Gulet BLUE HEAVEN (Internet photo)
In this article you will learn:
How much does it cost to rent a gulet in Turkey and why the prices differ for each charter gulet?
What is usually included in a gulet rental price?
What is not included in the rate?
What additional costs should you keep in mind during a gulet holiday in Turkey?
How to save money when you charter a gulet in Turkey?
Just in case if you've missed my previous article about gulets in Turkey, I recommend to read it. The information I've put together may be quite useful if you're into gulet holidays. Here is the link "How to choose a gulet in Turkey? My personal guide for you".
And so, we're back to our main topic - the cost of renting a gulet in Turkey.
Let’s say you open a website that lists gulets for rent in Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek or Fethiye. First of all, the page of any gulet must list the rental prices and such details as what is included in that price and what is not. The cost of renting a gulet is usually indicated per day or per week in Euro currency. That's the way it is in the industry.
ATTENTION! Usually, yacht charter companies present the current rental price on their websites. However, you may notice that different websites have different prices. This happens for several reasons. Someone simply did not have time or chance to update the cost of renting a gulet for the new season, someone has their own pricing policy. As a customer, you will most likely be interested in the lowest prices. BUT! The main thing that I would pay attention to, besides low prices, is the degree of trust that you feel for a specific website. It may be better to choose a company that has the identification marks of an official charter company (for example, it is part of an association of international brokers), etc. In this case your interests and your holidays should be in safe hands. Such firms always have the most up-to-date prices, and such companies visit many yacht charter shows, inspect yachts, communicate directly with the crew, captains, owners or representatives of yachts.
Photo from personal archive
HOW TO UNDERSTAND GULET RENTAL PRICES?
GULETS IN TURKEY BELOW 13,000 EURO PER WEEK
There are basically two types of gulets that cost less than 12-13,000 Euro per week.
If it's a big yacht that accommodates 10 to 14 guests, then most probably it will be a low budget boat. Usually these are old wooden ships with very basic interior and features. There may be no air conditioning, or A/C works during certain limited hours. Instead of A/C system there may be fans, which is actually a good things for those who don't like air conditioners.
Also don't expect much from such gulets in terms of water toys selection. Usually low budget boats don't even have a good dingy with powerful engine, so there's no chance to use it for water ski, for example. If so, there's also a solution to this - in the bays you can meet some special boats offering water toys entertainment. And you can rent anything that's available at that moment.
It's not a fact, but it's possible that basic food and non-alcoholic drinks can be included in the price of low budget gulets. 18% VAT may also be included. It all depends on many factors. You just need to ask about it for every gulet you're interested in.
The second type that's in the price range of less than 13,000 Euro per week is a 20-25m gulet, for 6-8 guests, and it looks as a nice boutique villa on water. It has a proper A/C system, good water toys selection, a dinghy with a powerful engine, and a descent service.
LADY IPEK Gulet | 5,600 - 10,500 Euro per week | 5 cabins for 10 guests
GULETS IN TURKEY FROM 13,000 TO 18,000 EURO PER WEEK
Such wooden yachts can be classified as standard class gulets. They offer a much metter quality in terms of living onboard, interior design, and various features that make your vacation great. You can even find a jacuzzi onboard these gulets.
Gulet MASKE 2 | 13,125 - 17,500 Euro per week | 6 cabins for 12 guests
GULETS FOR RENT FROM 18,000 TILL 35,000 EURO PER WEEK
For the money, you can hire deluxe gulets and luxury gulets in Turkey. Generally, gulets of this price category are newer or have a better maintenance, a more recent refit and look great. Their crew is more professional and experiences and offer the service that's in line with the international standards. Be sure to have a much more interesting water toys selection onboard: from water skis, seabobs to jet skis, etc. The chef on such yachts prepares dishes of 5-star restaurant level.
Gulet BLUE HEAVEN | 24,000 - 29,750 Euro per week | 5 cabins for 9 guests
GULETS FOR RENTS IN TURKEY STARTING FROM 35,000 EURO PER WEEK
Such luxury gulets can be easily compared with luxury motor yachts. They offer true 5-star accommodation and service with all kinds of entertainment on board and a super professional crew. Let's take a look at one of the most expensive charter gulets - DAIMA. Her weekly charter price starts from 67,500 Euro. She was chartered by various famous celebrities. This is not just a luxurious wooden yacht, but also a real sailing yacht, equipped with seven-figure sailing equipment. DAIMA became a winner in more than one sailing regatta.
