1. Introduction
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the sharc Travel booking platform ("Platform") operated by sharc GmbH, Am Fischerwinkel 10, 82031 Grünwald, Germany ("we", "us", "our"). By accessing the Platform or making a booking, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.
The Platform enables you to browse liveaboard diving trips, view real-time cabin availability, and book directly with liveaboard operators ("Operators"). We act as the technology platform facilitating the connection between you ("Guest", "you") and the Operator.
2. Our Role
sharc Travel provides the booking technology and payment infrastructure. The actual trip, accommodation, diving services, and all on-board experiences are provided by the Operator. Your contractual relationship for the trip itself is with the Operator, not with sharc Travel.
We are responsible for: accurate display of trip information as provided by the Operator, secure processing of payments, and transmitting your booking and guest profile information to the Operator.
3. AI Assistants & Connectors (ChatGPT, Claude)
sharc Travel can be reached through third‑party AI assistants — currently OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude — using their official app or connector frameworks. These integrations allow you to discover trips and boats inside the assistant’s chat interface. They are provided as a convenience for browsing only.
3.1 Scope
The AI‑assistant integrations are read‑only. They expose three tools: search trips, view trip details, and view boat details. They cannot create, modify, or cancel a booking, charge a payment method, or read or write any guest profile or account data. Inventory and pricing returned to the assistant are produced by the same APIs that power the public sharc Travel website and are refreshed on every request.
3.2 How a booking is made
Any actual booking is made on sharc.app after you click through from the assistant.
These Terms, the Operator’s cancellation policy, the payment schedule, and our Privacy Policy
govern that booking exactly as if you had reached the trip page directly. The AI assistant is a
discovery surface; it is not a party to your booking contract with the Operator.
3.3 Information fidelity
AI assistants summarise tool results in their own words. We are responsible for the data we return,
but we are not responsible for how the assistant phrases its summary, what it chooses to omit, or
any answer the assistant generates from its own knowledge instead of calling a sharc Travel tool.
Always confirm price, dates, availability, and inclusions on the trip page on sharc.app
before paying.
3.4 Acceptable use
You agree not to use AI‑assistant connectors to scrape our catalogue, evade rate limits, mirror listings on a competing surface, or impersonate sharc Travel. We may suspend or restrict access from any connector if it is used in a way that breaches these Terms or the assistant provider’s own usage policies.
4. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into binding contracts to use the Platform and make bookings. By booking, you confirm that all information you provide is accurate and complete.
5. Bookings
5.1 Booking Process
When you complete a booking on the Platform, you enter into a binding contract with the Operator for the selected trip and cabin. You will receive an email confirmation with your booking details, payment schedule, and a link to complete your guest profile.
5.2 Instant Confirmation
Trips on the Platform offer real-time availability. Once payment is successfully processed, your booking is instantly confirmed. No waiting period or manual approval is required.
5.3 Guest Profile
After booking, you will be asked to complete a guest profile with information the Operator needs to prepare your trip — including dive certifications, dietary requirements, emergency contacts, and travel plans. It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete information in a timely manner.
6. Prices & Payments
6.1 Pricing
All prices displayed on the Platform are set by the Operator and shown in the currency specified by the Operator. Prices include the services described on the trip page. Unless explicitly stated, prices do not include flights, travel insurance, visa fees, or gratuities.
6.2 Payment Schedule
Each trip has a payment schedule defined by the Operator (e.g., deposit on booking, balance before departure). The specific amounts and due dates are shown on the trip page and in your booking confirmation. It is your responsibility to make payments on time according to the schedule.
6.3 Payment Methods
Payments are processed securely via Stripe. We accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Some Operators may also offer bank transfer for final balance payments. Full card details are handled exclusively by Stripe and never stored on our servers.
6.4 Failed Payments
If a scheduled payment fails, we will notify you by email. You are responsible for ensuring payment is completed within 48 hours. Repeated payment failures may result in booking cancellation at the Operator's discretion.
7. Cancellations & Refunds
7.1 Guest Cancellations
Each trip has a cancellation policy defined by the Operator, displayed on the trip page. The refund percentage depends on how far in advance of the departure date you cancel. Please review the cancellation policy carefully before booking.
7.2 Operator Cancellations
If the Operator cancels a trip, you will receive a full refund of all payments made. We will notify you as soon as possible and process the refund within 14 business days.
7.3 Force Majeure
Neither we nor the Operator are liable for cancellations or changes caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions, war, or severe weather. In such cases, the Operator's cancellation policy terms apply.
8. Your Responsibilities
As a Guest, you are responsible for:
- Providing accurate personal and booking information
- Holding valid travel documents (passport, visa) for the trip destination
- Maintaining appropriate dive certifications for the activities booked
- Obtaining adequate travel and dive insurance
- Arriving at the departure point on time as specified by the Operator
- Complying with the Operator's on-board rules and safety instructions
- Making payments according to the agreed schedule
9. Limitation of Liability
sharc Travel provides the booking platform and payment processing. We are not liable for the quality, safety, or delivery of the trip, diving services, meals, accommodation, or any other services provided by the Operator.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claims arising from your use of the Platform is limited to the amount of fees we received in connection with your booking. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
10. Intellectual Property
All content on the Platform — including text, graphics, logos, icons, images, and software — is owned by sharc GmbH or licensed to us. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, or distribute any content without our prior written consent. Trip photos and descriptions are provided by and remain the property of the respective Operators.
11. User Conduct
You agree not to:
- Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems
- Interfere with or disrupt the Platform's operation
- Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent booking information
- Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract data from the Platform, including via AI‑assistant connectors, beyond the read‑only browsing they are designed to support
- Misrepresent sharc Travel inside any AI assistant, app store, or third‑party listing
12. Dispute Resolution
Any disputes relating to a trip should first be raised directly with the Operator. If you are unable to reach a resolution, you may contact us at hello@sharc.app and we will use reasonable efforts to mediate.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Any legal proceedings shall be brought in the courts of Munich, Germany.
13. Modifications
We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Platform at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
14. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
15. Contact
For questions about these Terms:
sharc GmbH
Am Fischerwinkel 10, 82031 Grünwald, Germany
Email: hello@sharc.app
Last updated: May 21, 2026