Frequently asked questions

Charter in Croatia – Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding yacht charter in Croatia. The following information may help you with your queries or yacht search. Scroll down to view the answers and for any other additional information or comment, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will gladly assist you.

What kind of yacht should I charter?

The type of yacht you decide upon depends entirely on you and your preferences. Our extensive offer includes sailing boats, catamarans, motor yachts, gulets, motor sailers, mini cruisers and cabin charter. Sailing boats are a wonderful choice for family vacations or carefree holidays with a group of friends whereas catamarans offer more comfort and stability aboard. If you like speed and adventure, your ideal choice would be motor boats while gulets offer a more authentic experience and come with a crew. Cabin charter is perfect for couples and individuals who don’t want to charter an entire boat. To ensure your yacht fits your preferences, bear in mind the following: the number of the charter guests, whether you require more comfort while on board and if you would require skipper’s services (in that case, it is recommended for the skipper to have its own sleeping cabin).

How do I book my vacation and what payment forms are accepted?

Once you find a yacht that suits you, we can arrange a temporary reservation of the boat to enable you to finalize your decision and organize travel details (book your airfare and similar arrangements). The yacht will be considered booked upon receiving a copy of the signed charter agreement as well as the confirmation of your deposit payment (50% of the total price unless stated otherwise). The remaining payment fee is due 30-60 days prior to your charter. For charters booked within 30 days prior to the commencement of the charter, you will be asked to settle the whole charter fee at once. All payments are to be settled by bank transfers.

What is a bareboat charter?

A bareboat charter refers to renting a yacht without a skipper or a crew. This means that either you or one of your crew members will be responsible for all aspects of navigation during your cruise. For this reason, it is absolutely required to possess a valid sailing license and a VHF certificate as well as some previous sailing experience. For more information about Bareboat Chartering, please click here.

What is a crewed charter?

A crewed charter means renting a yacht with a permanent crew on board that will take care of navigation and charter guests. The crew usually consists of a captain, a stewardess, deckhands and engineers. Find out more about crewed yacht charters.

What is included in the listed charter rates?

Charter rate includes the hire of the yacht, all navigational and safety equipment as well as dinghy and the bed linens. However, some additional obligatory fees need to be settled directly at embarkation such as residence tax and transit log or charter pack. Optional hire costs of the special equipment such as outboard engine, safety net, spinnaker, gennaker and snorkeling equipment are excluded from the charter fee and are therefore charged extra at your request. When renting gulets, motor sailers and mini cruisers, please bear in mind that daily meals, drinks, residence tax and port tax are usually not included in the initial charter price. Charter rate is formed according to the weekly hire of the yacht and does not vary due to the number of the passengers on board. However, each yacht has its own limit of maximum number of passengers depending on the actual size of the yacht.

What qualifications do I need to have to charter a bareboat yacht?

In case you are interested in a bareboat charter, please bear in mind that you must possess a valid Certification of Competence in order to navigate the yacht whereas at least one of your crew members must possess a proper VHF certificate. Once you confirm the booking of the charter, you will be kindly asked to provide us with a copy of your licenses. If you have any uncertainties regarding the validity of your license, feel free to send it to us by email or fax and we will check it for you or you can simply download the list of valid licenses issued by the Croatian Ministry of Sea. However, if you don’t possess a valid sailing license, you can hire a skipper and still enjoy your cruise.

Do I have to hire a professional skipper?

You are obliged to hire a skipper in case you don’t possess a valid Certification of Competence and you have no previous sailing experience. If you have in fact sailed before but are somewhat unsure about your navigational skills, it is highly recommended to hire a skipper. There are multiple benefits from hiring a professional skipper; he can give you sailing tips, show you secluded bays and beaches, advise you about the best local restaurants in the area and not to mention, relieve you from the stress of being solely responsible for the safety of the yacht. That way, you can relax and enjoy every moment of your holiday.

Is skipper’s service included in the charter rate?

Skipper’s service is not included in the charter price and is to be paid separately.

Am I obliged to pay for skipper’s food?

Once you hire a skipper or a hostess you must be prepared for taking care of their provisioning, regardless of whether you dine on board or in a restaurant. However, on gulets, mega yachts and even sailing yachts exceeding a certain length, the crew expenses are already included in the charter fee.

Where does a skipper sleep?

Considering that the skipper is in charge of the boat on daily basis and is held responsible for the safety of the passengers on board, he should be well rested and is therefore strongly recommended to provide him with his own cabin. Accordingly, it might be a good idea to rent a yacht big enough to accommodate the needs of both the passengers and the skipper. However, the skipper may sleep in the salon too if the yacht provides a berth in the salon area although we highly recommend for the skipper to have its own cabin.

What is the typical length of a charter?

All yachts can be booked for a week or longer, following a Saturday-Saturday charter regimen. This is especially applied during peak season (from the end of May until mid-September) when most charter weeks are booked well in advance. Nonetheless, if you want to charter a yacht for just a couple of days instead of a week, the best time to do that is during off-season (April, May, October) when the charter price is calculated according to the number of days spent on board instead of an entire charter week.

