How to go on a cruise
Questions and answers
Is that the right holiday for me?
A holiday on board is for everyone, but you need to have spirit of adventure and to be adaptable. Our ships are not floating hotels but boats, where you should cooperate with everybody to sail. It is necessary to give up some comforts , but you will see a very new way to live the sea.
How many days does the holiday should last?
A weekend in the spring is the best way to try for the indecisives. During the summer, instead, you should stay the whole week. For groups who have less time or who are at their first experience, a week is ideal. The most enterprising can choose two weeks, which let longer sailing and above all get a better symbiosis with the sea element!
Which are the sailing zones?
The base for boarding and landing from September to June is Taranto. By booking just one day, you could admire the Cheradi islands or bath in the light blue water of Fata Morgana, along the Salento coast. If you can stay a weekend, you will have the chance to admire the beautiful bay of Porto Cesareo and S. Isidoro, visit beautiful Gallipoli and during the day bath in the clear water of Punta Pizzo. Organizing the cruise you can visit the beautiful Salento peninsula, by departing from Taranto and circumnavigating by landing in Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto: pearl of the Mediterranean!
How long does the cruise last?
It depends on the time and ability of the crew. Usually it is necessary to space out long sailing days and relaxing days that can be spent in a bay, where you can go fishing, swimming or exploring the coast... however sailings are not demanding.
Where do we spend the night?
This choice is up to the group: you can often sleep under the stars, but you can also spend the night in the harbour to plunge into the beau monde! However even standing at the anchor you can land with a rubber dinghy.
What are the extra costs?
Fuel, water, electricity, meal and mooring in harbour. These have to be divided among the crew and have to be managed with common cash. Usually fuel is about 10-20 euros per person. If the week is windy it could even be less! Water and electricity usually are less than that. For meals we buy it together and we all take turns cooking. You spend like at home. Mooring costs: it depends on the frequency of the visits to the harbour. Apart from the first and the last night, usually we spend many night without entering harbours where you have to pay. Costs can be from zero up to 50 € (100 in august) per night, to be divided between everybody.
Who cooks?
Kitchen has an internal organization and if someone wants to plunge and go fishing, we can create great recipes.
Do i have to bring meal from home?
There’s no need. Usually we do the shopping before boarding at the nearest supermarket. Of course who wants can bring some specialities from the native place: on board it is important to have a delicious lunch and dinner !
Who drives the ship?
The skipper operates , but everybody’s cooperation is necessary. Of course nothing heavy will be requested and everyone will take part, on the basis of his/her capabilities.
What kind of experience it is necessary to sail?
None! It is not important that you have experience in the sea. You just need to have spirit of adventure and be adaptable.
Can i take the children with me?
Of course, even if they are very young! Children on board have fun and don’t get bored: usually they are even more quiet than at home!
I wish to learn, is that possible?
Yes, the skipper has to be skilled in managing the ship and he is always at your disposal to teach the group, who will be more useful in helping. Of course, in little time you cannot become an expert, but you could learn how to understand and know the sea and the boat.
Will i feel seasick?
Seasick has a great psychological influence. We will avoid facing heavy situations, but it is normal that you can feel disorientated and the most sensible feel nausea. Usually people will solve the problem in little time and the more motivated they are the faster it will go away. For the most sensitive however there are various medicines, such as patches with scopolamine, they are very efficient even if they could be like sleeping-pill..
How many and what kind of clothes do i need?
Very few! You just need swim-suits, t-shirts and shorts. All the rest will remain in the bag! Since the space is very limited choose what to bring. It is better to bring a bag per person.
Which shoes do i need?
On board you don’t need them, just in case you want to make difficult hanoveurs. You just need a pair of sandals to go ashore. At least you could just take with you a pair of light shoes for the operations on the deck.
Do i need towels?
Yes, in the case the paper ones are not good for you.
What do i need for sleeping?
Nothing: ships have all you need.
What is really necessary?
Don’t forget sun protections: suntan lotion, sunglasses and a cap, it is important to bring medicines you usually use at home. Notice that luggage should be easily to load, so soft bags are better than hard bags. Here is a list of what members usually bring and then remain in bags:
- pairs of long trousers
- shoes
- boots (you just need them before June and after September)
- beach games
- music cassettes
- hairdryer
Can i bring my guitar?
Yes, which place is better than a ship to play music?
Is there a stereo?
Yes, there is an mp3 player with internal and external loudspeakers.
Can i bring diving equipment?
Diving is not easy, but on board you can find flippers and masks.
Can i recharge my telephone, my camera and so on?
The electricity at 220V is not always available: it is better to bring a car charger. The electricity at 12V is always available.
Once i get to taranto, how do i find the ship?
Our nautical boarding centre is easily reachable to everyone. and by every mean of transportation. this lies in the little “Taranto yacht” harbour, next to the pietra bridge(geographical coordinates: n 40, 4808” – e 17,22495”). In Greece you just need to take a taxi to arrive to the touristic harbour of Gouvià, a few kilometres from the disembark port.
.
When do i get on board?
Apart from different agreements, on Saturday after 5 p.m. (for weeks). It is unnecessary to arrive early, because on Saturday it is necessary to tidy up the ship for those who arrive, so before 5 p.m. you can’t come on board.
Life On Board
Each member can take active part with the crew and cooperate with the skipper both in the operations for canvas and daily duties. On board you should have a team attitude and be flexible. There will be someone who will take care of the pantry, someone of the cleaning, someone of the kitchen and so on. Ships have limited water reserves, so it is precious and you should not waste it, for example by keeping the tap open for too long or too open. The same for electricity, at 12V is always available but limited in quantity, so you should switch off the lamp when you don’t need it, electricity at 220V is available only in equipped harbours or with the generator on, so, to recharge your mobile batteries, it is better to get a car recharger. UP
For any further information, do not hesitate to contact us
Taranto Vela is Your Association
Mobile phone 328 6588036 (Walter)