How do I change or cancel ferry and flight bookings in Seychelles?

**Changing or canceling transport bookings in Seychelles requires contacting operators directly, and policies vary significantly** between companies. For **Cat Cocos and Cat Roses ferries** (Mahé-Praslin route), changes are typically possible up to 24-48 hours before departure with a **50-100 SCR rebooking fee**, while cancellations more than 7 days out may receive partial refunds minus administrative costs. **Air Seychelles internal flights** between islands have stricter policies – economy tickets usually allow changes for **150-250 SCR per person** but rarely offer refunds unless you purchased flexible fares.

**Contacting Transport Operators:**

- **Cat Cocos ferries**: Email reservations@catcocos.sc or call +248 4324843 (expect 24-48 hour response times during peak season) - **Cat Roses ferries**: Contact through their website or +248 4510552 - **Air Seychelles**: Visit their office at Mahé International Airport, call +248 4391000, or use their website portal for booking management - **Zil Air (helicopter transfers)**: Email or phone contact typically responds within 12 hours

**Common booking problems and solutions:** If you have confirmation emails and payment proof but your booking doesn't appear in the system (a recurring issue with Cat Cocos during high season), **immediately send your confirmation number and payment receipt to their email**. Keep calling during Seychelles business hours (8am-4pm SCR time, which is GMT+4). If you're already in Seychelles, visit the **Inter-Island Quay ticket office in Victoria** or the **Cat Cocos counter at Baie Ste Anne, Praslin** in person – face-to-face resolution is often faster than email.

**Pro tips from experienced travelers:** Book transport with a credit card that offers travel protection – many international cards cover non-refundable transport costs if you need to cancel for covered reasons. **Screenshot or print all confirmation emails immediately** after booking, as Seychelles' online booking systems can be temperamental. For ferry bookings, take a photo of your booking reference number. If rebooking to next year, contact operators at least 8-12 weeks before your original travel date – the earlier you contact them, the more flexible they tend to be, especially if you're rebooking rather than canceling outright.

**Flexible booking strategies:** During uncertain times, consider booking **accommodation separately from transport** rather than packages, giving you more flexibility to adjust individual components. Some guesthouses and hotels on Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue have relationships with transport operators and can advocate on your behalf if bookings go wrong. **Mason's Travel and Creole Travel Services** (major local travel agencies) can sometimes facilitate changes to ferry and flight bookings more efficiently than dealing with operators directly, though they charge service fees of **200-500 SCR**.