Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to help you choose, book and prepare for your gulet holiday with YourTourKey.
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Choosing Your Cruise
Start here if you are comparing cabin cruises, private gulets and route options.
What is a gulet cruise?
A gulet cruise is a boat holiday on a traditional wooden Turkish vessel, usually operated with a captain and crew. Gulets are designed for relaxed coastal cruising, swimming stops, meals on board and overnight stays in calm bays or selected ports.
What is the difference between a private gulet charter and a cabin cruise?
A private gulet charter means your group rents the entire boat with crew. The route, pace and general atmosphere are more flexible. A cabin cruise means you book one cabin on a shared departure with other guests. It is usually more budget-friendly, but the itinerary and schedule are fixed.
Who should choose a private gulet charter?
Private charters are ideal for families, groups of friends, couples celebrating a special occasion, corporate groups and guests who want privacy. They are also better if you want more control over the route, meal style, timing, swimming stops and overall comfort level.
Who should choose a cabin cruise?
Cabin cruises suit solo travellers, couples and small groups who want a gulet holiday without chartering the whole boat. You book a place or cabin on a shared departure, use the common areas with other guests and follow the advertised itinerary. Cabin sharing, single supplements and age limits depend on the selected cruise.
Which gulet route should I choose?
It depends on your travel dates, group style and what you want to see. Fethiye routes are popular for Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley and island scenery. Kekova and Demre routes are excellent for quiet bays, Sunken City, Kaleköy and a more historical coastline. Kaş routes are great for swimming, diving and a lively town atmosphere.
Is a gulet cruise suitable for families with children?
Choose a departure that explicitly accepts children. Our family gulet cruises and suitable private charters offer different options from age-restricted shared departures; 18–39 cruises are not family departures for children. Check the product’s minimum age, cabin layout and child arrangements before booking, and tell us the ages of everyone travelling. Parents should also consider supervision and each child’s comfort around water.
Booking, Payments and Changes
Useful details before confirming your cruise.
How do I book a gulet cruise with YourTourKey?
You can book directly through our website or contact our team for availability and recommendations. For private charters, we usually confirm the boat, route, price, inclusions, deposit amount and balance terms before finalizing the booking.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes. The standard online deposit is 40% for a private yacht charter and 20% for a cabin cruise. The booking form, cart and checkout show the exact deposit amount before you pay. A booking-specific exception applies only when our team confirms it in writing before booking confirmation.
When do I pay the remaining balance?
The remaining balance is normally due at check-in: 60% for a private yacht charter and 80% for a cabin cruise. For foreign and non-resident guests, cash at check-in is the standard balance payment method, unless a different arrangement is confirmed in writing before booking confirmation. Your booking confirmation shows the exact amount and payment stage.
Which currencies do you accept?
Use the currency and amount shown in your booking summary and confirmation. Available currencies depend on the product and payment method; do not assume that every listed currency is available for online card payments or onboard payments. If you want to settle a check-in balance in another currency, confirm the accepted currency and conversion basis with our team before booking. Your bank or card issuer may apply its own conversion fees.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation conditions depend on the product and how long before departure we receive your written request. Contact us in writing as soon as you need to cancel. Review the Terms and Conditions and Refund Policy for the selected product, and ask us to confirm any unclear conditions before paying. There is no general free-cancellation promise, and partially used services or a missed departure are not refundable under our published terms.
Can I change my booking date?
Changes depend on availability, the product and the time remaining before departure. Our published terms provide an open-date option for designated Fethiye–Kekova cabin routes when notice is given at least 21 days before the cruise. New dates require written confirmation, cabin availability and the applicable current price; the option does not apply to every cabin route. Private charter changes must be agreed with our team and the vessel operator. Check the booking terms before relying on a date change.
What should I check in my booking confirmation?
Check the lead traveller’s details, departure date, route, number of guests, accommodation arrangement, total price, deposit and balance payment stage. Contact our team promptly if something is missing or incorrect. Keep the confirmation and any written booking-specific arrangements available before you travel.
