General

  • Differences between Luxury & Prestige Category

     Luxury Category:

    • Yachts from 50 to 62 ft.
    • All Inclusive Offers (meals, drinks, fuels etc..)
    • – VAT & APA are not included in the Charter Price
    • – Permanent Crew on board
    • – *5 Start Service

    All Vessels are highly regarded in the industry, additionally they operate with a professional & experienced crew on board, who guarantee that their guests will receive high end services on board (5 star service).   – Prestige Category:

    •  Charter Price Inc. of VAT
    • Food, Drinks, Fuels etc.. are not Inc. in the price
    • No permanent Crew on board

    All Catamarans from Prestige Category are offered as Bareboat or Skippered. Some weeks prior charter dates, captain and hostess (not same persons every week) will be appointed to the Yacht, by the Yacht Manager and us (LuxuryCatamarans).  Be assured that for our Yachts hire the most experienced and seasoned crew. The crew will be to our standards and we are very particular in this matter. In addition the crew are locals with in depth knowledge of the area and could provide you some excellent tips and suggestions for each destination you will visit All catamarans under this category are not older than 5 year.  Charter price for them include only the yacht and you need to pay separately for the skipper, hostess, end cleaning fee, water toys,provisions etc.

  • Extras for Skippered-Bareboat Category

    Find below the approx. costs for an upcoming sailing charter in. Kindly note that in the charter price is included the VAT tax and there are no any hidden costs.

    • Charter Price: charter price includes  the yacht (equipment, dinghy etc) and the VAT

     

    • Skipper: is responsible for the safety of the vessel and her crew (guests). His or her duties include sailing of the vessel, planning the itinerary, and looking after the yacht (not cooking, cleaning or shopping). Guests may be required to help with various sailing tasks if there is no second professional crew member on board. The skipper will discuss the itinerary with the charterer and as much as possible will try to accommodate his/her requests. However, the skipper has the final say on all matters on board which may affect the safety of the ship and her crew. If the weather conditions are or appear to be unsuitable for sailing, the skipper decides whether or not to leave port.

     

    • Hostess: duties include light cooking and serving of 2 meals per day (usually continental style breakfast and buffet style lunch, snacks, sandwiches, drinks, etc., but sometimes also hot/cooked meals if requested, shopping of basic provisions (at client’s expense), cleaning of public spaces, but not cabins (unless privately arranged). He/she will also usually help the skipper in the capacity of first-mate

     

    • Fuels:The fuel costs depend on the yacht engine type (hence the consumption), the use of the generator (if used), the weather and the distances covered while running on the engine. A typical week , on a Lagoon 390 would cost anywhere between 400-700 euro.

     

    • Harbor fees: Minimal cost / approximately €10 per night, if charged. (Very few of the Greek islands actually have private marinas. Instead, most islands have a main harbor where you will only have to pay for the fuel, water and electricity you consume, but you may have to pay for the berth. Some places don’t charge at all and some places have increased their fees, so the final cost is very much a guess.) Total port fees estimate: €50 – 100 per week.

     

    • Water Toys: Most common available water toys are Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) and snorkeling equipment  with extra cost (100-300 EUR per week). Also please note that water toys are available upon request and must to pre-booked

     

    • Meals, provisions – Meals are not included in the price and the cost is totally up to your preferences. Most people prefer to stock the yacht with basic provisions for breakfast, snacks and a light lunch and to spend the evening ashore at an island taverna. It is best to shop little and often to avoid waste as many people buy more than they need. All the islands have shops with fresh produce and you would be supporting local economies if you buy as you go. You should calculate roughly €10-20 per person per day for provisions on board, not counting alcoholic drinks, and approximately €15-20 per person for an evening meal ashore (not lobster dinners!).

