Everything You Need to Know: Frequently Asked Questions about Turkish Gulets
Turkish gulets offer a unique experience for those looking to explore the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts in style, comfort, and with a touch of tradition. At viaurbis.com, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you plan an unforgettable vacation aboard these traditional vessels.
What is a Turkish gulet?
A Turkish gulet is a handcrafted wooden boat, originating from Turkey, designed to combine elegance, comfort, and functionality. With its spacious and stable design, these vessels are ideal for leisure trips, offering a relaxing and luxurious experience. They are usually equipped with comfortable cabins, outdoor lounging areas, and a professional crew to cater to the passengers’ needs.
What are the most popular routes for Turkish gulets?
The most popular routes include:
The Turquoise Coast: A journey that explores coastal towns such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, and Antalya.
The nearby Greek islands: Many gulets also offer routes that connect the Turkish coast with nearby Greek islands like Rhodes, Kos, or Symi.
Custom excursions: Depending on your preferences, you can choose custom routes to discover hidden coves, historical sites, and breathtaking landscapes.
What does a gulet charter include?
A gulet charter generally includes:
Fully equipped cabins with private bathrooms.
A professional crew (captain, chef, and service staff).
Meals and beverages (depending on the package selected).
Equipment for water activities such as snorkeling, paddleboarding, and fishing.
However, some additional services, such as premium alcoholic beverages or specific excursions, may incur extra costs. It’s important to review the terms of the contract before confirming your booking.
What is the best time of year to sail on a Turkish gulet?
The best time to enjoy a Turkish gulet is between May and October, when the weather is warm and the sea is calm. July and August are the busiest months, while May, June, September, and October offer a more peaceful experience with pleasant temperatures.
How can I book a Turkish gulet?
At viaurbis.com, we offer a carefully curated selection of Turkish gulets, tailored to different budgets and needs. You can explore our options, compare prices, and contact our team for personalized advice. We ensure that your booking process is simple and hassle-free.
What day does your cruise start?
Usually on Saturdays and Wednesdays, but at the beginning and end of the season it is sometimes possible to start on a different day.
At what time can we board the Turkish gulet?
It is possible to board the Turkish gulet around 4:00 p.m., if you arrive earlier you have the opportunity to leave your luggage on the boat, while the preparations are being completed.
What time do we have to leave or disembark from the Turkish gulet?
On the day of departure, you will have to disembark from the Turkish gulet after breakfast, around 10:00 a.m.
Can we choose our own cruise route?
Yes, you can choose your own route, although you should consider a flexible journey due to wind and weather conditions. You also have the option to start the journey in one port and end in another. By early reservation you will have more options to choose the departure and arrival ports.
Can we sail for a longer or shorter time than the established 7 days?
Sometimes we can offer sailing for less than 3 or 4 days, but generally at the beginning of the season and at the end 8, 10 and 14 day cruises are also possible, please ask us about these possibilities that we offer you.
Will we be able to sail across the Greek islands?
You can visit the islands near the coast of Turkey, such as Kos, Rhodes, Simi, Kalymnos, Patmos and Leros. In that case, we would ask you to pay the costs of a Turkish yacht cruise in Greek waters. These itineraries can be found under “Navigation routes, Greek Islands”.
What places will we see from our motorized sailboat cruise?
A detailed list will be offered to you later, such as “Sailing Routes” and “Sailboat Rentals”. We can also send you the itineraries of our motor sailboat rental with descriptions of cities, towns and bays.
How often will we stop and drop anchor? How many hours do we sail each day?
We sail for a couple of hours every day, and 2 or 3 bays will be visited every day.
Do the captain and crew speak English?
Our captains and crew have some knowledge of English, enough to communicate.
Will we be able to sail?
Our cruises are normally motorized and only when the wind is favorable can the sails be deployed. Please let us know if you are an enthusiastic or experienced sailor at the time of your request, this will allow us to suggest a more suitable schooner for you.
During the voyage, can we leave the ship?
In some bays it is possible to go ashore with an inflatable boat, and some nights we can dock in ports where we could get off the boat to explore the area on foot.
Can we hire tours to places of interest when we go ashore during our schooner cruise?
Yes, it is possible. There are many places of interest to visit. You can do it independently or we can help you with the organization of vehicles for ground circuits, local guides, or if you prefer a guide (for several languages) for all your trip on board.
What ship is used for sailing cruises? Can you tell us the name of the schooner?
