What people ask when planning a charter trip in Greece with Greek Water Yachts

 

Why charter a yacht from Paros?

  • Paros is exactly in the middle of the Archipelagos with so many islands lying to the north and to the south making it an ideal starting point for your Greek islands sailing tour.
  • You save money compared to getting a boat from Athens (about 400 euros).
  • Great technical support on the island of Paros

Booking – Payment – Cancellation procedure

If you are really interested in chartering one of our yachts or even to get an offer for specific dates, you have to follow the 3 steps procedure below.

Step 1
The first step, of course, is to contact us. You can send us a request form for the period you wish to sail and within a few hours, you will get back an answer with the availability and our offer for the charter fee.

  • Step 2
    Once you get the offer and you are really interested in it, you can “block” the yacht for seven days, so you will have time to think about it and organize your charter with your crewmates. Please have in mind that the duration of “block” may be less than 7 days, especially when the dates of your charter are in high season or last minute. In that case, we say that the boat is under “option” and we can not offer her in other requests. The boat will be under option only if you send us a mail requesting it. The first reply from us with the availability and the price doesn’t constitute an “option”. The second mail from you is necessary to continue further and block the yacht for the next seven days. If we don’t have any reply after a week then your “option” will not be valid anymore.
  • Step 3

As soon as you have made the final decision, you contact us and we proceed to the payment of your booking. The confirmation from your side must include dates, the number of persons, exactly arranged prices, and other special requirements. We shall then reconfirm the booking immediately to you by giving you a charter-code number reference and all necessary payment and charter information.

The payment is done separately for the boat and the skipper.

Skipper’s fee must be paid on the date you will start your trip.

The boat fee is paid in 2 deposits. 50 % to secure the boat and the rest 60 days prior the departure

The payment for the boat could be done either by using the safe bank’s environment , charging your credit card, or by wiring money directly to  a bank account.

The payment is done directly to the boat owner

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot travel due to covid (tourists are not allowed to travel unconditionally) 3% of the yacht fee in € + 18€ for bank fees will be retained.
Of course, you can reschedule for next year without a fee. Any price difference will be covered from the client.

If you cancel NOT due to covid, our general cancellation policy is described below.

Up to 75 days before your departure 3% of the yacht fee in € + 18€ for bank fees will be retained.
75 – 60 days before your departure 30% of the yacht fee in € will be retained
60 – 45 days before your departure 50% of the yacht fee in € will be retained
45 days before your departure 100% of the yacht fee is retained.

If you want to cancel after a reschedule we will not refund you.

On the other hand, if we are not able to have the yacht ready for you on time, due to some unforeseen factors, for example, total loss of the boat, or sudden skipper illness we are obliged to contact you to explain the situation and make an agreement, either to return the whole amount of the fee to you or to find another similar yacht to do the charter. Refunds either for the boat or the skipper fee for not sailing due equal or stronger to 7bfts wind(you will have to stay on a safe port), if you don’t show up on the check in day or you leave the boat during the trip are not applicable.

Specific cancellation policy can be notified to the customer in the initial offer via email.

Are there ATM’s near Paros harbor?

At least five in a radius of 200m. The Greek Banks’ ATM doesn’t charge for the exchange. Sometimes is better to withdraw € rather than do it back in the US. There has never been a limit imposed for foreign cards.

How long is the charter period in Paros?

Actually, the charter period lasts for 7 months. From 1st of April, up to 30th of October. It’s true that sometimes in April or at the end of October the weather is rather cold and the sea temperature is not appropriate for swimming. But we cannot make forecasts and assumptions, on what the conditions will be like. Just keep in mind that if you choose that period you might be unlucky and lose one or two days without sailing. Of course, for some others, it might be romantic scenery and a good opportunity to enjoy life on board, in a safe port.

How to reach Piraeus port from Athens International airport?

