Travel organizer tips
Do I need to have sailing experience to book a cruise ?
Guests on board are not expected to have any sailing experience, or a license.
The captain, and any other crew present, will take care of sailing maneuvers, moorings and anchoring. Still, if you are interested, you can ask to help the captain with some easy task either to set the sails, during mooring and anchoring (for example using the remote to throw or weigh the anchor) or even taking the helm while safely out at sea. All in the spirit to have some fun and participate in everyday life on board.
Seasickness, what to do ?
Our recommendation is to be careful on the start of your holiday: do not spend time inside the cabin while the boat moves, go outside to take some fresh air, look at the panorama and stay still as much as possible, so your body will get used to the movement and the next days you will feel good! If this does not work then there are some things you can do to minimize the effects. Ginger: raw, candied or brewed in a tea, is a cheap and delicious remedy. Sea bands, elastic bracelets that put pressure on a point that is believed to relieve nausea. And finally medication, as there are a number of drugs available from your doctor that can help soothe the nerves in your inner ear or suppress the brain’s response to seasickness.
How do I get on board from the airport ?
If the offer for transport is not already given with the logistic information upon completing the booking, then the best way is to contact Intersailclub staff. For shared cruises sometimes a taxi transfer can be organized for all the guests arriving in the same airport at similar times, so as to divide the costs of a car or taxi. For private cruises, it is alway best to organize the transfer in advance, so as to avoid last minute high rates at airports. Finally there are always some public transports options to reach the embarking point and Intersailclub can help you interface with the trip organizer, to give you good advice on all available options.
What happens on a typical day on board ?
Every day will be quite different from the other, as the beauty of being on a boat is just this! No two days will be the same. The boat moves along an itinerary that is partly decided by the captain beforehand and partly influenced by the weather. Sometimes the boat will be anchored in a bay and sometimes moored in a marina. If you want to go on land, you will either be brought by the captain with the dinghy (a small rubber boat, with engine) or simply step down on the pontoon. Enjoying some local life, going on a shopping spree, eating in the local restaurants, participating in local activities (winery visits, trekking, biking, cooking classes and more) and generally sightseeing is a fundamental part of your sailing holiday just like swimming, sunbathing and relaxing on board in those moments when going to land will not be practical.
What do I put in my luggage ?
The available space for luggage on a sailing vessel is limited. A soft canvas luggage is the best solution, since it can be folded and stored at the bottom of the wardrobe. No need to bring with you too many clothes, you will mostly use swimsuits and some light clothes for when you will step on solid ground, perhaps something special for a night out. Just don’t forget your sunscreen (30 , at sea the sun hits harder!), a hat, sunglasses, flippers, swimsuits galore and a beach towel, some earbuds for music and to bring something that will keep you warm, because even during summer at night it gets quite cold at sea!
Should you need to bring with you more luggage, for any reason, then contact the staff to help you organize proper storage for it.
Can I bring my children on board ?
The answer is yes…for the most part! For shared cruises, children are allowed on board from 9 years old onward, as smaller children might be difficult to handle among strangers and influence the experience of the other guests negatively. For this reason still some shared cruise organizers might not accept young people under the age of 14.
For private cruises, there is really no limit to the age of small children on board and the general consensus is that small children on board, alway have a fun time.
If bringing a child on board, especially from 1 to 6 years old, you might want to invest in a safety net, which is put around the railings by the trip organizer for a fee, and diminishes the risk of slipping from the deck into the sea. For the same reason always take care to have on board life jackets appropriate for the weight of the child, they are not given by default, so either buy your own or ask for them as an extra.