All excursions are done with traditional Turkish gulets. These wooden gulets are built mostly in Bodrum and Marmaris regions. The name of the boat will not be available before the date of embarkation, since we will be dependent on the number of clients on board to assign the most suitable boat.
Is there an individual supplement?
Yes, the individual supplement for sailboat rentals is 70%.
Are there drinks on board?
You will have a selection of drinks on board. You can purchase soft drinks and alcoholic beverages that you can pay at the end of your cruise. You directly pay in cash to the captain/crew
Can we bring our own drinks on board?
On a private cruise, you can bring your own drinks on board.
Can we bring our own food on board?
Yes, you can bring your own food on board if you decide not to choose our full board; we can also help you with your own purchases upon arrival. We can send you a list of the food products and we can make the purchase and transport them to the ship upon arrival. All purchases can be paid upon arrival.
Can you assist us with special diets, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.?
Our chefs have extensive experience in culinary tasks using special diets. If you are a vegetarian or allergic to certain food or ingredient, please let us know in advance.
How can you get in and out of the sea / water?
The ladder that enters and comes out of water can be an extension to a small platform in the water or to a small boat that is just below the water tank. Some boats have a swimming platform on the stern.
Will we be able to listen to music on the schooner?
All our gulets are equipped with a CD and / or MP3 player with a wide selection of music. Feel free to bring your own CDs.
How much money do we need on board?
You will need money on board for any road excursions you may wish to take, for occasional meals ashore (optional), for your personal purchases and to pay your bill for drinks consumed on board at the end of your cruise.
What currency can we use to pay our bar bill?
Your bar bill can be paid in USD, €, Turkish Liras, or British pounds.
How do we get from the airport to the schooner / boat?
We offer a private transportation service for our clients, please ask for our prices at the time of booking. All our transfer vehicles to and from the airport are air-conditioned.
What should we carry?
Remember that you will probably spend most of your time in your swimsuit! For ground trips, a pair of light long pants and a shirt or T-shirt is advisable. You will also need shoes that can withstand stony paths. At night, especially at the beginning and end of the season, it can get colder, so you may also need a sweater. Other necessary items are a beach towel, sunscreen, snorkel, flippers and goggles and a sleeping bag in case you want to sleep on deck. Bring your belongings in a travel bag instead of a suitcase, because it is easier to store these bags in the cabins
What kind of electricity supply do gulets have?
Electricity on most ships is 12 or 24 volts. Please keep this in mind if you want to take with you rechargeable battery or electric razors, video cameras, etc. Make sure that you have left the hair dryer at home, as it is better to dry your hair in the sun. In most traditional yachts (and in all luxury boats) there are 220 V generators, which work for a couple of hours during the day and at night to recharge the batteries, fridges, freezers, as well as the air conditioning.
Is a Turkish gulet suitable for a children's holiday?
Accompanied by adults, children of any age are welcome and will definitely enjoy the warm waters of the Turkish Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea.
What is the best season?
The months of May and October offer excellent sailing conditions and the opportunity to go hiking or fishing. The days of July and August are long and hot, and the nights are warm. June, early July and every day of September offer a better combination, with warm days and cool nights. The water in September can be very warm in some places. Between the end of July and the beginning of September, Turkey is at its high season, taking thousands of tourists to the coastal regions.
What are the typical living spaces on a Turkish gulet?
An interior saloon, a deck that is aft in the boat’s deck to eat and rest in the shade of an awning and a bow deck with numerous sun loungers in the shade of an awning, when the boat is not sailing.
Do all the cabins have a private bathroom?
All cabins have their own bathroom (shower and toilet), the showers vary in style, some have normal showers and some schooners have shower cabins. The luxury gulets have shower cubicles; some bathrooms have a hairdryer, a shower with Jacuzzi and / or hydromassage and a sauna.
Are there water sports facilities on each boat?
On most traditional yachts there are canoes, snorkeling gear and fishing gear on board. Our luxury gulets offer a variety of water sports including kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing, wakeboarding and diving. For those water sports that require the use of fuel and zodiac, an extra amount must be paid to the crew. Please ask for special requests.
Are there water sports facilities on each boat? Are there games / TV on board?
There is a small selection of board and card games on the boats and on most traditional yachts there is a TV and CD / DVD player in the lounge. In luxury yachts, you can generally find satellite television, HD televisions / DVD / CD players in the saloon and in the cabins.