?By Taxi. Cost around 55€/taxi
?By bus with X96. It will take you around 1:45h depending on the traffic. Cost 6€/person
?By metro. M3 from the airport, change to Monastiraki, and then take the M1 to Piraeus. Duration around 1:30h. Check here–> https://goo.gl/maps/Ku1xhwVwyYq
Ⓜ️By suburban. Airport –> Piraeus. Every hour according to the timetable. Duration 1 hour. Cost 10€/person

How safe my trip to Greece with Greek water yachts might be?

Whenever it comes to decide about a sailing trip the first thing is coming up is safety. Safety of the yacht and reliability of the company.

Our boats exceed the safety equipment required by law and are insured against fire, marine, and collision risks, third party liability, and again any part of total loss or damage.
Very experienced skippers and two identical yachts which are usually following the same itinerary offer a secure feeling to the crews, knowing that every time another boat is in the range ready to assist.
Excellent maintenance during the wintertime is our priority in order to avoid such unpleasant situations.

Can I use my credit card everywhere on the Greek Islands?

Yes. Except for some very distant locations

Is there WiFi available on the boat during the sailing cruise?

4G is available in most places at sea or in anchorages. You may acquire a prepaid 4G key prior to departure or use free wifi in most cafes, ports, and restaurants in the islands.
All charges for temporary roaming is abolished by June 15th, 2017 (fair-use rules are to be applied) for EU residents. Charges when traveling shall be the same as when using the home network.
Non-EU residents visiting Greece may purchase a prepaid card for phone or data from shops of the 3 mobile phone providers in Greece (Cosmote having the widest 4G coverage in the islands). Typical costs between 5€ for 1GB and 30€ for 4GB.

How about weather conditions in the Cyclades?

Check the charts below and get details about air temperature, sea temperature, and rainy days


Are animals allowed on board?

No animals of any species or size are allowed on any of our boats.

How can I get to Paros?

Paros is connected with the mainland with many ferries every day. Also, fast ferries operate in the area.

The timetables in the last years are very accurate. When we talk about the mainland of Greece we mostly refer to the port of Piraeus, very close to Athens. Also, Rafina at the east coast of Athens has a port from where you can reach our island. Rafina is closer to Athens’ airport.

A normal ferry from Piraeus needs about 4,5-5 hours for Paros, but a fast catamaran can make it in less than 3 hours. Most of the ferries dock just outside of the metro station at Piraeus port. To get to the port from the airport you have three choices.

  • The easiest and the fastest is the sub. The ticket costs 8 euros and you need about an hour.
  • You can also get on a bus, paying 8 euros, but your journey will be longer about one and a half hours.
  • Finally, a taxi will cost you around 50 euros.

To go to Rafina port we recommend a taxi or a local bus. It takes about 20 minutes. Ferry tickets start from 30 euros up to 60, if you choose a fast one. Attention is required during high season because you have to make a reservation in advance. The rest of the time tickets might be bought just outside the ships.
Paros also has an airport, but only for domestic flights. In the summertime, it might be challenging to find last-minute tickets. Your last choice to reach the island, are the international airports of Mykonos, Santorini, and Heraklion (Creta). Charter flights operate every day from most European cities. One of the local ferries would be your next step to take you to the final destination.

How can I get from Paros airport or the port to the marina where my yacht is?

The marina of Paros is located at Parikia bay, exactly at the same place where the big ferries dock.

As soon as you disembark on the island, turn left following the seaside street. After 200 meters you will be at the marina.

The masts of the yachts are visible even from the ferry. So it’s only a 5-minute walk.

At that point, on your right hand is the Kondilis rent a car and on your left hand on the dock, the yacht is waiting for her new guests. One of us will be waiting for you.

If your boat is located in Piso Livadi the best way from Paros port to Piso Livadi is by taxi. Cost around 50€

The airport of Paros is about 10km from the port. For those who are going to visit the island by plane, a taxi is the only way to come to Parikia. The price is about 20 euros and is not longer than 15 minutes away.

