What do we eat during a yachting holiday?

The most popular member of the crew is oftentimes the chef! The chef is there to cook you all the meals you love. You will enjoy breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour, and dinner prepared according to your wishes. Before your charter starts, we will ask you to fill in a preference sheet where you indicate all the food you like and dislike. According to this list, the chef will purchase products and create a special menu for each day. Some yachts offer “Half Board” and “Full Board” dining options. If you choose the Half Board option, then there will be times when you’ll be dining ashore at either lunchtime or in the evening, depending on the itinerary.

What is Full Board and Half Board?

If your food & beverages are not included in the charter rate, there are several options to choose from when it comes to dining onboard. These meal supplements are called Half Board and Full Board. Half Board is a nominal fee you pay to cover the cost of breakfast and lunch and it is given on the basis of “per person, per day” or “per person, per week”. Full Board covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board (again, based on per person per day/week). In some cases, Half Board is obligatory, whereas Full Board is optional.

Is it common to leave tips for a yacht crew at the end of a sailing vacation?

The general rule is that leaving any amount of monetary reward for the crew at the end of your luxury yacht holidays is entirely up to you! In our experience however, it is quite common for charter guests to choose to tip anywhere between 5 and 15% of the charter rate they’ve paid to rent a gulet. Generally, on the day of disembarkation, guests give an amount to the captain, asking that he then share the gratuity among the crew members. Please feel free to talk about this subject with your booking broker for more details.

How many crew members can we expect to have on our yacht?

This depends on the yacht size and the level of luxury on offer. Superior and deluxe gulets may have 3-5 crew members, whereas super luxury gulets would have a team of 5 to 8 marine professionals. Generally, during sailing holidays you can expect to charter a yacht with a captain, a chef, a stewardess, an engineer, and several deckhands.

Where does the crew sleep on a yacht?

In most cases, gulets feature special crew cabins in the forward section of a yacht. This is where they rest when off-duty. If you should need anything at night, rest assured that there’s always at least one crew member on duty and ready to assist passengers during your gulet cruise.

How much luggage can we bring with us?

Small sailing yachts have a very limited space for storing bulky luggage item, but since you are chartering a gulet, you won’t have this problem. These yachts generally have enough space to stow large soft-sided bags and suitcases out of the way while you’re onboard. Each cabin has drawers in which you can stow all your belongings and yet it’s helpful to note that storage space is still limited in a sense, and so it’s best to be a little bit mindful and limit what you bring.

What’s available onboard and what is better brought along with us?

Each yacht is like a hotel, and each stateroom features bed linen, towels, and bathroom utensils (shower gel, shampoo, soap, and a hairdryer). Some yachts feature extra accessories in each stateroom. If you wish to have something specific onboard and ready from the moment you board, please be sure to specify this in advance to give the crew the best possible chance of locating it before your arrival. Most gulets carry a few sets of snorkelling gear for charterers, but many charter guests prefer to bring their own equipment -- especially if they are snorkelling enthusiasts.

Are we allowed to smoke aboard?

Usually, smoking is allowed in special dedicated areas. Smoking inside the yacht, however, is not permitted. In order to be 100% sure that you’ll be able to smoke on the boat that you wish to hire, please let us know and we will consult the captain.

How do I book the yacht that I liked on this website?

If you zero in on a specific yacht, you may then click the button, “Inquire” alongside the gulet you’ve chosen or send us an email in which you will mention both the vessel’s name and your most preferred set of dates. Another option is to call our office. We will then send you a written confirmation that this same gulet is available for rent, or if it’s not, locate a set of alternatives and forward these to you. Finalizing the deal would involve the standard procedure of signing a contract between yourselves, ourselves, and a yacht owner. If you book a gulet 4-6 months in advance, you will be requested to pay a deposit representing 50% of the charter rate, and the remainder would be due closer to the charter's commencement. If you book a yacht several weeks in advance, then you will be required to pay a full amount of the boat rental at the time you sign the contract.

What information do you need from my side to find the best yacht?

Please inform us as to how many people will be traveling with you, specifying the number of adults and children; the timeframe during which you wish to rent a yacht, your choice of cruising area and how much you intend to spend on the yacht’s hire and food and beverages. This information will allow us to create a list of boats that match your preferences, and it will be that much easier for you to make a choice.

What kind of personal information do you need from me?

