Q&A - Crewed trips (with cook)

Food & Drinks

+How does it work with meal preparation?

In terms of food and meals the crew will arrange everything for you.

Prior to your trip we send out a food preference sheet to capture your favorites, things to avoid, dietary restrictions or allergies, special occasions, anniversaries, surprises and anything you wish us to assist you with during your cruise. Your cook would then arrange your provisioning and prepare the meals daily, ensuring you are focused on enjoying the trip.

They will also be purchasing ingredients from the island markets along the way in order to ensure everything is fresh and local.

Although we can arrange the possibility of having more than 2 meals onboard we encourage you to try venturing onto the islands you are visiting. This way you can enjoy a meal with the locals, experiencing the different flavors, cuisine and culture in each location you visit. Of course, if one day you prefer to relax onboard your cook will also prepare a dinner onboard for you.

+How do we arrange provisioning?

In regards to the provisioning your crew will arrange all necessary items. All you have to do is tell us what you likes/dislikes. Prior to you trip a preference sheet will be sent out for you to inform us of all your favorite things, what things to avoid, if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies, as well as any special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. Your cook would then arrange your provisioning and prepare the meals daily, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip. They will also be purchasing ingredients from the island markets along the way in order to ensure everything is fresh and local. For dinners, we highly recommend venturing onto the islands you are visiting.

 

 

 

+We have some food allergies will this be a problem?

Not at all! We can handle dietary restrictions/allergies. Prior to you trip a preference sheet will be sent out for you to inform us if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies which your hostess/cook will be sure to be aware of when preparing meals.

+What type of meals can we expect to have onboard?

Prior to your trip we send out a food preference sheet to capture your favorites, things to avoid, dietary restrictions or allergies, special occasions, anniversaries, surprises and anything you wish us to assist you with during your cruise.

Your cook would then arrange your provisioning and prepare 2 meals daily (breakfasts and lunches), ensuring you are focused on enjoying the trip. She will also be purchasing ingredients from the island markets along the way in order to ensure everything is fresh and local. We encourage you to have 2 meals onboard (breakfast and lunch) along with snacks, drinks and anything else you may require throughout the day. For dinners, we highly recommend venturing onto the islands you are visiting. This way you can enjoy a meal with the locals, experiencing the different flavors, cuisine and culture in each location you visit. Of course, if you wish to overnight away from port your cook will also prepare a dinner onboard for you.

 

 

+Can we order drinks?

Of course you can! In accordance to the drinks you have stated your preference for, you hostess/host will have all onboard the day of your arrival.

 

+Do you organize surprises in special occasions upon request?

Yes, upon request we can accomodate special occasions, anniversaries, surprises and anything you wish us to assist you with during your cruise.

+Can we request Ice? How do we get ice onboard?

Yes of course you can. Your crew will take care of that no problem!

 

+How many meals do you suggest per day?

We encourage our guests to have 2 major meals per day onboard, for instance breakfast, lunch, and snacks which will be prepared with love and care from your hostess. However when looking to enjoy supper or dinner we strongly advise our guest to venture onto the islands in order to experience Greek culture, feel the island vibes, and fantastic atmosphere. If one day you overnight away from port then the hostess/cook will of course prepare a dinner also, for you

+Is there a suggested/sample menu we can review?

Yes of course! Please contact one of our agents in order to send you what the chef suggests as a weekly menu for the particular season!

+How many meals does a hostess prepare per day?

Your hostess/cook can prepare 2 major meals per day onboard, (breakfast and lunch) and snacks along with drinks and anything you may require. However when looking to enjoy supper or dinner we strongly advise our guest to venture onto the islands in order to experience Greek culture, feel the island vibes, and fantastic atmosphere.

General Questions on costs

+How does it work with the fuel? How do we know how much we used?

Very simple, just like a rental car. You get onboard and the fuel tank is full. Upon your arrival there is a diesel track from the marina that refills the boat and you pay them directly (payment is possible with credit card as well). So, you start with full tank and you refill upon arrival.

