Here you will find the most frequently asked questions and the answers on yacht charters from Turkey and Greece. In addition to the questions and answers below, we would like to suggest that you also visit our Blog pages for more questions, answers and other information related to blue cruise holidays.
Transfers
Which Airports Serve Which Harbors : Transfers In Turkey And Greece?
Airports that serve Southern Turkey for Blue Cruise Holiday Transfers are as follows:
Bodrum harbor is accessed from Bodrum-Milas International Airport (transfer time 30 minutes)
Marmaris harbor is accessed from Dalaman International Airport (transfer time 1.5 hours)
Gocek harbor is accessed from Dalaman International Airport (transfer time 20 minutes)
Fethiye harbor is accessed from Dalaman International Airport (transfer time 45 minutes)
Antalya harbor is accessed from Antalya International Airport (transfer time 30 minutes)
For guests who have decided to embark or disembark from a Greek Island harbor, Rhodes and Kos Islands are the closest to Turkish ports to delivery or re-deliver a gulet.
Rhodes harbor is accessed from Rhodes International Airport (transfer time 20 minutes)
Kos harbor is accessed from Kos International Airport (transfer time 20 minutes)
When you have decided to start or finish your blue cruise from either Greece island, please keep in mind that the transit log, harbor fees in Greek waters and the agency service fees are an extra cost.
Do You Arrange Airport Transfers?
Yes. We work in cooperation with in cooperation with a certified transfer company that offers private airport transfer services. Airport transfer fees are not included in the rental price of the yachts. However we include the airport transfer fees in Luxury, Deluxe, High or Ultra Deluxe and VIP private gulet and motor yacht rentals.
Food & Beverages
How Does Ordering Drinks Work (Turkey)?
In preparation for your boat charter holidays in Turkey; there are a few options to consider for provisioning your boat. One set of options relates to boat charters with soft drinks, alcohol or both included, while the other set is that these items are extras. Generally Turkish boat charters are at most times offered without these included in the charter price.
Can We Bring Our Own Drinks On Board?
For private yacht charters your are permitted to bring your own drinks on board if you wish for gulet charters in Turkey or from Turkey in Greek waters charters. However with nearly all boats in Croatia, guests must purchase from the bar on the boat at the bar list prices; and if you do bring on board your own drinks, there is a corkage fee.
For yacht cabin charter holidays you are not allowed to bring drinks on board. However you are more than welcome to purchase beverages from the bar aboard the yacht.
Can You Cater To Special Diets?
We can cater to all kinds of special menus for Private Yacht Rental. In cabin charter cruises we can serve an alternative menu for vegetarians as well. Please let you charter agent know in advance what your special requirements for food and food preparation are so that we can organize your blue cruise meals accordingly.
If We Want To Have Our Own Grocery List, When Does This Have To Be Paid?
When you send us your list of groceries for your Private Yacht Charter, we will tally up what it will cost you and send you the amount. This amount must be paid along with your first payment or before you embark on the gulet. Once it is paid in full, the items will be purchased on your behalf by our staff and loaded on to the boat prior to your arrival or on the first day.
Is It Mandatory To Choose A Blue Cruise Menu Or Can I Have My Own Grocery List?
Private Charters allow you the freedom to choose either from our Blue Cruise menus or you can send us a grocery list with all the items you wish to have on board prior to your departure. Normally most global brand names can be found in Turkey. If they can’t be found, an equivalent item will be chosen instead. When sending your list, please include your soft drinks, alcohol and mixers.Yacht Cabin Charters provide a set menu for the guests on board. However if you do have any particular allergies, please notify us so that we can inform the chef to prepare accordingly.
Rules on Board
What Are The Rules On Board A Charter Yacht Or Gulet?
- Please do not wear shoes on board.
- Please use the water sparingly.
- Please switch off the lights when not in use.
- Please do not use your cabin towels on deck or on the shore.
- Please do not smoke in the cabins.
- Please do not throw anything overboard.
- Please do not swim before the engine stops or under the influence of alcohol.
- Only flush natural waste down the toilet, please put toilet papers in the bin.
- Life jackets are in cabins only for emergency use.
- Please show consideration to others by keeping the noise level down at night.
- Please be careful with the deck is wet.
- Above all, enjoy the beautiful scenery, clear blue waters and fantastic weather to make this your most memorable holiday!
