INFO ON CHARTERS & BOOKING

 Back    Why use a broker agency?

In short, because we take the responsibility – on your behalf - for making sure that every last aspect of your holiday runs smoothly.  We personally inspect all of the boats we offer, work closely with their crews, and know the coast you’ll be cruising, so are ideally placed to match you with the yacht which best meets your criteria, coordinating the finer details of your charter with the boat owner. 

 Back    Choosing the right yacht

It helps us to find that perfect boat if you give us as much information as possible on your requirements such as approximate budget and any special on-board amenities you’d like the boat to have, the number and make-up of your charter group, what you’d like to do and see, and where you’d like to go, and of course, your dates of travel. Since Tourka acts as brokers for many more yachts than are shown on this site, we may have alternatives to recommend. 

Back     Booking the charter

It’s easy, and the conditions are international standard practice for yacht charters.  First, we will discuss the different options for the perfect boat for you, depending on its availability, your travel plans, dates and itinerary ideas.  Once you have all the information you need, and are happy with the selection of yacht, itinerary, charter dates and any other arrangements, we will draw up a charter agreement to be signed by both sides.  This legally binding contract basically stipulates the itemised terms by which both sides are committing to the charter, such as the dates, profile of the yacht and its amenities, what is included in the charter rate, financial agreements and cancellation conditions.   To confirm the reservation, a deposit of typically 50% (this may vary) of the total charter price is payable to Tourka’s client account; the balance is payable prior to embarkation. 

Back    Charter terms and calculating costs

Charter rates vary considerably – depending on the type and size of the boat, its amenities, location of your charter and time of year.  The notes below briefly outline the general structure of a few standard charter terms, but we’ll explain the exact terms under which each boat when we make recommendations, which will then be set out clearly in the charter contract. 

1.        Eastern Mediterranean Terms (EMT) Standard:  The Charter Fee includes the charter of the yacht, insurance of the yacht and crew, plus fuel for up to four hours cruising per day (averaged throughout the charter), crew wages and food, ship’s laundry, berthing dues and other harbour charges.  Additional to the rate are: food and all drinks, berthing and harbour expenses outside the yacht's normal cruising area and in private marinas, communication charges (cellular and radio telephone, fax or telex via Satcom), fuel for watertoys, hire of any additional equipment placed on board at the charterer’s request, and Turkish tax (18%).

2.        Eastern Mediterranean Terms (EMT) Half Board:  The charter fee includes the hire of the yacht, yacht’s insurance, berthing dues and harbour fees in Turkish waters, fuel for up to 4 hours cruising per day (averaged throughout the charter), crew's wages and food, ship’s laundry, and breakfast and lunch.  Dinner on board, beverages, fuel for tenders/watertoys and hire of any additional equipment, extra laundry, communication charges and Turkish tax (18%) are not included. 

3.        Gulet Terms: include hire of yacht, yacht’s insurance, fuel and lubricants for an average of 4 hours cruising per day, crew wages, ship’s laundry, cooking service, Turkish harbour dues, Turkish transit log are included in the charter fee.  Meals and drinks, private marina fees, land tours, transfers and Turkish tax (%18) are not included.

4.        West Mediterranean Terms (WMT):  Motor yachts generally quote their rates as a yacht charter fee "plus all expenses", meaning that fuel and lubricants, dockage, food and beverages, local taxes, customs fees, telephone charges, and water-sports expenses are extra.

5.        All Inclusive Terms (AIT): Some yachts quote rates which include meals and drinks (either all drinks or soft and local alcoholic drinks). 

Back     Insurance cover

The charter agreement will detail exactly what insurance is provided: generally, the yacht and crew are insured by its owner, but we strongly recommend that you purchase additional liability cover to protect you from unexpected mishaps for the whole period of your visit, including the charter.  We also recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance, since most charter contracts do not provide a refund of deposits for cancellations unless the boat is re-booked for the same dates. 

Back       Visa & passport requirements

For charters which cruise to more than one country, such as from Turkey to the Greek Islands and back, guests must have valid visas (if required) for each country visited. 

