Packing for your charter

A few months before you embark you will start to think about what you would like to bring with you. As hard as it sounds, try not to over pack as you may not have a huge amount of storage on board. However, this does depend on the size and style of your chosen boat. For those that are travelling on larger yachts, there may be washing machines on board that could be used. However, think carefully about the climate and your rough route. Are you more likely to be spending your days in your swimming costume or off exploring on the mainland? Do you need a good pair of walking shoes for hiking or/and those sparkling stilettos for elegant evening dinners out?

For those guests that feel they can travel light, there are huge benefits to travelling with hand luggage only. Not only do you not need to worry about there being limited space in your cabin but flights, especially those with connecting flights, are quicker and easier as there is no hanging around waiting for your luggage and there is certainly no chance of your luggage getting lost.

In terms of key items that you may not have thought about packing, here are our top 5 things you must not forget:

• Warmer clothes for the evening. It can get a little chilly in evenings, especially with the breeze. Also, when sailing, sometimes you might need a layer on top, so a light windproof is always useful.
• Underwater camera (or an underwater case for your camera) that is ideal for capturing those photos of a mid-air jump off the side of the boat and a half underwater/half above the waterline shot of the boat and hull.
• Flip Flops/deck shoes that can easily be slipped on and off. You won’t be able to wear shoes inside the boat so having a pair of easy shoes is key.
• Sun protection is a must. Sunrays reflect off the ocean water and can be really damaging to your skin. Even if it’s just cloudy weather, the sun is still incredibly strong. Also, do invest in a decent sun hat and sunglasses for extra protection.
• Plug adapters for all your electronic needs.  

Passport and Visas

Depending on the country you are visiting, the duration of your stay and your nationality, the requirements for entry may vary. We always suggest checking your local government website to check what documents are required and do this as early as possible to ensure that any VISA’s are processed in time.

When you are travelling, it is always a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport separately to your actual passport as well as having a photograph of it on your mobile phone. This means that, in the unlikely event of losing your passport, you have two back-ups.

Travel Insurance

All charter boats have to be insured to be able to charter. However, we highly recommend obtaining your private travel insurance for any cancellations, losses, and changes in travel arrangements. Ensure you save the important contact numbers into your mobile phone so that you can easily get in touch with them if required throughout your charter.

Licences

For some charters you may be required to bring certain licences with you. If you are chartering a bareboat you must bring your Sailing Licence as well as your VHF Licence, so these are presented at the check in. This is an obligatory requirement to embark. 

Similarly for those guests chartering yachts with a wave runner/ jet ski please be aware that some countries require the jet ski/wave runner driver to hold a licence for this (such as Croatia for example). This is not the case for all countries (for example Turkey), so we will have made you aware of any regulations in place. If you are required to have a licence, you must bring this with you on board the charter.

Money

If you are chartering with all-inclusive charter or with Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) you should not be required to carry too much additional cash with you. If you wish to purchase souvenirs, pay for additional meals on shore etc many locations will accept cards. However, in the more remote, smaller islands cash may be the only option. Please ensure you have checked the country’s currency before arriving. If you require an ATM, ask your crew as they will know the locations of the nearest ones to your route.

For those chartering with APA, final accounts will be produced by the Captain at the end of the charter and any unused funds will be refunded in full to the Charterer directly. If the funds are not sufficient, the Captain will advise the Charterer accordingly and bills will be settled upon disembarkation.

Your crew gratuity is normally paid in cash and we recommend planning for this amount in advance. However, it can be paid via bank transfer if this is preferred. If this is something a client would like to do, please discuss this with us before the charter as there may be some small charges for this type of transfer in certain countries (such as Croatia for example).