Europe sailing cruises

Peak season for sailing holidays in the Mediterranean is between June and August, when the sun is hottest and many Europeans have their summer holidays. But if you want to beat the crowds while still enjoying that trademark Med sun, try travelling in spring (mid-April to May) or autumn (September to mid-October): temperatures are more pleasant, the waters are still calm, and you won’t have to fight for that beachside sunbed.

Sailing trips are a little different to regular group tours. The boat has a finite amount of space, so it’s best to leave the grand piano, pet llama and foldout four-person mattress at home. Same goes for bulky suitcases, ten pairs of shoes and the surfboard.

This isn’t designed to be a comprehensive packing list, but it’ll get you thinking like a real sailor.

• A medium-sized fabric bag that can be flattened or stored easily
• A small day pack for shore excursions
• Some flip flops or deck shoes that can get wet
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Seasickness tablets (just in case)
• Swimmers (don’t worry about the snorkel and fins – we provide those)
• Waterproof camera (for those sweet underwater shots)
• A light weatherproof jacket (just in case of high seas or seasonal showers)

For a more detailed packing list, please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your trip.

This is our most common question. People are often hesitant about the idea of sharing a double mattress with another traveller of the same sex. Sailing boats tend to be very compact (and we use real sailing boats) and the close-quarters nature of this travel is part of the adventure.

Sleeping quarters are designed to utilise the minimum amount of space to keep the communal areas as big as possible. In practice, lots of travellers end up sleeping out on deck under the stars, as it’s warm and there’s no air conditioning on a sailing boat.

Our boats have a mix of double, twin (two separate beds or two separate mattresses side by side), bunks, triple and quad cabins. Each trip will have further information about the sleeping arrangements in the Essential Trip Information.

Yes. Single supplements are available on all trips subject to availability.

A single supplement is normally twice the regular price, however where trips have inclusions such as meals, there is a slight reduction in the supplement price. If you are interested in having a single supplement, please contact us to check availability and price.

You will need to allow for any additional meals that aren't included in the itinerary when considering your budget (see your Essential Trip Information for more details on meal inclusions), as well as money for souvenirs and alcoholic drinks.

It is also compulsory that you contribute towards the group kitty at the start of your trip. See your Essential Trip Information for more information about group kitties.

You’ll be led by one of our experienced skippers who knows these waters like the back of their hand.

Days on the boat go at your own pace. Help out on deck as much as you wish or lie back and enjoy the ride – it's entirely up to you. Just keep in mind that cabins can be quite cosy to leave more room for communal areas.

You can usually expect a smooth voyage, as most of our sailing trips are in the summer. That said, some travellers may still experience seasickness, though symptoms usually resolve after a few days of adjusting to life on board. If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend consulting with your doctor before arriving to see what solutions might work for you.

You can also read our guide to beating seasickness for alternative methods of combating seasickness.

Wi-fi is not available on board our boats, but travellers may be able to access wi-fi while docked at ports and marinas. 

Air-conditioning isn't available on our boats, but some boats do have fans in the cabins. All boats will have hatches that can be opened for ventilation.

During warmer months, travellers can even choose to sleep on deck under the stars.

Yes, all cabins come equipped with electrical sockets. Travellers simply need to bring an adaptor with them. See below for electrical outlets by country:

• France: Type C (European 2-pin), Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
• Italy: Type C (European 2-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth), Type L (Italian 3-pin)
• Croatia: Type C (European 2-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
• Greece: Type C (European 2-pin), Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)