Insider tips for securing the best deal on your Mediterranean charter
As travellers seek to book the perfect Mediterranean or European escape, we asked yacht charter company Sunsail for a few insider tips on how to get the best package, price and value when booking a yacht charter in 2024.
Book early: a top tip is to book in advance to access early bird discounts or off-season deals when demand is lower. Early birds often get a wider choice of yachts, and destinations to suit their budget and holiday needs, so it really does pay to get in early.
Get inspired: check out yacht charter blogs for inspiration on the right destination for holiday crews, with tips on sailing grounds and best places to eat.
Stay connected: following social media or subscribing to newsletters can give early access to exclusive deals and promotions, so be sure to hit those ‘follow’ or ‘sign up’ buttons.
Be flexible with dates: opting to travel during shoulder seasons, which lie just before or after peak seasons, can offer significant savings, while still benefiting from favourable weather.
Be flexible with locations: be open-minded to alternatives. Sometimes shifting preferred schedules slightly can lead to significant cost savings and amazing new adventures!
Complete a sailing CV: an online ‘holiday sailing CV’ can help you identify destinations and/or products to match the sailing experience for your holiday party.
Check out the offers pages: there are two key booking periods for the Med to ensure the best deals – the month of September, marked by boat show season, and early in the new year. These are when the best seasonal promotions are available. Beyond these peak booking seasons, be sure to keep an eye on dedicated offers pages as last-minute deals can pop up for those who can move quickly.
How to book: most companies offer online and telephone booking services. Some services, like flight-inclusive packages, might only be available by phone booking. Some companies will offer discounts to returning customers so it’s always worth asking.
Be clear on inclusions: double check what’s covered in the price of your holiday to avoid unexpected extra expenses during your trip. Some companies have itemised pricing that includes everything a boater should need for a yachting holiday, others don’t offer extras as standard, so check exactly what’s included especially when comparing prices.
Essential information: when booking, review local information such as the base address, the nearest airport, local currency, moorings fees, nearest supermarket, base facilities, weather and wind information to help you plan ahead.
Meal planning: use time ahead of checking-in to buy provisions, including dry goods, and long-life foods. Larger charter companies like Sunsail, have an online provisioning store, which will stock yachts with chosen shopping lists of fresh and dried goods ahead of check-in.
Get to the base early: all charter bookings have a set check-in time. Arriving early allows you the time and space to get to know the local area, and meet local support crews.