
Frequently Asked
Questions
What qualifications do I need to charter a bareboat sailing yacht? ↓
To charter a sailing yacht in Greece it is necessary for the skipper to have a sailing certificate proving his competence. If no such certificates are issued in your home country, you will be required to present a reference from your yacht club verifying your ability to sail.
How do I book? ↓
Choose the area and type of yacht you prefer, along with your dates, and contact us. We will apply to your request on the same day on which we receive your e-mail, quoting you available yachts and prices.
When you have received our quotation and offer, you can either confirm the booking or request an option.
Options can be held for a maximum of 2 days. Should it be necessary to extend the option, please contact us and we will try to extend it.
Confirm the charter as requested. We shall reconfirm your booking by E-mail.
The contracts have to be signed and returned to us with the exception of your copy, together with the requested down payment. Along with the charter agreement you should send to us a complete crew list with all passport numbers, copy of the skipper’s sailing Certificate.
You should send us also your arrival details on time.
How and when should I pay? ↓
Payments:
Down payment will secure your reservation. The final payment of the charter fee is due 45 days prior to your arrival. 1-2 weeks before your starting date you will receive details for your local contact person at the marina and a list of suggested items to bring with you from home for your sailing adventure!
Payment Terms:
- 40% down payment (of the total charter fee, depending on the booking date) is paid by the bank’s transfer to our account upon contract signing/booking confirmation
- 60% final payment 45 days prior to embarkation.
- If the 2nd payment is not paid by the date as stated on the booking confirmation without any notice from the agency/client, then Hermes Yachting P.C. reserves the right to cancel the charter without returning the advance payments
Down payment by wire transfer (without surcharge) or online payment with credit card (plus related credit card fee), should be settled within 1 week
Bank details:
OPTIMA BANK
IBAN: GR4803400290029004685027197
BIC/SWIFT: IBOGGRAA
Branch Address: 11 Vas. Georgiou str., 18532 Piraeus, Greece
Beneficiary: Hermes Yachting I.K.E.
Beneficiary’s Address: 57 Eleftherias Ave., 17455 Alimos, Greece
When do charters begin and end? ↓
All charters begin at 17:00 on the day of departure (normally Saturdays) and typically end at 09:00 on the day of arrival (normally Saturdays). However, you will be kindly asked to return to base on the last evening of your charter (normally Friday evening at the latest 17:00). We require this time between charters to do the necessary cleaning/maintenance/service on the vessels.
What does the charter fee include? ↓
Charter rates are in Euro, refer to the weekly charter period & include:
- Current VAT 12% (the rate is a 50% discount on the full 24% VAT rate applicable, under the condition that the skipper returns stamped, by the port authorities, a declaration which states he arrived at a port which lies at a distance greater than 6nm from the initial port of embarkation).
- Use of yachts with the following equipment: VHF, Radio CD, GPS, Autopilot, Echo sounder, Speedometer, Dinghy, Warm water supply, Sprayhood, Bimini/tent, and Blankets.
Charter rates do not include:
- Fuel, water, provisioning, extra linen running expenses & mooring fees
- Provisions: Complete your provisioning online or on-site. They’ll take care of it and on your embarkation, your food and beverages will be on-board.
- Transfer services from the Airport to the Base, upon request.
Compulsory per charter
- End Cleaning (not commissionable, payable at the base in cash): cleaning, cooking gas, Linen (2 sheets, 1 pillowcase, 2 bath towels per person per week, Mooring fees for the first & last night) :
- Yachts with 3 cabins 220€, 4 cabins 250€, 5 cabins 280€
- monohull yachts up to 51ft: 330€
- Catamarans up to 42ft: 350€
- Catamarans up to 47ft: 390€
- Monohull”On y va”: 300€
Embarkation: starting date from 17:00.
Disembarkation: ending day by 09:00.
Compulsory: return to base the evening before disembarkation, at 17:00, at the latest.
*Check-in/out procedures time is part of the charter period.
Optional Crew services:
- Skipper: 200€ per night (plus food) + Security deposit insurance is mandatory in case of a skippered charter and the cost is 350€ per booking.
- Hostess: 190€ per night (plus food), serving breakfast, and one meal daily.
