Frequently Asked Questions | Yachts and Friends<!-- --> | <!-- -->Yachts and Friends

Group Sailing

- Yacht
- Skipper
- Chef
- All breakfasts, all lunches and 3 dinners on board your yacht
- Local beers & wines to accompany your meals on board
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant (classic routes only)
- 2 destination-specific excursions 
- Group hikes
- Snorkelling gear

Please note this list only applies to group sailing trips. To see what’s included on Private Adventure trips please check here.

 All breakfasts and lunches will be prepared on board your yacht by your chef. They will also prepare 3 dinners on board throughout the week (including some local wines and beers for you to sample). You’ll also get a group dinner at a local venue included during the week (classic routes only)! All other food and drinks will need to be purchased during the week. Please note food and drink is not included on Private Sailing trips.

Your chef will be freshly preparing your food during the week - you'll be provided with 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinners on board. We’ll be in contact 4 weeks before your trip start date to collect dietary restrictions from you, and your chef will carefully curate a menu with you and the destination in mind.

Throughout the week you should expect to pay for dinner when not on board the yacht, drinks in bars, any additional activities not included, skipper & chef meals (when not on board the yacht) and skipper & chef tips at your own discretion.

Skippers & Chefs

Yes, a skipper and chef are automatically included in your Group Sailing booking.

A skipper will sail the yacht, take care of the boat and of course teach you how to sail (if you want!). They’ll take you to all the best swim spots throughout the week and help make your week extra special with their local knowledge! Your skipper will live on the yacht with you for the duration of your trip and you will need to provide three meals a day for your skipper (if you are not eating on board for that meal).

Your chef will plan a tailored menu for the week and take care of the food shopping on arrival. They’ll prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner (a maximum of three dinners per week) and will keep the galley area clean!

Absolutely! All our chefs are experts at cooking on board yachts and will be able to adapt their menu plans to suit everybody’s needs. You’ll be able to submit any dietary requirements you have to our team around 4 weeks before you depart!

 

Solo and Cabin Bookings

A cabin booking is for 2 guests sharing a cabin together - you can book as 2 guys, 2 girls or a mixed cabin. If you're travelling solo you can also book a solo spot in a shared cabin and be paired with another like minded traveller of the same sex.

The type of yacht you’ll sail on will depend which package you select. Premium packages will sail on 47-50ft monohull yachts in Croatia & Greece and on 40ft catamarans in Tahiti. Luxury packages will sail on 40-42ft catamarans in Croatia & Greece and on 43-45ft catamarans in Tahiti.  All Luxury yachts have AC and generator.

You’ll be staying in a double cabin - please note that some cabins have double beds and some have bunk beds. You’ll be sharing bathrooms with the rest of your crew (our yachts typically have 2 or 3 bathrooms to be shared on board).

Full Yacht Bookings

If you’ve booked a full yacht then it’s up to you how many people sail on board - you can choose to use all the available sleep spots, or you can opt for a more spacious living arrangement, however you will still need to pay the full price for the yacht. 

 The type of yacht you’ll sail on will depend which package you select. Premium packages will sail on 47-50ft monohull yachts in Croatia & Greece and on 40ft catamarans in Tahiti. Luxury packages will sail on 40-42ft catamarans in Croatia & Greece and on 43-45ft catamarans in Tahiti. All Luxury yachts have AC and generator which means you can keep the cabins cooler in the evenings on hot nights. More details can be found on the destination pages. If you would rather pick a different type of yacht, please contact our customer service team who can look into upgrade options for your group.

Greece Route

This route starts and ends in Lavrion Marina which is located near the Athens airport (approximately 30 minutes drive).

You’ll make stops at the islands of Kythnos, Syros, Paros, Serifos and Kea. For more information about the route, head to our destination page here.

The itinerary is a guide to our top spots along the way. However if you’d rather head off and explore yourselves, then you are more than welcome to. Chat to your skipper to see what your possibilities are! (Note that for cabin/solo bookers you will need to stick to the route unless the full crew consents to an alternative itinerary).

What you do during the day is totally up to you, the crew and your skipper. Each day will vary, depending on the itinerary. You normally spend your day on the yacht sailing from one port to another with a stop in a bay to cook lunch and have a swim. You will have time to explore each island too and try the cuisine at the local restaurants.