     

    • Crew meals: Meals should be provided for the hired crew during the week so please factor them into your provision planning. When you eat ashore in the evenings, you are not obliged to invite the crew to join you, but some people do. If you choose not to, it is generally understood that the crew will eat again from the on board provisions or make their own arrangements. Sometimes, the charterer provides an additional expense for the crew to eat ashore by themselves. Discuss the options with the crew at the beginning of the week to find out what works best for them.
  • Monohull vs Catamaran

    In general a Catamaran is a sailboat consisted of two hulls, joined by a frame. Within the last year hiring a catamaran become very popular instead of monohulls, and this because of their stability, spaciousness and safety. It is just a great alternative to monohulls.

    • Space and Comfort

    Multi-hulls are offering more stability which is ideal even for families with kids – especially while walking around the yacht since all areas are more extensive than on a monohull yacht. Catamarans are much wider, providing spacious aft cockpits. The main salon is on the same level as the cockpit. A separated skipper cabin could be found on almost every multihull. On the larger ones, those skipper cabins have full equipment (Toilet, sink, shower, etc.), leading toward complete separation of a crew and yacht guests in case that is necessary. If you prefer comfort and more space, catamarans are your go-to yachts for sailing vacations.

    • Speed

    Catamarans can sail half the speed of the wind, depending upon their angle. It’s ideal to be on a boat that can reach high speeds quickly and arrive at your destination in a reliable and timely manner. That happened because of their hulls which are less immersed in the water and have a smaller area in the water to create drag.

    • Safety and Stability

    Catamarans are very stable and have natural buoyancy, making them unsinkable. Yes, they can capsize in a bad accident, but it’s better to be rescued floating on the water’s surface than sinking to the bottom in a monohull. Plus, moving around on a flat deck is much safer than on a deck at an angle

    • Draft

    Due to their low draft (It is common for a 40+ foot cruising cat to have a draft less than 4 feet)  allowing sailors to explore shallow areas monohullers fear to tread

    • Maneuverability

    Catamarans have great maneuverability since most catamarans have twin engines they can be more comfortable to dock than a single engine monohull. Modern catamarans can do a 360 turn in their length   In the end, we are back to personal preferences and finance. Catamarans are more expensive to buy/rent and to moor/dock, but they are offering a lot for their price. They provide an extraordinary sailing sensation fulfilled with luxury, for individuals and families looking to spend their vacation at sea, sailing while wining, dining and enjoying the sun.  We have to clear out that sailing sensation of mono and multihulls are also entirely different. For adventurous individuals heeling under 45 degrees would be ideal, but for ones who would like to have a nice meal and sunbathe during sailing, multihulls would be perfect.

  • Crew Duties

    – THE SKIPPER is responsible for the safety of the vessel and her crew (guests). His or her duties include sailing of the vessel, planning the itinerary, and looking after the yacht (not cooking, cleaning or shopping). Guests may be required to help with various sailing tasks if there is no second professional crew member on board. The skipper will discuss the itinerary with the charterer and as much as possible will try to accommodate his/her requests. However, the skipper has the final say on all matters on board which may affect the safety of the ship and her crew. If the weather conditions are or appear to be unsuitable for sailing, the skipper decides whether or not to leave port. –

    THE HOSTESS / DECKHAND’S duties include light cooking and serving of 2 meals per day (usually continental style breakfast and buffet style lunch, snacks, sandwiches, drinks, etc., but sometimes also hot/cooked meals if requested, shopping of basic provisions (at client’s expense), cleaning of public spaces, but not cabins (unless privately arranged). He/she will also usually help the skipper in the capacity of first-mate

    Crew meals: Meals should be provided for the hired crew during the week so please factor them into your provision planning. When you eat ashore in the evenings, you are not obliged to invite the crew to join you, but some people do. If you choose not to, it is generally understood that the crew will eat again from the on board provisions or make their own arrangements. Sometimes, the charterer provides an additional expense for the crew to eat ashore by themselves. Discuss the options with the crew at the beginning of the week to find out what works best for them. ** The crew are not obliged to work longer than 8 hours per day although often do so. A crew gratuity is optional and at the discretion of the client. If you are happy with your crew, a recommended tip is approximately 10% of the yacht charter fee.

