Up until the booking
- What can you offer?
Total Yachts.com offers sailing holidays bareboat and with skipper or full crew wherever the sun shines. That includes numerous bases in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Thailand and Australia.
- Are you more expensive than booking direct?
No. All major charter companies rely on a network of agents both for marketing and customer service. Few accept direct bookings, and if they do, their prices are the same. If you had seen the booking centre of a charter company, you'd also have seen why this must be so: Often 3-4 persons are responsible for booking the entire fleet of 200-500 yachts. That does not leave much time to provide customer service!
That is our job. We are here to advise you on the choice of yachts and destinations, availability, and of course prices. As independent agents our obligation is not to any particular charter company, but to find the best possible solution for you, our client. Making sure you don't pay more than necessary if of course part of this, and our special offers page is only one way of ensuring this. However, quality is always our primary concern: While we have yachts to offer most clients, it is fair to say that our strength is in providing newer, well equipped quality yachts at reasonable rates, and not in rock bottom prices on old and worn out yachts.
- Why book with TotalYachts.com?
Online booking is the way to go these days, as we consider this the perfect channel for providing our clients with information on sailing holidays.
The reasons for booking your sailing holiday with us today include our experience from years of dealing with international clients, in-depth knowledge of the destinations, a high level of customer service, guaranteed security, access to the combined fleets of large charter companies world wide, a high quality profile, and all at very reasonable rates!
- Sailing holidays; only for the rich?
It is a misconception that yacht chartering is only for the wealthy. In reality, we have solutions for almost any budget. While sailing has always been a favourite pastime of the wealthy - and we do of course provide luxury level charters also - the vast majority of our clients are people with a normal income level. If they have something in common, it is their taste for adventure!
- It this a suitable type of holiday for children?
Most definitely! We have ourselves sailed with children from 7 months of age and upwards, and have had clients sailing with even younger ones. Parents often have three worries: Safety, seasickness, and that the children will become bored. Our experience tells us the are never bored, seasickness is rarely a problem and can be dealt with in different way and with the necessary safety precautions and few things are safer than sailing. But please do ask for our recommendation for destinations, suitable yachts, etc. We will help make this a worry free experience for parents and children alike.
- What are the requirements for chartering bareboat?
You do not need to hold a sailing certificate or license, but must be able to document the necessary experience to safely handle a bareboat yacht. A sailing license/certificate can of course be useful for this, but upon confirmation of your booking, we'll send you a self declaration form to fill in and return, and issue the necessary documents based on this.
- If we charter with a skipper, what kind of skipper are we likely to get?
The competent, friendly and English speaking kind! Not only will he make sure you get safely from port to port, but he'll be your guide to best best places to visit, and if you'd like, your personal sailing instructor!
- Can we use the services of a skipper for the first couple of days only?
Of course! For those who can sail but feel a little "rusty" this is a great - and safe - way to begin your holidays.
- How do we book?
We will help you find the right yacht for you, where and when you want it. The booking itself can be done by email, fax or phone. Either way, we'll send you the booking confirmation and other documents right away.
- Can you help us book the flight as well?
We have clients from all corners of the world, and believe that we serve you better by concentrating on the core of our business. Those who try to do everything rarely succeed in doing anything well... Thus, we recommend that for flights, you contact one or several of your local (discount) travel agents, who are in the best position to book the cheapest and/or most suitable flights from your location.
- Can we book a hotel through your company?
Yes, we work with local hotels at all our destinations, and will be happy to help you and your party with accommodations before or after your sailing holiday.
- How is our holiday investment protected?
TotalYachts.com in association with Global-Yacht is fully bonded under EU/EEC regulations through the state travel guarantee fund.
After the booking
- Are linen included?
Yes.
- Are towels included?
Yes.
- Does the yacht have all the equipment needed to prepare meals on board?
Yes.
- How do we pay?
You will receive a booking confirmation from TotalYachts with all the details of your charter, including payment. Normally, 25% to 50% of the charter is payable upon confirmation and the rest either one month prior to embarkation, or at embarkation time on the base. Policies vary between the different companies we represent.
- What forms of payment are accepted?