We recommend you arrive at the marina around 3pm. Then you will have time to register with us, do the check-in with the yachting company and the food shopping before you get your yacht. The yachts normally set sail around 5-6pm. You will get back to the marina on Saturday morning ready to check out before 9am.

Yes, however you will need to organise transport at your own expense to meet the yachts when you arrive or find your way back to the mainland when you need to leave. 

Croatia Route

This route starts and ends in Baotic Marina which is located near the Split airport (approximately 20 minutes drive).

You’ll make stops on the islands of Solta, Vis, Hvar and Brac. For more information about the route, head to our destination page here.

The itinerary is a guide to our top spots along the way. However if you’d rather head off and explore yourselves, then you are more than welcome to. Chat to your skipper to see what your possibilities are! (Note that for cabin/solo bookers you will need to stick to the route unless the full crew consents to an alternative itinerary).

What you do during the day is totally up to you, the crew and your skipper. Each day will vary, depending on the itinerary. You normally spend your day on the yacht sailing from one port to another with a stop in a bay to cook lunch and have a swim. You will have time to explore each island too and try the cuisine at the local restaurants.

We recommend you arrive at the marina around 3pm. Then you will have time to register with us, do the check-in with the yachting company and the food shopping before you get your yacht. The yachts normally set sail around 5-6pm. You will get back to the marina on Friday afternoon (the exact time varies depending on weather conditions), when you will stay one last night on the yachts in the marina and will then have to check out and leave the yacht before 9am on Saturday morning. 

Yes, however you will need to organise transport at your own expense to meet the yachts when you arrive or find your way back to the mainland when you need to leave. 

Tahiti Route

This route starts and ends in Marina Uturoa which is located on the island of Raiatea which is a short 45 minute flight from the mainland International Airport in Tahiti (Papeete).

You’ll make stops on the islands of Huahine, Bora-Bora and Taha'a. For more information about the route, head to our destination page here.

The itinerary is a guide to our top spots along the way. However if you’d rather head off and explore yourselves, then you are more than welcome to. Chat to your skipper to see what your possibilities are! (Note that for cabin/solo bookers you will need to stick to the route unless the full crew consents to an alternative itinerary).

What you do during the day is totally up to you, the crew and your skipper. Each day will vary, depending on the itinerary. You normally spend your day on the yacht sailing from one port to another with a stop in a bay to cook lunch and have a swim. You will have time to explore each island too and try the cuisine at the local restaurants.

We recommend you arrive at the marina around 3pm. Then you will have time to register with us, do the check-in with the yachting company and the food shopping before you get your yacht. The yachts will set sail on the day you check-in. You will get back to the marina on Friday afternoon (the exact time varies depending on weather conditions), when you will stay one last night on the yachts in the marina and will then have to check out and leave the yacht before 9am on Saturday morning.

This is possible but due to the unavailability of ferries and transport between the islands in Tahiti, we don’t recommend it unless 100% necessary. Get in touch with our Customer Service team if you need more information.

Bookings and Payments

You must be at least 21 to join our events, but aside from that anyone can join our events! Our events and itineraries are built with guests aged between 28 and 48 in mind. For Private Adventures there is no age limit but the lead booker must be over 21 and all guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Yes, the booking is paid in 3 instalments:

If you need to cancel within 30 days of making your booking there will be no cancellation fees, so we can offer you a full refund on any amount paid to the booking so far. (Please note that this free cancellation period will not apply within 180 days of the departure date.) 

Yes, but only in Greece and Croatia on our Classic Series. To book a double cabin for yourself simply contact the customer service team and they will adjust a cabin to a solo booking option and a reduced price. 

Before you Sail

If you have rented a full yacht, your crew list must be completed by 4 weeks prior to departure. All your crew will need to check in online a minimum of 2 weeks before departure!

We will reach out to you around 4 weeks before your trip departs, and you can let us know then about your dietary restrictions.

With every booking it is mandatory to pay a damage deposit, just like a hotel or when you rent a car. This will either be for the whole yacht or by cabin depending on the type of booking. The damage deposit is paid directly to the charter company when you check-in at the marina. The deposit can be paid by credit card and is fully refundable provided there are no damages to the yacht. Most charter companies offer a damage waiver fee which is a small non-refundable deposit that covers any level of damages.

You will be introduced to your skipper and chef no later than 2 weeks prior to your trip but usually sooner. Your skipper and chef will then fine tune your itinerary and finalise your meal plan with any dietary requirements. 