Please note that fuel consumption varies from one boat to the other, if there is one or two engines, if you have a generator onboard and you will be using air conditioning, the weather at the time of your arrival etc. You may ask more information regarding the estimate regarding the specific boat you are interested in

+What are the extra costs we should expect apart from the yacht price?

In order to plan an accurate budget you should consider the following costs apart from the boat price:

  • The cost of the skipper is extra and would be 190 Euros/day, i.e. 1330 Euros/week plus his food provisioning (very minor)
  • The cost of the hostess (optional) is extra and would be 190 Euros/day, i.e. 1330 Euros/week plus her food provisioning (very minor
  • The fuel for the whole week would vary according to the weather but would be around 200 -500 liters (you take full you refill upon return) with 2023 prices (which are high because of the global increase) around 400 - 1000 Euros for the whole week
  • The end cleaning/transit log fee approx. 300 Euros
  • The cost of the marinas would be very minor around 20-40 Euros (may be 10 or may be 30 Euros depending on the marina). In 2023 we have been reported that there are specific ports that may be priced a bit higher (Mykonos or Naxos for example) still however prices are in that region
  • The provisioning lies up to you according what you wish to have onboard – your hostess will take care of the shopping according to your preferences and will make sure everything is onboard upon your arrival

+Are the yachts insured?

Yes of course, all our yachts are insured

+What is you cancellation policy?

Any change in dates, destination or yacht type is considered a cancellation.
We recommend trip cancellation insurance.
Cancellations received up to 60 days before the trip are not refundable unless the yacht can rebooked and are subject to a fee. Cancellations inside of 60 days are non-refundable

+Is there a travel insurance you recommend us to buy?

We do not recommend a specific travel insurance provider. Each country has different benefits according to the country of the customer to be insured. We suggest for all of our guests to get a trip cancellation insurance. In an unfortunate event that you are not able to visit Greece, you will have the chance to get a refund by the insurance agency according to the selected insurance conditions. Trip cancellations are not insured by us and we cannot offer this insurance (since we are not insurance agency). We can provide however any documentation that may be required by your insurance agency for you to insure your sailing trip.

+Are prices listed per person or for the whole boat?

Prices listed online refer to the whole boat and not per person!

+Are prices listed per day or per week?

Prices listed refer to the cost of the whole week and not per day:)

+Is food included in the boat price?

No, meals are not included in the price listed. As it is a fully customized trip, the cost of provisioning depends on your personal preferences. As you may understand, it impossible for us to know each guests personal needs and how much they may consume during their trip.

This truly relies on each guest’s wants and desires. What we can say is that the supermarkets in Greece remain fairly inexpensive, with reasonable prices in all markets, especially in comparison to many other countries in the EU. Our hostesses are not inclined to over purchasing items at the start of your trip, instead they purchase fresh and local products in order to avoid unnecessary cost or unused products being left behind. You will also always be provided with a detailed analysis of all the expenses incurred during the duration of your cruise.

Itinerary

+Where do your boats sail to?

The 2 major regions that can be visited are the Cyclades and Saronic Gulf.

In the Cyclades one can expect little white washed homes, churches, and blue window frames all authentic to Cyclades architecture. All known for their excellent beaches, cuisines, as well as rich history and culture, a region which includes islands such as Mykonos, Paros, and Milos. This region is also known for its erratic weather and high winds.

On the other hand we have the Saronic Islands with their own unique culture— more European in appearance, amazing food, and rich with sites to visit and explore. When weather can be a challenge, the Saronic offers the advantage of less sailing hours from one island to the other, as well as much calmer seas.

Both regions have much to offer and planning your ideal route is dependent on the hours you would like to sail per day, what types of sites or activities you wish to pursue and the overall length of your sailing trip. All of this will be discussed with your captain when planning your itinerary. And, since we cannot control the weather, we take that into account at all times.

The advantage of beginning your cruise in Athens, is the opportunity to chart your course  according to the weather. Your crew will play a key role in helping to shape your trip. Not only are they dedicated sailing professionals but also your hosts on the Greek Islands. They can share the best places to explore, dine, and adventure - working with you to customize your experience accordingly. And of course your comfort and safety are always their number one priority.

