My wife and I went on vacation to get away. I went to Colorado, and she went to Ireland.”
― Jarod Kintz
― Jarod Kintz
Frequently Asked Gulet and Blue Cruise Questions
Your personal, crewed gulet charter
How much time will be spent actually sailing?
As much as you want. However it is important to note that some gulets (and crews) sail better than others. If sailing is important to you, we will match you with the right yacht and itinerary for the conditions depending on the time of year.
Do I need air conditioning?
Gulets offer air conditioning in various degrees, varying from none to full 24 hour availability. It's important to determine the air conditioning ability and policy in advance, and to specify how important it is to you and to choose the right yacht accordingly. We find that many of our guests love to sleep on deck under the stars, or prefer not to have the generator operating during the night.
Do the crew speak English?
All of our captains on our gulets speak conversational English, and there will always be at least one crew member with fluency. More importantly is that our captains are very well versed in communicating, even if the right word doesn't spring to mind at the moment. This may involve a smiling demonstration and the right props to explain the history of the Carian tombs, but in general, the crew have good to excellent comprehension of English, and often a bit of Italian, Greek, French and German.
What about wifi, beach towels and hair dryers?
All of our gulets have wifi for email usage which will be functional 90% of the time along the Turkish coast. In the Greek Islands, wifi is available from local cafes and tavernas. Full size, plush beach towels are provided, as are separate bath towels. Hair dryers are available on all our gulets.
As much as you want. However it is important to note that some gulets (and crews) sail better than others. If sailing is important to you, we will match you with the right yacht and itinerary for the conditions depending on the time of year.
Do I need air conditioning?
Gulets offer air conditioning in various degrees, varying from none to full 24 hour availability. It's important to determine the air conditioning ability and policy in advance, and to specify how important it is to you and to choose the right yacht accordingly. We find that many of our guests love to sleep on deck under the stars, or prefer not to have the generator operating during the night.
Do the crew speak English?
All of our captains on our gulets speak conversational English, and there will always be at least one crew member with fluency. More importantly is that our captains are very well versed in communicating, even if the right word doesn't spring to mind at the moment. This may involve a smiling demonstration and the right props to explain the history of the Carian tombs, but in general, the crew have good to excellent comprehension of English, and often a bit of Italian, Greek, French and German.
What about wifi, beach towels and hair dryers?
All of our gulets have wifi for email usage which will be functional 90% of the time along the Turkish coast. In the Greek Islands, wifi is available from local cafes and tavernas. Full size, plush beach towels are provided, as are separate bath towels. Hair dryers are available on all our gulets.
Blue Cruise Questions
Greek Island Destinations on the Blue Cruise
I want to cruise in Greece.
You may cruise Greek Dodecanese Islands including Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Nysiros, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, and Samos. With advance planning, you can also cruise the Cyclades to include Santorini and Mykonos. Greek harbor and port fees are not included in the charter price and payable directly to the port authorities. We can provide an approximate in advance as to what these fees will be, depending on the size of the gulet and the number of islands visited.
Will my electronic devices work during the cruise?
Only if your wife or husband agree to it. There might be an occasional area where reception is poor, but seldom for long. Ipod adapters are provided on our gulets. There may be areas in Greek waters where wi-fi is not available on the yacht, but there are many cafes and restaurants ashore that provide wi-fi.
I want to share a cruise with other people.
Southern Cross Blue Cruising does not offer shared (cabin charter) cruises, as in our experience, it has been very difficult to match differing holiday expectations from people in a relatively small space. For a thorough and rather humorous explanation of what can go wrong, see our Tripadvisor forum posting.
Does my cruise have to return to the starting port?
You may begin in one port and end in other, depending on the yacht's schedule. It's best to book early to ensure securing the itinerary and ports you want.
Can I have meals at little tavernas every night?
Along the Turkish and Greek coast, there are several excellent restaurants which we recommend but other establishments are not reliable year to year and may be understocked and over priced, as their locations can be quite remote. However, if you desire your itinerary around eating on shore, we are happy to accommodate this and assist with planning an eating cruise.
Is the Blue Cruise suitable for children?
Bundle them up and bring them along. Gulet holidays are perfect for children, as they can nap and be fed as needed. Child-friendly foods abound. Many a child has first learned to swim in these buoyant, calm seas. Small sized life vests are provided, and the crew will help keep them entertained with fishing and canoeing. For infants, we can provide a travel cot.
What about the elderly or those with mobility issues?
