General

The qualifications, required by the Greek law & Port Authorities, to charter a bareboat sailing yacht in Greece are either 2-two official sailing certificates or at least 1-one official sailing certificate for the skipper + 1-one declaration of sailing experience for the co-skipper. Co-skippers who do not have a relevant certificate will sign such a declaration of sailing experience upon embarkation. Certificates can be issued by the government of origin, sailing clubs, sailing schools, yachting & sailing associations, established charter companies etc.

Galazio Sailing will in any case request legible copies of the skipper’s and co-skipper’s sailing certificates during the booking process. Subject to applicable Greek legislation, qualifications are to be approved by the local Port Authorities on the day of departure. The Charterer and his/ her certified crew are always liable for suitability of their qualifications and certifications and Galazio Sailing bears no responsibility in case of rejection of sailing certificates by the local Port Authorities.

Galazio Sailing may also request the skipper’s and co-skipper’s sailing resumes. Such sailing resumes will facilitate our company to assess the ability of the crew to sail in safety. Indeed, we reserve the right not to allow the embarkation in case the clients’ sailing experience is not adequate and thereupon to suggest a professional skipper.

A local skipper is necessary if you do not fulfil the bareboat criteria. Still, it is common for people to hire a local skipper just because they want to avoid all “captain’s duties” and enjoy carefree vacations or because they need a skipper/ guide to disclose hidden places and local customs. The skipper usually has his own cabin and WC/ shower while his food provisioning is the Charterer’s responsibility. His main job is to navigate, moor and look after the yacht and the crew giving priority to safety.

Keep in mind that in addition to the local skipper, a 2nd crew member (a cook or a hostess/ steward) can take care of breakfasts/ meals and -sometimes- tour information upon request.

Galazio Sailing is in the position to select, recommend and hire, on your behalf, a professional crew (Skipper, hostess or so) for as many days as you wish to. However, we are not a crew agent and we act without any surcharge or other fee. Facilitating such an arrangement between the Charterer and professional crew (Skipper, hostess etc) does not impose any responsibility on our side, arising from the performance of such crew or so.

Most charters have duration of 1 week (or multiples), begin on Saturday 17:00 and end next Saturday 09:00. However, you will be required to return into the pre-arranged base on the last evening of your charter period since this time is necessary for the standard technical checking between charters. In this way, we ensure that our boats are in perfect condition for the next charter. Although the weekly schedule is preferable, Galazio Sailing is a family run organisation with flexible policies – always striving to accommodate your wishes for different days/ periods such as departure on any week day and/ or ten, eleven or twelve-day charter (if possible).

Charter fees include the rental cost of the yacht, inventory equipment, insurance of yacht, VAT (all taxes), dock fees of the first and last day of charter, final cleaning, check-in/ check-out, towels and linen. On the contrary, charter fees do not include the damage deposit (refundable security caution), the fuel (the yacht should be delivered topped up with fuel), the port or marina fees (this is a daily-base fee which applies to almost all ports in Greece with varied costs) and any optional extras that you might have ordered upon request such as spinnaker, windsurf etc. Galazio Sailing guarantees you will have no unpleasant surprises (additional charges) since all costs accounted for in advance.

The cancellation policy of Galazio Sailing is clearly described in the charter conditions of the contract (charterparty) as below:

a. Cancellation fee of 30% of the total charter fee, for bookings cancelled in a period more than 60 days prior to boat embarkation.
b. Cancellation fee of 50% of the total charter fee, for bookings cancelled within a period of 59-31 days prior to boat embarkation.
c. Cancellation fee of 100% of the total fee, for bookings cancelled in a period less than 30 days prior to boat embarkation.

Our company will return the cancellation fees, less 3% (or minimum amount – Euro 200), if the cancelled yacht is re-chartered for the same period under the same conditions.