Setting a comfortable pace/hours of sailing per day is another key factor for a successful sailing trip. Islands may appear close when viewing them on a map but winds and other factors can make this deceiving. Your captain can help you craft an itinerary that will maximize your time seeing the things you wish to see while striking a balance with your sailing, always having as a main focus an overall pleasant experience. Our friendly suggestion would be to focus on enjoying yourself and savoring the moment when exploring the beautiful locations our lovely country has to offer. Rather than stressing to reach as many islands as possible or putting stress on your itinerary to reach specific and long distance locations.

 

+How do we select the itinerary?

Regarding your itinerary we offer a fully customizable sailing cruise. We plan a route according to our guests preferences (meaning how familiar they are with sailing, the type of vacation they seek, how many hours they would enjoy sailing per day, if they love sightseeing and many others) and according to the weather as well at the time of your arrival-we would never take our guests somewhere that would be unpleasant due to the weather conditions. In general we try to provide vacation that is pleasant, relaxing and an experience to remember. Therefore we encourage you to share with us some of your preferences and we would propose a tailor made trip based on our professional knowledge.

In terms of choices, If you would prefer to sail to the Cyclades, then you would have numerous selections by starting with KEA which is a sum of Cycladic hill villages, white houses all resulting to a relaxing atmosphere that will welcome you to the first stop in the Cyclades. Syros would be gorgeous combination where the Greek tradition blends with the western civilization while Paros is among the most popular Greek islands, famous for her white marbles and is a combination of a Cycladic architecture and golden sun beaches. Mykonos would be an option as well while in Kythnos you would have the chance to swim in Kolona bay one of the most interesting natural sea bay in Greece.

On the other hand, Saronic gulf, will give you a more relaxed sailing experience, meaning that you would need to travel shorter distances from one island to the other. In addition the possibilities are more likely to have less wind than the Cyclades. This would allow new sailors to be more familiar with sailing (if they are sailing for the first time) and surely to be introduced more calmly on a sailing trip. Regarding your route, you could visit very beautiful places, reserved stone houses, exquisite sites (Spetses Island), secluded beaches (Dhokos bay), turquoise water coves (Ermioni). Unique hiking trails (in Hydra island), booming cuisine (Poros has perfect fish), exclusive archaeological masterpieces (the ancient theater of Palaia Epidavros), as well as Aegina or Methana.

Both of the above suggestions are some of the options we could offer and propose and as I explained previously can be altered according to your preferences.

You can see some sample itineraries under: http://yachtsailing.gr/destinations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+Which islands can you visit starting from Athens?

The 2 major regions that can be visited when beginning your trip from Athens are the Cyclades and Saronic Gulf.

In the Cyclades one can expect little white washed homes, churches, and blue window frames all authentic to Cyclades architecture. All known for their excellent beaches, cuisines, as well as rich history and culture, a region which includes islands such as Mykonos, Paros, and Milos. This region is also known for its erratic weather and high winds.

On the other hand we have the Saronic Islands with their own unique culture— more European in appearance, amazing food, and rich with sites to visit and explore. When weather can be a challenge, the Saronic offers the advantage of less sailing hours from one island to the other, as well as much calmer seas.

Regarding your itinerary we offer a fully customizable sailing cruise. We plan a route according to our guests preferences (meaning how familiar they are with sailing, the type of vacation they seek, how many hours they would enjoy sailing per day, if they love sightseeing and many others) and according to the weather as well at the time of your arrival-we would never take our guests somewhere that would be unpleasant due to the weather conditions. In general we try to provide vacation that is pleasant, relaxing and an experience to remember. Therefore we encourage you to share with us some of your preferences and we would propose a tailor made trip based on our professional knowledge.

+How does weather affect the itinerary?

