Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Pre-Booking

1. What qualification/licence do I need to charter a yacht with Greek Sailing Holidays?

If you are booking a bareboat charter , you must hold a qualified skipper licence - day skipper competent level  or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) as a skipper - and have adequate sailing experience. You should also have a co-skipper at competent crew certificate level or with appropriate experience.


 

2. I don’t have a sailing qualification/licence. Can I still charter a yacht?

Yes, this is possible by booking one of our skippers (140€/day+meals). Sit back and relax,  when you charter the yacht with one of our experienced and qualified skippers. However, should you wish to learn a bit of sailing, they will be more than happy to teach you.


3. What is included as part of the yacht charter price?

The charter price includes all taxes, and all yachts are properly covered with hull and third-party liability for charter business. You are provided with one full set per week of the following: bed linen, bath towels, beach towels, kitchen towels, pillows and light quilted blankets. All yachts are also equipped with the following: full kitchen equipment (including plates, bowls, cups, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils), dinghy with oars, autopilot, GPS/Plotter, full water tank, one set of snorkelling gear, Greek Water Pilot and map of the sailing region.


 

4. What extra services do you provide?

We provide the following extra services:

Skipper price/day:190 €

Final cleaning:160 € once per charter (mandatory)

Bedclothes:incl. in charter price

Towels:incl. in charter price

Dinghy:incl. in charter price

Outboarder f. dinghy:50 € once per charter (optional)

Life raft:incl. in charter price

Genoa I:incl. in charter price

Gas bottle:incl. in charter price

Railing net:150 € once per charter (optional)

Administrative costs:incl. in charter price


5. Were can I charter from?

Where to find your yacht - Volos Yacht Marina
 Volos Marina, is where you will find your yacht .  Our people will be there to welcome and help you. Check in takes place there as well as provisions needed.
Depending on your cruising plan choice, you could get your yacht from Skiathos.


6. Which day of the week can I start my charter?

Greek Sailing Holidays  offers charters on a weekly basis, starting on Saturdays . Sometimes we can allow exception,at the beginning and end of the season as a last-minute booking, depending on the start day and number of days of the charter.


 

7. How it Works - Which is the Booking Procedure ?

Booking Procedure.  Booking a charter with GREEK SAILING HOLIDAYS  is simple.

As soon as we have received your request we will reply giving you details of availability and price. If you decide to make a booking we can reserve your yacht or accommodation awaiting confirmation.
Please send us a text, leave a message or send an email requesting a 'Callback' at a specific time and provide a landline telephone number (not mobile) and we can call and discuss your requirements in person.
Any information you provide will be used purely for booking proceedures. We will not disclose your email address or any other information to any third parties.

1 - Making an enquiry
Please complete an Enquiry Form providing information as requested. When you select the days of sailing and/or accommodation required you will be presented with a choice of the available yachts and accommodation to select. Provide full contact details and additional information, number of persons, age, gender and any special requests that you might have at this stage or please contact us by telephone or direct email with the necessary details if you prefer.

2 - Quotation & reservation (Under Option)
Upon the receipt of your enquiry we will confirm the availability of the yacht and/or accommodation required and provide a booking quotation. If you would then like to make a booking please let us know as soon as possible so we can make a reservation normally for 7 days reservation (Under Option) allowing time to complete the booking.

3 - Booking Confirmation & Contract
We will email/send a 'Booking Confirmation & Contract' (BCC) for completion. Before the 'option' period expires you must confirm your booking by making the deposit payment (normally 50% of the total amount) and email/fax a copy of the payment receipt along with the signed contract. This contract, together with your deposit payment receipt is your booking confirmation. Your booking is then complete. If the 'option' period has already expired upon receipt of your deposit/contract, we will make every effort to re-fix your booking or find the same or similar booking that meets with your approval.

4 - Booking Confirmation Statement
When your deposit payment is received we will send a 'Booking Confirmation Statement' or BCS confirming the payment received and the outstanding balance with due date. When the final balance payment has been received we will send a 'Booking Confirmation Statement Complete' or BCSC confirming that full payment has been received.

Additional Information
Once your booking is complete we have time to sort the details. For a yacht charter booking we will require the following information in due course:
• Crew list (full names, dates of birth, contact info)
• Arrival information (day, time, flight, airport, etc.)
• Copies of sailing Licenses or Certificates.
Prior to your arrival we will send a personal arrivals document confirming arrival details and plan.

And then it’s Bon Voyage !!!


Before The Charter

8. What is the security deposit?

On bareboat and skippered charters we request you to pay a refundable security deposit at the time of embarkation. There is an exception on crewed charters. This deposit is for covering any damage or loss caused by the client during their charter. Consequently, the clients’ liability is limited to the amount of the security deposit, unless they cause damage or loss through gross negligence or an intentional act.
This can be paid in cash or Visa/Eurocard/ American Express/Visa/Mastercard prior to embarkation. Upon the safe return of the yacht it will be returned in full to you.

