Frequently Asked Questions

Pick your vessel and dates, fill in guest details, and pay a 30% deposit via Stripe to confirm. The captain receives the booking instantly. The remaining 70% is due 4–6 weeks before departure, payable by bank transfer or card.

Yes — submit an inquiry and the captain will hold the dates while you decide. We don't lock the boat until the deposit is paid, so two parties can theoretically inquire at once. The deposit is what secures the dates.

Standard: deposits are non-refundable but transferable to a future date with at least 60 days' notice. Within 60 days of departure, the captain may keep the deposit. Some captains offer more flexible terms — check the vessel detail page or ask in your inquiry.

Yes, with at least 60 days' notice. Subject to availability. There's no fee for one transfer; subsequent transfers may incur a small admin charge.

Full deposit refunded immediately, and we'll help you find an equivalent vessel for the same dates if possible. Captain-initiated cancellations are rare and almost always weather/safety related.

Charter prices are quoted in EUR. Deposits are charged in EUR via Stripe; your card is auto-converted at the bank's rate. We'll soon add direct charging in GBP, USD, and TRY.

Captain and crew, half-board (breakfast, lunch, soft drinks), bed linen, towels, port and anchorage fees within the planned route, and snorkel gear (paddleboards/jet skis vary by vessel). Fuel allowance is normally included for standard cruising distances.

Dinners ashore, alcohol (most boats let you bring your own duty-free), additional fuel beyond the standard allowance, marina fees outside the planned route, gratuities for the crew (10–15% of charter price is customary).

10–15% of the total charter price, divided among the crew, is the Turkish charter standard. Captains will not bring it up; it's entirely at your discretion. Cash in EUR or TRY is preferred.

No. The price you see is the price you pay, plus optional dinners ashore and tips. Greek port fees on cross-border routes are stated up front.

Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal are all routine. Mention any restrictions in your inquiry so the captain provisions appropriately.

Most gulets carry life jackets in adult and child sizes. Cabins are compact; light sleepers should expect to hear engine vibration in the morning. The Twelve Islands and Lycian Coast routes are best for families.

Most vessels have onboard WiFi via the captain's mobile data, sufficient for messaging and email but not video streaming. Coastal anchorages have Turkish 4G.

Most captains welcome guests bringing their own wine, beer, and spirits (it's almost always cheaper than buying on board). Check with the captain about bringing your own food — usually fine for special items but the chef provides all main meals.

All captains on MaviSail speak fluent English. Many also speak German, French, or Italian; the vessel detail page lists exact languages.

UK, US, EU, Australian, and most other passports get visa-free or e-Visa entry for short tourism stays. Apply for the e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr (~$50, takes 5 minutes). Other nationalities should check the Turkish consulate website.

Yes — we strongly require all guests carry travel insurance covering medical, repatriation, and trip cancellation. Most policies also need to cover "sailing as a passenger". The captain will ask for proof at boarding.

Light layers, swimwear (multiple sets), reef shoes, sun protection (high SPF), a wide-brim hat, a light windproof for evenings, motion-sickness tablets if needed, and a small bag (no hard suitcases — cabins are tight). Towels are provided.

Yes — many of our vessels are licensed for both Turkey and Greece. The Greek Islands Crossing route does this routinely. Bring passports valid 6+ months from trip end.

Most charters depart from a marina (Bodrum, Fethiye, Göcek, Marmaris, Antalya). The captain provides exact boarding instructions 7 days before departure. Many guests fly into the nearest airport: Bodrum (BJV), Dalaman (DLM) for Göcek/Fethiye, or Antalya (AYT).

Yes — every vessel on MaviSail is required to hold a valid Turkish charter licence (Mavi Tur belgesi) and crew to be qualified per Turkish maritime regulations. We verify this before listing claimed vessels.

Private: you book the entire vessel for your group. You set the route within reason, the boat is yours. Cabin charter: you buy individual cabins on a fixed-itinerary departure, sharing the boat with other guests (usually couples or small groups). Cabin is cheaper per person and good for solo travellers; private is the classic 'whole boat for the family' experience.

Editorial listings are vessels we've added from public information (industry directories) but the captain hasn't yet claimed their listing. Booking goes through our concierge — submit an inquiry and we'll connect you with the captain directly. We honour takedown requests from captains within 48 hours.

If you're already in Turkey, most captains welcome a marina visit. Schedule via the inquiry form. Otherwise, the photos and reviews on the listing are what's available.