When is the check-in and the check-out?

You may board a yacht on Saturdays between 4 and 6 pm. The boat needs to be thoroughly cleaned from inside out before you embark. There is also a boat briefing procedure before you are ready to leave the dock. Boats are to be returned to the base on Friday afternoon with an overnight on board. Disembarkation is usually done on Saturday morning between 8 and 9am, following the check-out procedure.

Can I board the yacht before the scheduled timeframe?

If you plan to arrive early to the marina (for example, Saturday morning), please let us know the approximate time of your arrival so we can try to arrange a sooner check-in if possible. Please note that we cannot guarantee the earlier check-in though, because it depends on numerous factors such as the number of people at the marina, the cleaning procedure and the like. In case you are planning to arrive on Friday, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will gladly assist you in finding a suitable accommodation.

What’s the cost of the mooring fee at the marinas and harbours?

The cost of the mooring fee depends on the size the yacht and it ranges from marina to marina. The average price varies from 50 to 70 Euros per day for a yacht 45 feet long. However, the mooring fee for catamaran tends to be double in cost than the mooring fee for the monohull yacht of the same size. If you have already chosen your sailing route, you can easily find out the prices on the official websites of the marinas where you plan to berth. Of course, you can always anchor in secluded bays or try to find free anchorages in some of the harbours.

Where should I berth, in a marina or in bays?

If you opt for a skippered or crewed charter, the captain will surely know a number of secluded bays where you can anchor. On the other hand, if you decide for a bareboat charter, it might be wiser to berth in a marina, especially if you are not well acquainted with the sailing region you chose to explore. For anchoring in bays you should make sure that your supplies of food, water and electricity are sufficient. Berthing in marinas is also safer because they are protected from winds and harsh weather conditions.

Can I book a place in a marina in advance?

Some marinas in Croatia allow booking in advance. Finding a berth off the season is usually not a problem but it is a different thing altogether in the peak season (particularly in July and August) when finding a berth may pose a challenge, especially if you don’t set sail for the marina in the early afternoon hours.

Where do I park my car once I arrive to the marina?

Marinas have a secured parking spot for vehicles and the reservations are not necessary since there is enough parking space provided. Parking price is usually around 45 Euros per week but the cost ranges from marina to marina. The staff at the marina take care of the vessels and supervise the parking space.

What should I pack for my charter?

We highly recommend that you should pack light and practical. During summer times, we recommend a casual beach attire as well as boat shoes or rubber-soled shoes. We also advise all our charter clients to pack their medicines, antibiotics and something against insect bites. If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend you pack the counter medication. It is also advisable to pack some warm clothes and waterproof jackets in case of unforeseen or unpleasant weather conditions.

What places should I visit?

If it’s your first time in Croatia or you are a little bit unsure about the places of interest, we will be happy to recommend you some routes and provide you with additional information about cultural sights, beaches and other natural landmarks.

Are towels, bed linen, kitchen equipment provided on board?

Towels are generally not provided on board but they are available at extra cost. Charter rate doesn’t include beach towels so we advise you to bring your own. Kitchen on board is equipped with cooking utensils, cutlery, stove, oven, fridge and sink. However, dishcloths and cleaning products are usually not provided on board but can be easily purchased in grocery stores in marinas. Bedlinen is provided on board and it includes sheets, blankets and pillows.

Where can we get provisioning?

You can provision in one of many supermarkets which are usually located in the vicinity of the marina. There are also smaller shops situated in the marina as well.

Is it possible to order provisioning in advance?

Yes, you can send your order and the charter staff will take care of your provisioning and deliver it shortly before you step aboard.

Are children welcome aboard and what safety measures do you recommend?

Of course, you can bring small children aboard but it would be wise to take some precautions. For example, it would be sensible to consider renting a catamaran instead of a sailing yacht, simply because catamarans tend to provide more space and a more stable feeling on board. If you decide to charter a motor yacht, we recommend a fly bridge over open top. You can always opt for safety nets and lifebelts for the children as an extra insurance, but please note that these are optional services that are charged extra and must be ordered in advance. This is important because placing a safety net on board does require some time and we wouldn’t want you to wait at the marina any longer than necessary. Also, we need to know about children’s age so we can provide suitable lifejackets for them. It would be sensible to choose the safest cabin for your children’s stay on board (for example, the front cabin) and always make sure that they are supervised by adults.

Is it possible for some people to leave and others to join the crew during the charter period?

It is possible to make changes in the crew list, however, any such changes should be communicated in advance so we can make all the necessary changes regarding the paperwork. During check-in, the charter agency will provide the guests with a crew list that will contain all the necessary information about each crew member, both before and after the change of crew. The guests must possess this document with them on board at all times in case of an inspection conducted by the port authorities. In case you change crew members during your cruise, without previously notifying the charter agency, the guests are obliged to contact the agency and inform them about the changes. The charter agency will then send a new verified crew list via fax or e-mail to their current location.

