Booking Process
Once you have booked a boat, TRAVEL BOAT will notify the charter company through the booking system and confirm the reservation by email. The Customer confirms the booking by paying the invoice issued by TRAVEL BOAT for the boat charter. Unless otherwise specified, the initial payment amounts to 50% of the total charter price.
Charter Terms
In most cases, a copy of the charter company's rental agreement is provided to the Customer. By paying the invoice, the Customer acknowledges and accepts the terms of that agreement.
The charter agreement governs the contractual relationship between the Customer and the charter company, including the scope of the Service, the rights, obligations, and liabilities of the parties, as well as cancellation terms and procedures for handling errors, damages, and disputes.
If the language of the charter agreement presents a barrier to understanding its terms, TRAVEL BOAT will assist the Customer by explaining the relevant provisions.
Due to differences in business practices and legal requirements across jurisdictions, the charter terms are determined individually by each charter company.
Use of the Chartered Boat
The Customer shall use the chartered boat in accordance with the terms of the charter agreement, observing safe navigation practices, applicable local and international maritime regulations, and all other relevant laws and regulations.
Customer Interface
In addition to its personalized service and expertise, TRAVEL BOAT provides Customers with access to an online booking interface on its website. Through this interface, Customers may request quotations and submit booking requests.
Any quotation requests, booking options, or reservations made through the customer interface become binding only after they have been separately confirmed by TRAVEL BOAT on behalf of the charter company. Confirmation will be sent by email within 24 hours of the Customer's request for a quotation or booking.
Limitation of Liability
The Service may contain links to third-party websites. Accessing such websites through the Service is entirely at the Customer's own risk.
Cookies and similar technologies may be used to improve the functionality of the Service. If the Customer disables cookies, certain features of the Service may not function properly or may become unavailable.
TRAVEL BOAT shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Customer or any third party arising from the use of the Service, including any technical malfunction, malicious software, external links, interruptions, or system failures.
When providing access to the customer interface, TRAVEL BOAT is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information supplied by third parties. TRAVEL BOAT is responsible only for content that it has created itself. Information available through the Service may be changed without prior notice. Final charter prices and other booking details will be confirmed separately by TRAVEL BOAT.
TRAVEL BOAT shall not be liable for any losses or damages incurred by the Customer or any third party as a result of inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information provided through the Service.
Crew List and Qualification Certificates
In accordance with the requirements of the charter companies, the crew of the chartered boat (including the Customer and all crew members) must be listed on a Crew List, which contains the personal details of all persons on board.
The charterer is also designated as the skipper named in the Crew List and the charter documentation. In practice, charter regulations in most countries require every chartered vessel to have a qualified skipper who is responsible for the operation of the vessel throughout the charter period. In most cases, this requires an internationally recognized boating licence and a valid VHF/SRC radio operator's certificate.
A chartered boat may not be used without a completed Crew List and a designated skipper holding the required qualifications. These requirements are also set out in the charter agreement between the Customer and the charter company.
On behalf of the charter company, TRAVEL BOAT will request copies of the required qualification certificates during the booking process and will request the completed Crew List approximately 3–4 weeks before the commencement of the charter period.
The Crew List includes the following information for each crew member:
- Full name;
- Place and country of birth;
- Date of birth;
- Nationality;
- Passport or national identity card number;
- Information identifying the crew member(s) holding the required skipper qualifications.
The Customer shall submit copies of the required certificates to TRAVEL BOAT by email. TRAVEL BOAT will forward these documents to the charter company.
The Crew List may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- through an electronic service for which TRAVEL BOAT will provide the Customer with a link; or
- by completing a form provided by TRAVEL BOAT and returning it to TRAVEL BOAT, which will forward the information to the charter company. The charter company may be located outside the European Union.
TRAVEL BOAT retains information relating to the Customer's arrival date until the end of the charter period. Crew Lists and copies of qualification certificates will be securely destroyed after the charter period has ended.
Crew Lists and qualification certificates are collected solely for the purpose of arranging the charter and are not maintained as a permanent register of personal data.
Boat Charter
Charter a Boat Easily and at the Best Price
Why spend time searching for the perfect boat when we can do it for you?