Am I Allowed To Bring My Pet On Board?
Yachts do not permit guests to bring pets on board for several reasons. The crew is required to maintain rigid cleanliness standards for all their guests. There is a potential of allergens from animals remaining aboard. Animals are typically not accustomed to the strict confinement of a ship and an active cruising itinerary can be quite uncomfortable for pets. Just like humans, animals can also be sensitive to the effects of motion and may become disoriented and lethargic.
Is Smoking Permitted On Board?
Smoking is not permitted inside the yachts for safety reasons, as well as for the comfort of present and future guests. If you are a smoker, you are welcome to smoke on deck.
Are You Required To Have Sailing Qualifications?
For skippered, crewed yacht rentals, both private and cabin; no qualifications are required. For skippered charter holidays, you can assist in handling the yacht according to the skipper’s instructions or simply sit back and relax.
Technical
How Much Air Conditioning Are We Allowed?
Considering that there are literally over a thousand gulets for charter, each and every one is equipped with different equipment and machinery. As such when it comes to air conditioning, some gulets will provide 4 hours while others may provide nearly 24 hour air conditioning capability.
Is There Internet On Board Gulets?
Nowadays most luxury and higher standard gulets will have wi-fi internet on board during your gulet holidays. This service is obtained from different mobile providers in the respective country.
What Is The Voltage Available On Board?
All yachts offer 220 volts. Should you require 110 volts, please inform us in advance in order to add an adapter so that you may charge your devices.
Itinerary / Destinations / Ports
When does the yacht charter tour begin?
All charters begin at 3:00 – 5:00 pm on the day of your departure, and end on the 8th day, after breakfast, around 08:30 – 10:30 am on the day of your arrival to the harbor.
The time in between 08:30 – 10:30 am and 3:00 – 5:00 pm ensures that the yachts are ready for their next guests who will be boarding the yacht for their yacht cruise holiday.
However should you arrive early, you are welcome to leave your luggage in our office until it is time to board your private yacht charter. Or if the boat is available while doing the cleaning and provisioning, it can all be stored on board, until it’s time to embark.
Is it possible to plan our own itinerary?
Yes it is possible to plan your own itinerary for Private Yacht Rentals. However it is not possible in Cabin Charters. Please keep in mind that we will do our utmost to accommodate your requirements, provided the weather and other conditions permit. After deciding on your itinerary, should you wish to make changes during your yacht holiday, speak with your captain to discuss the changes. You may wish to stay in one place longer or shorter than another. The captain is responsible for the safety of the guests and crew therefore, if it is feasible, then of course it can be done. The captain has the final say.
Do we visit the Greek Islands?
This depends on your itinerary. An itinerary that includes the Greek Islands can be planned. Please keep in mind that Greek harbor fees and duties are not included in the price of the private yacht rentals. This fee is paid upon entering Greek waters.
What Limitations Are There In Itineraries?
There are always limitations to how much area you can cover in a holiday. However you can still satisfy your travel requirements by how you evaluate the route and itinerary – and still see all or most, or some of the places you intend on visiting. READ MORE HERE
Is it possible to embark and disembark from different locations?
This may be possible, except in cabin charters. However you might be charged an additional fee. The cost of this fee varies and based on the distance between the two harbors. Please ask us for further information.
Why Do We Arrive In The Harbor The Night Before Disembarkation?
During the high season in Southern Turkey, the harbors are filled up most of the time from the night before you disembark. There is just not enough room for all boats to moor in the municipal ports. Therefore, boats will prefer to arrive to the harbor where you will be disembarking – the night before you leave the boat in order to secure a spot so that your departure is done in a timely manner.
Also, the boats need time to get the boat prepared and provisioned for the following tour (as they did for your trip). Hence leaving the arrival to the port to the next morning may cause a delay for your disembarkation and preparation of the boat. This has been known to delay 2 – 4 hours. However if you choose to arrive to the harbor during the early morning hours of day of disembarkation, the service tender can be provided to bring you and your guests to shore as well so that you do not have to wait and also allows the boat to begin cleaning up for their next group of guests.
How Long Is Customs Formalities In Turkey To Enter Greek Waters?
This depends on the time of year, and cannot be exactly predictable. The time in which it takes to complete customs formalities in Turkey to enter Greece can range from 30 minutes to 2 or 2.5 hours. Generally during high season, such as the month of August, it may take up to 2 hours. Please ask your captain for an estimated time.