  • A.P.A for Crewed Category

    The 20% APA  (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is a guarantee deposit, which is used to cover all the running expenses, which are not included in the charter rate.

    • Fuel and Generator Consumption,
    • Food provisioning & Drinks,
    • Private marina fees  /gasoline for the tender and/or water toys,
    • Communication cost / transfers (from airport or hotel),
    • Tips for the crew at clients’ discretion.

    In general, everything included. Of course APA is not a fix amount. APA prepaid depending on cruising hours and the itinerary you will decide with captain as well as the drinks and provisions order . Any balance is arranged with the captain prior disembarkation. A.P.A is a standard policy for all the Crewed Charters in Mediterranean and it is very convenient because you do not have to pay every time separately for meals, marine fees, drinks etc.  Be assured that during the charter the captain keeps precise record of all the expenses, which you can check any minute so you can estimate and control your expenses !

  • Booking Process & Payment Policy

    After your final confirmation, we will kindly ask you to provide us:

    1. Full Name (charterer) and
    2. Your address

    In order to prepare all the booking details and contract.   Then you could proceed to deposit within the next 7 days after your confirmation. The standard deposit to reserve any catamaran is 50% of the charter price within 7 days from Booking Confirmation.Balance payment to be paid 30 days before your embarkation.

  • Cancellation Policy

    As the Covid-19 pandemic continues and with lingering concerns about the impact on charters, we want to let you know that Luxury Catamarans is working with our Yacht Managers, Owners and our guests to resolve issues with upcoming charters.
    During this uncertain period and until further notice our Covid-19 and cancelation policy is as follows:

    CREWED YACHT CHARTERS

    Each charter is dealt with on a case by case basis. Discussions with regards to options are to be handled a week prior to the client’s final payment- this is approximately 5 weeks prior to the start of the charter.

    If Covid-19 impacts charter dates, many of the yacht owners have accepted our recommendation for offering to change the charter dates with no change fees to a mutually decided date within 12 months of their initial charter.

    The Covid-19 pandemic is a situation that no one could have predicted. This is forcing everyone to re-evaluate plans and make many changes and sacrifices. During this time, it’s important that we all work together for the health of our guests, employees, crews, and our greater community while ensuring the viability of our industry coming out of this global crisis. Please work with us as we do our very best to navigate this situation.


    BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTERS

    For charters that are already booked, Luxury Catamarans is offering rescheduling of charters dates for any period in 2020 or 2021 season. The Charter rate remains unchanged if the yacht is rescheduled in the same period of the year as its original charter. However, if the charter is rescheduled at other times, the Charter Rate will be that of the current advertised season rate for the Yacht, and the difference will be paid by the CHARTERER as appropriate, there will not be a refund if the booking is less expensive.

    Standard Cancelation Policy (not during Covid-19 Pandemic)

    In the event of cancellation of the charter by the Charterer, for any reason, the following cancellation policy will apply and depending on the time interval between the booking confirmation and the cancellation date:

    a. A cancellation fee of 30% of the total charter fee, for bookings, canceled within a period of more than 60 days prior to boat embarkation.
    b. A cancellation fee of 50% of the total charter fee, for bookings, canceled within a period of 60-30 days prior to boat embarkation.
    c. A cancellation fee of 100% of the total fee, for bookings, canceled in a period less than 30 days prior to boat embarkation.
    In case that the yacht under cancellation is re-chartered to another charterer for the same period and under the same conditions, only the dossier expenses will be charged at EURO 300.-

  • What size of catamaran should I charter?