Simply tell us what type of boat you would like to charter, where and when you plan to sail, and we will provide you with personalized offers to help you find the ideal vessel. We will answer all your questions, provide practical advice, and guide you through every step of the booking process.
After your booking is confirmed, we will take care of the entire charter process on your behalf.
You are also welcome to use our online booking system. You can browse available boats, select your preferred options, and either send us your enquiry or make a booking request directly through our system. In many cases, you can charter a boat through TRAVEL BOAT at the same or even a lower price than booking directly with the charter company.
We are also happy to advise you on every aspect of your sailing holiday to ensure your trip perfectly matches your expectations. Your journey matters to us.
The Charter Company is the company that owns and rents out the boat, while the person renting the boat is the Charterer. The charter agreement is concluded directly between these two parties. During the booking process, the Charterer will receive the charter company's English-language terms and conditions, which can also be provided in advance upon request. TRAVEL BOAT acts solely as the Charter Agency.
Our goal is to make your sailing holiday simple, flexible, safe, and affordable—even if you have never chartered a boat before.
Boat Charter in Brief
Getting started is easy:
- Contact us and let us know your preferred travel dates, destination, type of boat, and the number of people in your group.
- Based on our experience, we will recommend the most suitable boats and possible alternatives.
- Please note that charter prices vary throughout the season. In the Mediterranean, the highest prices are typically during June, July, and August.
- Once your requirements are clear, we will check real-time availability and send you suitable charter offers.
- If you need more time to decide, we can usually place a boat on hold for 3–4 days. This option is free of charge and does not obligate you to proceed with the booking, while ensuring that your preferred boat remains available.
- Once you decide, we will confirm the reservation and send you an invoice. An initial payment of 50% of the total charter price is generally required within approximately one week of booking.
- The remaining 50% is usually due 4–8 weeks before departure, at which time we will also request your Crew List.
- If you have questions regarding onboard equipment, provisions, or additional services, we are always happy to help.
- We will communicate with the charter company on your behalf, answer your questions, and can also recommend sailing routes and itineraries.
Search Boats Online
If you prefer to browse boats yourself, simply use our online boat search.
You can search thousands of available boats by departure marina, boat manufacturer, age, equipment, destination, and many other criteria. Once you find a suitable boat, simply send us the details or submit the enquiry directly, and we will handle the booking for you.
Charter Prices Throughout the Season
Boat charter prices vary depending on the season.
The highest prices in Mediterranean destinations are usually during July and August.
For excellent sailing conditions and better value, we recommend travelling during May–June or September–October.
When Should You Book?
The best selection and early booking prices for the following season are usually available during November, December, and January. During this period, many charter companies offer Early Booking Discounts, typically ranging from 10–20%.
Since major international boat shows take place at the beginning of the year, additional offers often become available after the exhibitions. For this reason, late February and March are often excellent times to book.
Later in spring, charter companies frequently offer special discounts on remaining availability, while August often brings attractive last-minute offers for autumn charters.
What is Included in the Charter Price?
The charter price includes the use of the sailing yacht or motor boat, together with its standard equipment, for the agreed charter period (typically one week).
Unless otherwise specified:
- Check-in usually takes place on Saturday from 5:00 p.m..
- The boat must normally return to its home marina on Friday afternoon or evening (typically between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.).
- Check-out is generally completed by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.
- The crew may remain on board until Saturday morning.
Additional Mandatory Charges
The following charges are generally not included in the charter price:
- Transit Log / End Cleaning Fee – mandatory; varies according to boat size (typically EUR 120–300).
- Tourist Tax – mandatory in countries such as Croatia and Greece, and may also apply in other destinations. The amount depends on local regulations.
- Fuel – boats must be returned with a full fuel tank.
- Marina and Port Fees – payable for all marinas visited during the charter, except the home marina.
- Bed Linen – may either be included in the charter price or charged separately, depending on the charter company.
Boats
Charter boats (bareboats) come in a wide range of sizes, from approximately 21 feet for the smallest vessels up to around 60 feet for the largest. Larger yachts are typically offered with a crew (crewed charters).