Do You Arrange Land Excursions?
For private yacht rentals, please let us know in advance, your interest in land excursions and which one(s) so that we can incorporate it into your itinerary or make it available. Some excursions may require a fee. In cabin charter tours there are additional tour organizations which are subject to extra rates, other than your cabin charter fee.
What Sort Of Things Can You Do On A Yacht Charter Vacation?
There are many things that you can do on a private yacht or cabin charter holiday. Sunbathe, shop, surf, use the water toys available or hire them at any one of the bays that offer them. You can take in plenty of fresh air, enjoy the scenery, eat, explore on land, visit night clubs or restaurants, fish, read, drink, dance, swim, relax, visit ancient cities and architectural sites and museums, bays, harbors, private coves, sing, take plenty of photos and videos, make new friends or just be on your own.
Can return trip itineraries be one way only?
For private yacht hire vacations, it is dependent on the yacht owner or captain in charge. We would have to ask either one of them first before confirming that a trip can be one way.
However for yacht cabin charter trips, it cannot be a one way route as these types of trips are pre-planned in advance.
What is it like on a gulet cruise?
Gulet cruises are wonderful holiday experiences at sea. The gulets cruise for three to four hours a day to give you a chance to stop at places for necessities or excursions. Unlike bareboats, gulets are motorsailers therefore they are not always sailing. They run on both sails and engines, but mostly on their engines. They sail when the winds are right and also for 2 to 3 days out of your weeks holiday for a few hours of that day. The remaining time it is powered on diesel and hence it cruises. Gulets cannot sail each day of the week during the whole holiday as it will not leave enough time to fullfil your gulet cruise.
What is the difference between the gulet classifications?
tandard / Economic Class Gulets: This category of gulets offer the same features as all other gulets however with economic standards. Each cabin is equipped with a private en suite (WC and shower). There is no A/C provided on these gulets.
Luxury Class Gulets: The gulets in this class are in between Standard and Deluxe classes, in design and comfort and offer air conditioners throughout.
Deluxe Class Gulets: The gulets in this category are superb gulets with luxurious interior design and fully air conditioned. They provide spacious and quite comfortable cabins. The decks are rathe wide and beamy.
High Deluxe / VIP Class Gulets: These gulets have even bigger and more luxurious standards than the Deluxe Class. All cabins offer satellite TV, music players, private en suites with wc and enclosed showers. Some even have jacuzzis on deck and/or in the VIP and Master cabins.
Health & Safety
Will I Experience Seasickness?
This is a situation that is difficult to know, as each guest is different than the other. However if you are concerned about seasickness, please check with your local pharmacist or physician for advice and medication. Please let the crew know as well if you are aware of that you do experience seasickness. They will do their best to try and make the cruise as comfortable as possible for you.
Weather
Is A/C Needed In September Or October?
If you are planning on a gulet charter holiday in Turkey during the months of September and October, or even April, May and the first half of June, you may not really need the air conditioning. The temperatures are a bit lower than the summer months, humidity levels drop if not altogether gone. There is a nice breeze, and after the sun goes down, some travelers choose to wear long-sleeved shirts when outside on the deck.
What Is The Weather Like?
In April, May and October you will find that it is the most comfortable time of the year. The temperatures range from 20° to 26° celcius, and slightly cooler in the evenings or late at night.
Temperatures during June, July and August are quite high. They range from 30° to 40° + celcius. The highest degree is in mid July.
Equipment
Can We Bring Along Our Own Snorkeling And Scuba Equipment?
You are welcome to bring your own personal snorkeling equipment if you choose to. There are usually masks and flippers on board. However there is a chance that they may not be the right size.
Scuba diving equipment is not advisable unless you have booked a scuba diving holiday with us. Not all regions in the Mediterranean and Aegean are suitable for diving and therefore prohibited.
Crew
Do The Crews Speak English On Board?
When it comes to gulets in Turkey, there can be limitations. These limitations can be an issue in communication, depending on the degree of English that is required to be spoken on board the boats, between the crew and the guests. Travelers can get by with the simplest of communication with the crews of gulets – many do. However anything further requires better knowledge of English from the crew member(s), and this is only possible based on the request or the class of gulet. To employ a very good English speaking crew member or members means for the boat owner, much higher costs in wages. As such this is reflected in the value of a gulet charter.
