A regatta is a competition that takes place on sailboats (yachts or catamarans). It is a sporting event suitable for those who enjoy excitement, adrenaline, and the spirit of competition. In a regatta, your participation in boat driving is required. Experience is not mandatory! You will not be given tasks that you cannot handle. For more details, the topic is covered in the question "What is a regatta like?"

A cruise is a voyage on a yacht to beautiful places, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and other types of leisure activities at sea. Every day, the yacht arrives at a new location (an island, city, or hidden spot) and you visit various locations. Participation in boat handling is not mandatory, but if you wish, there are activities available for you. For more details, the topic is covered in the question "What is a yacht cruise like?"

To determine if you have seasickness, there are a few signs and symptoms to look out for. Seasickness is not a contagious or chronic condition. In varying degrees, everyone is susceptible to seasickness. The good news is that 99% of people "get their sea legs" and adapt to the motion by the second day on a yacht.

Here are some proven methods to combat seasickness:

1. Stay on the upper deck and keep your eyes on the horizon or a fixed point, such as the coastline.

2. Avoid reading, looking at your phone, working on a laptop, or knitting, as these activities require focusing on nearby objects.

3. Medications like Dramamine, Aviomarin, and others can help alleviate symptoms of seasickness. However, personally, we do not recommend them as they can cause drowsiness and interfere with your body's ability to adapt.

4. The best way to combat seasickness is to take the helm or participate in sail adjustment. Being actively engaged in boat driving can help distract your mind from the motion.

5. Each captain may have their own lifehack to alleviate seasickness.

It is possible and encouraged to bring children on a yacht. Children will have a great time on board. The key is to choose a suitable type of activity. With young children, it's better to opt for a cruise rather than a competitive regatta.

I have personally taken the youngest sailor on board who was just 9 months old. Charter companies usually provide child-sized life jackets and a special net on the rail, which can be requested.

A yacht cruise is a leisurely journey on a yacht along a pre-planned route. Every day, the yacht arrives at a new location (an island, city, or hidden spot) and you visit various locations.

A typical day on a cruise looks like this:

Overnight stay at a marina or in a sheltered bay.

In the morning, the crew members have breakfast on the boat or at a nearby cafe or restaurant.

After breakfast, the boat sets sail and heads to the next anchorage.

The passages between locations rarely exceed 4-5 hours.

Along the way, the yacht makes stops for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and other activities.

Lunch is usually enjoyed at sea, as the yacht is equipped with a kitchen (galley) and everything needed for meal preparation.

During the latter part of the day, the yacht arrives at the planned destination and marina.

The captain can provide recommendations on where to have a delicious dinner, which places to visit and opportunities for entertainment.

The night is spent on the yacht, although it is also possible to spend the night in a hotel ashore.

The next morning, the yacht sets off for new adventures.

Yacht cruises also come in various themed formats, such as historical tours, gastronomic tours, wine tours, yoga retreats, family-friendly tours, and honeymoon journeys, among others.

A regatta is a competition held on sailing boats (yachts or catamarans). It is a sporting event that requires active participation in boat driving.

Every day, the race committee determines the distances that the boats must cover in the shortest time possible. The yachts head out to the sea and, upon the signal from the race committee vessel, they start, commencing an exhilarating competition.

Regattas can have different racing formats. During the regatta, the boats may follow a long route, visiting different cities and islands, or they can take place in a single location, returning to the same marina each day.

Regattas can be divided into professional and amateur categories. We recommend starting with amateur regattas, and in our tour description, you can see the level of difficulty for each competition. Experience is not required to participate in amateur regattas. The captains understand your level of preparation and won't assign you tasks that are beyond your capabilities. You will quickly integrate into the crew and experience the unforgettable atmosphere of yacht regattas.

Regattas can also have specific themes. For example, there are regattas specifically designed for beginners, corporate regattas, and business regattas. These events provide opportunities to establish new partnerships and sometimes even close deals. Being part of a team in such regattas is the best team-building activity one can imagine.

In the yachting community, there is an ongoing debate about which is better, a yacht or a catamaran. Without delving into technical details, this question can be answered succinctly:

It all depends on how you prefer to spend your leisure time. Do you want to engage in sports, or do you prioritize comfort?

If you want to experience the thrill of running across a heeling deck and gracefully slice through waves on the downwind side, a yacht is essential! Most regattas are held on yachts.

For a leisurely and relaxed experience or for parties on a spacious deck, a catamaran is more suitable. A catamaran offers twice as much space as a yacht of the same length. However, this pleasure comes at a higher cost. This applies to rental fees, mooring in marina, and fuel consumption.

The price of a trip depends on several factors:

1. The yacht on which the event takes place. It's obvious that the bigger and more comfortable the yacht, the higher the price.

You can compare it to the hotel business:

- A small yacht with one bathroom for three cabins is similar in comfort to a hostel.

- A yacht with multiple bathrooms is closer to apartment-level comfort.

- A catamaran resembles a self-contained hotel.

2. Seasonality. Pay attention to the dates of the events. During the low season, you can save a lot on your trip if you are interested in new experiences, learning, and practicing. In the high season, all trips become more expensive, not only in yachting.

3. Duration of the trip. Standard yacht tours have a duration of 7 days and typically run from Saturday to Saturday. This is due to the specific operations of charter companies that rent out yachts. However, some events may have different durations.

4. Captain's experience. If you are dealing with a professional captain, they know the value of their work. Sometimes, there are captains who assemble a crew to share the expenses and enjoy the trip themselves. However, there may be some risks associated with such arrangements, but the price in such cases is noticeably lower.

5. On-board services. Pay attention to what is included in the trip cost. The package may include everything, including onboard meals, services of a hostess, and pre-paid excursions on land. A seemingly more expensive trip could turn out to be more cost-effective in comparison.