- Crew Change: 100€ (the cost covers expenses for port authorities’ formalities, linen/towels, and marina fees. If cleaning is needed the cost is as per our Price List)
Optional Extras:
- Outboard Engine: 80€ per charter week
- Early check-in: Fast track access to the yacht if possible: by 14:00, 80€ per charter
- BBQ: 50€ per charter week
- SUP (Stand Up Paddle): 60€ per charter week
- Extra linen: 10€ / Set per person / week
- Automatic Life Jacket: 15€ per charter week (for children: 30€ per charter week)
- Nespresso coffee machine: 15€ per charter week
Find here for more optional extras
What about security deposit? ↓
Security Deposit:
Before embarkation, the Charterer will deliver at Charter Base a Security Deposit of such amount as listed on the pricelist and confirmed by the offering statement. Cash payment and credit cards (VISA or MasterCard) are accepted. Debit cards & AMEX are not accepted.
The Security Deposit is non-commissionable and applicable per insured event (damage or loss). Should an incident covered by the Security Deposit occur during the charter, the Charterer must replenish the Security Deposit to the initial amount to continue the charter, having sufficient coverage for any other incident. In any other case, the Stakeholder and/ or Owner retain the right to treat the charter agreement as having been breached by the Charterer and end the charter.
Security Deposit: Obligatory Damage Waiver / Security deposit reduction:
- For Yachts with 3 cabins: Damage Waiver 220€ + 800€ refundable Security Deposit
- For Yachts with 4 & 5 cabins up to 49ft: Damage Waiver 270€ + 800€ refundable Security Deposit
- For monohulls more than 50ft: Damage Waiver 320€ + 1000€ refundable Security Deposit
- For Catamarans: Damage Waiver 320€ + 1000€ refundable Security Deposit
What is the Damage Waiver? ↓
The Damage Waiver serves to reduce your financial responsibility in the event of impairment to the yacht, deterioration or loss of supplementary equipment, or harm incurred through third-party actions during the duration of your charter agreement.
This waiver is non-refundable and provides comprehensive coverage for any loss, accident, or damage affecting the yacht, its equipment, or any third parties. This includes all risks stemming from negligence or malicious actions, whether perpetrated by the skipper or the chartering clients and offers full indemnification in all such scenarios.
For charters facilitated by Hermes Yachting that involve a skipper, only an insurance deposit of 350€ is obligatory, and no Refundable Security Deposit is required. However, please note that the refundable deposit will be forfeited skippered charters in instances involving the loss of tender or outboard components, or incidents of clogged sanitation systems
In case I want to cancel my sailing boat charter? ↓
In case the client needs to cancel the booking, the following terms apply:
For bookings canceled up to 46 days before embarkation: charged 40% of the total charter fee.
For bookings canceled less than 45 days before embarkation: charged 100% of the total charter fee.
No show: withhold every paid amount.
Should I have travel insurance? ↓
As with any vacations, we strongly recommend that your sailing trip be insured against any unforeseen circumstances.
If I need to hire a professional skipper? ↓
We can recommend and hire on your behalf a professional skipper for as many days as you wish. Even if you have experienced sailing, you may still require the services of a professional skipper to make your cruise more relaxing and benefit from the skippers’ local knowledge. There is a set daily fee of 200€ per day for the professional skipper, regardless of the number of people on board. Please remember that the professional skipper needs to be provided with his own cabin, as he is obliged to sleep on board.
Do I need to leave a security deposit when I hire a skipper? ↓
No, for skippered charters an obligatory security deposit insurance will apply with a cost of 350 EUR/week and payable in case at the base upon embarkation.
Are the yachts insured? ↓
All yachts are insured against damage to the hull, machinery and/or equipment. Third party liability is also covered. Nevertheless, personal accidents while on board are not covered and client has to arrange extra for this kind of coverage.
Are the yachts equipped with safety equipment? ↓
All yachts are equipped with:
◦ Boat Documents
◦ Bosun’s chair (boatswain’s chair)
◦ Distress flare box
◦ Emergency helm
◦ Fire extinguisher
◦ First aid kit
◦ Foghorn
◦ GMDSS – Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
◦ Horseshoe lifebuoy
◦ Life belts
◦ Life jackets
◦ Liferaft
◦ Radar reflector
◦ Repair kit
◦ Snorkeling equipment
◦ Toolbox
◦ Torch
What does a crewed charter mean? ↓
A crewed charter is a yacht, which has a crew. You are not required to assist in the operation of the yacht.