The most important factor to take into consideration during this type of vacation is level of wind present at the time of your arrival. For this reason Athens is an ideal location to begin your cruise, allowing you to alter and plan your itinerary according to weather forecast during your vacation. Allowing you to head towards the Cyclades if the weather is nice, or visit the hidden gems of the Saronic, which are equally beautiful when you are visiting with a boat. Traveling when the seas are rough can lead to an unpleasant experience which is why we also advise our guests to plan their itinerary upon the day of their arrival. Allowing for a better understanding of the weather conditions present during their trip.

Your crew will play a key role in helping to shape your trip. Not only are they dedicated sailing professionals but also your hosts on the Greek Islands. They can share the best places to explore, dine, and adventure - working with you to customize your experience accordingly. And of course your comfort and safety are always their number one priority.

 

 

+Where do your cruises start and where do they return?

All our cruises begin from and return to Alimos Marina which is located just 30 minutes away from the Athens International Airport. We are also located in close proximity to the city center for anyone who wants to explore the town or see the many sights available in the area.

+When do we plan the itinerary? Can we do it prior to our arrival?

Planning an itinerary prior to your arrival is not an easy task. The reason is that the weather plays a significant role on the overall outcome. It would be good to share with us some of your preferences and we along with your captain will do the rest in order to result a great vacation experience. I understand that there are hundreds of companies out there that promise everything however this is not the way we do business. We would like to be honest in order to meet and exceed your expectations upon arrival:)

+What happens if it is very windy upon arrival?

The advantage of beginning your cruise in Athens, is the opportunity to chart your course  according to the weather even when certain areas might have high winds present. Your crew will play a key role in helping to shape your trip. Not only are they dedicated sailing professionals but also your hosts on the Greek Islands. They can share the best places to explore working with you to customize your experience accordingly. And of course your comfort and safety are always their number one priority.

+When we sail, are we out in the ocean or we can see land?

Most of the time land will be present in the surrounding areas during your sail. It is more of a coastal cruising. There are some cases where you will be out in open sea however most times you are near land.

+What is the furthest island a sailing yacht can reach during your cruise?

There is no limitation in terms of distance when it comes to our sailing cruises. You can go as far as you wish. However, you need to keep in mind that it all comes down on how many hours you would like to sail per day. I understand that when you see the distance on a map this rather looks closer than the actual effort it takes to reach. For example, for Santorini that most of you are probably interested it takes 17 hours to reach and another 17 to return. This as you can imagine is a lot of distance to be covered in a week therefore we do not suggest it. For us a daily sailing time in order to be pleasant and according to the experience of the guests would be from 2.5 to 5-6 hours per day. Of course, this covers a general idea and it would depend on the weather conditions, passengers experience and mood etc. Our advice is to concentrate on the things that you see, the inspiration that you get from the place that you are and don’t focus on the photo you might have seen on the web.

+Can we visit Santorini within a weekly cruise?

Santorini is located 140 miles away from Athens and therefore is quite far to be reached within a week. The meaning of yachting vacation in the Greek islands is to be pleasant and relaxing as well. In order to reach Santorini you would end up sailing many hours per day and we do not consider such a trip as pleasant to be completed in one week. I understand that you want to visit (and you should) this beautiful island but again I would like to mention that this is an island to be visited with a ferry and not with a yacht. In practice, it would be quite hard to enter Santorini marina (that is in the southern part of the island and always so packed and you would need a 40 min drive with a taxi to reach the city). True magic of Santorini lies on the island to our opinion. When it comes to yachting vacation there are equally beautiful islands that someone can visit and experience the real off-the-beaten-track Greek culture and beauty.

I understand that many agents would present everything easy and beautiful but at the end of the day you would face a different plan from the one you are presented initially (in order for you to book with the one who says everything is nice and beautiful). This is not the way however we try to do business.

Our suggestion would be: once you have finished your sailing cruise you could consider visiting Santorini either with a plane (30 min flight, prices around 55-75 Euros/person if you book early) OR take the ferry (4-5 hours cruising prices 45-65 Euros/person). You can spend a couple of days in this wonderful island and this would be a way to see the most of true Greece within 9 days’ time.

