We like to think that there are two types of people. Those to whom a yacht holiday has become tradition and they cannot imagine their summer vacation without chartering a yacht, and then there are those that will become addicted to yachting after their first week of yacht charter and make it their future tradition.
Here you can find some helpful information for planning your yacht holiday in Croatia, from differences in type of charter, to insurance, pets on board and typical day cruise.
Why should I book a yacht via Futura Yachting?
Nowadays when boat owners, charter agencies and travel agencies are all globally advertised via World Wide Web the choice of chartering a yacht is no longer about finding all yachts available but on putting your trust to the person who will do their best to provide you with the yacht perfect for you and who will make that extra effort to make sure that after your charter holiday you will return home satisfied.
When it comes to pricing you should know that the charter cost will be the same whether you book your charter through charter or travel agency because the charter company is the one that pays travel agency’s commission. In this way a final price does not have a different influence on client’s budget and the client benefits in having unbiased agent who will do its best to match him with the right yacht here in Croatia using their regional expertise.
What are the differences between bareboat charter and crewed yacht charter?
There are several differences between bareboat and crewed yacht charter. Main difference is in how much are you planning to involve in sailing process and doing other household doings.
If you are mainly interested in relaxing and enjoying time with your friends and family, you should decide on chartering a crewed yacht where the captain will make sure of your safety, the chef will prepare delicious meals and a hostess will take care of other boat duties. In this way you and your loved ones will be carefree. Some yachts are only offered as crewed providing you all the luxury and comfort of private mobile hotel.
On the other hand, choosing a bareboat charter provides you that extra sense of adventure. So if you and your company are experienced sailors that meet all necessary requirements for skippering a private yacht, and don’t mind spending your time making sure of everyone’s safety, provisioning etc. fell free to sail away to your Adria adventure by choosing some of bareboat yachts.
There are some other differences between crewed and bareboat charter that will be mentioned beneath.
What are the specifics of crewed yacht charter?
-Itinerary can be predetermined according to your requests with acceptance of navigation policy of maximum cruising hours per day. There are some predefined proposal itineraries designed to combine comfort cruising with destinations worth seeing during your stay in Croatia that just might suite your interests.
-Typical day on your crewed charter vacation may have some differences regarding the type of a yacht (motor, sailing, …) and your preferences but it is basically all about enjoying the simplicity of life. After a goodnight sleep you will be served a delicious breakfast with some extra time to swim in our beautiful Adriatic. After that you will have a short cruise to a different location where a lunch will be served and you will have plenty of time to cool yourself in refreshing sea during the hottest part of the day. After mooring or anchoring the yacht, late afternoon is a perfect time to set off to the shore to explore and feel the charm of typical Mediterranean little towns just awaiting to be revealed and in many cases to be returned to in the future years, have dinner in a local restaurant, take a relaxing stroll along the promenade, and finally return to your private yacht to sum the senses of the day and to prepare yourself to do it all over again after the next sunrise but this time in different coves, in different towns…only thing that will not change are your loved ones and your companions, and off course the yacht and its crew.
-Menu will be adjusted to your preferences. Several weeks before your cruise you will be given a Preference list form to state yours and your guests’ preferences on food and beverages. Here you can inform us and the crew if you demand any special menu regarding allergies of serious aversions. A chef on board will do its best to cook delicious meals for you.
-APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is a sum of money (usually a 30% of the charter fee) you should paid in advance. It will be used for covering operating costs for your staying aboard such as provisioning, fuel, marina fees, etc. If the funds are not sufficient the captain will give you a forehand advice for supplement. Final account of resulted costs will be settled with the captain on the end of your cruise before your disembarkation.
-Tips for the crew are to be paid extra. The amount of the tip is a matter of your personal discretion. It usually varies 5-10 % of the yacht charter fee, and is given to the captain to equally distribute to the crew.
What are the specifics of bareboat yacht charter?
-Qualifications for chartering a bareboat yacht – if you plan to operate the yacht yourself, you as the skipper must have necessary license for the yacht navigation at the open sea (Boat leaders licence of competency and radio–telephone licence of competency). Copy of these together with your sailing resume is to be presented to charter agency to determine whether your expertise is sufficient enough for safe sailing in Croatian territorial waters or you will be suggested to use a service of professional skipper.
-Skippered yacht charter is a good choice for those who are not confident in their sailing skills, or are just unfamiliar with a particular sailing area. Skipper is a kind of guide familiar with local waters, bays, marinas, etc. who offers you extra relaxing time by taking the thinking on all those ropes, anchors and routs off your mind.
As being in charge for your safety and safety of the yacht a skipper needs to be well taken care off – he should be provided with a separate cabin and enough daily meals.
