Packing and Safety Tips

Travel and Safety

Enjoy your sailing experience, knowing you're prepared.

What to Pack?

Enjoy your sailing experience, knowing you're prepared. Yachts do not have a large amount of storage space so travel light! We recommend that you travel with a small soft sports bag with rigid bottom and wheels or a good quality backpack. Hard suitcases with wheels are difficult to store.

Essential items
  • passport and visa (if required), air tickets, bank ATM cards, credit cards
  • waterproof windbreaker jacket (waterproof pants not essential unless you are traveling in the rainy season to one of the destinations)
  • deck shoes or canvas non-skid boating shoes or sneakers (with light coloured soles so not to mark the deck)
  • swim suit(s)
  • sun glasses with neck string/croakies
  • sun block (+30SPF), or tanning lotion, aloe vera or skin cream
  • brimmed hat with neck tie and/or baseball hat
  • light hiking or running shoes, sandals or ventilated shoes (for trekking through sites)
  • a couple of pairs shorts and t-shirts
  • dress shirt or blouses (for the evenings but nothing formal required)
  • long pants/trousers or skirts (for the evenings but nothing formal required)
  • camera or phone with battery charger
  • toiletries, tooth brush, paste, shampoo (preferably biodegradable)
  • beach towel (some of our trips include beach towels)
  • ear plugs for noisier harbours and eye blinds for daytime siestas
  • speciality foods - for medical or health reasons (i.e. herbal tea, sweeteners, gluten free products etc)
  • personal medications (allergy, cold, anti inflammatory, indigestion pills)
  • motion sickness medication (pills, patches, or bracelets)
  • small pack-sac for camera and water bottle when visiting sites
  • AC anywhere cigarette 12 volt charger
  • 12 volt inverter device which is the standard way to charge on a yacht
Non essential items
  • mask and fins, some cabin charters and mini cruises provide these aboard refer to your invoice
  • thin wet suit (shorty) if you are visiting a destination in an off peak period
  • sailing or biking gloves
  • pocket flashlight
  • several good travel books
Safety on Board

Whether you are booking a cabin charter, a bareboat or luxury charter, we want to ensure that you have an unforgettable and safe trip. As a result of the adventurous nature of sailing holidays, to avoid any unnecessary accidents we advise you to read the following carefully.

Life jackets: It is compulsory to know where your life jacket/personal floatation device (PFD) is located, how to put it on and how to adjust it. Your life jacket/PFD is stored under your bed board or in the cupboard of your cabin – please verify this and ask your captain if it is not there. It is not necessary to wear your life jacket/PFD when underway unless you wish to do so or the captain tells you put it on. All life jackets/PFD's need to be located in your cabin and tried on before leaving the first harbour. If you need assistance, your skipper or crew will be happy to help you.

Flares: All yachts are equipped with flares for use in emergencies only. You can ask your skipper to show you where the flares are stored and how to use them if you would like to know more about this.

Emergency life raft: All yachts are equipped with emergency life rafts to accommodate the maximum number of passengers on the yacht. Life rafts are either stored forward on deck or in stern lazarettes. Your yacht is also equipped with a dinghy and outboard engine. You may ask your skipper about the abandon ship procedure if you would like to know more about this.

First aid kit: All yachts are equipped with a first aid kit. You can ask your skipper to show you where the first aid kit is stored.

Person overboard: If you see someone fall overboard there are 4 steps you must follow:

1. Alert the crew.

2. Administer a flotation device (horseshoe buoys are located at the stern of all vessels).

3. Point towards the victim - never loosing eye contact with the victim.

4. Assist the crew in turning the yacht around to retrieve the victim.

Deck shoes: There are many cleats and fittings on the deck that can damage feet and break toes. Guests are advised to wear deck or canvas shoes to avoid injury especially when underway and docking.

Companionway: Always use the companionway (the stairs going into the boat) like a ladder and descend backwards holding both sides of the ladder. Falling down the companionway can result in serious injury.

Gangplank: It can be tricky disembarking on the gangplank if there is swell in the harbor. Always ask for help if you need it. Do not remain midway on a gangplank. The gangway is not a diving or spring board, so always step off never jump off. The gangplank should always be raised up off the wharf when not in use as it may get damaged if left in place.

Hatches: Hatches must be firmly closed with handles turned a full 90° while underway. If they are not 90°closed water will get into your cabin. Your cabin hatches are your own responsibility. Ask your crew for assistance if you are having a problem closing them. In the warm climate, hatches are often open at night so be aware when walking around the deck.

Ferry wake: There are large ferries and other vessels in Mediterranean waters that cause yachts at anchor to rock. Ensure you are seated or holding onto something when the yacht rolls.

Taking a watch: When/if you decide to take a watch (steer the yacht), you are responsible for the rest of the crew members lives as you are 'watching out' for them. Taking a watch is a very important job and must be taken very seriously. You must look out for other vessels large and small, as well as objects in the water. You must also watch your distance off shore. The yacht travels relatively straight through the water but the coastline is never straight so this must be monitored at all times. Inform the skipper of the yacht if you have any concerns while on watch.

Winches: When sailing the lines in the cockpit, such as the main sheet and the genoa sheets (that are wrapped around a winch) are under extreme tension. They must be properly cleated off. Do not sit on lines that are in use when sailing. Ask your skipper to demonstrate proper cleating of a line.