Full names and passport details are required in order to complete the necessary paperwork while the yacht is preparing for departure. In order to coordinate your arrival transfer to the yacht as well as your departure, we will need to know your contact details, as well as relevant travel plans -- specifically, where, when and how you plan to arrive at the port where your yacht awaits. We will also ask you to fill out your onboard preference sheets where you will indicate your food and beverage preferences as well as provide information about allergies and any health conditions. While completing this form, there is room for you to supply details of any plans you may have to celebrate special occasions or even co-design a surprise event with your captain and crew.

How do I pay for a yacht charter?

Usually a charterer pays for a yacht charter via bank transfer. Before the payment is transferred, we will send you a detailed invoice where you will see clearly the exact amount that is to be paid, the currency in which it is to be paid, and the payment schedule. With GULET, you can pay in Australian Dollars for yachts that normally require a payment to be made in Euro.

What is a crewed yacht charter?

“Chartering – or hiring - a fully-crewed sailing yacht, motor yacht or traditionally-styled Turkish gulet and travelling to coastal or island destinations within a set timeframe” is our definition of yacht charter. Your reason for hiring a boat with crew is as individualistic as your choice of itinerary! You may choose to opt for the world’s most relaxing vacation with family and friends... or celebrate a special event. You may design the “event” around a very important corporate meeting, or go “all out” in reviving yourself with a detox, yoga, or wellness retreat on the water. Note: in case you wondered, it is possible to rent a bareboat yacht, too -- “bare” being the operative word in that the vessel has no crew... but, then, would you really want that type of holiday if it means you have to shop and cook your meals? Take it from us, your best option is to hire a crewed yacht complete with captain, chef, stewardess or two and deckhands that work to keep the boat looking polished and beautiful and your children well and truly entertained!

How can I be sure that the yacht I book is in great condition?

Each year our gulet experts attend various yacht charter shows and yacht marinas to inspect boats and meet the crew. Having been working in the field for more than 25 years, we are quick to ascertain whether a yacht is in good condition, always keeping considerations such as the yacht’s age and category in mind. It is easy to see the professionalism of the crew as represented by the level of maintenance and presentation of the yacht. We check charter records to ensure that previous guests were happy with their choice. We also work closely with our network of trusted partners in various yacht charter destinations and of course, gulet owners. This is the means by which we collect all the necessary information, including video and photographs, sharing the most recent with you when passing along the information pertaining to each yacht. The overall "package” that a yacht represents will be dependent on her age and her category, either classic, superior, or luxury. N the subject of age, however, there are many beautiful vessels that while older are presented in excellent condition, either due to a recent interior refit or refurbishment or for the fact that their owners require the yacht to be maintained in first class condition. We know many such yachts, and the summer season tends to come to a close with these boats having been fully booked, yet again.

Can we choose our cruising itinerary?

Usually, guests choose the towns, villages, and islands they would most like to visit during a yacht charter holiday in Greece, Italy, Croatia, or Turkey. They also decide how long they want to stay in each place. This is the beauty of renting a gulet and not taking a cabin on a cruise ship. The schedule is flexible enough to change daily, and is almost always tailor-made according to your very own preferences. The only exception to this would arise where you are in the Greek islands and the Meltemi starts to blow strongly, necessitating a chance of itinerary. If you are planning to cruise the Greek islands in July and August, you are best to leave your final itinerary plans to your captain whose job it is to ensure that the yacht and all of her passengers are safe at all times!

Here are a few items to that you must also consider: sometimes, due to a high volume of bookings, specific yachts are available for rent from specific ports only. This might apply equally to disembarkation ports, in that should your yacht have a pre-existing charter booking commencing in a specific port on the final day of your cruise, you will be required to disembark in that particular port. However, you still get to decide what you want to see during the cruise. If you would prefer not to embark or disembark in the ports specified, then we’ll do our best to find a yacht that is available for your preferred ports of embarkation and disembarkation.

How many hours do we cruise each day?

Usually, 4 hours of cruising is included in the yacht charter rate. And that’s more than enough to change your location at least once every day, especially if you rent a gulet in Turkey, Where the charming coastline of this country is dotted with gorgeous towns, villages and historical sites. If you’re nearby sailing in Greece and wish to cruise from one island to another, it may take a little more time. Nevertheless, before your charter starts, you will already have an approximate itinerary with information on the number of cruising hours involved. Thereafter, for the duration of your cruise, each morning or each evening after dinner, your captain will consult with you in order to set the program for the day ahead.

Can your gulet experts recommend what to see on our yachting vacation?