Are the boat and the crew insured?

Yes, all boats as well as the crew are insured against any potential damage.

What is a security deposit?

With the exception of crewed charters, you will be asked to pay a refundable security deposit for all bareboat and skippered charters to provide cover against accidental damage or loss to the boat and its ancillary equipment. The security deposit varies according to the size of the yacht and its purpose is to cover the cost of any potential damages caused by you or your party. The security deposit may be paid in cash or with credit card prior to the embarkation and will be returned to you upon the safe return of the yacht. In the event of determining that accidental damage or loss was caused to the yacht and its contents during the period of your charter, you will be liable to the charter agency for all incurred losses and damages up to the value of the security deposit left at the yacht base. In other words, security deposit is the maximum amount with which you can be charged for any damages whereas the remaining cost will be covered by the insurance company. In case of a theft of the boat inventory or the yacht’s ancillary equipment such as outboard engine or dinghy, you should report it to the nearest police station. During the booking process, you will be given an option to purchase a yacht damage waiver, which, as an additional insurance, practically covers all the damages. Terms and conditions of the damage waiver depend on the insurance company that insures the boat but you can be expected to pay approximately between 7 and 12% of the security deposit of the yacht you are interested in renting. The cost of purchasing the damage waiver will be added to your overall holiday cost.

What is Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)?

Advanced Provisioning Allowance or APA is intended to cover some of the additional charter expenses, which are not included in the initial charter price such as fuel, dockage, food and beverages, communication charges and other miscellaneous costs. This sum is usually equivalent to 30% of the charter fee and is given to the captain before the start of your charter. The captain will keep record of all expenditures with receipts and if the charter expenditure exceeds the sum previously paid, you will be required to reimburse the difference on your check-out. Also, any amount of APA not used will be returned to you at the end of the charter.

Which currency is used in Croatia?

Please note that the official currency in Croatia is Kuna. Occasionally, it is possible to pay the mooring fee in Euros but this depends on the marina and is more of an exception rather than a rule. You can also use credit cards in supermarkets, shops and restaurants but not everywhere so we highly recommend that you always have some cash with you.

Do I need to possess a diving license?

It is forbidden to dive in the Adriatic Sea without possessing a valid license. You must have a valid diver’s card issued by the Croatian Diving Federation. This license can be obtained if you have a valid diver’s brevet issued by an international diving association such as IDD, UDI, CMAS, MDEA, PADI and so on.

Do I need to possess a fishing license?

You must possess a valid fishing license for legal fishing in Croatia. This license can be obtained in numerous fishing clubs that are authorized for issuing such licenses to foreign citizens. The only thing you need for obtaining the license is your passport or ID and if you are already a member of a fishing club in your country, you can bring your club card with you as it may decrease the license fee. Once you obtain the license, you will get a list of areas where fishing is not allowed as well as a list of allowed fishing tools. Please note that fishing is forbidden in National Parks.

Where can I obtain the weather forecast?

The weather forecast may be obtained at any marina reception. Naturally, you can also contact the base or listen to the weather forecast on your radio and VHF since they are broadcasted quite frequently, especially during summer months.

Can I bring electrical equipment on board?

Yes, you may take electrical equipment with you on board and use various electrical device during your cruise, especially while you are in the marina. However, the yachts have only shore power connection so when sailing, only boats with a generator will supply you with electricity all the time. Please note that Croatia uses a standard European 2 point plug and the electricity is 220 Volts.

Can I use cell phone chargers on board?

Cell phone chargers can be used on board with the standard 220 V plug while you are at the marina on shore power connection. Alternatively, you may use the car phone charger that can be plugged into the 12 V cigarette lighter on board.

Is a cell phone signal available in all sailing areas?

A cell phone signal is available in most sailing areas in Croatia.

How much should I tip the crew?

It is customary for a charterer to extend a crew gratuity, especially if the attentive crew service has improved your overall holiday experience. The most discrete way to handle gratuity is to place it in an envelope addressed to the crew and hand it out to the captain or leave it on the salon table at the end of your charter.

Why are only 12 people allowed on most boats?

According to the International Marine regulation, any vessel that carries more than 12 passengers aboard, including private yachts, is considered to be a passenger ship and therefore has to comply with the SOLAS convention. SOLAS entails adhering to a set of exacting safety standards, which are often too expensive to implement, and as a result, all the charterers would then have to pay extra, regardless of the number of their crew. Luckily, we do have an excellent selection of yachts that can meet the needs of larger charter groups.

Where can I find information about entry documentation, custom and registration?

Entry documentation is not the same for all visitors but when travelling to Croatia, foreign citizens are required to have valid passports or IDs. To get yourself acquainted with customs and regulations, please visit the following web site: www.croatia.hr
This site provides useful links, addresses and phone numbers of all relevant institutions.