What do I have to do on my arrival and what is my check-in procedure?

The meeting point is straight to your boat. Your skipper is going to wait for you there. The first acquaintance with your skipper and a short briefing about the weather and the itinerary is going to follow and soon after you will all head for the yacht. Find your way around the boat while we will prepare the paperwork with the authorities and get ready for your first day out at sea . For late arrivals head directly to the yacht where your skipper will be waiting for you.

What is my check-out procedure?

On some of the boats , you will expect to arrive in Paros around 15:00(or earlier if you wish). The check out is at 17:00 (or earlier if you wish) at the same place. No special procedure is needed.

For some other boats, you will expect to arrive in Paros around 17:00 a day before the check out day(or earlier if you wish). The official check out is at 09:00 the last day (or earlier if you wish) at the same place. No special procedure is needed.

What is the everyday schedule onboard?

Usually, we have breakfast on board. After that, we set sail for our next island.
The sailing time depends on the chosen itinerary and might be from 2 up to 5 hours.
On our way, we make a stop at a nice anchorage for swimming. At this place, we usually have a light meal of snacks for lunch and then we continue to our final destination where we get early in the afternoon, at about 3-4 pm, in order to have time to explore the island.
Our skippers will give you directions and also they can arrange for a rental in case that you wish to drive around. Dinners are taken ashore because Greek food is a part of the Greek lifestyle experience.
Recommendations about restaurants are going to be given, as well as reservations are going to be done by us for the busy days. For those who would like to continue with a drink, nightlife at the islands is always a challenge.

With what conditions do we sail?

Theoretically, our yachts are certified by their designers to sail in all the weather conditions, but because we have customized our activities in cruising, the insurance companies, as well as the authorities, have adjusted their terms in this direction.
So we cannot sail when the wind is equal or stronger to 7bfts(you will have to stay on a safe port), except that your captain believes that it would be safe to go downwind up to your next destination or if you are in a protected area, without big waves. For example south of Naxos is lying the Archipel of small Cyclades islands, where when the strong Meltemi is blowing the huge island of Naxos to the north doesn’t allow big waves to build up.

Refunds for not sailing due equal or stronger to 7bfts wind(you will have to stay on a safe port) or other unpredictable factors (ex ferries or planes strike) are not applicable. The official weather forecast can be found in the following link. Just check for the area southeast Aegean- Ikario, at the east bulletin.

Finally, night sailing is not allowed except if it’s a matter of safety.

How provisions work?

The provisions and food are an easy part of your vacations. You don’t have to bother a lot.

You can buy groceries on your own after the check-in and the briefing with your skipper(the best option).

The supermarket from the Paros, Paroikia marina is only 300 ft from the marina.

The supermarket from Piso Livadi Marina is 3200ft from the marina. There is also a small market in the Piso Livadi port

You have to buy provisions for a day or so because on every island you visit there are supermarkets where you can buy more. In every place, there are bakeries where you can buy provisions for breakfast and excellent taverns and restaurants.

Usually, we have breakfast on board or breakfast in the bakeries on every island. After that, we set sail for our next island.

The sailing time depends on the chosen itinerary and might be from 2 up to 5 hours.

On our way, we stopped at a nice anchorage for swimming. At this place, we usually have a light meal of snacks for lunch and then we continue to our final destination where we get early in the afternoon, at about 3-4 pm, in order to have time to explore the island.

Our skippers will give you directions and also they can arrange for a rental in case you wish to drive around. Dinners are taken ashore because Greek food is a part of the Greek lifestyle experience.

Recommendations about restaurants are going to be given, as well as reservations are going to be done by us for the busy days. For those who would like to continue with a drink, nightlife at the islands is always a challenge.

It’s very important that you buy some food for your skipper. In case you buy provisions for cooking onboard, keep in mind that one more pers