The Rise of Cabin Charters: Sailing Adventures Made Easy
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Cabin Charter or Bareboat Charter?
Enjoying a sailing holiday has become increasingly affordable and accessible over the years, with a wide range of options and destinations available worldwide. Thanks to the availability of low-cost flights, people can now reach even the most remote corners of the world, turning a holiday in a natural paradise into an everyday reality just a few clicks away.
When it comes to renting a sailing boat, catamaran, or motor yacht, there are various options to consider. One can contact a private owner, a local travel agency, or an online agency. In today's digital age, where the majority of the population owns a smartphone, booking the vacation of your dreams with just a few clicks has become the preferred option.
Online agencies offer a wide range of choices in terms of sailing destinations, types of boats available, and the best deals worldwide.
They also provide different types of cruises to choose from, including bareboat, crewed, or the increasingly popular cabin charter formula, which allows travelers to book just one cabin instead of the entire yacht.
Cabin charter cruises are experiencing rapid growth in the boating sector globally, and the changing market dynamics are influencing the way sailing cruises are offered. Nowadays, people can travel anywhere in the world by plane, even if they are alone, a couple, or a small group. This has made enjoying a sailing vacation in various parts of the world much easier. In the past, renting a boat meant paying a fixed price and accommodating a fixed number of participants determined by the renters of the sailing boat or catamaran.
Today, cabin charter cruises provide a new way to sail.
This type of sailing vacation is in high demand, not only because it can be challenging to gather a group of friends or a large enough family, but also because the full price of a sailing tour can be expensive when divided among just a few travelers or a single family.
Cabin charter cruises allow singles, couples, small families, and groups of friends to meet like-minded travelers from around the world who are joining the same cruise. They can pay a relatively smaller fee since the costs of the vacation are divided among all the participants. Moreover, it is often possible to enjoy a higher level of luxury, such as being on board a large sailing boat with a crew and a cook to cater to your every need, as the costs of a single cabin are generally lower than those of an entire boat.
However, a common concern for those considering a cabin charter is the risk of sharing the boat with someone who may ruin their vacation experience. To address this question, we reached out to Captain Luca, a true expert in this sector. Captain Luca has been the skipper of a 20-meter long Kanter Ketch for over 20 years and has met numerous guests each summer, especially in the last six years when the boat was dedicated exclusively to cabin charter cruises.
Based on his experience, Captain Luca affirms that all the people who came on board for a sailing vacation, regardless of their origins, shared a common motivation: the desire to enjoy the sea, the sun, the boat life, and the opportunity to spend quality time with fellow travelers. The resulting atmosphere on board the sailing boat has always been amazing, with guests having lots of fun, engaging in conversations, and getting to know each other easily, especially during meals and social events.
Guests are always free to decide whether to spend time alone or engage with others. They can choose to stay onboard or go on day excursions, have dinner at local restaurants, or explore the area for some evening fun. Unlike private charters, where conflicts may arise among long-time friends due to differing opinions on activities and decisions, cabin charter cruises offer more flexibility. Each guest can make their individual choices within the predetermined tour stops and menu options, while still having the opportunity to interact and socialize with others on board.
Of course, the size of the boat matters as well. Larger boats offer more privacy, separate spaces to enjoy the sun or meals, and the possibility of different dining times. A bigger boat generally means more luxury, a crew to assist, and more space to enjoy the holiday. There are also travelers who prefer to have moments of solitude while enjoying some social interactions, and that's perfectly fine since everyone is different.
Cabin charters provide a relatively new holiday experience, bringing people from different parts of the world together and fostering new friendships, new destinations, and new activities. They also create job opportunities for sea lovers, both for boat owners looking to rent their vessels and for those who want to facilitate finding the perfect sailing holiday in an easy and enjoyable way.
By Nila Megna and Captain Luca Lianza