    That all depends on you.! You must ask yourself a series of questions to be able to decide what kind of boat you are looking for. Examples of questions might be like: How many people are you sailing with?, How much space and comfort would you like?, etc Do you require a skipper or not? If you need skipper’s services (please bear in mind that the skipper sleeps on board as well, so one of the berths (either in the saloon area or in a cabin) should be reserved for him) Is the age of the yacht an important criteria? etc

  • What I need to do if number of guest changes?

    Please note that all quoted prices are per boat and not per person, so if number of guest is under or equal to yacht’s official protocol you will no need to do anything! Although in case that number of your guests exceeds official protocol you need to inform us in order to check availability for bigger catamaran

  • Why is the contract referring to the charter as a Bareboat charter since I have already hired a skipper?

    Most of the yacht owners offer the ability to the charterer to hire the vessel either as a bareboat in case they have the necessary credentials or as a skippered charter. All skippers and hostesses are freelancers and are chosen by the yacht owner. All of them are external colleagues.The contract is pre-edited for bareboat charters and it is not very easy to change it. However since the charter is a skippered one, the skipper has the responsibility of her.

  • What is the purpose of the deposit?

    All yacht are insured by Shipowners in order to cover any damage or loss of the yacht and her equipment during the charter. This is typically 1000€ – 3500€, the bigger and newer the yacht, the larger the security deposit will be.When you return the boat with no loss or damage you are refunded the total amount.

  • How can I be sure that my catamaran will be waiting in the port and in good condition?

    Our job is to select the best boats for you! We only work with professional rental companies that meet our standards of quality and services and have signed our collaboration charter.

  • Itineraries

    Based on your preferred sailing region we will send you some sample ititneraries but bear in mind that all itineraries are 100% tailor maid.We always suggest to our guests (upon embarkation and after technical inspection of the boat has been concluded by the skipper) to discuss with their skipper the best possible itinerary. You may explain to him what you wish to visit and he, according to the accurate weather forecast which he would have by that time only in hand, will advise on what would be feasible weather permitting & how long it would take to visit these islands, then you will be able to decide whether they wish to go for it or not.

  • Official Embarkation – Disembarkation Time

    Official embarkation time for all charter is 17:00 / Official Disembarkation time for all charters 09:00

    • Early embarkation/late disembarkation is might be available upon request but based on each Yacht Manager and catamaran’s booking schedule. May early embarkation/late disembarkation fee applied.
    • All yachts is obligatory to return back to the base from Friday afternoon 18.00 p.m for security reasons ( avoid possible extreme weather conditions), so your last night of your charter will be at the port
  • Water & Electricity Consupmtion On board

    Water: Always need to remember that Water supplies on the boat are limited! The capacity of the water tank of the boat varies depending on the size. In the tab of each boat, the capacity is specified. If the deposit gets empty, you have to go to the port to reload it with an extra cost.

    Electricity: On board battery system is the main source of electricity on a boat. > When moored in a marina, sailors can connect to the shore power system to get AC 220/240 V. When connected to the shore power, you can charge your devices via 220/240 V electric outlet. > When the boat is underway using the engine, electricity will also be produced from this source. Use that time while the engine is turned on and charge as many devices as possible. Once the engine is turned off, one should be careful about using onboard battery system. > Some yacht are also equipped with Electric generator, although they are noisy and diesel-hungry!

  • Can I charter a catamaran for less than one week?

    Catamaran Charters run from Saturday to Saturday in a circle itinerary (Athens-Athens) and all quoted prices based on weekly basis.Even you choose to take a shorter trip (like 3-5 days) you will need to pay again for the whole week for the boat and for any extra you may need (skipper/hostess etc)

  • Why are the prices so different?

    The prices of the boats are very different for many reasons. Depending on what type of boat it is, prices vary. They also vary depending on the time of the year. For example, the price will be more expensive during the summer because the weather is warmer and therefore there is more demand. In addition, depending also  from which marina a boat has as base “home port”. Some spots (like Mykonos or Dubrovnik) are more popular and as a result have also more expensive marina fees which reflected to final price.

