand, 7,0% of the rental's amount paid in advance by the consumer will be retained.
HOW CAN I GET A BOOKING REQUEST?
First of all you should always update prices and availability on your calendar. When you receive a booking request you should accept it within 24 hours. If you won't answer within the limitation period, we shall get in touch with you to tell you.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE PAYMENT OF A BOOKING?
The consumer usually pays at the place and at the moment of the rental's beginning the full cost less 7,0% that AtBoat retains in respect of fee. So you should to reach an understanding with him about the payment's method through AtBoat's communication system.
CAN I PUBLISH A BOAT WITHOUT CREW?
Sure, but remember to state it in the ad, the same if the boat license is needed.
WHAT DOES “SHARING” MEAN?
With AtBoat you can offer for rent both a whole boat and a shared one. In case of the rental of a shared boat, cabins should be rented individually. When you insert an ad concerning your boat, select “Sharing” if you are offering an only cabin.
IF I CHOOSE TO OFFER A “SHARING” RENTAL WHICH FURTHER INFORMATION SHOULD A PROVIDE?
You have to specify the number of available cabins and how many people can be hosted in a cabin.
When you insert your boat, select “Sharing” if you are offering the rental even of a single cabin.
IF I CHOOSE TO OFFER A “SHARING” RENTAL CAN I INSERT MORE THAN A CABIN?
Sure, specify the number of available cabins in the ad.
SHOULD I PROVIDE PRIOR INFORMATION TO THE CONSUMER?
No, you will have to insert all the details in the ad.
I WANT TO ADD COSTS FOR FUEL OR CLEANING WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You should specify them in the description among extra charges.
IS IT REQUIRED TO TRANSLATE THE PROPOSAL INTO OTHER LANGUAGES?
Translate into many languages your ad increases your chances. AtBoat finds new consumers all over the world on a daily basis. If you choose to insert your ad in italian only, you reduce your offer's potential.
'M HAVING TROUBLE INSERTING AN AD, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you don't manage to insert an ad, and you didn't find an answer among the FAQ, you can contact the customer service.
HOW WILL I GET THE BOOKING PAYMENT?
The consumer will pay to AtBoat a booking advance which is 7,0% that he will retain as fee.
The consumer will pay the remainder directly to you, you should reach an understanding with him about the payment method.
CAN I EDIT AN AD AFTER IT'S BEEN CREATED IT?
In the “Boats” section you can make all the changes on your own.
THE PICTURE I INSERTED IS GRAINY, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO IMPROVE ITS QUALITY?
Try and insert a high-quality picture, better if high-resolution. This should help to visualize the picture.
WHAT ABOUT ATBOAT'S TERMS OF CANCELLATION AND REFUND?
Our terms of cancellation and refund are made to be flexible. The shipowner and the consumer can cancel rental without penalties until 14 days before the rental's beginning. If cancellation doesn't occur within 14 days, the party at fault will be subject to the payment to AtBoat of a penalty clause that is 7,0% of the rental's cost, which will be paid 5% to the one damaged by the cancellation exceeding the time limit.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO REJECT A RECEIVED BOOKING?
In your area, click “Booking” and then click “Delete booking”. Remember: if you make the deletion over the time limit which is 14 days before the rental's beginning, you will be charged of 7,0% of the rental's amount.
A CONSUMER DELETED A BOOKING ON A BOAT OF MINE, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BEHAVE?
You don't have to do anything. If the consumer deleted the booking within 14 days before the rental's beginning AtBoat shall ensure to refund the consumer for the amount paid during the booking. Optionally, if the consumer requests the deletion over the time limit, we will retain the amount already paid and we will pay you 5% of the rental's cost for the disservice.