The number of cabins on bareboats usually ranges from 2 to 5 cabins. Some of the largest yachts also include a small and relatively modest skipper’s cabin. In addition, the salon area on most boats can also be converted into sleeping space. Total berth capacity is typically indicated as cabins + salon (e.g. 6 + 2 berths).
In addition to sailing yachts, catamarans and motor yachts are also available. In total, you can choose from more than 20,000 boats worldwide.
Each boat is highly individual. Equipment, layout, and smaller details may vary significantly between vessels. The age of the boat is also important; we generally recommend yachts aged 0–7 years for the best experience.
Images shown in listings are often provided by manufacturers and may differ from the actual charter boat. Specifications and onboard equipment may vary between charter companies. If you have any doubts, please contact us for clarification regarding the exact boat and equipment.
Additional Services
Additional services and equipment may be available at extra cost. These may include items such as dinghy trailers, SUP boards, snorkeling equipment, gennakers, or even pre-ordered food and beverages prepared for your arrival on board.
One-way charters (sailing from one location to another) may also be available for an additional fee. Full details are provided on a case-by-case basis.
You may also hire a local skipper from the charter company, or we can help arrange a Lithuanian-speaking skipper upon request.
Insurance (Security Deposit)
All boats are insured. However, the insurance typically includes an excess (deductible) ranging from approximately EUR 1,200 to EUR 3,000, depending on the size, age, and type of the vessel. This amount is usually pre-authorized on the Customer’s credit card or may be paid in cash as a security deposit.
In case of damage, if the repair cost is lower than the deductible, only the actual repair costs will be charged. The maximum liability of the Customer is limited to the amount of the deposit. Any damage must be reported immediately to the charter company’s 24/7 emergency contact number.
Damage Waiver
Charter companies may offer the option to reduce or eliminate the deductible and deposit by purchasing an additional insurance product (so-called non-refundable deposit insurance / damage waiver).
This insurance typically costs between EUR 150–300 per week. In such cases, the refundable deposit is either reduced to zero or lowered to approximately EUR 100–300, depending on the charter company and country. Conditions vary between providers.
If the charter company does not offer a deposit insurance option, we will advise you on possible alternatives.
Please note that this insurance does not cover personal belongings of the Customer or crew.
How to Charter a Boat & Cancellation Policy
After making a reservation, you will receive an invoice for the advance payment along with the charter terms.
Payment terms:
- 50% of the charter price is due at the time of booking.
- The remaining 50% is typically due 4–8 weeks before departure.
If the booking is cancelled less than 60 days before the start of the charter period, the advance payment is non-refundable. Cancellations made within this period may be subject to additional charges depending on the charter company’s terms.
Detailed charter conditions are provided in accordance with the respective charter company’s policies at the time of booking.
Charter Documents
Several weeks before departure, and no later than the final payment date, we will request a Crew List. This list must include each crew member’s full name, address, nationality, date of birth, and passport number. The Crew List will then be forwarded to the charter company.
If you are chartering a boat without a skipper (bareboat charter), we will also request copies of your skipper’s licence and VHF radio certificate.
Check-in and check-out procedure
The boat is inspected upon return from the charter. The hull, rigging, and equipment are checked by a representative of the charter company. Sails may also be unfurled and inspected for condition.
During check-in, the primary purpose is to provide a technical briefing, including instructions on equipment and the use of systems such as water, electricity, gas, and others. Any defects, missing items, or damages must be noted and recorded in the contract to ensure proper documentation.
Upon return, a similar inspection is carried out, and in some cases a diver may inspect the hull below the waterline. The general rule is that the boat must be returned in the same condition as at check-in, allowing for normal wear and tear.
Damage is assessed to determine whether it results from normal use, negligence, or other causes attributable to the user. Responsibility is assigned accordingly. However, it is important to note that damage caused by weather conditions (e.g. storms or strong winds) may still fall under the Customer’s responsibility if proper seamanship was not observed.
In the event of any damage or malfunction, you must immediately contact the charter company and follow their instructions. No repairs should be undertaken without prior approval, unless necessary to prevent injury or further damage.
Disclaimer
TRAVEL BOAT is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by third-party charter companies or external booking systems. The charter agreement is concluded directly between the charter company and the Customer, with TRAVEL BOAT acting solely as an intermediary.
All claims and requests must be directed to the charter company.