+We see a lot of islands on the map and want to see all in one week is this possible?

Greece has more than 2000 islands, as you can imagine it would be impossible to see everything in one week! Our friendly advice would be not to get into this rush of seeing the more possible. This will be made eventually, however our suggestion would be to concentrate on the beauty of the location where you are, live the moment (rather than thinking where to go next) and relax! We will help you, setup an itinerary where you will get the most out of your sailing cruise and enjoy the Greek islands. Of course, each one of u is unique and our preferences differ, this is why our sailing cruises are totally customizable so to fit to the pace each one of us prefers the most.

+Would you recommend hiring a boat from one of the islands of the Cyclades?

We would not recommend hiring a boat from one of the islands of the Cyclades, the reason being these types of trips are highly weather dependant and the Cyclades can be quite windy at times.

Athens however can give you the potential to plan according to the weather, meaning either head towards the Cyclades if the weather is nice or visit the hidden gems of the Saronic, which are equally beautiful when you are visiting with a boat.

In addition, please keep in mind that reaching the islands of the Cyclades with a ferry is not so easy in practice as it may be as an idea. Meaning that in order for someone to pick up a boat in Syros for example, he/she would need to arrive in Athens, take a taxi, head to the port to get into the ferry with all luggage and still reach Syros after many hours compared to his initial arrival in Athens airport.

 

+We want to see Mykonos and Santorini within 1 week. Is this possible?

Not an option that would be possible during a week trip. You need to keep in mind that it all comes down on how many hours you would like to sail per day. I understand that when you see the distance on a map this rather looks closer than the actual effort it takes to reach. For example, for Santorini that most of you are probably interested it takes 17 hours to reach and another 17 to return. This as you can imagine is a lot of distance to be covered in a week therefore we do not suggest it. For us a daily sailing time in order to be pleasant and according to the experience of the guests would be from 2.5 to 5-6 hours per day. Please see our dedicated section for a trip that would include Santorini

+What are your suggestions for a successful itinerary planning?

Seeing as these types of trips are weather dependant we would advise planning your itinerary upon your arrival. Your crew will play a key role in helping to shape your trip. Not only are they dedicated sailing professionals but also your hosts on the Greek Islands. They can share the best places to explore, dine, and adventure - working with you to customize your experience accordingly. And of course your comfort and safety are always their number one priority.

Setting a comfortable pace/hours of sailing per day is another key factor for a successful sailing trip. Islands may appear close when viewing them on a map but winds and other factors can make this deceiving. Your captain can help you craft an itinerary that will maximize your time seeing the things you wish to see while striking a balance with your sailing, always having as a main focus an overall pleasant experience. Our friendly suggestion would be to focus on enjoying yourself and savoring the moment when exploring the beautiful locations our lovely country has to offer. Rather than stressing to reach as many islands as possible or putting stress on your itinerary to reach specific and long distance locations.

Activities on itinerary

+Can we snorkel to the places we anchor?

Absolutely, you will find snorkeling equipment available onboard as well as flippers and masks. Allowing you to enjoy exploring the absolutely gorgeous and pristine waters the Greek Islands have to offer.

+Do people get seasick very often?

This is not a common issue, but if does arise is easily resolved and remedied.

+I get easily seasick, is this type of vacation for me?

Of course your comfort and safety are always our number one priority. From our experience over the years it shouldnt be a problem, and we should be able to remedy or avoid any type of such negative experiences. A key element to avoid getting seasick is the itinerary planning and setting a course to calmer seas!

+Can we stop along the way to scuba dive?

Seeing as you have selected a fully customized style of vacation this is definitely a possibility during your cruise of the Greek Islands. Almost every island will have a diving center available which could offer recommended diving spots and advice when needed.

+Is it possible to overnight away from port?

Of course! and you will be spoilt for options when it come to docking in enchanted bays and secluded private areas in the beautiful Greek Seas.

+Is it possible to stay on an island for more than one day?

Of course this is possible, and seeing as you have selected a vacation style which has the ability to adapt to your desires and preferences you may decide to stay as long as you like in any preferred location. Whether that be a secluded bay, island, or port.