Do Ι have any discounts? ↓
We offer the following discounts to our clients.
Internet discount: 25%, Multiple weeks charter: 5%, Boat show: 5%, Repeat Hermes Yachting Customers 5%, Maximum discount: 40%
In which areas can I charter a yacht from? ↓
You can charter a yacht from the following destinations: – Greece:
* Saronic Golf or Cyclades/Athens from Lavrion
What should I bring with me? ↓
Luggage
It is better to travel with flexible, soft, foldable luggage. Avoid large, boxy suitcases.
Sunglasses
At least two pair of sunglasses with neck chain to avoid loss.
Skin protection
The sun in Greece is especially strong, and therefore a good sunscreen or blocking lotion or cream is necessary. Avoid oily, greasy applications, which are slippery and pose a danger on board. To continue your protection, bring with you after sun lotions or skin softeners.
Medication
Prescription or other medications should be brought in quantities to last the duration of your vacation.
Clothing
For unfettered ocean cruising, casual comfortable clothes are best. Bring at least two bathing suits, T-shirts, shorts and lightweight cotton slacks, jeans and shirts. In April and May and from mid-September through October, evenings and even days may be cool, so please bring a warm sweater or sweatshirt and a light jacket or windbreaker. For entertaining and on-shore dining and dancing, you may wish to have an easy-care dress- up outfit with you.
Head protection
For protection against the ill effects of prolonged exposure to the sun, a hat, cap or scarf is most important.
Footwear
Soft or rubber white soled footwear or boat shoes are a must. Wear standard shoes for on-shore use only.
Foul weather gear
This is optional and is occasionally required. Light rainwear however is advisable.
Towels
Several beach towels can prove to be quite handy after that delicious dive from the yacht into the cool, clean ocean.
Audio / CDs
Every yacht provides or CD player, so bring your favourite music along.
Sports Gear
Although every yacht provides snorkelling gear, we suggest that lovers of underwater activities bring their own snorkel and mask. A special note on scuba diving: Greece’s laws prohibit scuba diving in most of its waters. We strongly recommend not bringing such gear. However, scuba diving is permissible in very limited areas only, and anyone interested can request further information from us regarding the location of these specially designated scuba diving waters.
Is smoking allowed on yachts? ↓
For safety reasons mainly, the prevention of fire and additionally to keeping the interior clean, smoking is not allowed at the cabins but only in deck areas, at the dining room & day areas.
Does my mobile phone work in Greece? ↓
Greece operates on a GSM system most European mobile phones operate here. North American mobile phones which have GSM do work.
Are credit cards accepted on the islands? ↓
Most major credit cards are accepted on the islands except in bars and some restaurants. Most of the islands do have ATM machines.
Can I bring my pet? ↓
If your pet is up to 7kg you can bring it with you by purchasing the Pet pack of 150€ per booking.
What happens if I have a problem during my charter? / What happens if I run into problems during my trip? ↓
Call us or contact our base team on WhatsApp. We will provide you with our mobile numbers prior to your departure make sure when you contact us, you know your location and try to describe the problem as thoroughly as possible. We have technicians with whom we cooperate in nearly every port of Greece.
Do the yachts have air-conditioning? ↓
Most of the monohull sailing yachts don’t have A/C. For the catamarans and monohull yachts that have A/C please note that in some harbors the authorities do not allow the generators to run throughout the night.
Therefore, if you are on an air-conditioned yacht you may be unable to run the air-conditioning at all times. In such a case, you can anchor outside the port, weather permitting.
Do harbors in the islands have moorings? ↓
Most islands do not have mooring lines. You need to drop anchor and tie med-style.
What if we arrive at the embarkation base late? ↓
For late arrivals at the embarkation base (after 17:00 hours) please contact us to make the appropriate arrangements.
How do I provision and can I find provisions? ↓
Organize your shopping/provisions in advance using the link on your Boarding Pass. The goods will be delivered directly to your boat just before embarkation.
In Lavrio City, there are many supermarkets, but you will need to arrange the delivery and carry the items to the boat yourself.
What does the standard equipment on all sailing yachts include? ↓
Each one of our vessels is fully equipped for charter. For further information please check our Inventory list.
Other than my food, what other costs can I expect? ↓
Other costs, which you should expect, are fuel for the yacht, harbour fees (except home port) which are around EURO 10-50 depending on the port/marina, and water for the yacht.