Sunday, March 31, 2024

Best Things to Know Before Booking a Mediterranean Cruise, Travel Tips

sail boat cruise

Elegantly decorated, they have either two twin or one double bed and bathrooms with showers en suite. All cabins are fully air-conditioned and offer storage space, mini safes, mini fridges, hair dryers, radio music controls and telephones (for internal use). Special dining events include a captain’s dinner, deckside BBQ lunch and Greek Night featuring traditional recipes like moussaka, dolma, spanakopita and souvlaki. And most cruise routes are half-board, meaning you’ll dine on your own at port for half the meals. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and allows for spectacular views while dining in an elegant environment. Food is served at the table or presented on the state-of-the-art hot & cold buffet, which also includes an “a la minute cooking” section.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Galileo

Best family yacht: our pick of the best yachts for sailing with the family - Yachting World

Best family yacht: our pick of the best yachts for sailing with the family.

Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Its dining program is done in partnership with the food-focused James Beard Foundation, which also brings James Beard Award-winning chefs to the ships regularly for food-themed itineraries. Sea Cloud Cruises' two other vessels — Sea Cloud 2 and Sea Cloud — are smaller but offer a similar show as the sails are set by hand the old-fashioned way. The former is a 23-year-old, three-masted barque propelled by 23 sails (five fewer than Sea Cloud Spirit); the latter is a 93-year-old, four-masted barque with 30 sails and a storied past. But I only book with third-party operators if the ship docks right at the city I want to explore because I never want to miss the all-aboard time.

Featured in this Traveler Review

This double sail cruiser costs anywhere from $80-$100 grand depending on how old the model you are looking at is. The older ones are a bit cheaper, at the expense of being a little worse for wear. A strong hull will help you withstand even the roughest conditions. Some boats are built with metal reinforcing on their hulls, some aren’t. If given the choice, you would do well to choose the former.

Hotels

For instance, the day my family and I explored Rome, the ship docked in Civitavecchia, Italy, and we had to take a two-hour bus ride into the city. The Greek crew of ensure excellent customer service and insight. Aboard Galileo you’ll arrive early and stay late avoiding the big ship crowds. Optional tours are small and intimate with exceptional local guides. And your cruise director will customize each experience based on conditions and have access to skip the lines museums and archeological sites.

Activities Aboard Galileo

In places of particular interest the ship will moor all day, allowing additional time for shore excursions and off-ship activities. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the trip itinerary in order to be aware of what time is scheduled at port and what excursions are on offer. However, please be aware that weather conditions may prompt a change to published itineraries.

Baltic Sea and Scandinavia

sail boat cruise

Menus are a mix of traditional Greek dishes and international fare. Expect offerings that include meat, chicken or fish, but special dietary requests can be accommodated with advance notice. With trained gourmet chefs from all over the world, you are sure to enjoy carefully crafted meals tailored to your personal tastes. Creating the world’s finest charters doesn’t happen overnight. Years spent listening to and acting on what sailors want from a yachting vacation. And we keep refining Sunsail Vacations to make them even better.

Video World's largest cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage - ABC News

Video World's largest cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage.

Posted: Sun, 28 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Alcoholic drinks are available on all ships and are reasonably priced. For example, EUR5 for the cocktail of the day or EUR3.50 for a glass of wine. The bar runs on a chit system where you sign for drinks as you purchase them, with the amount added to your on-board account.

Unforgettable Yacht Charters

Some models were made in the early 2000s, but not many. This double-ended hull cruiser is incredibly strong, it has a cast iron ballast and can withstand even the very worst weather conditions. If you are looking for speed this is not the boat for you. The hull is fiberglass so you know you are getting a sturdy boat, but the trade-off from the iron ballast means this boat is heavy and slow to maneuver.

We’ve even grouped our destinations by experience level, so you can find the right sailing ground for your skills, qualifications, and desires. For more than 50 years we’ve set the standard for Sail charters, Power charters and all-Inclusive Crewed yacht charters in over 20 destinations across the globe. Most dietary requirements can be catered for on all ships, except for kosher and halal.

Once the space is confirmed by our local team and your deposit has been paid, your tour is guaranteed to depart - meaning you can book your airfares and additional accommodation with confidence. Please note that like all of our tours, this is subject to our regular booking conditions. Yes definitely, and it's a popular option for many. While dates might not always align perfectly, there are plenty of options like day tours to bridge the time between the tours.

We least enjoyed Santorini and Mykonos, one and done. But they are each the 'brand name' islands and seemingly must be visited. It’s important to be aware that none of the ships have lifts, and moving between decks will involve climbing fairly steep stairways. To disembark the ship in port, you will need to walk down a narrow gangway lowered to the dock. It’s important to be aware that none of the ships have lifts and moving between decks will involve climbing fairly steep stairways. On our Croatian cruises, you will usually dock at all ports, and tenders (small dinghies) are rarely used.

At the time, the vessel was the largest private yacht in the world. Navy as a weather ship during World War II, after which it became the presidential yacht for the Dominican Republic. It only began sailing as a cruise vessel in the 1980s. If it's an authentic, old-style sailing experience you want, then Sea Cloud Cruises is the line for you.

The “Greek night” dinner was very good, but the 2 others were just average. At this season [April], be prepared for all kinds of weather. Bring layers, from short-sleeved shirts to a down jacket.

Small Cruise Ships Fewer Than 350 Guests

sail boat cruise

The food was even better and the itinerary was fine tuned. The planned swims off the boat were also well-received. We enjoyed Paros and Folegandros, both for their small size and accessibility.