Swimming: Never swim alone without letting other crew members know. There are few dangers in Mediterranean waters, but watch out for high speed inflatables and other boats and beware of sea urchins which have sharp spines and live on rocks close to shore. Also watch for ferry or vessel swell that rolls into bays and can push you against rocks or make the yacht's stern and ladder lift and drop violently. If this occurs swim away from the yacht and wait a few moments for the waves to pass.

Smoking: Smoking is a fire hazard and annoyance to other guests and is not permitted below deck. If you wish to smoke, you should do this off the yacht when in harbour, or at the stern of the yacht downwind from any other guests, when underway. Cigarette butts should be disposed of appropriately and not thrown in the sea or on the ground.

How to tie on a fender
How to tie a reef knot
How to tie a bowline knot
How to tie a figure 8 knot
How to tidy your lines
How to tie off a genoa furling line
How to tie off a line
Booking Information

The booking process

Planning your sailing holiday in Greece or further afield couldn't be easier. We pride ourselves on our detailed advice and quality services. The easiest way to make an initial enquiry is to send us a booking enquiry.

Quote

Within 48 hours of receiving your details we will send a full quotation by email. If we need more information to quote on your request, we will contact you by phone or email to clarify. Please check your junk email after contacting us as our quote could end up there!

Please respond within 24 hours of receiving our quotation to ensure that the quoted yacht or trip can be held for you at that price. When you confirm you will need to provide us with your full name, address and telephone number and we will:

send you an invoice and terms of booking by email that you need to sign and return
require a 50% deposit within 48 hours to secure your booking

Trip balance payments are indicated on your invoice and are due 8 weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive your balance payment we will send a reminder. If exchange rates are involved then, we will re-invoice 2-3 days prior to payment being due.

How to pay for your trip

We accept the following methods of payment:

  • Bank wire transfer, available in USD$, CAD$ and Euro
  • Check in USD$ or CAD$
  • Credit cards: USD$ and CAD$ currencies for Visa and Mastercard (surcharge may apply)
  • American express USD$ and CAD$ (surcharge may apply)

Shortly after you have paid a deposit, you will be sent personalized trip documentation. Dependent on your booking this will include some or all of the following documents:

  • terms and conditions - need to be signed and returned
  • yacht charter contract - needs to be signed and returned
  • liability waiver – needs to be signed and returned
  • crew list - needs to be completed and returned
  • provisioning information
Online documents

As part of your booking confirmation you may have been sent links to documents. Please refer to your confirmation documents to confirm which documents are required for the completion of your booking.

Booking Questions
What are the terms and conditions of booking?

A booking is confirmed when a deposit payment is received and at that time no further discounts will be offered. Once a booking is confirmed, your trip pricing is confirmed. Website pricing is subject to change without prior notice. Departure dates are subject to availability and any discounts may change based upon the number of bookings received. Deposit payments are to be received by special offer end date as confirmation of booking at special pricing.

Can I book online?

We pride ourselves on offering you a personalized service and 'tailor' make your trip from the many yachts and cabin cruises you see on our website. By talking to you and finding out your needs we can suggest the most suitable yacht and obtain the latest pricing from the many discounts available - an online one fits all system could not offer you this service. We are proud of our service commitment and our advice is free!

What is included in the price?

Yacht charters, luxury charters, cabin charters and flotillas are very different and what is included in the price of the trip is detailed on each specific type of sailing option. Upon booking your invoice will also have what is included and excluded shown.

Which currency do I pay in?

For North American customers, payment can be made in USD $, CDN $, or will be converted to these currencies at current exchange rates at time of invoicing. For our customers in Europe, payment can also be made in Euro by wire transfer.

What do I do about travel insurance?

We strongly recommend that you have both cancellation and medical insurance when you travel. If you are from Canada, we can organize insurance for you at competitive prices. For customers outside of Canada we recommend Travel Guard.

Where can I get my visa?

For more information about required visas, call or visit the embassy or consulate of your intended travel destination.

I want to cancel my booking what do I need to do?

At the time of booking you will have been sent an invoice outlining the cancellation conditions of your trip. All cancellations need to be sent to us in writing by e-mail or fax.

How will you protect my personal information?

We take data protection very seriously and you can find full details by reading our privacy policy.

Is Poseidon Charters financially secure?

Yes. Poseidon Charters became a licensed since 1998 and has been a profitable company every year since.

Is Poseidon Charters regulated?

Yes. Poseidon Charters is a registered travel agency specializing in yacht charters, adventure sailing holidays worldwide. The travel industry in the province of Ontario, Canada is strictly regulated by TICO. We are required by law to be licensed and keep client's funds in escro or intrust accounts. We must renew our license each year and pay the required fees and taxes or face fines of $100,000 for offering travel services without a license. Our TICO registration number is: 50023285.

Can I book my flight through Poseidon Charters?

No. We can recommend airlines and routes, but we do not book flights for any of our trips. Airlines offer the best rates by booking directly online.

What emergency contact number do I leave behind at home?

Base or operator contact information (telephone number and e-mail contact) will be provided with your arrival information details. You may share this information with relatives or friends back home so they may contact you in an emergency. We will always relay emergency messages to ground staff on any of our trips. You can therefore also provide friends and family with our office number: (+1) 613 832 7245.

What funds do I need to bring with me?

It is safer to travel with an ATM card rather than lots of cash and the exchange rate is generally better than buying foreign currencies at home. Traveler's checks are rarely used now. Having $100-$200 cash is always good in an emergency and can be exchanged to local currency.

Travel Information
Charter Information