Each inquiry is special, and we know that it comes from individuals who have their own unique travel tastes, interests, and expectations. We are happy to create a tailor-made yacht itinerary for you based on your preferences with our recommendations for what to see, whether you’re interested in historical sites and natural wonders, or fond of great wine & culinary delights. We have been working with charter yachts in the Mediterranean since 1995, and are happy to share the breadth of our knowledge and the depth of our imagination, as gained over the years.

Is a yacht charter much more expensive than renting a hotel?

Nowadays, the privilege of renting a crewed yacht belongs not only to people with a high disposable income! Chartering a gulet or any other boat has become an affordable luxury. It is true that a luxury hotel vacation for 12 guests is on par, in some cases, with hiring a boat. However, staying in a hotel for a week can’t be compared with a yacht vacation. In those seven days, you collect so many experiences, that you’d need a month to live the same ones out while on shore. The number of yachts is growing worldwide, and so is the supply of charter boats in different cruising grounds. Yachts now come equipped with water toys, and often there’s a Jacuzzi, a bar, your own “beach club”, a lounging zone for cocktail hour and a quiet spot in the shade for snoozing after a refreshing swim. Extra comfort doesn’t always mean higher rates. Booking a yacht in advance may save you a minimum of 5% on the listed charter price. Every day you’ll get to see new towns, scenery, people, and beautiful bays without the need for packing and unpacking your suitcases... and without the need for spending hours on the road. Just imagine how great it is to be on vacation and free from such cares! In the world of Mediterranean yacht charter you have the opportunity to experience the ultimate in freedom and possibly, the wildest of adventures. For a more detailed answer to this important question, please read our Blog article, “Why renting a yacht is much better than staying in one hotel for a week”.

Can we rent a crewed yacht only for one day?

The duration of a classic yacht charter is one week. It is possible to hire a gulet for as long as a month or two. However, when it comes to yacht rental for a single day, it is more of a challenge to find such a vessel. And yet, anything is possible. Our gulet experts have a list of boats whose owners agree to give their vessels out for single day rent. Such cruises are popular when guests stay in luxury hotels but still dream of spending a nice day out on a yacht surrounded by the beauty of nature.

What to wear during a yachting vacation?

There are no real guidelines as to which clothes to pack for wearing on onboard. Usually the atmosphere is very relaxed and laid back when you’re on a yachting vacation and so several swimsuits, comfortable t-shirts, shorts, and summer dresses will do the job. However, if you plan to celebrate a special event while on your yacht or go out to dinner ashore, you would be advised to pack a favorite outfit or two -- or go shopping and buy a beautiful, new wearable souvenir when you’re in port!. Of importance to those considering cruising in May or September and October, is to bring one or two warmer, long-sleeved shirts or a jacket to pair with some trousers for early morning and for night time. If you are heading out to the islands, you may like to bring a light windcheater and a pair of long pants with you in case it gets windy or you are one who feels the chill first thing in the morning.

Is scuba diving allowed during a yacht cruise?

When it comes to scuba diving during a yacht charter in the Eastern Mediterranean, this activity is generally only permitted in the company of a professional dive crew who welcome you aboard their own fully-equipped dive boat. Classed by some as a high-risk activity, even if you are an experienced diver, you will have to adhere tp local regulations and have your captain organise what is known as rendezvous diving. The dive boat pulls up alongside your charter vessel or alternatively, your crew may take you by tender boat to a set locale where you will attend to some paperwork before proceeding to dive in the company of dive masters -- as well as other divers who are part of this dive trip – unless you have organised a private dive trip. So just to reiterate, government regulations ensure that you’re in safe hands and also that you are accompanies at all times when diving over antiquities. There are areas along the Tyurkish coast that are well protected as they are “underwater museums” and scuba diving, in such areas without the supervision of a government-registered dive masters is strictly prohibited.

What is included in the charter price of renting a gulet?

Each yacht has its own pricing terms and conditions. There are gulets with all-inclusive rates that exclude only import drinks and customs formalities outside of their usual cruising ground. There are also cases where a charterer pays for all expenses and any VAT applicable in the chosen cruising area. Sometimes a charter rate may include some expenses. In any case, under the profile of each gulet you will clearly see what is included and what is excluded so there will be no hidden expenses whatsoever.

Here’s an example of what’s usually included in the price of Turkish gulets:

“All running expenses of the yacht, crew's wages, fuel for an average of 4 hours cruising per day, ship's laundry, free use of onboard watersports and recreational equipment, all taxes and harbour expenses.”

