Let’s Be A Little Honest About Gulets and Cruises
Compared to hiring a motor yacht, gulets are a whole lot different. With motor yachts, you generally know exactly what you are chartering. Whereas in gulets, it’s not exactly as such. There are so many kinds of gulets. Unlike motor yachts, where most have brand names, gulets do not. They come in various sizes, standards, prices, crews, designs, and comfort levels.

Budget Considerations for Your Gulet Holiday
The first thing you should focus on when deciding to book a gulet holiday is your budget. If how much you are willing to spend on your trip is known, then a gulet is “fitted” according to this—along with a few other criteria—but budget comes first.

There is a limit to the value of a discount in gulet rentals. How much you can get the price dropped depends on the owner of the boat as well as the agent. While the boat owner may have a rock-bottom or lowest standard price, the agent may have the negotiating power to get the price as close to that “standard price” without compromising the services and facility standards existent on the gulet.

However, if the discount goes lower than what is realistically possible, there is no choice but to compromise. Logically, this goes for any other type of holiday, as there are expenses that need to be met to provide satisfactory or higher-level standards for your gulet cruise.

Pricing and Compromise in Gulet Cruises
You may have already had a few good gulet holiday experiences. Maybe at one time, you even had the “rock-bottom” price. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it can happen again. This depends on circumstances at the time. It could be that it was a last-minute booking, and the gulet owner did not wish to leave that booking week empty for their boat.

If you were to book a gulet with a capacity of 12 for 2.000 Euros with meals included per day, you can expect a few minor inadequacies. However, the services provided by the local (very local) crew, possibly a family-run business, will be there with care and attention to make you feel comfortable. This is often more important than the minor inadequacies. The local crew will do their utmost to make you happy and cook the best local meals for you and your guests. They may not speak very good English but will try their best to communicate and cater to your needs and requirements. The cabins will be basic and perhaps slightly smaller, but the linen and towels will be clean, as will the boat.

Higher Standards with Increased Budget
On the other hand, if you pay a bit more, you can expect a different level of standards on a gulet as well as a more highly service-qualified, non-family crew on board. There is a big difference between paying 1,500 Euros a day, 2,500 Euros a day, or 5.000 Euros a day or higher on a private gulet charter. The saying “you get what you pay for” holds true. The “without compromise” approach means that the local crew will do their best to serve you and your guests, the boat will be clean, and you will see all the beautiful destinations available for your trip.

However, there may still be some areas lacking, which shouldn’t affect your holiday. You are out at sea, there to relax and have fun. Gulets will be gulets. Locals will be locals. Everything is put together—tailored for you—with exceptions for some standards based on budget, availability, time of year, and preferences.

Bodrum main port at sunrise
Role of a Gulet Charter Agent
In the end, a gulet charter agent is there to help, provide answers to all of your questions, and give you as much information as possible to help you understand your trip. The more questions you ask and the more information you read, the better you will understand the honest parts of gulet cruises.
Addressing Issues During Your Cruise
Lastly, not all cruises can be perfect—no matter how hard an agent or crew tries. If, during your gulet cruise, you have issues or concerns that do not please you and are not part of your agreement, it is best to mention them to either the crew or your agent at the time rather than waiting until the end of the trip. It is easier to deal with an issue while it is fresh. This approach prevents the issue from continuing and helps address it promptly.