Routes, Itinerary and Weather
What to expect from the route and daily schedule.
Can I customize the route on a private gulet charter?
Yes, private gulet charters are more flexible. You can usually discuss departure port, disembarkation port, preferred bays, town visits and route style before booking. The final route must still be safe, realistic and approved by the captain.
Can I change the itinerary on a cabin cruise?
Cabin cruise itineraries are generally fixed because guests book individual cabins on a shared route. The captain may still adjust the daily plan for weather, sea conditions, safety, port availability or operational reasons.
Can the captain change the route?
Yes. The captain has final authority for safety and may change bays, ports or timing due to wind, sea conditions, technical issues, port restrictions or guest safety. Route changes are normally made to keep the cruise comfortable and safe.
Will we visit towns, ruins or historical sites?
Many routes include opportunities to visit coastal towns, castles, ancient sites or villages. Some visits may be optional and entrance fees may not be included. On private charters, cultural stops can be planned more specifically around your interests.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The route may be adjusted for safety and comfort. Gulets normally cruise in protected coastal areas, but strong wind or rough sea can affect daily plans. The captain will choose suitable bays or ports depending on the conditions.
Life On Board
Meals, cabins, comfort, electricity and daily rhythm.
Are meals included on gulet cruises?
Check the selected product’s Included / Excluded section or your written charter offer. Full-board cabin cruises list the meals included, but meal counts depend on the route and boarding and disembarkation times. Private charter catering is defined by the agreed offer. Drinks and optional extras are included only when explicitly listed.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Tell us about dietary requirements and allergies before booking so we can check the arrangements with the vessel operator. Vegetarian, vegan, halal or other requests must be confirmed for your selected cruise rather than assumed to be available on every boat. If you have a serious food allergy, ask about ingredient handling and cross-contact before deciding whether the onboard catering is suitable.
Are drinks included?
Drinks are included only when the product details or written offer explicitly say so. Cabin cruise bar bills are paid separately and, under our published terms, in cash. What is included, the onboard drinks policy and any private charter drinks package should be confirmed before booking.
Can I bring my own snacks or drinks?
Check the rules for your specific boat before bringing snacks or drinks. Some cabin departures operate an onboard bar and restrict outside beverages. Private charter arrangements may differ, but bringing your own drinks should be agreed with the operator in advance.
Do cabins have private bathrooms?
Check the boat or cruise accommodation description. Our listed ensuite cabin cruises provide a private shower and toilet, but cabin layouts and bathroom sizes vary by vessel. Do not assume that another boat has the same layout; ask us if a particular bathroom arrangement is important to you.
Is air conditioning available?
Check the selected boat or cruise’s air-conditioning specification. Some departures include air conditioning for a stated number of hours per day; this is not an all-night guarantee. Operating times depend on the onboard power schedule and vessel setup. If overnight cooling is essential for you, confirm the arrangements in writing before booking.
Is there electricity on board?
Yes, but electricity availability depends on the engine, generator and boat setup. Charging phones and cameras is usually possible during generator or engine hours. Guests should bring power banks for extra convenience.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Some gulets offer Wi-Fi, but signal quality depends on mobile coverage along the coast. Remote bays may have weak or no connection. Guests who need stable internet should bring their own mobile data plan as a backup.
Are towels provided?
Check the product’s inclusions. Some cabin cruises include bed linen and bath towels but exclude beach towels. Bring a beach towel for swimming unless your selected product or written offer explicitly confirms that one is supplied.
What should I pack for a gulet cruise?
Bring swimwear, light clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, beach towel, comfortable sandals, personal medication, soft luggage, a power bank and a light jacket for evenings. Soft bags are better than hard suitcases because cabin storage can be limited.
Cabin Cruise Details
Shared departures, cabins, solo travellers and social atmosphere.
Will I share a cabin with strangers?
Cabin arrangements vary by departure. Some products offer shared accommodation, while others require a private cabin or a single supplement. Do not assume that booking one place gives you sole use of a cabin; some programs do not offer private single occupancy. Read the accommodation and person-selection details and confirm the arrangement with our team before paying.