How many crew members are aboard the yacht?
his depends on the size of the yacht. Generally;
4 cabin yachts have 2 crew members, or more depending on the standard of gulet.
6 – 7 cabin yachts have 3 – 6, sometimes 7 crew members,
more than 8 cabin yachts, will have 4 to 6, or up to 8 crew members on board.
But in High or Ultra Deluxe and VIP yachts, there is generally more crew on board and less cabin count.
Crew Gratuity
Crew gratuity is both customary and discretionary. 5% – 10% of the base charter fee is usually the norm; however it is totally left to your discretion. Gratuity is not mandatory. It is usually given to the captain at the end of the charter and then divided equally among the crew members. However you may wish to distribute the gratuity personally to each crew member instead of handing it over to the captain.
Passengers
What Is This 12 Person Limitation For Greece From Turkey?
There is a limitation with many of the high capacity gulets for travelling in Greek waters. Even if a gulet provides a legal capacity of 12, 14, 16, 18, and higher; some of these boats cannot carry more than 12 passengers in Greece. READ MORE HERE
Are Children Under The Age Of 2 Permitted On Board Yacht Rentals?
Children under the age of 2 are permitted to be on board private yacht rentals. However, children under the age of 2 are not permitted on board for yacht cabin charters.
What should I bring with me for the cruise?
This is up to you. However you could bring at least 2 swimming suits, high protection sun lotion, a cap or hat of some style, chap stick, camera, video camera, beach towel(s), personal towels – although towels will be provided on board, located in your cabins. You might also like to bring a book or two to read, magazines, small portable music player with ear phones, a dairy or journal to record memories from your yacht cruise holiday.
Guests are not allowed to wear shoes on board. However you might like to bring sandals or flip flops, sneakers or walking shoes for when you are on land.
Do I need insurance?
Your charter agreement will detail insurance provisions: the yacht remains insured by the owner during your charter, however we advise all guests to consider Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance. You may also wish to consider Personal Accident or Medical Insurance plus Personal Effects Insurance, which is generally not included in the charter fee.
Chartering & Services
After confirming my yacht rental holiday, how long do I have to make the first payment?
The first payment is due within 5 business days. However, a bank wire statement must be scanned and emailed to us within 24 hours of your email confirmation to reserve the yacht or cabin; so that we know to inform the gulet owner / captain or cabin fleet operator that the funds are on the way in order to make your reservation. This reservation is ONLY a preliminary procedure and does NOT confirm your gulet, yacht or your cabin until the funds arrive in our bank account.
Do we have to pay in Euros?
This depends on the owner of the yacht. But generally if you prefer to pay in USD or GBP, it would be the equivalent based on the exchange rate that day. Also if you are wiring funds other than Euros, please let us know in advance as banks do not convert currencies.
If you are sending GBP, then your funds must be wired to our GBP account. If you mistakenly wire GBP to our Euro account, the Turkish bank will not accept it and most likely the funds will be returned to your account. This also causes loss in time should you wire on the week of your trip. All final payments must be made prior to the date of your trip.
Complaints
During your cruise, if you or your guests encounter unexpected issues, then is the time to confront them and NOT after your cruise is over. Have a complaint? Let your agent and / or your captain know about it right away. READ MORE HERE
What is included in the yacht rental price?
Private Gulet Charter:
Harbour taxes in Turkey
Mooring fees in Turkish waters
Yacht insurance
Diesel
Laundry (linen)
Usage of water
24 hour crew service
Use of water toys and AV equipment on board
Cabin Charter:
Full board accommodation for a week on a gulet
Welcome cocktail
Full or Half Board Menus
Use of equipment on board
Diesel
Crew service
Yacht insurance
Laundry
Harbour taxes in Turkey
Mooring expenses in Turkish waters
Transitlog
What's not included in the yacht rental price?
Besides the cost to rent a private yacht there are some other fees that are not included in the rental price.
Private Gulet Charter
Harbor taxes and mooring fees in Greek waters.
Private Marina fees are NOT included in Turkey and Greece. Please ask the captain when moored if there are any private marina fees during your holidays.
The meals, soft drinks, drinking water, alcoholic beverages, land excursions and airport transfers.
Cabin Charters
Soft drinks, drinking water and alcoholic beverages. These can be purchase aboard the yacht at the bar.
Land excursions and airport transfers are also extra.