 

 

 

9. I’ve booked a skippered charter. Why do I still need to leave a security deposit?

If you are chartering with a skipper provided by GREEK SAILING HOLIDAYS, the skipper is not responsible for all damages aboard. He is responsible for sailing the yacht and if he accidentally damages the yacht, he will have to pay for the damage himself. However, any damage caused by the client aboard is the client's responsibility - for example, accidentally blocking the toilet, accidentally burning something or causing a fire whilst cooking, damages under the influence of alcohol, etc.

 

10. Do I need insurance?

All our yachts are fully insured against damage to hull, gear and equipments as well as for third party liability. Please note that yacht's insurance does not cover your personal belongings and injuries.It is up to you whether you want travel insurance or any other additional insurance.

11. I want/need to cancel my charter booking. What is the procedure?

If you need to cancel your booking, please contact us. You will be refunded accordingly:
No reimbursement for cancellation less than 30 days before charter.
Between 30 - 60 days before charter starts = 50% reimbursement of total charter price.
60 days or more before charter starts = 50% reimbursement of deposit paid.

 

12. What should I bring with me?

The only things you have to bring with you are clothes and personal items. Do not forget cotton trousers, lots of t-shirts, swimming apparel, deck shoes, shorts, casual evening wear, large sea towels, a sun-hat and sunscreen are recommended. At the beginning and at the end of the season light waterproof weather gear is recommended. Since storage space in the yachts is rather limited, it is better to carry your clothes in soft-sided bags and not in suitcases.

You also need to bring your sailing licence (if you are chartering bareboat), personal identification for each crew member/passenger.

13. How do I get to G.S.H base in Volos ?

Volos is in the mid-eastern side of Greece and you have many choices of how to get here.

Volos International Airport of Central Greece - Nea Anchialos National Airport .The airport which is about 20mins by road from Volos City. This airport carries a growing number of international charter flights and from here, you can catch a local bus, taxi or pick up a hire car to get you to Volos where we will meet you. Airport to Volos Bus service operates daily.Important: for more informations see How to get there

During The Charter

14. What happens during check-in?

Although  check-in normally starts at 17:00, sometimes it is possible to arrange for an earlier or later check-in. Greek Sailing Holidays staff will come aboard the yacht during check-in, to make sure that everything is there as per the inventory checklist.

 

15. What happens during check-out?

The check-out is a similar procedure to the check-in. GSH staff will come aboard and check the yacht with you for any damage or loss before your disembarkation. If there has been no damage or loss, GSH will instruct their bank to release the amount that is being held as a security deposit against your credit card. You should receive your security deposit back within 15 days following your check-out.

At check-out, the fuel tank (which was full at the start of your charter) will also be checked and you will be required to pay only for the amount of fuel that you have used at the end of your charter.

 

16. What happens if I have a problem during my charter?

If you encounter any problem during your charter, please contact GSH Base Manager immediately. GSH will try to assist you and solve your problem as efficiently and as quickly as possible. In the case of damage, it is important to follow the following protocol:

  1. Follow protocol from an official of the local Greek Port Authority.
  2. Exchange all insurance policy data with third parties.
  3. Take photos of the damage.
  4. Make a sketch with a short description of the circumstances leading to the accident, signed and dated.
  5. Collect third-party data.

17. How do I get food provisions for my charter?

Since there are supermarkets close to every  marina of departure, provisioning is not a serious problem, and we will assist with collection and delivery.

18. Are there mooring fees in the region?

There are no mooring fees in Volos base.There are various small fees of up to 5€ on the Sporades Islands.

 

19. How do I obtain water, fuel and electricity aboard?

There are many harbours in the region where you can supply your yacht with water, fuel and electricity, using the respective cables/hose pipes aboard your yacht. Small fees apply for connecting to the power/water pillars on the quays. Many cafés and restaurants will also allow you to charge electronic devices too.

 

20. Can you provide me with a suggested route?

Please click here for our suggested routes.

 

About Our Yachts

21. Do the yachts have safety equipment, necessary navigation charts and pilot books aboard?

All yachts are equipped with full safety and navigation equipment, according to Greek Maritime Law, including sufficient life jackets, flares, VHF, GPS, life raft, autopilot, EPIRB, navigation charts and pilot book for the region.

 

22. Is there a music system aboard?

All yachts have good enough sound systems with cockpit speakers. The sound systems include radio and, depending on the yacht, some have CD players, bluetooth, USB and/or auxiliary connections (it is recommended you bring an iPod/iPhone/MP3Player auxiliary input cable and/or USB cable for connecting your music devices).

 

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