Can I choose my exact cabin?
Cabin requests can usually be noted, but exact cabin allocation is not always guaranteed. Cabin layout may vary by vessel, and operational changes may affect final cabin assignments.
What kind of people join cabin cruises?
Choose the departure style that fits your group. YourTourKey lists 18–39, mixed-age and family cruise options, each with its own age policy and atmosphere. The guest mix varies by date, and another traveller’s age or interests cannot be guaranteed. Use the selected product’s age rules rather than a general description of cabin cruises.
Are cabin cruises party cruises?
Cabin cruises are not all the same. Our 18–39 departures are described as social and lively, while mixed-age and family options have different guest profiles. A social cruise is not a promise of a particular party program. Tell us whether you prefer a quieter or more sociable holiday so we can help you choose the right departure.
Private Charter Details
Planning a whole-boat rental for your group.
What is included in a private gulet charter?
The written offer for your selected boat is the reference for inclusions. Check crew service, fuel for the agreed route, catering, domestic and international port costs, equipment and cleaning separately. Do not assume that meals, drinks, transfers, land visits or water-sports fuel are included simply because you are chartering the whole boat. Request a clear Included / Excluded list before confirming.
Can we plan special events on a private gulet?
Tell us about birthdays, anniversaries, proposals or other group plans before booking. Suitability depends on the vessel, passenger capacity and operator approval. Decorations, cake, music, special menus and other arrangements may cost extra and need advance confirmation. A cruise booking does not by itself include an event package.
Can we add water sports?
Some gulets include equipment such as paddleboards, snorkeling gear or canoes. Motorized water sports depend on the boat and may require extra fuel or external provider arrangements. Always check the boat’s equipment list before booking.
How many people can join a private gulet charter?
Capacity depends on the licensed passenger limit and cabin layout of the boat. Overnight capacity and daily cruise capacity may be different. The final number of guests must match the boat’s official capacity and safety rules.
Practical Travel Questions
Transfers, safety, insurance and common concerns.
Can you arrange airport transfers?
Airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost unless your product explicitly includes them. Our published terms ask for complete flight information at least two weeks before arrival. Send the airport, flight number, arrival time and pickup or accommodation details; if you are booking closer to departure, contact us first to check whether a transfer can still be arranged.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend arranging your own travel and health insurance; it is not automatically included in the cruise fare. Check that the policy covers your planned travel and activities, including medical treatment, cancellation and repatriation where appropriate. A vessel’s insurance is not a substitute for your personal travel cover.
Is a gulet cruise safe?
Follow the captain’s safety briefing and the vessel’s rules throughout the cruise. Boarding, swimming and moving around the boat still involve risks, and no holiday is risk-free. Tell us before booking about mobility or other needs that may affect whether a particular boat is suitable. The captain may adjust the itinerary when safety or sea conditions require it.
What if I get seasick?
Sea conditions can vary even on coastal routes. If you are prone to motion sickness, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional before travel about suitable options for you, and let the crew know if you feel unwell. Do not assume that a particular medicine is suitable for everyone. See the NHS motion-sickness guidance for general information.
What happens if there is a technical problem with the boat?
Technical problems are handled according to the booking terms and the situation. The operator may try to repair the issue, adjust the route or provide an alternative solution where possible. Safety always comes first.
How can I choose the best cruise for my group?
Send us your dates, number of guests, preferred departure area, budget, comfort expectations and whether you want a private or shared experience. We will recommend the most suitable route and boat options.
Where can I find the boarding time and meeting point?
Use the boarding information on your selected product and the instructions in your booking confirmation. The meeting point and timing depend on the departure; do not rely on another cruise’s schedule. If anything is unclear, contact our team before travelling to the harbour and allow time for possible transport delays.
What travel documents do I need?
You are responsible for carrying the travel documents required for your nationality and itinerary, including any applicable passport or visa requirements. Check the current official entry requirements before travel. Ask our team which passenger details are needed for your booking or vessel registration and tell us if those details change.
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