+Do we sail out on the first day?

We do our best for our yachts to be ready around 14.00 and you are more than welcome to visit us in our base at Alimos marina at that time. If you have ordered a provisioning list then all of your provisioning will have already been placed on the yacht. Once you are onboard your skipper will welcome you and familiarize you with the yacht and accommodation. The safety briefing to follow is very important and your skipper will give you safety instructions in order for your trip to be super safe. Afterwards you discuss with him all possible routes and planning regarding your trip, according to your preferences and the weather at the time of your arrival.

That’s it! You start sailing immediately and after some hours you will be swimming to the first bay according to your desired plan. 

 

+I have a friend that arrives a day later can he join the trip?

This is definetly a possibility, however it would be completly up to your discretion how you would want to proceed. You can be in cooperation with your captain in order to plan a suitable meeting spot for your friend to join the rest of the crew.

+How much time do we have to explore the islands?

Seing as this is a fully customized stye of vacation, this would be completely up to you and the rest of the guests present during your cruise.

+What happens if we cannot find a place in a port of an island?

All our captains are experts in finding suitable areas to anchor on the islands. As well as the islands having numerous ports available to those struggling to find a spot in the busier locations. If all else fails you always have the option of using your dinghy to get to land.

+Can you arrange for us a land excursion in the islands?

Although we are not tour operators the option is available, and you will also have the indepth experience of your captain and hostess who may offer their suggestions for excursions or possibly be able to arrange on your behalf.

+How do we practically get on the islands?

You may access the islands from the ports available for docking, or choose to use your dighny to approach land.

+Can we pick up a boat from one of the islands of the Cyclades (Paros, Syros, Kea etc)?

This could be possible however would practically mean the boat would arrive there on Saturday evening (depending on the island) or in some cases Sunday morning. In addition to this a cost of a one way fee would be included to cover the crew’s journey to the island. Lastly one would have to take into consideration the diesel and formalities involved for the boat to get to the island which has been requested. The cost of the reallocation fee )one way fee) is around 1000 Euros

+Are the times listed on your sample itinerary calculated using the sails or the engine?

We have calculated the sailing times according to an average pace either using the sails or the engine. This practically means that if the wind is on our side you can perform a little faster while if the wind is not so strong (or there is no wind) you would eventually motor. Of course, there is the chance to do both simultaneously in case the wind is not so strong to speed up the yacht to pleasant performance. The times you see in our sample itineraries are realistic and cannot be altered to a great extend to our opinion.

Packing & Travel

+What type of luggage should we use? Is there a limitation?

As you can imagine storage on a yacht is limited. It would be good to pack light and ideally to have a soft luggage that can be stored easier onboard.

However there is no limitation when it comes to your luggage. We can give you the option to unpack your things out of the suitcase and into the boat, while we will store your luggage in our warehouse. Upon arrival the following Friday evening we will bring you back your suitcases and you can pack again and you will be ready for disembarkation the following morning.

+Is there anything that we should plan on bringing that people forget?

Every boat is fully equipped for charter. Apart from provisioning, you only need to bring your personal possessions/medications and some recommended items.

Yacht charter is generally an informal and relaxed kind of holiday and dressing in Greece is casual. For clothing bring bathing suits, cotton shorts, T-shirts, an extra sweater and long cotton pants for cool nights and a light full-weather gear for the occasional rainy days. Of course, you might also like to have the option for more formal attire for elegant dining and evening wear. Rubber-sole shoes for a firm grip on slippery decks, to prevent foot injury and to protect the boat's surface is always recommended. Soft luggage instead of bulky space-consuming suitcases is a must since on board storage may be limited. Do bring your own sun block, sunglasses with an anti-ultraviolet coating,a good sun hat, your own beach towels, a beach umbrella and perhaps a 12v mobile phone charger.

We would suggest you to have a look to this link:

http://yachtsailing.gr/blog/articles/sailing-packing-checklist/

+Should I bring with me an adapter to connect to an AC outlet?