Booking

  • Main Greek Sailing Regions

    We always suggest to our guests (upon embarkation and after technical inspection of the boat has been concluded by the skipper) to discuss with their skipper the best possible itinerary. You may explain to him what you wish to visit and he, according to the accurate weather forecast which he would have by that time only in hand, will advise on what would be feasible weather permitting & how long it would take to visit these islands, then you will be able to decide whether they wish to go for it or not.

    • Athens:

    This area has some beautiful bays and is far more quite the the Cyclades – there are some really wonderful things to for this type of holiday. The island of Hydra for example no cars – no motor bikes just donkeys – Monemvasia AMAZING!!! Wonderful energy. Culture and history can also be found along the way. Additionally the distance between the islands is not long and the area is geographically protected from the winds. From our experience, this region is ideal for a families .

    • Cyclades:

    If you are going to embark from Athens, you might be able to find a Catamaran at a better price but you will need 5 hours to sail from Athens to Cyclades (Kythnos island) plus 5-6 hours from Kythnos to Mykonos and other 12 hours to sail back. That means that you are going to lose the first and the last day of your charter, since the official embarkation time is 17.00 p.m. Except that kindly note that it is obligatory to return back to the base from Friday afternoon 18.00 p.m for security reasons ( avoid possible extreme weather conditions). That means that you have to leave from Mykonos or Santorini at Friday early morning Kindly note, that the yachts which are based in the Greek islands, are more expensive than the yachts in Athens, because of their great location. The Yacht might be more expensive (almost 400 EUR), If you embark from the Greek Islands you are going to avoid the circle route Athens- Athens, which means that you are going to save the first and last day of your charter. That means that you are going to have much more time for island hoping, you could visit more destinations and you could enjoy your vacations with peace of mind. Also you do not have to pay any relocation fee which costs 300-400 EUR. I believe the “mix” of the catamaran location, the year of built and the excellent service at this price is a great value for money.

    • Ionian

    In fact the Ionian Region is one of the best holiday destination, not only in Greece, but in the whole Mediterranean in general. Beautiful islands and tirquaz crystal clears waters, are always crowded and full of life especially for the summer season. Lond golden beaches, secluded coves and safe natural harbors are ideal locations for anyone who wish to anchor for a day or two. Ionian islands have a mild and temperate climate, the heat is tempered by the meltemia, the soft, northwestern winds, and the sea is calm which makes them the ideal location for sailing.The sailing distance between Ioanian Islands are fairly close to each other, as a result sailing between islands is easy, short and relaxed. The characteristic turquoise waters of Ionian sea are breathtaking and you can explore a total different side of Greece. In my opinion, in Ionian Region, you can experience one of the itineraries not only in Greece but in the whole Mediterranean. Please find attached two suggested itineraries for sailing in the Ionian Islands.

  • One Way Trip

    We would like to inform you that disembarkation in different port it is possible. However, please bear in mind that Catamaran Charter run from Saturday to Saturday in a circle itinerary. In this case if you wish to embark from one port (e.g Athens) and disembark to another port (e.g Santorini), you should disembark in Santorini one day earlier, on Friday 8:00 a.m the latest , since the yacht must be back to its base on time in order to get ready for the next charter . In addition please note that relocation fees will apply (400-700 €). Relocation fees include all running expenses like gas/ crew expenses (e.g ferry tickets, extra crew member) etc.

