Our summer charter season is over. The result? Greece is still a top 5 luxury yacht charter destination. In fact, visiting superyacht arrivals are up 10.75% compared to 2018!
There was worry a new Greek cruising tax would scare away business. Nope! Charter yachts poured into Corfu, Athens, and Mykonos in record numbers.
One issue does threaten hassle-free Greek yacht vacations. It is Greek charter license regulations.
Let’s take a quick look at the regulations – and how we’ll help you enjoy a stress-free charter.
NO CHARTER LICENSE? – COULD BE A PROBLEM
Charter regulations introduced in 2018 are an inconvenience. Both charter yachts and clients suffer. Without a Greek charter license, commercial yachts must begin and end charters outside of the country. Charter clients can’t board or disembark in any Greek port. There are no exceptions other than safety or medical emergencies. This makes it hard to enjoy a cruising itinerary in Greece.
Popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos are far from ports outside of Greece. For example, the distance between Bodrum, Turkey and Santorini is 189.45 kilometers. That’s about 102 nautical miles. Yachts are not very fast. It can take a day to get from Bodrum to Santorini.
If forced to begin and end outside of the country, you cannot enjoy the full beauty of Greece. It’s simply too far to go in a 3-5 night short term charter.
One of our repeat clients asked to start his cruise in Montenegro and end in Mykonos. His desired yacht has Turkish registration. It did not have a separate Greek charter license. The charter could not legally end in Mykonos. It had to end in Turkey. Instead of a 7 night charter, it would be a 9 night charter. The client could not get away for 9 nights.
The inquiry was canceled. Our client’s dream itinerary of cruising from Montenegro to Mykonos was put on hold.
THE SOLUTION
Now for the good news. Most of the yachts we offer have a Greek charter license for the upcoming 2020 season. With this license in place, clients can begin and end their vacations in Greek waters. Per Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters,
“We now maintain a database of 112 superyachts (40 meters and longer) that possess the desirable Greek charter license.”
Yes, we now maintain a database of 112 superyachts (40 meters and longer) with Greek charter licenses. The largest Greek yacht rental in 2020 we offer is the Lurssen yacht FLYING FOX. She was launched in 2019. She stretches the tape at a whopping 136 meters (446 feet) in overall length! Yacht Flying Fox can accommodate up to 25 guests. Her price is €4,000,000 per week in high season (July/August).
There are more superyachts with Greek licenses. For example,
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The world of luxury yacht charter has finally arrived in the Seychelles. Motor yacht SEA STREAM, a 76 foot Ferretti with room for 8 guests, is now available for Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts looking for a new destination. Ferretti yacht SEA STREAM is now available as the only high quality, luxury crewed motor yacht available […] read more
PLAN AND PACK Yikes! What to pack? In just over three weeks, you leave on a week-long Bahama yacht charter vacation. You choose a sleek, performance, basic sailing yacht with crew. Your menu provided to your yacht through your charter broker, and your crew is ready to welcome you aboard. Seriously, what do you pack? […] read more
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