1. Take a soft bag that can be folded and stored in a locker, rather than a suitcase!

2. A waterproof phone case that can be worn around your neck will protect your phone.

3. A power bank is essential as there may not always be electricity available on the yacht during the trip.

4. Bring a spare set of charging cables.

5. An extension cord with multiple outlets will ensure you don't have to wait in line to charge your devices.

6. A wide-brimmed hat will protect your ears and neck from sunburn.

7. Polarized sunglasses. Even a budget Polaroid will be more effective than branded sunglasses, and the sea looks more beautiful through polarized lenses.

8. Long-sleeved t-shirts will protect your arms from sunburn.

9. Cross (not for regatta) is versatile footwear for walking on the deck and swimming, especially when accessing remote beaches.

10. Gloves. We recommend bringing regular rubberized gloves from a hardware store.

Included:

• Yacht rental

• Skipper's services

On cruises, accommodation on the yacht is always provided. For trainings and sports regattas, this option should be clarified.

Usually included:

• Fuel fees

• Mooring fees

• Final cleaning

If not included, fuel expenses and mooring fees are calculated based on actual usage and divided proportionally among all participants.

Additional options:

• On-board or on-shore meals

• Services of a hostess (combining the roles of a cook and steward)

• Uniform

• Transfers

Such services are usually included in the cost of more comfortable tours or when the route passes through areas with limited infrastructure.

Entertainment:

• Land excursions

• Photoshoot

• Water activities (fishing, snorkeling, SUP boarding, kayaking, diving)

Cruises often include not only a sea route but also leisure activities.

Not included:

• Airfare

Each tour supplier independently determines what is included in the cost and what requires a separate payment. When choosing an event, pay attention to what is included in the cost. An event with a wide range of additional options may turn out to be more advantageous than a cheaper one.

The cost of a captain's services depends on their qualifications. However, in most cases, you can expect a rate of around 150 euros per day or 1050 euros per week, plus meals. Additionally, if you are hiring a captain from another region, you will need to cover their airfare expenses. Our service allows you to find local captains, saving on airfare costs and avoiding the need for captains to fly unnecessarily.

The licenses for yacht driving can vary depending on the country and certification system. Here are some common licenses:

1. International Certificate of Competence (ICC): This is a widely recognized license and is commonly used in many countries. It demonstrates a certain level of competence in yacht driving and navigation.

2. Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Certificates: The RYA offers various certificates for yacht driving, including Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, and Yachtmaster. These certificates indicate different levels of competence and experience.

3. International Yacht Training (IYT) Certificates: IYT provides a range of certificates, such as Crew, Flotilla Skipper, Bareboat Skipper, and Yachtmaster. These certificates are internationally recognized and signify different levels of proficiency in yacht driving.

4. Coastal Skipper/Offshore Skipper Certificates: Some countries or organizations offer their own certifications for coastal or offshore yacht driving. These certificates demonstrate proficiency in driving yachts in specific areas or conditions.

It's important to note that the specific requirements and names of licenses may vary depending on the country and certification system. It's recommended to check the requirements of the country or region where you plan to drive a yacht to ensure compliance with their licensing regulations.

1. Smile and greet. It is customary in yachting to greet passing yachts, regardless of whether you know the people on board or not.

2. When boarding someone else's yacht, it is important to ask for permission by saying, "May I come aboard?" A yacht is a living space, and you should ensure that you are welcomed as a guest.

3. If you are visiting someone else's yacht, leave your shoes on the dock. This is for the same reasons as entering someone's home – it is important to maintain cleanliness in someone else's space.

4. Turn off the radio when you are in the marina. Radios can sometimes make sudden and loud noises, which can be disruptive.

5. Avoid making noise in mooring areas after 11:00 PM. While on vacation, it is tempting to have a good time, but remember that there are people sleeping on nearby yachts.

6. Do not raise pirate flags, even as a joke. Pirates are a real threat, and raising a pirate flag may signal that you are unfamiliar with yacht etiquette.

7. Helping neighbors with mooring and starting is considered good etiquette. By assisting others, you create a pleasant atmosphere, and they may also help you when needed.

8. The most important rule: Yachting is a collective form of recreation and sport. Treat other crew members with respect. You are all in the same boat, both literally and figuratively, and the enjoyment of your trip depends on how you interact with each other.

I am often asked if I have ever encountered a storm. Yes, I have encountered storms several times. However, I have never experienced a storm with clients on board. All the incidents occurred during yacht deliveries when the duration of the passage did not allow for a reliable forecast for the entire journey.

Modern forecasts are becoming more reliable with each passing year, and mathematical models are improving, resulting in a decreased likelihood of encountering a storm. Every morning, I start by checking the forecast for the day, and if I see unfavorable conditions, I simply refrain from going out to sea.

In such cases, I offer clients an additional day at the current location and try to come up with some activities for them to enjoy.

Sharks are generally afraid of humans and tend to keep their distance. In my more than 20 years of experience, I have only seen sharks a few times, and each time the sharks were more scared than I was.

Let's look at the statistics:

It has been calculated that the chance of a person being attacked by a shark (for those who go to the beach) is 1 in 11.5 million, and the chance of dying from such an attack is 1 in 264.1 million. On average, 3,306 people drown in the United States each year, while the number of fatalities from shark attacks is 1.

The probability of being involved in an airplane crash while traveling on vacation is several times higher than encountering a shark attack.

If you can't swim or are not confident in the water, it's not a barrier to going on a cruise or participating in a regatta. If you feel unsure, you can always use a life jacket. During stops, you can swim directly in the life jacket or use a buoy. The captain can attach a long rope to the yacht for you to hold onto.

Even if you don't intend to swim, there are plenty of other activities on the yacht besides swimming, so you won't be bored.