Here’s an example of what’s sometimes included in the price of Croatian gulets:

“Shipboard accommodation, fuel for main engine and generators, unlimited cruising hours, ports and marinas taxes/fees, permits, sojourn taxes, insurance, Croatian 13% VAT, unlimited use of A/C, welcome drink and a welcome aboard dinner on the first night, general use of the yacht’s tender as water sports useage, water toys, underwater scooter, Wi-Fi, room service, use of bathrobe and cabin slippers, linen and towels, all cleaning, crew salaries.”

What is excluded from the charter price of renting a gulet?

Each gulet has its own terms and conditions, and these will also specify what’s excluded from the charter rate. When you search for yachts on our website, you can see clearly what’s excluded from the listed price. Usually, charterers are required to pay VAT in the country where they will cruise as well as such expenses as fuel, food, beverages, private marina fees, and customs formalities – which will certainly apply if, for example, you choose to cruise from Turkey to Greece and back again. In order to have a clearer image, here are two examples of “excluded items”.

For some Turkish gulets:

“All meals and drinks, fuel for motor-operated equipment, all land tours. All Greek formalities and taxes are extra for charters which include visits to Greek islands.”

For some Croatian gulets:

“Food and beverages options, entry costs for national parks, transfers to and fromthe yacht / hotel / airport, shore excursions, local area activities such as scuba diving, big game fishing, rafting and guided land tours, jet ski use, laundry service, gratuity / tips for the crew. Food options: Half board is mandatory. Half board price: 350 EUR/pax/week (breakfast + lunch or dinner). Full board price: 600 EUR/pax/week (breakfast + lunch + dinner). Extra dinner: 40 Euro per person, payable at the end of the charter. Drinks/beverages included in all drinks options are water and sparkling water, tea and coffee during all day, juices during breakfast time and a welcome drink upon embarkation. Drinks/beverages must be taken at the yacht bar and paid according to consumption at the end of the charter. Bringing drinks aboard is not permitted unless some of the “all-inclusive” drink option is purchased. An all-inclusive alcohol package is available at cost of EUR 250/person/week. An all-inclusive non-alcoholic beverages option is available at a cost of EUR 125/person/week. An all-inclusive alcoholic beverages package includes: Croatian drinks and beverages such as wine, beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, foreign spirits (Red Label whiskey, Bacardi or Captain Morgan rum, Bombay or Tanqueray gin, Absolute or Smirnoff, vodka Sierra or similar tequila). If the all-inclusive option is taken, please note that it includes Croatian quality wine and beer from the standard boat bar offer. Specially ordered wines, premium wines, Champagne, foreign spirits and foreign drinks are all available at additional cost. Children 0-2 years: free of charge. Children 2-10 years: 50% discount.”

What is a Delivery fee?

The Delivery Fee is paid if you choose to board a yacht in a port other than its base port. For example, should you see a charter gulet available for rent out of Dubrovnik in Croatia, and yet wish to start your cruise from Split, it is likely that you will have to cover the cost of delivering the yacht from its home port of Dubrovnik to your chosen port of Split – which is basically just a fuel cost plus the cost of engaging the services of the crew. If the idea of this “delivery fee” does not appeal to you, we would recommend that you search for alternative vessels. Oftentimes, charterers are willing to pay a delivery and a re-delivery fee if they wish to sail beyond the standard cruising area aboard one specific gulet. There are also cases in which there is no need to pay any delivery fee at all, namely where a yacht’s owner accepts embarkation from several different ports that are more or less close to each other. For example, some gulets in Turkey fall into this category. In this case, you may be able to choose to embark in Gocek, Marmaris, or Bodrum without any additional fee for delivery.

What is the APA?

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is a sum of money that is allocated to the captain of the yacht ahead of your cruise so that he or she can purchase key provisioning in advance (food & drinks, and fuel for the charter). Generally, it is 15-30% of the total charter fee. The captain will also use the money to cover port and harbour fees during the cruise, and anything miscellaneous expenses that are incurred beyond what is ordinarily included in the charter rate. The master tallies the expenses, keeping all receipts and will invite you to check the account at any time during the charter. At the end of your yachting holiday the captain will provide you with a fully itemised account of charter-related expenditure together with receipts. Should any funds remain at the end of the charter, the captain will ensure that this is refunded to you. Conversely, you as the charterer will be asked to cover any outstanding expenses if the APA amount fell short.

Do I need to pay you anything for your services?

This yacht charter company charges its clients only the amount for chartering a yacht and if guests book any additional services during their vacation, such as transfers or land excursions, we won’t charge anything for creating these bookings either. Our service fee is already built into the charterhire fee and includes a thorough yacht search, sending you a selection of boats to rent, creating a customised itinerary and making recommendations for places to see and visit.