Yachts are delivered to the charterers according to a detailed list (INVENTORY) that includes all items and every operating system onboard. Charterers should pay special attention to this procedure examining all parts and the entire equipment of the yacht. Signing of the inventory list and the take-over form justifies the absolute acceptance of the vessel. The same detailed list of the inventory is the basis of the delivery and re-delivery of the boat. Additional questions about the preferred itinerary, local cruising grounds, prevailing weather conditions, anchorages or anything you need can be freely answered.

Nothing special, all you really need to bring are your personal items. As an example, bring your own beach towels, sun tan lotion, sun glasses/ hat, camera, mosquito repellents and the like! In fact, it is better not to bring large or heavy suitcases due to the fact that there is no much space inside the boat!

Each vessel of Galazio Sailing is comprehensively insured, including third Party cover – meaning that our insurance company will pay for repairs that cost more than the deductible “excess” figure (for example: a 32 feet boat has a “deductible” of Euro 1000 and the insurance company will pay for damages that cost more than 1000 Euro).

Each crew leaves a Refundable Security Deposit amount (for example: a 32 feet boat has a refundable deposit of Euro 1000) which is held against the yacht’s insurance excess and if there is no damage or loss to the yacht or its equipment, this amount is returned to the charterer. Consequently, the charterer’s maximum liability is limited to the amount of the security deposit left (except of gross negligence cases). In case of any damage or loss the cost of rectifying is deducted and the balance is refunded to the charterer. Normal wear and tear is something that the charterer is not responsible for.

The Refundable Security Deposit is payable at the yacht’s base before embarkation usually on a credit card.

Throughout the years, we have developed a network of associates and technicians all around Greece who all believe in the same high standards of service. This network is at your disposal 24 hours a day for any problem you may face.

Galazio Sailing provides all yachts with safety equipment according to the Greek law. All this equipment such as fire extinguishers, life rafts, safety belts, life jackets, flares, EPIRB etc are inspected yearly. In addition to this, all our yachts provide specific charts and Rod Heikell’s Greek Waters Pilot book (in English).

Sea sickness depends on you and your past experience. If you are worried about it, there is certain medication available for the sea sickness (travel gums, bracelets, dramamines etc). Also, Galazio Sailing has the experience to recommend you “safe” itineraries in protected areas so as to avoid extreme conditions.

The sooner the better! Needless to mention that booking your holidays earlier you will be among a greater selection of yachts and dates to choose from. If you are thinking of chartering a yacht during low or mid season, the conditions may allow you to book later – even last minute. For high season (August) charters you had better book well in advance. If you are more flexible about dates and yachts have a look at our Special Offers and you may spot a very good offer even for high season dates.

The boarding’s instructions, forwarded to you around 2 weeks before embarkation, will include a link for a provisioning list service. So, you can pre-order provisions if you want. Then, your shopping will be brought directly to your yacht and you will be charged at cost price for the provisions. Otherwise, in all our charter bases there are supermarkets, groceries etc. near the yachts that sell almost anything you like.
* The above service is available by Galazio Sailing only upon availability on the various bases.

The check-in includes, above all, the guests’ acquaintance with the yacht and its characteristics with the presence of Galazio Sailing staff or such representatives. In this procedure, you will receive a copy of the yacht’s inventory list and you will be asked to check that all the items/ equipment listed are available and in proper working condition. If any part is not included or is not in a good order, you need to note it to the inventory list. In such way, you will not be charged for any loss or damage that you are not liable for. You will be also informed about anything you need to know about the yacht and its equipment and you will have plenty of time to ask anything you do not understand or wish to know.

The check-out is a similar process (made by the same people) checking back the boat for any damage or loss upon disembarkation though.

To your interest, it is advisable to buy specific travel insurance from your country before your embarkation. Cancellation insurance should be also included -where available- so as to protect your booking payments.

Sailing from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini within one week is possible, however not advisable! See our article for this route.

The minimum age requirement for someone to hire a yacht (either bareboat or skippered) is at least 18 years of age.