Sailboat on water ()
Navigating your way through the sun-drenched Mediterranean archipelago of the Greeks Isles sounds quite heavenly. Cruise lines such as Costa, MSC, Norwegian and Holland America offer regular sailings to popular Greek destinations. It can be tempting to book a cabin on one of their behemoth ships and just be done. With the current travel cautions, taking a trip with a few hundred (or thousands) of your new closest friends in relatively close quarters may not sound like the most appealing option. Why not sail through less-crowded waters and charter (rent) your trip through the Greek Isles?
The benefit to chartering a vessel
Price. Chartering a private sailboat, houseboat, yacht or catamaran may not be quite as expensive as you think. While you may not be able to pony up for something along the lines of a celebrity, weekly rental prices during the off-season can be reasonable, depending on your budget. If you split the cost with your travel companions, it can make the price even more palatable. Of course, the more luxurious the ship and time of year can cause the price point to jump.
Crowd control. When you charter a private boat, you control the guest list. If you have a large family and don’t want to get lost in the crowd, this is a great travel option to consider. Or, if you'd like to keep it small with your favorite friends, most sailing vessels sleep up to 12. You can be as loud or as quiet as you want.
Hidden island treasures. Greece has more than 170 inhabited islands, but most visitors only make it to the more popular islands of Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Zakynthos, Corfu and a handful of others. By chartering a sailboat, you can create a customized itinerary. Navigate your way through the smaller, lesser-known islands and discover the hidden gems of Greece.
How to get started
One of the first things you’ll want to do is figure out how long you’d like to sail and, most importantly, what your budget is. From there, you can search the different types of vessels available. Sailboats and catamarans tend to be the more affordable options. If you can spring for a bit of luxury and poshness, there are various private yachts available. There are plenty of watercraft available to rent for those who prefer to command their own boat and are experienced sailors. Many charter businesses also offer lessons for those who may be a little rusty in their sailing skills or want to learn.
Are you traveling with a large group? No problem! Several companies offer flotilla vacations, a group of boats that travel the same itinerary at the same time together. Sites such as Zizoo and Sunsail are excellent starting points to begin planning your adventures.
