As with most trips and methods of traveling and booking, the two most obvious ways are booking really early or booking last minute. Two opposites that both can offer great value for a fantastic experience. When it comes to booking early, we are all reasonably familiar with the advantages. From wide availability of yachts to early bird discounts, booking your sailing holiday is, without a doubt a valuable option.
However, it is not the only option, and in our desire to be prepared in advance and have every little detail planned out, we often forget about last minute booking. Chartering a yacht as late as one week before the actual trip begins can save you a ton of money. Those last minute offers are widespread with sailing holidays, and we recommend it for those who can make rapid decisions and pack quickly.
However, as easy as it is, there are some tips and tricks that can help you start the hunt for these special discounts and make sure you get the best deal for your last minute sailing holiday. Check them out below and if you have any other tips feel free to share them with us in the comments below…
Choose a Popular Destination
The gain of implementing this advice is getting the most competitive prices as well as the broadest choice. Popular Destinations attract thousands of people every year, and operators will offer many incentives, discounts included, to make sure they make you their client. This will allow you to find that treasure planet with an abundance of yachts, prices, and possibilities. Furthermore, in large markets, you can always find that small company that has hidden its value in the sea of competitors. Overall it’s one of the most effective ways of finding All in all that last-minute sailing deals.
We advise you to go to Greece, Croatia, or an island group such as the British Virgin Islands, The Balearics, or some other place in the Caribbean. These are the most visited destinations that still offer some serene locations and uninhabited islands when you feel like you want to get away from the crowd.
Here are some suggestion itineraries we have prepared for you:
- Dream Sailing Itinerary Zadar
- One Week Dream Sailing Itinerary: From Athens to Corfu
- An unforgettable sailing holiday in Malta
Pick a Famous Destination Within the Country of Choice
Once you have selected the country or the area, it’s time to narrow things down. Most places, such as Greece have so much to offer. From big to smaller islands and numerous attractions. Therefore you need to decide what you want to explore within the destination of choice.
You should always make sure the exact destination is something that you would personally enjoy. Our tip is to also look at some popular locations that are somewhat of a hot spot in a particular country. In Greece, it’s Athens or Crete. In Croatia, it’s Split or Dubrovnik. Keep in mind there will be a lot of tourists, but these places are popular for a reason, and if you are smart about your trip and choose a less busy season then you will probably be able to escape the crowd.
The same goes for marinas and airports in the area of choice. Picking a well-equipped marina that offers a wide range of facilities and prices is crucial. And getting to your destination with an affordable flight to an airport that has a good connection to the marina can play an essential role in keeping a low budget while still getting the best quality service.
Get Friends or Family to Join the Holiday
The more, the merrier. And in this case, more affordable. Many people have the misconception that chartering a big yacht or a spacious catamaran that can fit up to 12 people will be more expensive than sailing with a small boat. However, this is not always the case. With last minute booking, you can find a lot of boats at a discount and splitting the already discounted price between 10+ people will most probably be the cheapest way to sail.
The number of cabins is also vital as there is a tendency for 5 cabin yachts to be cheaper and more discounted than 4 cabin yachts. So this is definitely the sweet spot you should be going for in those last days before the trip.
So, what do you think? Will you follow these tips for your next last-minute sailing holiday? We would love to hear your little tips and tricks to get the best deal in the comments below or on our Facebook Page. And remember, if you need help with chartering a yacht, the Tubber Experts are always here to help!