Gulet DAIMA | 67,500 - 77,500 per week | 5 cabins for 10 guests
So, let's try to summarize the information. The cost of renting a gulet does not depend on the number of cabins on board.
The price depends on the year of construction, the simplicity or luxury of the interior, the crew service, selection of water toys on board the yacht, additional features (whether there is a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam, massage table, sails, etc.).
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GULET CHARTER PRICE IN TURKEY?
Here I'm talking only about standard practice without exceptions that of course exist.
Fuel for the cruising of 3-4 hours per day (in easy words: you will not need to pay for fuel to go from one port city to another, and this fact saves you a lot of money if you compare a trip on a motor yacht).
Crew service (captain, hostess or steward, chef, sailors are at your full disposal throughout the yacht charter).
18% VAT (but it can also be excluded).
Use of equipment on board the gulet (TV, jacuzzi, equipment for water sports).
Internet (however, it can be excluded on some low-budget gulets).
Public harbor fees.
Sometimes transfer to the yacht and back to the airport may be included in the price, but it's rather an exception. Usually, it's excluded from the charter price.
Bed linen and towels during the entire cruise.
Yacht insurance, however, all charter companies advise not to neglect additional personal insurance for the travelers.
Cleaning of the yacht.
Transit log.
The air conditioner working hours (if there is A/C onboard, it can work without any limitations or during specific hours per day).
WHAT IS USUALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE GULET HIRE RATE IN TURKEY:
18% VAT (as I wrote above, this tax may or may not be included in the price of some charter gulets).
Food and drinks (very rarely, food and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price of hiring a gulet, yet it may happen)
All costs related with visiting Greece (port fees, customs costs, additional fuel for sailing in Greece).
Any land excursions.
Transfer.
Fuel for dinghy, Jet Ski and usage of other water toys.
Crew gratuity (usually it's 5-15% from the charter rate; it's not obligatory, but rather customary).
Visiting private marinas if the guests want to.
Personal insurance
Additional fuel if the guest want to cruise more hours per day.
Jacuzzi onboard gulet BLUE HEAVEN (photo from Internet)
When it comes to food and drinks expenses, there are several options while chartering a gulet.
Usually, guests send money to the charter yacht in advance so that the crew can purchase all the necessary products (according to the preferences of the guests ) on time. The team doesn't only buy food, products for cooking, snacks and drinks, but also all detergents and cleaning products necessary for the charter.
Some guests prefer to buy everything themselves and deliver it to the yacht on the day the charter starts. It's rather an exception and happens only if the crew agrees. There are too many factors why this is not a very comfortable and common practice. I'd be happy to explain it later.
Nevertheless, if you're concerned that the crew may spend more money on food and drinks, I'd say this is not the case. The captains keep all the receipts from the markets and shops, so you can check the prices yourself. Plus, the crew will have your preference list and should not buy any unnecessary products that you don't choose to have onboard.
There's one more option that's very popular. It's Half Board and Full Board meal plan. Guests can choose either of them. Full Board means having breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard, and there's a price for it - approximately 75-85 Euro per person per day (a very good menu with only soft drinks included in the price). Half Board means having breakfast and either lunch or dinner onboard. Its price is usually 65-75 Euro per person per day. There are discounts for kids.
Beautiful breakfast experience onboard gulet COBRA KING (photo from internet)
I'd understand you perfectly if you'd want to avoid any surprises with additional costs and expenses during or after the charter. In order to understand what kind of extra expenses are expecting for you, ask your charter broker to get in touch with the yacht captain in advance and clarify all the information about the costs. I advise you to find a good yacht broker, for whom the interests of the client are in the first place.
I've mentioned the most standard additional costs in this article. However, you may want a massage on board the yacht, and this is an extra cost to invite a massage therapist onboard. If you want to throw a fancy party with a DJ and fireworks, the organization of such even is also not included in the rental price.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON CHARTERING A GULET IN TURKEY?
Last and not least - several tips from a yacht broker how to decrease some costs.
If you book a yacht way in advance, you may ask for an early booking discount. If you don't know about your plans that much in advance, wait for the summer and look for special offers. Such deals happen if a charter was cancelled by other clients, or there's only one week remaining to be booked and the owner is offering a special price.
Please, note that when you book in advance, you don't need to pay all the charter fee at once. First, you pay 50% of the fee, and then you pay the second half 2 to 4 weeks before the charter starts.
I hope this article was useful for you. If you have any questions, I'm here to assist.
On board my favourite gulet MISS B
