Ocean Express doesn’t like to be too strict when it comes to rules however some simple rules are necessary and have to be followed to ensure a great time for all!
When you book a party or event with us you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:
By receiving the deposit payment from you, the hirer for our vehicle, it is accepted that you have read and agreed to the following terms and conditions. Once we, the service provider of Ocean Express, have received your deposit and secured the agreed day and time slot, we are both in a contractual agreement, which is bound by English law. Any variations on the terms and conditions can only be permitted if expressed in writing by us.
Payment/Deposit and Cancellations
When you decide to book with us, a minimum of £20 deposit will be required to hold the agreed date and time slot. We will then require the remaining payment, in full on arrival of the bus before the hire time begins on the agreed date and time slot.
Your deposit is non-refundable.
Any cancellation request must be received at least 14 days before the agreed booking date.
In the event of any cancellation, whatever the cause, Ocean Express is only liable for the hire costs of the bus and will not be held responsible for any other costs.
Ocean Express accepts deposit payment by Bank Transfer or PayPal. Remaining balances on the date of hire can also be paid by Cash.
Vehicle Access
Ocean Express is a full-size double decker that weighs around 12 tonnes. It is 14.6 ft tall and 33ft long with a width of 8ft.
Consider this when booking, you must think about access, parking and any height restrictions.
The average private drive hasn’t been designed for a double decker so be sure to consider if the bus will be suitable for your chosen destination. We cannot be held responsible for damage to your drive due to the weight of the vehicle. The Play Bus needs firm level ground to park on with safe access for the children to enter and exit the vehicle. Allow for 5 car spaces for us to park on the street, outside your home.
Keep an eye out for any low overhanging trees or cables. Where possible, we recommend to have an alternative parking space available.
If you are unsure, please contact us for advice. Where possible, we will check the location and route prior to the hire.
If we are unable to gain access to your chosen location and an alternative cannot be found due to circumstances we were not informed of prior to arrival, then a refund will not be available. We may, however, in some circumstances be able to offer an alternative date and time.
Parking Permits / Fines
Any parking permits that are required for your chosen destination must be organised prior to our arrival.
Ocean Express will not be responsible for any parking fines received at your chosen location and any such fines received will be the responsibility of you the hirer.
Ocean Express cannot park in any location that causes an obstruction.
Breakdowns
We do not want to disappoint a child or let down a valued customer, we have the vehicle serviced and maintained to a very high standard regularly. However, just like your vehicle at home sometimes they can break down. If this happens, we will try and get the mechanical problem resolved as soon as possible and endeavour to still get to you on your chosen day. If this is not possible, we will arrange another mutually agreeable date and time or issue a full refund.
Poor Weather and Highway Restrictions
Ocean Express will get to your venue in most weather conditions however there may be occasions when due to extreme poor weather and for safety reasons it may not be possible to arrive at your chosen location. Should this be the case we will inform you at our earliest convenience and an alternative mutually agreeable date will be offered to you or we will issue a refund.
We cannot accept any responsibility for a delay in reaching your chosen location due to road works, traffic chaos or any other highway hazard which is beyond our reasonable control. We always pre-check routes and take any road works into consideration and will endeavour to leave additional time to ensure we are on time for your hire, we will always contact you if we are unfortunately running behind schedule.
We will always make up for the lost time and will leave later so that you have the agreed time for your event.
Rules of Play
The bus is suitable for up to 20 children to play at any one time with an ideal age range of 2 to 10 years old.
The care and supervision of the children using the play bus are at all times the responsibility of you the hirer. Our insurance requires a minimum of two adults from you the hirer to supervise the children at all times.
Members of staff are only there to oversee the running of the party/event and to operate/manage the vehicle and equipment.
No person must approach the vehicle on its arrival until the vehicle has parked safely and the driver has opened the main door. Any damage caused to our vehicle or property belonging to inside or outside by any member of the hirers group will be the responsibility of you the hirer. You will be liable for cost of repair if requested.
No property belonging to Ocean Express may be removed from the bus by any member of the hirers group without the permission of staff members.
For Health and Safety reasons outside footwear is not allowed on the bus and socks must be worn at all times. Storage for footwear is available on the bus.
We recommend that long sleeves and trousers are to be worn but this is not strictly enforced.
You the hirer must ensure all chains, buckles, badges or other sharp objects are removed from the children prior to playing on the bus.
We also do not allow children with face paint on the bus.
We do not have toilet facilities so ensure you have toilets available at your chosen venue and that your supervising adults are able to assist the children. In the event of toilet accidents, if professional cleaning is required, a cleaning fee may be charged.
No one may smoke, eat or drink on the bus at any time and chewing gum is strictly forbidden.
We ask that unwell or injured children or children that have been unwell in the last 24 hours do not play on the bus. In the event that a child is unwell during play, the party may be stopped for cleaning purposes.
All children must respect each other and play nicely.
Any child or person that staff believe to be jeopardising the safety or enjoyment of others or that of the vehicle, will be asked to leave the vehicle and no refund will be offered. Verbal or physical abuse towards any staff member will not be tolerated.
You the hirer are to ensure that all members of your party/event leave the vehicle promptly at the end of your allocated time slot.
All children and adults participate at their own risk. Ocean Express does not accept liability for loss or injury of whatever nature caused through misuse of the equipment or lack of parental guardian supervision, or failure to comply with Ocean Express terms and conditions and Rules of Play.
Ocean Express will not accept any responsibility for any inconvenience or damage resulting from any accident, breakdown or any other event attributable to any reason beyond our reasonable control. We will not be responsible for any valuables or other items belonging to any member of the hirers group these items should be left with the responsible supervising adults. We cannot be responsible for any theft.
COVID-19
We continue to follow the government guidelines that have been issued to our industry and this is currently affecting the way in which we are allowed to operate at present.
The guidelines differ as the government announces new rules and requirements, we are not classed as an essential business and therefore are likely to be closed during any national lockdown.
The picture is forever changing and at speed. Rules for our industry have changed depending on which tier your postcode falls into, where we are able to operate, we will continue to do so ensuring we are Covid compliant, this means there may be limited numbers allowed on the bus at any one time, those on the bus restricted to one household, staff will wear PPE and the bus will be fogged with an anti-viral disinfectant prior to your hire.
We will communicate any changes that have been set to anyone with a pre-booking and a decision can be made if you would be happy to continue with your booking, arrange for a different date where we have availability or cancel.
It is our priority that our staff and those that hire our bus are safe but the fun can continue!