Frequently Asked Questions

`We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies, and the sand out of our belongings.`--Erma Bombeck

What is a Blue Cruise?

A Blue Cruise is the term designated to describe the routes taken by indigenous wooden motor sailors along the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. Often the northwestern most point is Kusadasi, and the southeastern point is Antalya, though many exceptions are made depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and our clients' preferences.

How long should I charter the gulet for?

We suggest your gulet charter be a minimum of 7 -14 days for optimal sightseeing, relaxation and enjoyment. Occasionally, we can cater to shorter periods.

When is the best time to visit?

If you like the sun and heat, July and August are quite hot with lots of sunshine, though the anchorages will be more crowded. June is wonderful for it's long daylight hours, and September is ideal for warm water temperatures. May and October are excellent if you wish solitary anchorages, crisp breezes and the possible brief but brilliant thunderstorm.

Will my Raspberry/Blueberry/Blackberry/GSM/IPOD work during the cruise?

Only if your wife or husband agree to it. There might be an occasional area where reception is poor, but seldom for long. Ipod adapters are provided on our gulets.

What does the gulet charter price include?

The charter price includes your hire of the gulet, crew, fuel, water and Turkish port and harbour fees. Please see full details at our Price & Availability page.

More importantly, what does the gulet charter price not include?

Depending on the yacht, the charter price may not include full board, beverages and airport transfers. Greek port and harbor fees, entrances to national monuments, and crew gratuity are extra. Please see our Price & Availability page for a complete description of exclusions.

Are there any crocodiles, sharks or stingrays?

We once spotted a tiny baby sand shark who was so frightened of us, we couldn't even form a proper memory of her. The only creature to be wary of are sea urchins which are easily visible perched upon rocks, and which can be hand picked for a delicious cold appetizer/meze evening salad.

Where is Turkey again? Is it in Europe?

The Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country located on the Eastern Mediterranean and borders 8 countries. Due to its strategic location and extensive history, Turkey is a unique blend of Western and Eastern cultures with a mosaic of diverse ethnicities, all united under the democracy of the founding father Atatürk. Turkey is an active member of NATO and currently awaiting EC membership subject to approval.



Will I be safe?

The only real danger is getting from your house to the airport. Turkey is very safe - the only burglar we have had in 20 years apologized afterwards.  Turkey's culture and economy are growing at a tremendous rate, yet it is a very family oriented country with a `small town feel` wherever you go and is home to world famous warmth and hospitality.

I want to cruise in Greece.

You may cruise Greek Dodecanese Islands including Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Nysiros, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Patmos, and Samos. With advance planning, you can also cruise the Cyclades to include Santorini and Mykonos. Greek harbor and port fees are not included in the charter price and payable directly to the port authorities.

What about beach towels and hair dryers?

Full size, plush beach towels are provided, as are separate bath towels and hair dryers.

Can I have meals at little tavernas every night?

On the Turkish coast, there are several excellent restaurants which we recommend but other establishments are not reliable year to year and may be understocked and over priced. However, if you desire your itinerary around eating on shore, we are happy to accommodate this. (Do remember, you have your personal full time chef on board preparing excellent Turkish cuisine.)

How do I get to Turkey and my port of embarkation?

You can fly into and out of Bodrum-Milas or Dalaman airports, depending on your embarkation, via a charter flight or connecting internationally from Istanbul. Another possibility is to take the daily hydrofoil from Kos or Rhodes to Turkey. See our Practical Information page for more details.

Do I have to return to my starting port?

You may begin in one port and end in other, depending on the yacht's schedule. It's best to book early to ensure securing the itinerary and ports you want.

If I have children?

Bundle them up and bring them along. Gulet holidays are perfect for children, as they can nap and be fed as needed. Many a child has first learned to swim in these buoyant, calm seas. Small sized life vests are provided, and the crew will help keep them entertained with fishing and canoeing. See our Practical Information page for more details about traveling with the youngsters.

What attractions should I not miss out on?

It would take many weeks of cruising to see all of the many attractions, but `must-see` attractions would include Ephesus, the Castle of Saint Peter, the Greek Island of Symi, the sunken city of Kekova, the ghost town of Kayaköy, and the ancient site of Knidos.

What items do I need to pack?

As the Blue Cruise is very casual even on the highest end gulets, we suggest that you bring a minimal amount of casual shore clothing, light sweater for evenings, several swimsuits, prescription medication, sunscreen, and hats. If possible, pack soft bags for easier storage. Beach towels, mosquito repellant, bath towels, books, music, DVD player and movies are all provided

What kind of fish can I expect to encounter?

In the summer months, you can expect gilt headed sea bream, sea bass, octopus, calamari, mullet, prawns and dusky grouper, occasionally while snorkeling but definitely on the menu.

Do the crew speak English?

All of our captains on our gulets speak conversational English, and there will always be at least one crew member with fluency. More importantly is that our captains are very well versed in communicating, even if the right word doesn't spring to mind at the moment. This may involve a smiling demonstration and the right props to explain the history of the Carian tombs, but in general, the crew have good to excellent comphrehension of English, and often a bit of Italian, Greek, French and German.

Who are Southern Cross Blue Cruising?

Dave Stanley and Dina Street are the core of Southern Cross Blue Cruising.  Dave is Australian, having moved to Turkey 5 years ago after being bitten by the gulet bug, resulting in the purchase of Southern Cross Timer.  Dina is half Turkish, half American and a permanent resident of Bodrum since 1990.  She first became acquainted with gulets when designing local boats' websites at her internet cafe - the first in Turkey.  Dina & Dave have a combined charter experience of 15 years and are recognized as the Destination Expert for Bodrum on Tripadvisor as well as Allexperts.  

Do I need air conditioning?

Gulets offer air conditioning in various degrees. varying from none to full 24 hour. It's important to determine the air conditioning ability and policy in advance, and to specify how important it is to you and to choose the right yacht accordingly. We find that many of our guests love to sleep on deck under the stars, or prefer not to have the generator operating during the night.

How much time will be spent actually sailing?

As much as you want.  However it is important to note that some gulets (and crews) sail better than others.  If sailing is important to you, we need to match you with the right yacht. 

Can I pay by credit card?

We are normally not able to accept credit cards; however if you have additional land excursions, hotels or other travel plans in Turkey, we can sometimes accomodate a credit card payment.  Paypal, bank wire transfer and google checkout are all welcome.

 

More questions? Just email!