All of the boats are equipped with European outlets (220V). We can provide adapters for all kinds of devices. You do not have to bring your own. Guests arriving from the US should check if their device is compatible with this voltage (220V).

+How easy it is to find a laundry in the islands?

Very easy! Just let your captain know and he will advise on where to find the closest laundry facility in the next island along the way.

+Are there ATMs in the islands?

Yes of course. In most of the islands you will find an ATM and withdraw as much cash as you require. There is no limitation, you may withdraw exactly according to the limit you have with your bank.

+How much cash do I need to have with me? Can I pay with credit card?

You do not need to carry a big amount of cash with you, as in most places you may pay with credit/debit card. There are some places however that you would need cash so it would be good to have an amount that you can use. If you run out of cash you could always withdraw from one of the islands ATM'S.

+Can I use a hair dryer onboard?

Yes of course. However please note that in some options you may use the hairdryer at all times (bigger mono-hulls and catamarans), while in smaller options you may use it when you are connected in shore power only

+Can I use my credit card to pay for the fuel upon my return?

Yes of course. All types of cards are accepted. You pay directly to the fuel service of the marina

General questions on our services

+When can we expect to get onboard on Saturday and when is disembarkation?

We do our best for our yachts to be ready around 14.00 on Saturday and you are more than welcome to visit us in our base at Alimos marina at that time. If you have ordered a provisioning list then all of your provisioning will have already been placed on the yacht. Once you are onboard your skipper will welcome you and familiarize you with the yacht and accommodation. The safety briefing to follow is very important and your skipper will give you safety instructions in order for your trip to be super safe. Afterwards you discuss with him all possible routes and planning regarding your trip, according to your preferences and the weather at the time of your arrival.

That’s it! You start sailing immediately and after some hours you will be swimming to the first bay according to your desired plan. 

All of our cruises return in the marina on the evening of the following Friday, our guests overnight onboard and disembarkation is set for 09.00 on Saturday (in order for us to be able to prepare the yacht for our next guests according to our standards).

+Children and safety onboard a yacht

Yachting vacation is considered for us the best family vacation. Kids have the chance to experience sea, come closer to real nature and enjoy the summer like no other type of vacation can offer. It is crucial for the parents to be aware that as everywhere else you need to be responsible for children onboard meaning for example how far are they allowed to go with a water toy, how and if can they dive from the yacht into the sea, how good can they swim once the yacht is anchored etc. For us safety comes first so we always suggest to the parents to keep an extra eye on the children during their yachting vacation. For us the highest priority during your sailing cruise is your safety and this is the reason until today we only have successful cruises on this end.

+Can I sail for a week but start on a Wednesday? (Do you only start on Saturdays?)

We operate on a Saturday to Saturday basis. We start on Saturdays in order to take advantage our economies of scale and be able to offer a competitive options for our guests. Midweeks are not possible but please do send us your request and we can see if there is something available to fit your dates

+Can we rent only 1 cabin? (Do you offer cabin charters?)

We offer only private sailing cruises (meaning we do not combine groups). What you could consider is selecting one of our smaller options in order for the cost to be affordable in case there will be just 2 guests onboard

+Can we sail for 3 days? (Do you offer trips shorter than a week?)

Not really. We operate on a weekly basis starting on Saturday. Honestly, we feel that for the vacation experience to be pleasant you would require a minimum of 5 days thus we offer trips that are either weekly, 2 weeks, 3 weeks etc.

Captains

+When do you assign the skipper for our trip?

We have dedicated captains we know for years (and unlike the market we do not just pick any captain of the market randomly). Most of our bigger catamarans have our trusted and well known captains onboard. You may read reviews and check their profiles in each boat accordingly. If you have any question or wish to discuss anything regarding the crew we will be more than happy to hear from you

+Where can I see information on the captain of a particular boat option?

Very easy, you may read reviews or check his profile in each corresponding boat option

+Based on which criteria, you select your captains?

