CHARTER HINTS Welcome aboard, We would like to welcome you aboard and wish you all a wonderful holiday. To enable all passengers to have an enjoyable stay we would like to bring to your attention some important information. SHOES: Please do not wear any type of footwear on the boat. Please avoid the ropes, porthole edges, rigging wires, blocks, floor hatches, screw/bolts to prevent personal injuries. SMOKING: There is no smoking in the cabins because it is dangerous, however smoking is permitted on deck. Please do not lock your cabin doors for fire precautions. If you wish, you can leave your valuables with Captain for security (receipt provided). ON DECK: Make sure you secure all your belongings on deck; the wind can be strong and gusty. The crew cannot be held responsible for items blown overboard. Please abide the Captain's rules and judgment as to cruising, weather, wind, anchorages, pertinent matters and be seated on a secure place while the crew is mooring the boat. HOT WATER: The water is heated either by the boat's engine, or some boats are fitted with a gas water heater. On boats where the water is engine heated, the water is hot after the engine has been running and remains hot for several hours. If the boat uses a gas system, you will need to ask one of the crew, who will turn on the gas when you require hot water. TOILET PAPER: Please put all toilet paper in the waste bin by the toilet, otherwise the narrow pipes and filters will block!! The bin will be emptied daily by the crew. MEALS: All meals will be served on the aft-deck (that is at the back of the boat!). Meal times may vary according to your schedule, however the captain will let you know (or you will smell it for yourself!). DRINKS: Drinks can be bought from the crew using a voucher system. At the end of each day you will be asked to sign a voucher to check the number of drinks you have consumed, your bill will be totaled at the end of the cruise. There is a price list displayed by the bar. Please save your Duty Free for your next week when hotel drinks prices are likely to be considerably more than on the gullet. Please make sure you check and sign your totaled voucher daily to prevent problems at the end of the week. LIGHTS: Please turn off the lights when you are not in your cabin. This saves the boat's batteries and helps stop mosquitoes from coming in. PORTHOLES: Close the portholes in your cabin whilst the boat is underway, this prevents spray from coming in and wetting the bedding. WATERSPORTS: Please stay within sight of the boat, and tell someone before you go, if you get into difficulties it will then be easier to help you. DIVING and JUMPING: Do not dive or jump off the boat whilst the engine is running. The captain may have to move the boat and not be able to see you. For your own safety, please wait until the engine has been switched off and the swimming ladder is in place. Do not climb or jump off the masts. DINGHY: Each boat is equipped with a tender (dinghy). The tender is used to secure the boat and for safety and insurance reasons can only be operated by a member of the crew. LIFE JACKETS: For your safety you will find life jackets in your cabin. TIPS: It is customary in the yachting world to tip the crew at the end of your cruise. If you are happy with the service you have received, please tip the captain and the money will be shared equally amongst the crew. Finally, we want you to get the maximum enjoyment possible from your cruise, so if you have any questions, problems or requests about any aspects of the gullet please do not hesitate to speak to the captain. Due to unforeseen circumstances your itinerary may have to be changed at short notice, and please remember the captain's decision is final in all matters!! Now lie back and let the crew take the strain! Bon Voyage!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is a Turkish Gullet? The Turkish gullet is very similar to the working boats of old times and, equipped with engines and modern facilities, they allow you to explore the beautiful Turkish coast in comfort and style and relive the spirit an age long past. Imagine wooden sailing boats thousands of years ago carrying cargos of wine and copper across the Aegean to trade with ancient civilizations, or fishing boats earning a living from the Mediterranean teeming with fish. Such boats were built along the Aegean coast of Turkey and many of the skills and designs used then have been passed down to today’s boat builders. Our gullets, from 14-55 meters long. They have: beamy wooden hulls, very spacious and airy; high headroom which improves air circulation in a warm climate; high booms and bulwarks, very safe, especially for children; very spacious cabins, almost hotel comfort; spacious uncluttered sundecks, fully covered with sun mattresses; sheltered aft deck with coach roof; outside dining area covered with sun awnings; powerful engines for safe cruising and accurate itinerary planning; large water capacity; fully equipped professional galleys; pressurized hot and cold water system; adequate space and facilities for recreational equipment. What could be more romantic than cruising on a traditional wooden boat with all the sails up under blue cloudless skies? Which type of charter is suitable for us? Private Gullet Charter: Chartering a private gullet offers you ultimate in comfort, privacy and flexibility on the menu, itinerary, provisioning. The Gullet and crew are dedicated only to your party. On our fleet you can choose a gullet starting at minimum 3 cabins to 12 cabins for your party. Cabin Charter: An alternative to chartering an entire boat is to join one of our regular departures and charter one cabin. You will have a chance to meet people from around the world while enjoying one of the most unique and relaxing holidays in the Aegean. The itineraries and ports of embarkation and disembarkation are fixed and cannot be altered. What is included & exclude in charter fees? Includes; Private Gullet Charter: Harbour taxes and Mooring expenses in Turkish waters. Yacht insurance. Diesel. 