The Blue Cruise is suitable for both, for many reasons. Seniors can enjoy the cruise at their own pace, choosing to read, relax and nap at leisure while the younger family members explore and swim. Those with mobility issues have only a few steps between their cabin and the activity on the aft deck, and our crews are enormously helpful with getting on and off of the yacht and swim ladder as needed, with great discretion.
What items do I need to pack?
As the Blue Cruise is very casual even on the highest end gulets, we suggest that you bring a minimal amount of casual shore clothing, a light sweater for evenings, several swimsuits, prescription medication, sunscreen, and hats. If possible, pack soft bags for easier storage. Beach towels, bath towels, books, music, DVD player and movies are all provided.
What kind of fish can I expect to encounter? Can I go fishing during the cruise?
In the summer months, you can expect gilt headed sea bream, sea bass, octopus, calamari, mullet, prawns and dusky grouper, occasionally while snorkeling but definitely on the menu. All of our gulets come equipped with fishing lines.
Are there any crocodiles, sharks or stingrays?
We once spotted a tiny baby sand shark who was so frightened of us, we couldn't even form a proper memory of her. The only creature to be wary of are sea urchins which are easily visible perched upon rocks, and which can be hand picked for a delicious cold appetizer/meze evening salad.
You may cruise Greek Dodecanese Islands including Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Nysiros, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, and Samos. With advance planning, you can also cruise the Cyclades to include Santorini and Mykonos. Greek harbor and port fees are not included in the charter price and payable directly to the port authorities. We can provide an approximate in advance as to what these fees will be, depending on the size of the gulet and the number of islands visited.
Will my electronic devices work during the cruise?
Only if your wife or husband agree to it. There might be an occasional area where reception is poor, but seldom for long. Ipod adapters are provided on our gulets. There may be areas in Greek waters where wi-fi is not available on the yacht, but there are many cafes and restaurants ashore that provide wi-fi.
I want to share a cruise with other people.
Southern Cross Blue Cruising does not offer shared (cabin charter) cruises, as in our experience, it has been very difficult to match differing holiday expectations from people in a relatively small space. For a thorough and rather humorous explanation of what can go wrong, see our Tripadvisor forum posting.
Does my cruise have to return to the starting port?
You may begin in one port and end in other, depending on the yacht's schedule. It's best to book early to ensure securing the itinerary and ports you want.
Can I have meals at little tavernas every night?
Along the Turkish and Greek coast, there are several excellent restaurants which we recommend but other establishments are not reliable year to year and may be understocked and over priced, as their locations can be quite remote. However, if you desire your itinerary around eating on shore, we are happy to accommodate this and assist with planning an eating cruise.
Is the Blue Cruise suitable for children?
Bundle them up and bring them along. Gulet holidays are perfect for children, as they can nap and be fed as needed. Child-friendly foods abound. Many a child has first learned to swim in these buoyant, calm seas. Small sized life vests are provided, and the crew will help keep them entertained with fishing and canoeing. For infants, we can provide a travel cot.
What about the elderly or those with mobility issues?
The Blue Cruise is suitable for both, for many reasons. Seniors can enjoy the cruise at their own pace, choosing to read, relax and nap at leisure while the younger family members explore and swim. Those with mobility issues have only a few steps between their cabin and the activity on the aft deck, and our crews are enormously helpful with getting on and off of the yacht and swim ladder as needed, with great discretion.
What items do I need to pack?
As the Blue Cruise is very casual even on the highest end gulets, we suggest that you bring a minimal amount of casual shore clothing, a light sweater for evenings, several swimsuits, prescription medication, sunscreen, and hats. If possible, pack soft bags for easier storage. Beach towels, bath towels, books, music, DVD player and movies are all provided.
What kind of fish can I expect to encounter? Can I go fishing during the cruise?
In the summer months, you can expect gilt headed sea bream, sea bass, octopus, calamari, mullet, prawns and dusky grouper, occasionally while snorkeling but definitely on the menu. All of our gulets come equipped with fishing lines.
Are there any crocodiles, sharks or stingrays?
We once spotted a tiny baby sand shark who was so frightened of us, we couldn't even form a proper memory of her. The only creature to be wary of are sea urchins which are easily visible perched upon rocks, and which can be hand picked for a delicious cold appetizer/meze evening salad.
Safety and Travel Questions
Kayak and canoe on your gulet
Will I be safe?
The only real danger is getting from your house to the airport. Turkey is very safe - the only burglar we have had in 20 years apologized afterwards. Turkey's culture and economy are growing at a tremendous rate, yet it is a very family oriented country with a `small town feel` wherever you go and is home to world famous warmth and hospitality.
How do I get to Turkey and my port of embarkation?
