What to Consider for a Yacht Holiday?

Welcome, Captain Miraç!

Thank you.

Captain, shall we get to know you a little bit first? How did this love for the sea begin, and what have you done?

My love for the sea actually started when I was a child. Then my high school and university education was in maritime studies. Afterwards, I worked on international ships, but I quickly realized that it wasn't for me. So, I returned to the yachting sector. This adventure, which I started in 2000, is still ongoing. I became a master of the work I apprenticed in. And now, I am the boss of the work I mastered, with Mila Yachting. I am someone who is dedicated to the maritime sector. I try to do things in this sector as much as I can. The aim is not just to earn money, but also to instill a bit of maritime culture in people.

It seems the pandemic also played a role in spreading maritime culture, didn't it?

Yes, the pandemic taught us to turn to the sea a bit more. It taught us what we could do at sea, what we could do on a boat, where we could go, how we could watch the moonrise at night, the sunrise during the day, how we could sleep with the smell of iodine, and many other things by experiencing them. It wasn't like in the books, this whole thing.

I guess the increase in yacht holidays is related to what you're saying…

Of course, we can say that people started asking, "Oh, this could actually be possible, why didn't we ever think of it?"

Captain, what should people understand when they hear "yacht tour"? After all, it's not just about grilled meatballs and enjoying the Bosphorus air.

It’s actually a very broad concept and entirely budget-dependent. 😊 You can start from Eminönü and end up in Sardinia, or you can go to Beşiktaş. 😊 There are many categories. There are Bosphorus tours, island tours, Aegean tours, Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, and the scope keeps expanding. It's entirely budget-dependent; you can eat a meatball sandwich, fish, or shrimp… So both the route and the content vary according to the budget. You need to know this first. It goes all the way to a world tour.

So, what should we pay attention to?

First of all, you need to ask if the boat has commercial papers, insurance, and a tourism operating license. We talked about budget, but it's not just about "Here, captain, take us for a ride." Maritime work is no joke. That's why training is taken and updates are made at certain intervals. But because people don't know maritime culture, they overlook the really important points. You also need to ask guaranteed questions: What will you do if something happens to us? Then, how many people will be going is important. Find out if your requests can be met. What is the size of the boat? What are the cabins like, how many are there? Ask these types of questions and get the answers in writing. So it doesn't just remain verbal. 😊 Many bad surprises have actually been prevented. The strict rules set by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Port Authority, and the rigorous inspections by the Coast Guard, have created many obstacles, but it's still good to be sure.

So, transparency is essential?

Yes, of course. For example, I tell people. My boat doesn't have air conditioning, the cabins will be hot, but you can sleep outside if you want. But we can't do everything. For instance, one family wanted a quiet cove, a beach, and shallow water. During the Eid holiday week in Göcek, I can't find all three in the same cove. Concessions become necessary. At Mila Yachting, we do our best, we try to make it happen, but sometimes it's a matter of possibilities… 😊

Is it suitable for everyone? Who should consider a yacht holiday?

If we are talking about a simple yacht tour, you have to sacrifice some comfort. Because the capacity of the fresh water tanks and toilet tanks is smaller. Therefore, it is not possible to shower after every swim. For example, my boat has solar panels, but the generator also has to run. Sometimes someone says, "Captain, let's turn off the generator." Okay, let's turn it off, but then the batteries won't charge, and the stove won't work. So, how can I provide service? 😊 In other words, it is necessary to sacrifice comfort by using some resources less.

So, what are the advantages of this concept?

First of all, you'll have an isolated holiday. That holiday will be yours. You'll be with your own family or your own friends, your crew. You'll be able to go to any cove you want, swim wherever you want, wake up in the morning with dew on you and then dive into the sea, have your coffee, and start the day feeling very fresh. You'll be able to embrace all the beauties that nature offers you. You can't do these things sitting under the air conditioning in a hotel.

When making a choice, should people go through a tourism company or research individually?

Either can work. However, there's a difference: the more intermediaries there are, the higher the price. 😊 The key here is trust. It's important that the other party, whoever they are, instills confidence in you. For example, the issue of insurance. Now, everywhere in the world, there's something called black charter.

What is this black charter issue?

Think of it like an illegal taxi. There can be problems with insurance. For example, if you travel with a bus company, you have life insurance. But if you hitchhike and travel by truck on the road, then you are at God's mercy. 😊

Shall we talk a little bit about the budget?

As far as I know, daily tours in Göcek start from 250 TL. Now, the more zeros you add next to that 250, the more you move from meatball sandwiches to shrimp. 😊 For example, my boat costs 5,000 TL per day in high season. The daily cost of a holiday for 5 people is roughly the same in a moderately priced hotel, but a hotel won't offer an isolated holiday like a yacht holiday. 😊

Is it suitable for families with children and pets?

It varies depending on the size of the boat. On the sides, there are, so to speak, railings. They are called guardrails. Their height, as specified by regulations, must be 80 cm. In fact, the nets between them are specifically designed with children in mind. So, in terms of safety, boats are already designed with children in mind. As long as they are under their parents' supervision and do not move while underway, I don't think there will be a problem. I do not recommend bringing pets. These animals suffer greatly in this hot weather and inside the boat. They can't even find a place to relieve themselves, if you'll excuse my bluntness. Perhaps leaving them at a pet boarding facility or with a close relative and going on a yacht holiday would be more sensible.

So, what kind of suitcase should we pack?

Small. 😊 I especially want to tell the ladies: Please, leave your outfits at home. You are surrounded by nature, and no one is seeing you anyway. 😊 Along with that, definitely bring your personal hygiene items, and any regular medications you use. In fact, if you have any allergies or other health conditions, inform the captain. Do not bring valuable items with you, but if you do, have them recorded by the captain.

Captain, we really enjoyed it. Thank you very much. And Mila Yachting has a surprise for Bonherre users and followers, right? 😊

Yes, we will offer a 10% discount to Bonherre followers in the 2021 summer season. This will be our gift to everyone who comes to us through Bonherre.

We also thank you for this, Captain. See you again…

Thank you very much too. I hope it was helpful. See you soon. 😊