4 hours sailing per day. Yacht's laundry. Using water. 24 hours crew service. Use of equipment on board. (Meals and drinks are depend on agreement) Cabin Charter: Full board accommodation for a week on a gullet, welcome cocktail, breakfast-lunch-dinner and afternoon tea-cake service per day on board. Use of equipment on board. Diesel. 4 hours sailing per day. Using water. Crew service. Yacht insurance. Yacht's laundry. Harbour taxes and Mooring expenses in Turkish waters Excludes; Private Gullet Charter: Harbour taxes and Mooring expenses in Greek waters, the meals, soft drinks, drinking water and alcoholic beverages. Full board supplement (20 EURO per person / day) and All inclusive supplement (260 EURO per person / week). Land excursions and airport transfers. V.A.T Cabin Charter: Soft drinks, drinking water and alcoholic beverages; these can be bought from the bar on board. Land excursions. Airport transfers. V.A.T Shall we embark or disembark from different harbours? This may be possible except cabin charter, but you will be charged an additional cost. The cost varies according to the distance between the two harbours. Please ask for the one way supplements. Shall we visit some Greek Islands? We can design an itinerary that includes one or more of the following Greek islands: Samos, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Rhodes and Symi. Please be aware that Greek port duties not included in the prices. Those fees must paid by charterer when entering Greek harbours. Can we plan our own itinerary? Generally yes. Weather is unpredictable, and your captain may suggest an alternative itinerary to your first choice. We will try to accommodate your requirements and desires, weather permitting Are we allowed to bring our own drinks if we book cabin charter? No, you are not allowed to bring your own drink on a cabin charter programmed. You need to buy your drinks from on board bar. How much do I tip the crew? A crew gratuity is both customary and discretionary. 5% - 10% of the base charter fee is usually the norm depending totally on your discretion. It is usually given to the captain at the end of the charter and divided equally among the crew members. Do you arrange transfer? Yes, we do arrange transfers. Please ask the rates for other destinations. Why is a Gullet Sailing Holiday so special? We make sure your holiday really begins as soon as you arrive at the airport in Turkey. A host or hostess will meet you holding a sign with your name on it. A private vehicle will take you to your boat and you may wish to stop on the way to visit interesting sites or just to enjoy the countryside. Your host or hostess will serve you complimentary soft drinks during the journey. You will arrive at your boat to a champagne welcome and after meeting one of our staff will give you a briefing about the cruising area and life on board. Then it’s entirely up to you, we tell you the possibilities but we don’t fix your route, after all it’s your holiday. Once you step aboard our gullet becomes your own private boat. You can visit historical sites, bustling market towns and country villages, enjoy windsurfing and swimming in clear water or just relax in the shade with a good book. If you have children with you, no matter what age, they will always be safe on a gullet; the ropes around deck are high enough so they won’t be in danger of falling overboard, and none of the deck fittings are low enough for them to hit their head. Turkish people love children and yours will be looked after by our crew, we’re used to having children on board. During your cruise three to five people will be working very hard to make sure your holiday runs just the way you want it to. The gullet crews are specially chosen for their experience; the captain holds an international license and knows the Turkish coast. They are gentle, hospitable people who will be friendly, helpful and always there when you need them with a quiet presence which never disturbs your privacy. At the end of your holiday we sadly say goodbye, a host or hostess will once again accompany you, until you safely delivered to the airport. Does Turkish Gullets have crew? Yes, all traditional Turkish Gullets are crewed, consisting of a captain; cook and a deckhand(s) ...All cabins have ensuite bathrooms. Super deluxe yachts and gullets has extra crew, including hostesses... What are the charter departure days? We offer guaranteed departures throughout the season, with embarkation & disembarkations on Saturdays. Minimum charter period is one week or times. We have also 3-4 days mini cruises from Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye.. Do you arrange tailor made tours? We can arrange “Tailor Made Yacht Tours” according to client’s wishes. Furthermore we have yacht cruises combined with hotel accommodations and short land tours along the charter cruise routes upon request... What includes the gullet group charter prices? The crewed charter prices include; daily yacht rates, services, linen, tender boat, fuel, water, harbour fees in Turkish Waters, tax and crew. Prices exclude; Land tours, transfers, meals and drinks. You can easily find wine, beer, alcohol and premium liquors in the bar. What is cabin charter and cabin charter prices? Cabin charter prices are per person per week on full board basis. Cabin charter tours are designed for the small group/families who do not charter (rent) a whole yacht privately. Single supplement is 50% who doesn't share the cabin. Children discount is 50% for the children aged between 06-12, if cabin is shared with parents. Prices include; weekly yacht rates, linen, tender boat, fuel, water, harbour fees in Turkish Waters, tax, meal and crew. Prices exclude; transfers, special land tours and drinks. What includes bareboat charter prices? Bareboat prices, except otherwise stated, include; weekly rates, tax