International flights to major Turkish cities, or ferries from Greece are the easiest way to arrive in Turkey. From Istanbul, you can fly into and out of Bodrum-Milas or Dalaman airports. Another possibility is to take the daily hydrofoil from Kos to Bodrum, Rhodes to Marmaris, or Samos to Kusadasi. See our Arrival and Departure page for more details.
Some people in my group cannot swim.
They need not swim if they prefer not to. There is plenty to do on the gulet, and there are daily excursions available on land.
The only real danger is getting from your house to the airport. Turkey is very safe - the only burglar we have had in 20 years apologized afterwards. Turkey's culture and economy are growing at a tremendous rate, yet it is a very family oriented country with a `small town feel` wherever you go and is home to world famous warmth and hospitality.
How do I get to Turkey and my port of embarkation?
International flights to major Turkish cities, or ferries from Greece are the easiest way to arrive in Turkey. From Istanbul, you can fly into and out of Bodrum-Milas or Dalaman airports. Another possibility is to take the daily hydrofoil from Kos to Bodrum, Rhodes to Marmaris, or Samos to Kusadasi. See our Arrival and Departure page for more details.
Some people in my group cannot swim.
They need not swim if they prefer not to. There is plenty to do on the gulet, and there are daily excursions available on land.
Money Questions
Caretta, Caretta Loggerhead Turtles on your Gulet Charter
What does the gulet charter price include?
The charter price includes your hire of the gulet, crew, fuel for an average of 4 hours motoring daily over the course of the cruise, water and Turkish port and harbour fees.
More importantly, what does the gulet charter price not include?
Depending on the yacht, the charter price usually does not include full board, beverages, airport transfers, Greek port and harbor fees, entrances to national monuments, and crew gratuity is extra. Please see our Pricing page for a complete description of exclusions.
What is the cancellation policy?
If we can resell the week, we will refund the charter deposit. Otherwise, we will try to reschedule your cruise according to the yacht's availability for a future date.
The charter price includes your hire of the gulet, crew, fuel for an average of 4 hours motoring daily over the course of the cruise, water and Turkish port and harbour fees.
More importantly, what does the gulet charter price not include?
Depending on the yacht, the charter price usually does not include full board, beverages, airport transfers, Greek port and harbor fees, entrances to national monuments, and crew gratuity is extra. Please see our Pricing page for a complete description of exclusions.
What is the cancellation policy?
If we can resell the week, we will refund the charter deposit. Otherwise, we will try to reschedule your cruise according to the yacht's availability for a future date.
Turkey Questions
Sunset in Bodrum, Turkey
Tell me about Turkey - is this the Middle East?
The Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country located on the Eastern Mediterranean and borders 8 countries. Due to its strategic location and extensive history, Turkey is a unique blend of Western and Eastern cultures with a mosaic of diverse ethnicities, all united under the democracy of the founding father Atatürk. Turkey is an active member of NATO and we hope that it does not join the European Union, as we'd lose our tasty, unpasteurized local cheeses.
Is English widely spoken?
In the major cities and along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, English is widely spoken.
What attractions should I not miss out on?
It would take many weeks of cruising to see all of the many attractions, but `must-see` attractions on land would include Istanbul, Canakkale, Gallipoli, Ephesus, the Castle of Saint Peter, Pamukkale, Myra, Demre, Olympos and Cappadocia. During the cruise, highlights are the Greek Island of Symi, the sunken city of Kekova, the Carian tombs at Dalyan and Kaunos, the Byzantine ruins at Gemiler, the lagoon at Oludeniz, the ghost town of Kayaköy, and the ancient site of Knidos.
Anything we haven't covered? Just email us.
The Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country located on the Eastern Mediterranean and borders 8 countries. Due to its strategic location and extensive history, Turkey is a unique blend of Western and Eastern cultures with a mosaic of diverse ethnicities, all united under the democracy of the founding father Atatürk. Turkey is an active member of NATO and we hope that it does not join the European Union, as we'd lose our tasty, unpasteurized local cheeses.
Is English widely spoken?
In the major cities and along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, English is widely spoken.
What attractions should I not miss out on?
It would take many weeks of cruising to see all of the many attractions, but `must-see` attractions on land would include Istanbul, Canakkale, Gallipoli, Ephesus, the Castle of Saint Peter, Pamukkale, Myra, Demre, Olympos and Cappadocia. During the cruise, highlights are the Greek Island of Symi, the sunken city of Kekova, the Carian tombs at Dalyan and Kaunos, the Byzantine ruins at Gemiler, the lagoon at Oludeniz, the ghost town of Kayaköy, and the ancient site of Knidos.
Anything we haven't covered? Just email us.