-Security deposit is amount of money paid prior to the charter. Depending on a charter company there are two possibilities of securing a yacht deposit: Refundable Security deposit (in case there is no damage or loss to the yacht or its equipment charter company will refund full deposit at the end of the charter) or Damage Lose Waiver (usually smaller amount but not refunded in any circumstances).
Regardless the differences between crewed and bareboat charter here are some useful information about a holiday on board the yacht:
What about bringing children on our yacht holiday?
Children on board are the factor of extra happiness, so feel free to travel with them wherever you go! But you should keep in mind that you are held responsible for their safety and behaviour, while the crew has other responsibilities concerning the yacht and navigation.
To diminish your concern when you think of bringing babies and toddlers on board, it is good to know that on some yachts a safety net (or something similar) can be provided. Also keep in mind that typical children buoyancy aids and harnesses are available for 4 years and above only.
Are pets allowed on board?
Most yachts do not allow keeping pets (dogs, cats, birds, …) on board for several reasons:
-Pets sensitivity to effects of motion (becoming disoriented and lethargic just like some humans)
-Potential of animal allergens remaining on board
-The crew’s effort of maintaining highest standards for cleanliness
Is smoking onboard yachts permitted?
Smoking is strictly forbidden in staterooms and cabins. Smoking in saloon is permitted only on some yachts, while majority of yachts allow smoking out on deck.
What about yacht and crew insurance?
Every yacht and its crew are insured against accidents by the yacht owner during the time of your cruise. It is up to you to decide whether you would like to purchase additional liability coverage to protect you and your guests or your personal effects against any unforeseen situation that could arise.
It is in your own interest to arrange suitable travel insurance before leaving home, including cancellation insurance to protect booking deposit.
What does a charter fee include?
Typically, a charter fee includes a yacht fully equipped with all safety and navigational equipment. In case of crewed yacht charter, a charter fee also includes crew’s wages and food, and yacht’s leisure equipment such as dingy with outboard engine, snorkelling equipment, Stand Up Paddle and similar items. Detailed specification of each yacht will be provided to your enquiry. Tips for the crew are not included in charter fee.
The charterer will be charged extra for all other operating expenses while on board such as fuel charges, marina and port fees, entrance to national parks, transfers, yacht provisions, sojourn tax. In case of bareboat charter, a charterer is also obligated to cover a skipper’s (or hostess’) fee and food, deposit, final cleaning fee, and all other optional costs.
Charter fees will be regulated in Charter Contract prior to confirmation of the charter for a specific yacht.
Who is liable for Passports (and Visas)?
Valid passports and Visas, if required, to Croatia or surrounding countries (depending of the itinerary of the cruise) are the responsibility of the charterer and these should be secured in advance of the charter.
What is a common charter period?
In high season, duration of a charter period is usually 7 or 14 days starting on Saturday afternoon (and ending in Saturday morning, with common obligation to be in yacht base port on Friday afternoon and overnight there). In other seasons, duration of a charter period can vary from 2 to 10 days so if you are looking for a yacht weekend experience we will find you a matching yacht.
Keep in mind that if you are interested in one-day yacht experience there are several yachts at your disposal even in high season so please contact us for more details.
Can the starting point be different from the ending point of the charter?
Of course. The one-way charter is applicable for most of the yachts. Usually a relocation fee will be applied for all embarkation/disembarkation ports that differ from the yacht base port.
What to bring on your charter holiday?
First of all, you should think of bringing bathing suits, sunglass, sun cream and sun hat, and then all other items such as cotton shorts and T-shirts, non-marking sole shoes to wear only on board, a pair of long pants and a light jacket or a sweater for chilly nights, foul weather gear for occasional rainy days, and your personal items (medicines, camera, ….).
Depending on the yacht equipment (it varies from yacht to yacht) you should also consider bringing beach towel or water toys. Please keep in mind that storage space on most yachts is limited and if you bring large hard sided suitcases those might be awkward to maneuver.
When to go on your Croatia charter vacation?
Chartering a yacht in Croatia is possible throughout the year, but most yacht are available only during warmer seasons. Depending on your preferences – active sailing or just relaxing you can choose a different period for your charter holiday. Two hottest months are July and August and also the busiest ones on the Adriatic (large number of tourists, vessels and traffic) since everyone seeks refreshment in the sea. However, swimming in the sea is usual from middle of May to late September and this might be excellent period for not only active sailors seeking a good wind (excluding June and August) but for those who prefer less crowded destination.
You can find additional useful info on Croatia on our page About Croatia.
What can Futura Yachting assist you beside chartering a yacht?
We will be happy to assist you with all that needs to be done in order to make your charter holiday the most pleasurable one. If you wish us to arrange your:
-Arrival/Departure Airport transfers to/from yacht’s base
-Provisioning
- Excursions
-Car rentals
-Hotel/villa accommodation
-Helicopter/small airplanes rental
feel free to contact us any time before your charter period starts or during your charter.
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