Selecting a captain for our team is no easy task! We work very hard in selecting, training, updating but also constantly improving good captains already in our organization. We have selected people who share our values in hospitality, highly trained professionals who will act as your hosts in the Greek islands. Unlike many operators who select randomly freelance individuals we have built a team of captains who we know and have been working with for years. This way we can ensure that the level of services will keep up to your expectations and you will have a safe but also imaginary trip in the Greek islands.

+Where does the crew sleep?

The crew has separate crew quarters used for their sleep. Usually these are located at the bow of the boat with a separate access from the top opening hatch.

+How does it work with the food of the crew?

Our captains are very easy going so it will not be an issue. You can either invite him for dinner or if you prefer your privacy you may calculate an amount of around 25-30 Euros for his daily food. If you have a hostess onboard then you should calculate same amount for her as well:)

+Should we tip the crew? Is it obligatory?

Tipping is not obligatory however it is something that is very common in crewed trips.

If you feel that your crew has put together a puzzle of a great vacation experience then a tip is common and expected to range in the area of 5 - 15% of the charter fee (this covers both crew). This is just a very basic guideline as in general tip lies solely on you:)

 

 

+How many hours is the skipper working per day?

As you can imagine the skipper is mentally working 24/7 when you are at sea. However he needs to rest as well in order for him to be able to have energy for the days to follow. Although you will never hear our captains complain for being tired normally we calculate an 6-7 hour basis for him to sail / day. This, when we are at sea, cannot be so fixed and accurate. For example this does not mean that if you are close to reaching an island he will stop navigating the boat and go to sleep because his shift has ended:) His first priority is your safety and the boat safety to follow. He will be available for everyone at all times and make sure you will have a safe and pleasant journey.

Life Onboard

+Children onboard: Who is responsible? The parent, the hostess or the captain?

There is no better vacation for children than the vacation onboard a sailing monohull or a catamaran! There is no doubt that they will get to know/feel nature at the 100%, get to know information in practice regarding the weather, the sea and all of the surrounding elements of such vacation. Depending on their age children needs a lot of attention at all times when you are on a boat at sea. As explained thouroughly in a different chapter, this is not dangerous at all however parents needs to keep an eye on their children either when sailing under sails or motor but also when on anchor and they may use some of the toys such as SUP or a Kayak. The captain will do his best to keep an eye on everyone but as you can imagine it is impossible for one person to supervise everyone. Children are our best guests, they have the best time but we invite all parents to keep a good eye on them:)

+Are there USB plugs in order to charge our phones?

Yes of course! All of our boats are equipped with USB sockets in order for everyone to be able to charge their phones and connect any other usb device. The sockets are located in all cabins and saloon areas.

+Do you have plug converters available for our hair dryers and straighteners?

Yes we do have plug converters for hair dryers and straighteners. Just make sure that your devices are compatible with European voltage (220V).

+How to charge cell phones? Are the electrical plugs on the boat for Euro (220 volt) or 110?

You may charge your phones either by using the usb sockets you have onboard or by using the electrical plugs (220V). Your captain will be happy to familiarize you with these little details.

+Is there snorkeling equipment already onboard?

Yes of course. There are flippers and masks already included onboard. We do our best to ensure good quality equipment. Just make sure you have the correct sizes when you are at our base so you are ready for exploring the underwater areas during your sailing vacation

+Is there an outboard and dinghy included in order for us to reach the shore?

Yes of course all of our boats have a dinghy and outboard included in the price.

+How important is safety briefing?

Yachting vacation is considered adventurous vacation. The reason as you can imagine is that you are at sea (and not on land). This does not mean that it is dangerous, however our honest advice is that we have to respect the sea and the weather (I would say we have to respect nature to be more precise). The safety briefing you will have by your skipper is very important and our suggestion would be to pay a lot of attention since yachting vacation should comply with some basic rules of safety while cruising.

+Can we smoke onboard?

Although we are non smokers we respect people who smoke:) You may smoke without any problem in all exterior areas of the boat (not in the boat's interior). We have ashtrays that we can provide, so please just remind us upon arrival so we can provide some for your trip