Have you ever considered going on a sailing vacation? With the right preparations, a sailing vacation can be an extraordinary experience and a trip you will remember for a lifetime. And you don't even need sailing experience! Just imagine gliding over clear blue waters on a sunny day, plenty of opportunities to swim and sunbathe, see marine life up close, and the freedom to visit any place you like. Before we dive into that, let's discuss some of the practicalities and who this type of vacation is suitable for.
With a bareboat charter, you only rent the boat, with the option to hire a skipper. If you or someone in your party already has sailing experience, you will sail with your own crew. When you figure out the total price of the bareboat, be sure to factor in cruise insurance and final cleaning; all of this is included in the Navigare Carefree package when you charter with Navigare Yachting, and the yacht comes with everything you need from linen and kitchenware to sailing and safety equipment. If you have some experience but want some help getting used to the boat, you can hire a cashier skipper – a professional skipper for just a day. Checkout skippers can also give you tips on docking and getting in and out of the marina.
There are also other options for those with no sailing experience or those who prefer hands-off yacht charters where no work is required! You can charter a fully crewed yacht or try a cabin charter. With a fully crewed cruise ship, the captain/chef duo means you don't have to lift a finger and will indulge in a luxurious experience. The captain will look after the ship and its systems around the clock, so you don't have to work, and it's a great way to learn to sail at your own pace. If you rent a cabin, you just rent the cabin and stay on the cruise with other people. Both options are usually “all-inclusive” for those who don't want to worry about food and travel arrangements. Everything is taken care of; all you have to do is sit back and relax!
Whether you have sailing experience or not, a yacht charter can be the perfect getaway for anyone looking to spend time on the water. Maybe you are ready to try something new? In that case, keep reading. Below are ten reasons why your next vacation should be a sailing vacation.
1. How to avoid crowded beaches.
With a cruise ship, you have the possibility to anchor in hidden coves and travel to beautiful beaches and places that most tourists don't know about or can't reach. Fewer crowds mean you'll have the opportunity to truly enjoy a relaxing day swimming in the best spots.
2. You are not limited to one city or village.
Instead, you have the ability to move around with ease visiting places and seeing more than you ever imagined during your travels. Unlike staying in a hotel, where you have to return to the same place every night, on a cruise you can see a new island or city every day (if you want) and you don't have to rent a car to do it. So.
3. You have a lot of freedom in the choices you make (together with your captain, of course).
Your itinerary may change depending on what you and your group want to do during your vacation. Maybe you decide to stay an extra day on an island you love so much or take a detour to visit a town the locals recommended to you? Cruise vacations give you the most flexibility.
4. You will learn a lot!
If you are interested in learning to sail, this is your golden ticket! Whether you choose a bareboat with a skipper, a fully crewed charter, or a cabin charter, you'll be accompanied by a skipper throughout the day who can share their skills. From working lines and tying knots to navigating, trimming sails, and aiming and anchoring, there's a lot to learn when it comes to sailing.
5. You can customize your vacation to your liking.
Is your goal to get away from everyday pressures and focus on recreational activities like reading, socializing and swimming? Or do you want to explore, go on real adventures and visit party islands and bar streets? The choice is yours! A cruise charter vacation can be whatever you want it to be. The boat will give you access to so many places you would never have seen before and is a wonderful place to relax at the same time.
6. Easy to fall asleep.
Can you imagine a better way to fall asleep than on a boat gently swaying through the water to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the hull? With a chartered crew, you also don't have to worry about anchoring and can sleep comfortably through the night.
7. See marine life, such as fish and coral.
Regardless of the purpose of your charter, you'll likely experience at least some of the marine life up close. Whether you are sailing in the Mediterranean or in, the Caribbean or somewhere else entirely, be prepared for some amazing encounters with schools of fish. If you're lucky, you may even see bioluminescent plankton lighting up the beach at night. In the Caribbean, you have the chance to see coral, sea turtles and small sharks, and even visit shipwrecks teeming with rich marine life.
8. You are always close to the water.
If you like swimming, a cruise ship vacation is the way to go. On the boat, you can swim (almost) whenever you want. If it's hot out, you have a way to quickly cool off, either by going for a swim or enjoying the cool breeze on deck.
9. Enjoy a brilliant sunset and/or sunrise!
There's a reason why people flock to the beach around sunset. The water is a fantastic place to watch the sky turn from blue to fiery reds and gold. There are even special boat tours, known as sunset cruises, that take people out on the water to watch the sunset. Well, on a cruise charter, you will enjoy your own private platform to watch the sunrise and sunset every day!
10. Certain activities are more accessible.
There are lots of things to do on the water, such as snorkeling, diving, stand-up paddle boarding, water skiing, wakeboarding and kayaking. Without a boat, this activity might not be on your itinerary.
A yacht charter doesn't have to be more expensive than a cruise ship, and for the reasons listed above and more, it's well worth the money. If you are interested in learning more about chartering a sailing yacht, visit Navigare Yachting. On their website, you can read about the different types of charters on offer, destinations to choose from, and get help from charter agents to book your trip.
Wherever your next adventure takes you, good luck!