Back      Menu planning

Food plays an important part of any holiday, and this is particularly true of yacht charters, where the standard of food is exceptionally high.  We will send you a sample menu for each boat, and will discuss with you your food and drink preferences prior to embarkation, to help us tailor the menu to reflect your likes and dislikes.  It’s particularly important that we know of any allergies to or dislikes of specific foods or drink.  To a certain extent, menus reflect local cuisine, using a range of the best ingredients available in that area, but the skilled chefs on board take a great pride in their work and are pleased to reflect the wishes of their guests. 

Back        Itinerary planning

We will discuss your ideas for your cruise programme, and, with the yacht captain, will be happy to advise on itineraries which suit your interests.  Whilst you’re on the charter, where you go and how long you stay are choices you may make in consultation with your captain, agreeing each day’s programme using local charts.  In agreement with your captain, local conditions and the timeframe of the charter permitting and depending on the terms of your charter contract, you are free to make changes to your itinerary at any time. 

Back       Small children and charters

Charters can be fantastic holidays for groups of family and friends, and many yachts and their crews are child-friendly.  We can recommend certain boats which are ideal for groups with children, and lower age limits are left to the charterer’s discretion, though many groups bring a nanny to take charge of children.  This said, there are a couple of considerations: for everyone’s safety and peace of mind, children should be comfortable with the water, the crew will generally be busy with assigned duties and so won’t be able to offer non-stop child care, and an itinerary without long passages, and with plenty of time for swimming and opportunities for exploring, is most ideal. 

Back        Disabled guests

Some yachts are more suitable than others for those with impaired mobility and other disabilities, and Tourka will be pleased to advise on, and research, the most practical options for charter groups with disabled members.

Back      Pets onboard

Please mention this to us while we’re planning your charter.  As a general rule, however, yachts do not permit pets on board because of the need to maintain high standards of cleanliness within a limited area.

Back       Smoking on the yacht

For safety reasons, and to prevent lingering odours for the comfort of future guests, smoking is rarely permitted inside yachts, though most will allow smoking on outside decks. 

Back       Sea sickness

If you are concerned about the possibility of seasickness spoiling your enjoyment of your charter holiday, we’ll be able to recommend itineraries where there is less risk of seasickness – and the crew will keep track of prevailing weather conditions, and will keep the route to areas of protected water to ensure your comfort.  If you’re particularly worried, it may also be an idea to consult with your doctor or pharmacist. 

  Back       What to pack

Most of us pack far too much for holidays anywhere!  As a guide, soft luggage, rather than hard suitcases, is easier to store on board – since storage space may be limited.  Clothes-wise, bathing gear and layered casual wear such as t-shirts and shorts are ideal, with sweaters or light jackets for cooler evenings, particularly in early and late season.  The most useful footwear is light, non-slip, for getting on and off the boat and strolls on shore.  You may also want to bring more formal attire for evenings on dinners on-board or ashore. 

Back       Use of hairdryers and other electrical items

Most sailing vessels and all motor yachts have auxiliary generators, and European and Turkish yachts generally operate electricity on 220 V systems so it is possible to use electrical items such as hairdryers.  Motor yachts usually run their generators 24 hours per day, and sailing yachts for a few hours each day.  In any case, many of the larger boats provide hairdryers - the charter brochure for each yacht sets out these details.  Please ask for clarification if being able to use your own small electrical items on board is important.

Back     Contact & Communication with the outside world

For contact with family or office whilst on charter, most yachts are equipped with the latest communication such as cellular and radio telephones, and satellite communication systems, and some have personal computers and fax machines.  Charter guests are also contactable via Tourka’s office.

Back       Crew gratuities

It is customary to tip the crew at the end of the charter: how much is left to the discretion of the client, but 5-10% of the charter fee is usual in Europe and Turkey.  The gratuity is generally given to the captain, who divides it equally among the crew members.

Back      Other travel arrangements    Tourka'’s staff will be delighted to advise and assist with travel arrangements or combined packages for any period in Turkiye prior to, or after, your charter, such as itineraries, hotel reservations, airport and other transfers and domestic flights.