Life Onboard

There is not a lot of room for luggage although there is no maximum weight allowance. It is recommended that you use a soft bag, as it is easier to store without taking up space.

Yes, bed linen is provided as well as one shower towel per person. We advise you bring a beach towel for use during the day.

The yachts use DC power 220V and have European two round pin outlets. We recommend you bring a 12V adapter to charge your devices whilst sailing. If your yacht does not have a generator on board then full electrics and outlets will only be available when moored in the marina and connected to shore power.

Yes, most yachts come with speakers on board, so  remember to bring an AUX cable with you to connect your phone! Some guests also like to bring small portable speakers along with them too so they can listen to music whilst on the front of the yacht.

Definitely not! We have a lot of first time sailors and it is super exciting to explore this different method of travel and exploration; a mix of luxury and camping. We use high-quality yachts ideal for extended cruising but please be aware that the living space on board a sailing yacht is more compact than a standard hotel. We aim to make you as comfortable as possible so that you feel at home onboard within a few hours. Your skipper's number one priority is your safety and then your comfort, so if ever in doubt approach your skipper for assistance.

Yes, on group sailing products, the minimum age is 21. For Private Adventures there is no age limit but the lead booker must be over 21 and all guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Private Sailing

- Yacht
- Skipper
- Dinghy
- Towels and bed linen
- Snorkelling gear
- Stereo speakers
- Yacht equipment
- GPS & nautical equipment
- End of week cleaning

Most of your food for the week is included. You will have an on board chef who will prepare you breakfast and lunch everyday (6 of each) and 3 dinners on board through out the week. The remaining dinners you will explore local restaurants on the islands, with recommendations from your skipper and chef!

During the week you will need to cover the following additional costs: professional chef (if selected), food and drink, fuel and mooring fees for the yacht, shore electricity, flights, transfers, and any additional excursions you may choose to undertake. Importantly you are responsible for providing food and drink for the skipper and chef during the week.

If you have booked a chef, he/she will be preparing fresh food during the week - with the food you have purchased, he/she will prepare  6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 3 dinners on board. We’ll be in contact 4 weeks before your trip start date to collect dietary information to ensure your chef is fully up to date with any dietary needs to make sure you are fully catered for!

Bookings and Payments

For Private Sailing there is no minimum or maximum age limit but the lead booker must be over 21 and all guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes, the booking is paid in 3 instalments:

If you need to cancel within 30 days of making your booking there will be no cancellation fees, so we can offer you a full refund on any amount paid to the booking so far. (Please note that this free cancellation period will not apply within 180 days of the departure date.) 

No, to book a cabin or solo spot please look at our Group Sailing trips. 

Before you Sail

Your crew list must be completed by 4 weeks prior to departure. All your crew will need to check in online a minimum of 2 weeks before departure!

We will put you in touch with your chef to discuss meal plans and dietary requirements 4 weeks before you set sail.

With every booking it is mandatory to pay a damage deposit, just like a hotel or when you rent a car. This will either be for the whole yacht or by cabin depending on the type of booking. The damage deposit is paid directly to the charter company when you check-in at the marina. The deposit can be paid by credit card and is fully refundable provided there are no damages to the yacht. Most charter companies offer a damage waiver fee which is a small non-refundable deposit that covers any level of damages. 

You will be introduced to your skipper and chef no later than 2 weeks prior to your trip but usually sooner. Your skipper and chef will then fine tune your itinerary and finalise your meal plan with any dietary requirements. 

On your online Y&F booking profile will be all the details for your booking, including marina directions, skipper and chef information and the details of your yacht deposit.

Skippers and Chefs

A skipper is automatically included in your booking. A chef is an optional extra which you can choose to include to enhance your experience. 

A skipper will sail the yacht, take care of the boat and of course teach you how to sail (if you want!). They’ll take you to all the best swim spots throughout the week and help make your week extra special with their local knowledge!

Your chef will plan a tailored menu plan for the week and take care of the food shopping on arrival. They’ll prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner (a maximum of two dinners per week) and will keep the galley area clean!

Absolutely! All our chefs are experts at cooking on board yachts and will be able to adapt their menu plans to suit everybody’s needs. You’ll be able to submit any dietary requirements you have to our Customer Service team around 4 weeks before you depart!

You are expected to pay for the skipper and chef's food and non-alcoholic drinks during the week when you aren’t eating on board the yacht. Tips are at your own discretion.