Why Sail Aboard M/S Galileo

No matter how experienced, how skilled, or how brave you are there is the potential for disaster. Being a great sailor is one, making sure you have the best cruising sailboat possible is another. You don’t have to spend millions or even hundreds of thousands on getting a great sailboat. Some are far more affordable than you might expect. The bigger the boat the better, not only for stability but for comfort.

'Love Boat' theme cruise featuring members of original cast to set sail in August - Abccolumbia.com

'Love Boat' theme cruise featuring members of original cast to set sail in August.

Posted: Sat, 10 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Crew & Guides Review

Most or maybe all the leaders of the tours, had local experience, education in their field of expertise, with multiple university degree's in Archeology, and related fields, and friendly. He is excited about travel and he is always prompt and responsive. I was worried about making connections after this tour and he contacted the ship's folks several times to allay my worries. And sure enough, as soon as I boarded the ship they knew exactly what I needed. I don't think you would choose to travel on a motor sailor if you want absolutely luxurious accommodations.

Alaska Cruise Tours

However, you may wish to bring a smarter outfit, such as a sundress or a shirt with a collar, for the final night’s Captain’s Dinner or if you plan to eat off the ship in port. Located just off Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are a natural playground for wildlife lovers with over 9000 species to discover. Where else can you chill on the beach with a seal or kayak alongside a group of inquisitive penguins? Here, you'll snorkel in shallow coves teeming with green turtles, golden cow-nose rays and Galapagos sharks.

Mediterranean Sea

With fewer than 36 passengers on every ship, our groups are the perfect size for really getting to know your fellow travellers. If you are looking for the perfect cruiser for you and your significant other, the Pacific Sea Craft 34 is just what you are looking for. It has a solid fiberglass hull and is capable of reaching decent speeds. The 34 may be slightly smaller than some of the other options but it still has plenty of storage, six and a half feet of headroom, and is simply stunning to look at. This sailboat is incredibly well designed, its 13,500 pounds of displacement make it strong and sure in the water without losing its agility.

By its nature, all travel by sea is subject to the weather, winds, and tides. Occasionally the order in which we visit destinations may need to change to accommodate weather conditions and, sometimes, other ports may be substituted. All ships are operated by an experienced captain and crew.

sail boat cruise

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

Norwegian cruise ship from Galveston rescues 12 refugees in sailboat - FOX 26 Houston

Norwegian cruise ship from Galveston rescues 12 refugees in sailboat.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The boat itself was wonderful...the cabin was very comfortable and well set up. A cruise director is part guide, ombudsman, comedian, ring leader. I particularly liked his admonition to not advise vendors or restaurants of our boat, so that he would not be spiffed for recommending one spot over another. During the day, life on board centers around the indoor lounge area and dining room, as well as the outdoor areas at the Main, Upper and Sun Decks. Renovated in 2016, the Main Deck lounge area with an American bar leads into a warm and elegant dining room finished with wood and carpet flooring, and beautiful soft fabrics.

The Germany-based company operates three large sailing ships where the sails are unfurled by hand, just as they were on sailing ships centuries ago. The ship had excellent food preparation and it was delicious. I like the variety of a buffet, with Greek cuisine, therefore, giving me the opportunity to try foods I would not normally eat.

Enjoy panoramic views from the sun deck, spend time in comfortable lounges and dining rooms, or dine al fresco under the stars. Sailing long distances may be romantic, it may be exciting, it may be freeing, but it is also one of the most dangerous things you can do. When you are out of contact with the rest of the world, out at sea beyond the help of those onshore, the potential for danger is huge. You don’t know what will happen, you don’t know what could go wrong.

The line's three vessels typically spend nearly all of their time sailing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America. There is nothing quite as magical — or romantic — as a cruise on a sailing ship. Some ports of call, like Nice, France, were easy to get around, but others like Rome were packed to the gills. I wanted the day to end before we even made it to the Vatican on our tour. Going early or late in the season usually means you'll have more tolerable weather and smaller crowds in some of the big destinations like Athens. Enjoy an 8-day cruise to all the Jewels of the Cyclades.

Sail round-trip from Athens, Greece, stopping at Santorini, Delos, Mykonos, the old Greece atmosphere of Folegandros, and more. Very enthusiastic, professional and combined local love of places with facts. All of the crew worked well together and seemed to gel well.

The Corbin 39 is a rather large boat, the deck is huge and is perfect for transporting multiple passengers. You may have to shell out some more cash for renovations but the boat itself is second to none. Every destination has a unique story to tell – and with Royal Caribbean, getting there is part of the adventure. Learn more about all the different regions we visit, each brimming with one-of-a-kind ports of call that cater to all kinds of travellers. We wanted to revisit the experience from our honeymoon 21 years earlier. The Galileo has been carefully refurbished since we sailed with her in 1997.

Sea Cloud Cruises is the most all-inclusive and upscale of the three brands listed in this story, with pricing to match. Expect to pay nearly $1,000 per person per day or more for many sailings. If you have money to spare, you can still book Post's opulent private quarters on Sea Cloud, now its owner's suite. It'll set you back around $5,000 per day per couple. Her husband's slightly smaller quarters are also available to book at a similar rate.

Even the simple things like carrying our bags up to where the taxis met us, explaining clearly the plans, adjusting for the weather worked very well. The crew seemed to enjoy what they did and working together. Glad we were able to have a lunch or dinner on shore. This allowed us time to truly enjoy each place we visited.

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