Question 1

How do I book an experience?

Accepted Answer

Browse experiences on Slow Boat, select your preferred date and participants, then click "Book Now". You'll be redirected to our partner's booking page (GetYourGuide or Klook) to complete payment. After booking, you'll receive confirmation emails from both Slow Boat and the booking partner.

Question 2

Can I modify my booking after confirmation?

Accepted Answer

Modifications depend on the booking partner and tour operator policies. Most bookings can be modified up to 24-48 hours before the scheduled date, subject to availability.

Question 3

How do I make a group booking?

Accepted Answer

For groups of 10 or more, we recommend contacting the tour operator directly for special rates. For smaller groups, simply select the number of participants during checkout. Some experiences have maximum group sizes.

Question 4

What information do I need to provide when booking?

Accepted Answer

Typically you'll need: lead traveler's name, email, phone number, and participant count. Some experiences require additional details like passport information, dietary requirements, or hotel pickup location.

Question 5

Where is my booking confirmation?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you booked. For instant-confirmation activities booked directly on Slow Boat, your voucher appears on your Slow Boat order page (Orders > your booking) and is also emailed to you. For bookings completed on a partner platform, the official voucher comes from that partner's email. Check your spam folder if you don't see it.

Question 6

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Payment options depend on the booking partner. Common methods include: credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and regional options like Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Question 7

When will I be charged?

Accepted Answer

Immediately at checkout. Where you pay depends on how you booked: if you booked on Slow Boat and your booking number starts with BK-, you paid Slow Boat directly and we are the seller on record. If you followed a link through to a partner such as GetYourGuide, you completed checkout on their site and paid them.

Question 8

What currency will I be charged in?

Accepted Answer

You can typically select your preferred currency during checkout. If your card currency differs, your bank may apply conversion fees. The displayed price includes all taxes and booking fees.

Question 9

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No hidden fees from Slow Boat. The price displayed includes taxes and partner booking fees. Some experiences may have optional add-ons (meals, transfers) shown during checkout.

Question 10

How do I get a receipt or invoice?

Accepted Answer

Your booking confirmation email serves as your receipt. For a formal invoice, contact the booking partner directly through their help center.

Question 11

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellation policies are set by each tour operator and vary by experience. Common policies include: Free cancellation (full refund 24-48h before), Partial refund (50% if cancelled late), and Non-refundable (no refund after booking).

Question 12

How do I cancel my booking?

Accepted Answer

If your booking number starts with BK-, it depends how far along it is. Before it is confirmed you can cancel it yourself from your order page. Once it is confirmed and your voucher has been issued, email service@slowboat.com.au with your booking number and we will handle it. If you completed checkout on a partner site instead, cancel it there — we cannot reach into their system.

Question 13

How long does it take to receive a refund?

Accepted Answer

For a Slow Boat booking (BK-...), once the refund is agreed we issue it to the card you paid with within 3 business days; your bank then takes a further 5-10 business days for cards, or 1-3 for PayPal. For a booking completed on a partner site, that partner issues the refund on their own timeline.

Question 14

What if the provider cancels my experience?

Accepted Answer

If a tour operator cancels (due to weather, minimum participants, etc.), you'll receive a full refund automatically. The partner platform will notify you and process the refund without any action needed from you.

Question 15

What happens if I miss my experience (no-show)?

Accepted Answer

No-shows are typically not eligible for refunds. If you can't attend, always cancel through the booking platform before the cancellation deadline to maximize your refund eligibility.

Question 16

Can I get a partial refund or credit?

Accepted Answer

Partial refunds depend on the cancellation policy and timing. Some providers offer credits for future bookings instead of refunds, especially for non-refundable experiences.

Question 17

How do I find the right experience?

Accepted Answer

Browse by destination, category (day tours, activities, tickets), or ask Slow Boat for personalized recommendations. You can filter by price, rating, duration, and more. Read reviews from verified travelers before booking.

Question 18

What should I bring to my experience?

Accepted Answer

Requirements vary by activity. Generally bring: booking voucher (digital or printed), valid ID/passport, comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and water. Check "What's Included" and "Important Information" on the experience page.

Question 19

Where is the meeting point?

Accepted Answer

Meeting point details are in your booking confirmation from the partner platform. Many experiences offer hotel pickup (check during booking). Arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Question 20

What if I'm running late?

Accepted Answer

Contact the tour operator immediately using the phone number in your voucher. Group tours have strict departure times and may not wait. Private tours are usually more flexible.

Question 21

What language are tours conducted in?

Accepted Answer

Available languages are listed on each experience page. Many tours offer multiple language options - select your preference during booking. Audio guides may be available in additional languages.

Question 22

Are experiences wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Accessibility information is listed under "Important Information" on each experience page. If unclear, contact the tour operator directly before booking to confirm accessibility features.

Question 23

How does Ask Slow Boat work?

Accepted Answer

Ask Slow Boat uses language models to understand your preferences and suggest experiences. Tell it your interests, budget, travel dates, and group size, and it will suggest relevant experiences from our partners.

Question 24

Is Ask Slow Boat available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Ask Slow Boat is available around the clock. It can help you explore destinations, compare experiences, and answer travel questions at any time.

Question 25

Can Ask Slow Boat compare different experiences?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Ask it to compare options based on price, ratings, duration, inclusions, and suitability for your needs. It can help you weigh pros and cons of similar experiences.

Question 26

How accurate are the recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Ask Slow Boat works from our own catalogue — titles, descriptions, prices, ratings and review counts — and its answers are generated automatically, so they can be wrong or incomplete. Prices, availability and details change too. Always verify information on the booking page before purchasing.

Question 27

Does Ask Slow Boat store my conversation data?

Accepted Answer

Conversations may be stored to improve the service and provide personalized recommendations. You can request data deletion through our privacy settings. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Question 28

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Click "Sign In" in the header, then "Create Account". Register with your email or use Google/Apple sign-in. An account helps you track bookings, save favorites, and get personalized recommendations.

Question 29

How do I reset my password?

Accepted Answer

Click "Sign In" > "Forgot Password" and enter your email. You'll receive a reset link valid for 24 hours. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.

Question 30

How do I save experiences for later?

Accepted Answer

Click the heart icon on any experience to save it to your favorites. View saved items anytime in "Favorites" (requires sign-in). Favorites sync across devices.

Question 31

How do I contact customer support?

Accepted Answer

For booking issues, contact the partner platform directly (GetYourGuide or Klook) - they handle all booking-related support. For Slow Boat website issues or general questions, email us or use our contact form.

Question 32

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Contact us through the contact form or email to request account deletion. Note that deleting your Slow Boat account does not affect bookings made through partner platforms.

Question 33

How is my personal data protected?

Accepted Answer

We use industry-standard encryption (TLS/SSL) for all data transmission. Personal data is stored securely and only shared with booking partners as necessary to process your reservations. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 34

What are my responsibilities as a traveler?

Accepted Answer

You're responsible for: valid travel documents (passport, visa), travel insurance, meeting health requirements (vaccinations), arriving on time, and following tour operator instructions. Check government travel advisories before booking.

Question 35

Do I need travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend travel insurance, especially for non-refundable bookings. Insurance can cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and travel delays. Slow Boat does not sell insurance - purchase from a licensed provider.

Question 36

How do I file a complaint?

Accepted Answer

For booking/service complaints, contact the partner platform first (GetYourGuide/Klook). For complaints about Slow Boat, use our contact form. Australian residents can contact ACCC; EU residents can use ODR platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

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