and exclude; transfers, fuel, harbour fees, food and transit log. Food provisioning can be arranged upon request. Do you have diving courses? We have the daily/weekly guaranteed departure diving tours and CMAS and PADI certificate courses are made under the supervision of our experienced diving instructors who have PADI or CMAS licenses endorsed by the Turkish and international authorities in Turkish waters. During the diving tours or courses we use Turkish Gullets with special equipments.. How we can make reservation and payments? In order to make a reservation; a down payment (pre-payment) of the 50% of the total to be paid as early as possible. The rest is to be paid 6 weeks before the embarkation and a yacht charter agreement should be signed by both parties. The payments will be via the Bank Transfer... Do you have cancellation plans? We have the cancellation programs as follows : * For bookings cancelled 91 days or more before departure then 25% are retained of pre-payments... * For bookings cancelled (90-61) days before departure then then 50% are retained of pre-payments... * For bookings cancelled (0-60) days before departure then 100% of the whole charter fees are retained...   Which currency I can use in Turkey? During the payments you can use New Turkish Lira, US. Dollars, Euro or English pounds. The exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily…Euro checks can be cashed immediately as can traveler’s checks upon producing identification. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa, Master Card, American Express, Euro card and Diner’s Club... Can we use our credit cards in Turkey? Of course…All credit cards are welcomed, including VISA, Master Card and American Express Cards... May I take a yacht tour during my stay in a resort hotel? Yes you may. And especially we can advise you to take a yacht charter trip or a land tour to the very famous archeological sites under the supervision of a professional guide. Mini cruises for 3 or 4 days or weekly tours always possible.. How about the skipper and the provisioning in a bareboat? Normally you must have an international yacht license during your trip with a bareboat. But if you do not have it, it is not a problem. So we can find a professional skipper for your needs. There is a daily fee of the skipper regardless of the number of the clients on board. Before the charter begins we can also help you for your provisioning from the big super markets in the town.. How the clients share the expenses? If you rent a gullet for a week, then the total amount expenses such as weekly yacht rental, meals and transfers can calculate and the guests share all the expenses equally. You may see which prices are included or exclude in the total amount. Super yachts has their own price tariffs such as All Inclusive Package (AIP) and Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)... What are the other activities you organize in Turkey? We have weekly guaranteed departure Turkey Tours and daily tours, hotel and thermal hotel accommodations, car rentals, adventure tours such as balloon tours, safari tours, rafting and paragliding etc... Do you have additional charges? Yes we have. If you visit Greek Island Harbors there is some additional fee. And in bareboat rentals you have to pay cleaning and transit log fees. There is also a refundable security deposit fee. Do you have some amenities in the yachts? Our yachts has different amenities according to their classifications...You can find many amenities in our yachts such as masks, snorkels, fishing tackles, satellite communications, entertainment centers, jacuzzi, surf, jet-ski, canoe, sauna, fitness facilities and in some yachts there is Turkish Bath, too. We can give you all details before charter... We have ultimate technological facilities in our super yachts... Food on Board? If you wish, you can spend your holiday without even having to decide what is going to be on the menu. Our management and cook will take care of it for you against a small additional fee. You can also take a hand in the matter and choose whether to eat on board or in a seaside restaurant. But one thing is for sure: whether cooked by the crew, or served in a restaurant, you will always have the best of the world famous Turkish Cuisine and the most fresh sea food. Can we find the international meals in cruising sites during charter? Yes…During the visits of Aegean or Mediterranean antique cities, it is also possible to have international food such as French Food, Mexican Food, Italian Food, Chinese or Indian Food. Turkey recipes mixed with Ottoman Recipes are ready to serve in the Turkish meat restaurants or in the kebab houses as a main course... After the meal a cup of thick strong “Turkish Coffee” is delicious. If you have a chance to “Travel Turkey” then we can advise you not only kebabs but also a delicious deep fry turkey… What to bring with me? Swimwear and t-shirts are all you will need on board in the daytime and casual trousers and sweaters should keep you warm enough in the evenings even in the cooler months. It is a good idea to bring a pair of light shoes or sandals for using on the boat, and your sunglasses as well as hat against the bright Mediterranean sun. In addition to them we can advise also to bring soft sided luggages, mask, snorkel, sea sickness pills & medical prescriptions and some smart casuals and jacket for the restaurants... Is history still alive in Turkey? If you interested in history and archaeology, you will love the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts where every excursion could land you in the middle of a scene right out of mythology. Each shore is like an open air museum, and you will be treading the steps of the most famous figures of antiquity. Throughout your voyage, you will see the remains of theatres, markets, churches, tombs and many antic towns dotting the landscape. You can swim over sunken cities, or windsurf at the foot of ancient ruins.