This policy explains which cookies our website uses and why. Analytics and marketing cookies are only used if you agree in our cookie banner, and you can change your choice at any time.
2.Your choice
When you first visit our website, our cookie banner asks whether you accept analytics and marketing cookies. These only run if you say yes. Strictly necessary cookies don't need consent because the website can't work without them.
You can change your mind at any time with the "Open cookie settings" button on this page or the "Cookie settings" link in the footer of every page. You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, but some parts of the website (such as signing in to your account) may then stop working.
3.The cookies we use
| Category | What it does | Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly necessary | Keeps the website secure and working: signing in to the client portal, remembering your cookie choice, and remembering preferences you set (language, display currency, favourites, recently viewed voyages and booking progress). | Whitestar (first-party cookies and local storage); Clerk (sign-in session for the client portal). |
| Analytics | Helps us understand how visitors use the website (for example which pages are popular and where forms are abandoned) so we can improve it. Only with your consent. | Google Tag Manager (loads the tools below, only as consented); Google Analytics 4; Hotjar. |
| Marketing | Measures the results of our advertising and lets us show relevant cruise adverts on other websites and social media. Only with your consent. | Meta Pixel (Facebook and Instagram); Google Ads conversion tracking, if used. |
Typical cookie names include:
_ga,_ga_*: Google Analytics (analytics)._hjSessionUser_*,_hjSession_*: Hotjar (analytics)._fbp: Meta Pixel (marketing)._gcl_au: Google Ads (marketing).__session,__client_uat: Clerk sign-in (strictly necessary).
How long each cookie lasts is set by the provider, and providers change their cookies from time to time. You can see the cookies stored on your device, and how long they last, in your browser's settings.
4.Third-party providers
Third-party cookies are controlled by the provider under its own privacy policy:
- Google: policies.google.com/technologies/cookies
- Meta: facebook.com/privacy/policies/cookies
- Hotjar: hotjar.com/legal/policies/cookie-information
- Clerk: clerk.com/legal/privacy
Some of these providers are based outside South Africa. See "Transfers outside South Africa" in our privacy policy.
5.Links and embedded content
When you follow a link to another website (for example a cruise line, Google Maps, YouTube or our social media pages), that website may set its own cookies. We don't control those cookies.
6.Changes to this policy
We'll update this policy when the tools we use change. The "last updated" date at the top shows when it last changed.
Questions about this page? Email info@whitestar.co.za.
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