Privacy Policy

Exclusive Yacht Charters ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights. By using our website or booking a charter, you agree to the practices described below.

1. Information We Collect

When you fill out our booking form or interact with our site, we collect:

• Identity & contact information — first name, last name, email address, phone number.
• Booking details — charter date, yacht selected, number of hours, time slot, number of guests, special requests / comments.
• Transaction information — deposit amount and payment confirmation status. We never see or store your full credit card number; payments are processed by FastPayDirect (Stripe), and only a confirmation token is returned to us.
• Marketing consent records — whether you opted in to SMS, the timestamp of opt-in, and any subsequent opt-out request.
• Technical data — basic browser/device information automatically logged when you visit our site (IP address, browser type, pages viewed).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information only to:

• Process and confirm your charter booking.
• Communicate with you about your booking via email and (with consent) SMS — including booking confirmations, day-of details, weather updates, and reminders.
• Recover incomplete bookings — if you start a booking but don’t complete payment, we may send a small number of follow-up messages (typically up to three over 72 hours) so you can finish.
• Coordinate with our captain and crew so we can deliver your charter.
• Comply with legal, tax, and safety requirements.
• Improve our services and respond to questions.

We do not sell your information, rent it, or use it for unrelated marketing.

3. SMS / Text Messaging

If you check the SMS consent box on our booking form, you agree to receive text messages from Exclusive Yacht Charters about your booking. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message; reply HELP for assistance. Opting out of SMS does not opt you out of email communications about your booking.

SMS opt-in information is never shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing.

4. Service Providers We Share Information With

We share limited information with vetted service providers who help us run the business. They are contractually required to use it only on our behalf:

• FastPayDirect / Stripe — payment processing.
• GoHighLevel — CRM and messaging platform.
• Twilio — SMS delivery.
• Google Workspace — email, calendar, and internal record-keeping.
• Captain & crew (independent contractors) — only the operational details needed to staff your charter.

We may also disclose information when required by law (e.g., subpoena, valid legal process) or to protect the rights, property, or safety of our guests, crew, or the public.

5. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain booking records for up to seven (7) years for tax and accounting purposes. Marketing consent records are kept for as long as you remain opted in, plus a record of any opt-out for compliance. You may request deletion of non-required data at any time (see Section 7).

6. Security

We use industry-standard safeguards (HTTPS encryption in transit, access-controlled cloud storage, reputable third-party processors) to protect your information. No method is 100% secure, but we work to keep risk low.

7. Your Rights

You may at any time:

• Request a copy of the information we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate information.
• Ask us to delete your information (subject to records we’re legally required to retain).
• Opt out of SMS by replying STOP, or opt out of email via the unsubscribe link in any of our emails.

Send privacy requests to [email protected]. We’ll respond within 30 days.

8. Children

Our services are not directed to children under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has provided us information, please contact us so we can delete it.

9. Cookies

Our site uses minimal browser storage (e.g., to remember your in-progress booking so you can resume it). We do not use third-party advertising or tracking cookies.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date above always reflects the current version. Material changes will be highlighted at the top of this page.

11. Contact

Exclusive Yacht Charters
31st Street Harbor · 3100 S Lake Shore Dr · Chicago, IL
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (773) 888-1133