  • Provisions for Prestige Category (Skippered/Bareboat)

    • In case that you are not hire a hostess please note that most people prefer to stock the yacht with basic provisions for breakfast, snacks and a light lunch and to spend the evening ashore at an island restaurant. You are kindly advised to shop the basics so to avoid waste. You can find fresh and local products at each island’s market and you can easily refill your provisions . You should calculate roughly €10-15 per person per day for provisions on board, not counting alcoholic drinks, and approximately €10-20 per person for an evening meal ashore (not lobster dinners!), although it is possible to eat for less if you are on a budget.
    • If you hire a hostess, we are going to send you a provision list so she will purchase all provisions before embarkation at no additional cost for this service.The supplies are paid at the base all in accordance to the provided receipt.Last but not least please bear in mind that meals should be provided for the hired crew during the week so please factor them into your provision planning. When you eat ashore in the evenings, you are not obliged to invite the crew to join you, but some people do. If you choose not to, it is generally understood that the crew will eat again from the on board provisions or make their own arrangements. Sometimes, the charterer provides an additional expense (not less tahn 30EUR for each crew member) for the crew to eat ashore by themselves. Discuss the options with the crew at the beginning of the week to find out what works best for them.
  • If we were to hire without a skipper what qualifications would we need?

    For bare-boat there should be a minimum of one certified skipper on board (any internationally recognized certification, eg: RYA Day Skipper, ASA #104, ICC), which should be in English or in any of the languages of the European Union. There should be at least one experienced crew member on board also (eg: RYA Competent Crew), although if no documents are available for the co-skipper, it is usually possible for him/her to sign a declaration that he/she has previous experience. Letters from yacht clubs and log-books can also be submitted for the co-skipper but are not considered sufficient on their own for the skipper

Embarkation & Facilities

  • What are the necessary documents for the embarkation?

    The crew list and the signed contract are necessary to be received at least 2 weeks before embarkation so as the mandatory procedure can be done with the Port Authorities in advance  and avoid any delay with the embarkation on that day. 

    It is also highly important to know the approximate time of arrival and a contact number so that the base manager or the guest coordinator can reach you in case of a change or an emergency. 

  • What should I fill in the Crew list?

    The crew list is a document with all the details of the passengers  that needs to be stamped by the port authorities before embarkation.

    In the crew list you must fill in your full name, nationality, date of birth, passport Number and a mobile phone of at least one gues

  • What time should I be at the marina on the day of embarkation?

    Embarkation time is at 17:00, but you are kindly advised to be there at 16:00 so you can do all the paperwork and do not miss not even a minute!You will start sailing around 17:00, since the weather conditions allow it,  when everything is ready, to reach the closer island to spend the night. 

  • What time should the vessel be back to her original base? What time is the Disembarkation?

    The vessel needs to be back to her original base no later than Friday at 18:00 for security reasons. Last night is always spent at the original base so as the necessary checks can be done. Disembarkation is on Saturday morning at 09:00.

  • How do I take the provisions before embarkation?

    In the Prestige Category the cost of the provisions needs to be covered by the charterer. You can easily pre-order the provisions by the website provided a few days before embarkation or in case you have hired a hostess you can then just fill the provision list and he/she will make all the arrangements. There is no need to stock the vessel for the whole week since the space is limited and you can always refill at  the local markets

  • How big is the Fridge?

    Usually most of the vessels have 2 small fridges and a regular refrigerator. The space is enough to stock provisions for 2-3 days. You can always refill them at the local markets at each island you visit. In this way the provisions are alway fresh and you can taste the local delicacies

  • What amenities are included in the Charter?

    Bed linens and bath towels are usually provided but shampoo, conditioner and toilet paper are not. Make sure to add in your provision list the above along with bottles of water since the water from the tankers is not suggested to be drunk. 

    Regarding the kitchen supplies, the vessel is fully equipped with all the utensils like fry, pan etc.

    However things like salt, paper and other spices are not included

  • Are there hairdryers?

    Usually no, there are no hairdryers on the vessels

  • Can I add extra sets of Bath towels and bed linens?

    A set of Bath towels and bed lines are included in the charter pack. However if you wish to add an extra set then there is an extra cost of 15 – 25 EUR per set.

  • Can you arrange transportation for us?

    Of course just feel free to inform us about the pick up time, location and the number of guests.

Let`s Sail Together