TotalYachts.com accepts payments through VISA, Mastercard/Eurocard and Amex credit/debit cards, as well as regular bank transfer and PayPal. For payments at the base, we accept cash in many currencies, travel checks, banker's checks, but not credit cards or personal checks.
- Can I pay with a credit card?
Contrary to most charter companies, TotalYachts.com accepts payments through VISA, Mastercard/Eurocard and Amex credit/debit cards, as well as regular bank transfer and PayPal. For payments at the base, we accept cash in many currencies, travel checks, banker's checks, but not credit cards or personal checks.
- What type of electricity is there on board the yacht?
All yachts world wide have 12 V systems. Generators providing higher voltage are only common on larger, fully crewed yachts. Shore power is not common, since it is rarely supported at local marinas or ports.
- How about using mobile phones?
In the Mediterranean area the GSM 900/1800 system is well developed. At other destinations, the system and signal availability varies, so feel free to enquire about the area you are going to sail in.
- Are there life vests and other safety equipment on board?
All yachts chartered through TotalYachts.com are very well equipped with regard to safety equipment. This includes approved safety vests, harnesses, life raft, VHF, radar reflector, lighted buoys, distress signals, fire extinguishers, and much more.
- How about safety equipment for children?
Since children come in all shapes and sizes, we recommend that you bring suitable life vests. However, there are also childrens vests in the yachts or at the bases, so please let us know the number you require, and the size (weight) of the children.
- Does my travel insurance cover sailing holidays?
Sailing holidays are, quite correctly, not considered high risk by the insurance companies, and do not require any special insurance arrangement beyond your ordinary travel insurance. However, if you are going to participate in a regatta, you should check with your insurance company whether such activities are also covered.
- Is there anything special I need to bring?
This may sound strange, but the most common problems on sailing holidays are related to what many come for: The Sun! Please do bring (and wear!) adequate protecion for eyes and skin. As for sunscreen, while sailing you should use twice the factor you would on a holiday ashore, due to the reflection for the water surface and the fact that the breeze will make it very easy to get sunburn without even noticing.
As for other equipment, avid snorkelers might bring their own gear (though there are at least one set on board each yacht). Also, though there are towels onboard for regular use, you may want to bring some large beach towels for sunbathing.
- How about rough weather gear?
A Musto Ocean Gore-Tex gear is a little over the top on most sailing holidays. The skipper and co-skipper might want to bring some light water and wind-tight gear in case it should get a little rough - just so you stay dry and comfortable if it takes a little time to reach port.
During the sailing trip
- From where can I obtain weather forecasts?
This depends on the area you are sailing in. Usually you will find this information in the material we have sent you, and/or you should ask at the base. Of course, you can always call the base for weather forecasts also, but usually there are regular broadcasts on radio and VHF.
- Should I report back to base during the sail?
Most charter companies appreciate you calling once or twice a week, if only to confirm that everything is OK. Of course, if you encounter any problems related to the yacht or its operation, you should always call.
- How about expenses incurred while we are sailing?
If you find that anything is missing or need to be replaced, please contact the charter company before purchasing. They may very well have a local contact that can help you. If you do purchase something which you want to get reimbursed, remember to get a receipt.
- I have a problem with the engine/sails/electric equipment and cannot sail on. What now?
This shouldn't happen on any sailing holiday, but unfortunately, on rare occasions, it does. Please contact either the charter company or TotalYachts.com as soon as possible, so that the problem can be taken care of in an expedient manner and you'll back in holiday mode in as short a time as possible. If these problems are not caused by yourselves, you may be entitled to compensation, either in the form of a refund or free sailing time - on this holiday or a later one.
- I am at sea and in need of assistance. What do I do?
The safety of crew and yacht is your first priority, so if necessary use the VHF on channel 16 to ask for assistance. However, if at all possible, try to contact the base of the Charter Company or TotalYachts.com. Here you will find experienced sailors who know how to handle an emergency.
After your return
Please send us some comments! We love raves, and are blessed with a large majority of satisfied clients. However, there are occasions where we do not succeed 100%, and since we are constantly working to improve our services and those of our partners, we need to hear from you in this case also. We are ourselves avid sailors, dedicated and in love with our work. We want to do the very best job we can, so we listen to you!
|
