The Basics
I have never been on a boat before, is this a problem?I'm an experienced sailor - will I be allowed to sail the yacht myself?
Will we ever be out of sight of land?
What will the weather be like?
Packing and Preparations
Do I need any special clothes?Do we need to bring beach towels?
Will I be able to use my hairdryer on board?
Will I be able to charge my phone and camera on board?
Do I need to bring snorkels/fins/buoyancy aids with me?
Can I plug my iPod in to play music?
Arrivals and Departures
Which airport do I need to fly to?Can Bayan Blue arrange transfers for me?
What time can I board the yacht?
What time must I leave the yacht on the last day?
Money Matters
How do I pay for my holiday?Does Bayan Blue have holiday bonding?
How much will mooring fees cost?
How much will dining out cost me?
Will I be able to pay for meals by credit card/are cash machines available?
How are Bayan Blue's US Dollar and Euro rates calculated?
Life On Board
Do I have to share a bathroom?Is the air conditioning always available?
Will I get sea sick?
Can I get mobile phone reception where we are going?
I have never been on a boat before, is this a problem?
No, this is not a problem. We aim to make our holidays accessible to everyone, sailors and non-sailors alike. The crew are easily able to sail the yacht unaided if necessary, however, we are always happy for guests to join in as much or as little as they want to.
I'm an experienced sailor - will I be allowed to sail the yacht myself?
Yes. If you've sailed before and would like to skipper Bayan Blue yourself, the crew are happy to take a back seat while you sail her - or you can press them into action on the winches! Cruising chutes, PC chart plotters and the challenge of larger yachts allow you to enjoy sailing, while the crew find safe anchorages and beautiful ports for the evenings.
Please note that, for insurance reasons, guests are not allowed to sail the yachts without the crew on board.
Will we ever be out of sight of land?
No, in the Ionian we are never more than about 8 miles (one hour's travel) from the nearest port.
What will the weather be like?
The weather in Greece is generally pleasant and warm. A typical summer day has light winds in the morning, building from around 12pm onwards, up to a force 4 - ideal for some afternoon sailing. The wind usually dies off in the evening making for a settled night.
Typical Midday Temperatures:
| 23°c | May | |
| 28°c | Jun | |
| 30°c | Jul | |
| 30°c | Aug | |
| 28°c | Sep | |
| 23°c | Oct |
Do I need any special clothes?
During high season the weather is warm both day and night and you shouldn't need anything other than a light jumper or jacket. For those travelling at either end of the season, it is still warm during the day, but cooler at night and long trousers and a fleece or jacket for the evenings is recommended. Greece is generally pleasantly warm and specialist sailing clothing should not be needed - although if you have a lightweight waterproof we would suggest you bring it with you, as an insurance policy against the occasional shower. In common with most yachts operating in warmer climates we generally go barefoot around the yacht; if you do wish to wear shoes on board a pair of deck shoes or trainers with light coloured non marking soles will give you good grip on deck.
Do we need to bring beach towels?
We provide hand, bath and beach towels, so you'll only need to bring your own if you have a particular favourite.
Will I be able to use my hairdryer on board?
Yes. Each cabin has a 220v socket which can be used to power a hair dryer. These provide power either when we are plugged into shore power, or when the generator is running.
Will I be able to charge my phone and camera on board?
Phones, cameras and most other electronic equipment can be charged on board, either using a mains charger or a 12v car charger.
Do I need to bring snorkels/fins/buoyancy aids with me?
Our yachts have a selection of snorkel gear (including children's sets) on board - although you can, of course,
bring your favourite set from home.
We provide inflatable and fixed-foam lifejackets for use on board the yacht, but a buoyancy aid will allow more movement
when using the watersports gear. These are not essential (and are not provided by us), but if you have one at home you are welcome to bring it.
Can I plug my iPod in to play music?
We have a 3.5mm jack plug (as found on the top of iPods) connected to our on-board audio system, so guests can enjoy their music in the saloon and through the external speakers in the cockpit.
Which airport do I need to fly to?
In Greece our nearest airport is Preveza on the Greek mainland.
Pick ups from other airports in the vicinity of our cruising area may be possible. Please contact us for more information.
For more information on where to find flights, please see our Flights and Transfers page.
Can Bayan Blue arrange transfers for me?
We arrange transfer from Preveza airport, as well as other arrival destinations on request. There is a chance to request this when we send you a copy of our preferences form. For 2008, transfers from Preveza to Sivota, where the yachts are based, cost €60 per taxi. This is paid direct to the driver on arrival.
What time can I board the yacht?
Our booking information states that boarding time is 1800 on the day of arrival. This is to enable us to clean and provision after the previous charter. In practice the yacht is usually ready by mid afternoon.
What time must I leave the yacht on the last day?
Unless arranged otherwise, guests depart at 0900 on Sunday morning. Yachts are complex machines and check-out at 0900 allows the crew to clean, prepare and maintain the yacht ready for the new guests. Most airport transfers start between 9am and 11am (depending on flight times), so guests can jump straight into a taxi, or spend an hour or so relaxing with a drink before travelling.
How do I pay for my holiday?
Payments to Bayan Blue can be made by cheque or bank transfer. We ask for 30% of the total price upon booking and the balance of the cost 10 weeks before commencing your holiday.
Does Bayan Blue have holiday bonding?
 | Bayan Blue is fully bonded by Travel and General Insurance Plc, under their Total Payment Protection (topp) scheme. This will protect your money in the unlikely event of our financial failure. For more information, see our Bonding page. |
How much will mooring fees cost?
Mooring fees in Greece are very low - if we moor up in a village it will generally be free of charge, very occasionally there may be a fee of around £10 per night. There are very few marinas in the Ionian; if we do visit one, there is a charge of around £30 per night, but this does entitle you to water, power and the use of all the marina facilities.
How much will dining out cost me?
As a rough guide, dining out in Greece will cost around £12pp for two courses and local wine in a village taverna. Ordering seafood and imported wines will increase the cost of a meal.
Will I be able to pay for meals by credit card/are cash machines available?
Most of the restaurants in the islands still believe that cash is king and credit cards are still not widely accepted. We would suggest bringing a reasonable amount of local currency with you. Cash machines are not widely available in the islands, but your crew can make sure they get you to somewhere with an ATM if you are in need of a top up.
How are Bayan Blue's US Dollar and Euro rates calculated?
Bayan Blue holidays are priced in Sterling (UK £). Dollar and Euro rates for our holidays are calculated using the exchange rate our bank applies, along with banking fees we incur when accepting foreign-currency cheques.
At the time of writing (Sept '07) we only run sterling bank accounts. Final payment for the holiday will reflect current exchange rates and banking charges. Our foreign currency price lists are intended to assist our overseas clients, rather than provide a definitive price in a foreign currency.
Do I have to share a bathroom?
No, each double cabin is en-suite with a shower, toilet, washbasin and vanity unit.
Is the air conditioning always available?
The air conditioning requires mains power, which can come either from shore power ("plugging into the quay") or from running the generator. Where shore power is available, the air conditioning can be run continuously. In certain locations the generator can be run whilst at anchor, or for an hour or so in the evening if moored on a quay.
In early and late season, nights are cool and it is unusual for the air conditioning to be required. In high season, when nights are warmer, it is possible for your crew to organise the route so that power is available every night.
Will I get sea sick?
It is extremely rare for people to become seasick on board. The main reason for this is because we have carefully selected our sailing areas for their flat water, minimising the motion of the boat. If you are concerned it may be worth bringing some over the counter sea sickness remedies, (such as Sturgeron), or travel wrist bands (available from most large chemists) for your own peace of mind.
