Is this level of strictness normal on a private catamaran charter?

[Itsgettinghotinere]

We’re currently on a private catamaran charter in Croatia. For the most part, the week has been great, the Islands are beautiful and it’s been wonderful to see so many different places.

That said, I’m not sure if our experience of our skipper and hostess is usual or not…

We planned a sailing holiday as we wanted to do an activity holiday with our teens. I’ve sailed and grew up with small pleasure boats. We made this clear when we booked via the charter company and specifically listed it on our preference list. The preference list also stipulates that learning to sail is one of the possible options. We have not been allowed near the helm let alone sail! To be fair, the wind has been minimal so we’ve been under engine all week but yesterday would have been perfect but no, we are not allowed.

We are also not allowed to:

1. wear shoes on the boat. We know this however our hostess constantly shouts “shoes, shoes, shoes” at us as soon as we walk on to the sugar scoops! Every time. Without fail.
2. Sit on any outside seating while wet from swimming. When swimming we have to stay at the front of the cat until we dry off. I’m referring to the all weather outside seating. It’s making it very difficult as we’re not allowed to get any water while we swim as were might drip on the teak.
3. We are not allowed to drip anything anywhere: my husband was washing his hands in our cabin but the cabin door was open. While drying his hands some water dripped on the floor and our host saw and immediately came into our cabin and dried up the 3 spots.
4. We are told to eat over our plates. Our teens are 14 and 13 so it’s not as though food is dropping everywhere. My son was told to eat his watermelon over the plate as our host didn’t want to spend her time cleaning after him. We are not allowed to leave any crumbs on the table and look out if any accidentally end up on a cushion (out door cushion).
5. One evening my husband had a glass of red wine and it came with a warning not to spill any.
6. They have made restaurant bookings ahead for us which is fine for the most part but one was very expensive- (€650) and we only had two drinks each. The next evening was the same so we said we’d like to move our booking to a different restaurant and was told that it would make things awkward for them, they wouldn’t honour future bookings maybe and we ended up eating there.

There are other instances like this. The obsession with everything being clean all the time. We are very clean, tidy and respectful people. We just feel like we’re intruding on their boat.

While I’ve typed this I’ve been told we can only apply sunscreen off the boat, nowhere on the boat as apparently the front is full of sunscreen! I make us all stand on the front and apply sun cream. We don’t use sprays and I’m very careful about applying it. But it’s not enough and now we can’t use sunscreen unless we’re in the harbour or on land! In fact, our packing list said sun cream would be provided as they understandably want to use creams that won’t damage the boat. We arrived to find none so I suspect they prefer guests don’t use anything.

We’re walking on eggshells and just don’t feel welcome. Is this normal behaviour? I’d like to hear from those who had chartered before. Thank you

If they own the boat as I have just read they should not be running a charter business as they are being ridiculous, they need to factor in wear and tear etc into their pricing. They sound like amateurs.

I haven’t been caught wearing anything. We take our flip flops off as soon as we reach the designated shoe store. I’m a shorts/ T-shirt and flip flops person.

We’ve chartered in Turkey but without any staff onboard. The yacht didn’t come with any stupid rules, I recommend it.

I've done a Croatian charter with friends. This does sound OTT, although one does expect certain rules. Boats are expensive and things like red wine are often banned. There will certainly be a kick-back from the restaurants.

I would suggest the only thing you could do would be not to tip at the end of the charter, which will go down like a lead balloon.

I would be like this but that is why I don’t run holiday apartments or charter a boat!

It’s fair enough to include no shoes/cleanliness requirements in the t&c, but not to be hovering round like they are the mother and you are the children, as you describe.

Sounds like the restaurant included a kickback?

I also worked on a private yacht charter for a short time and I agree with @AlannaOfTrebond

On many crewed charters, guests are not automatically entitled to helm the boat because the skipper remains legally responsible for the vessel and passenger safety. However, skippers should involve interested guests weather permitting, especially when they have sailing experience and have specifically requested a sailing experience before booking. A refusal all week, particularly when you specifically booked with participation in mind, is not ok.

The rules are standard. What is not standard is the way they are enforcing them. A luxury charter is fundamentally a hospitality experience. Guests should generally feel relaxed, welcome, comfortable using the boat and able to swim, eat and move around without fear of reprimand. The examples you’ve given suggest a level of monitoring that most charter guests would find excessive.

As paying charter guests, the itinerary and dining choices should generally be driven by your preferences, not the crew’s convenience. Crew making restaurant and entertainment recommendations and reservations at your request is normal, but you should never feel railroaded into doing something you don’t want. When you wanted to change restaurants and were effectively pressured not to because it would be awkward for them, that’s different.

Please please complain to the charter company. I would initially email them as follows.

“We’re enjoying Croatia and appreciate the crew’s efforts. However, we’re finding the atmosphere onboard quite restrictive. We specifically requested a sailing-focused holiday and opportunities to learn and participate, but have not been allowed to take part in sailing at all. We also feel uncomfortable with the level of monitoring regarding water, food, seating and general use of the boat. We fully respect the vessel and crew, but we do not feel relaxed as guests. We’d appreciate your guidance.”

Also keep:

• Screenshots of your booking preferences.
• Any brochure wording mentioning sailing participation or learning.
• Notes of incidents.

The company needs chance to respond and address your concerns. If they are a good company they will absolutely take complaints seriously.

In the meantime ask your hosts for the sun cream, and to use the scooter and drone. And make it clear that you want to do the swimming / snorkelling experience, not the indoor experience they are trying to railroad you into. You are the customer. If they are obstructive, add it to your list of complaints.

I feel extra sorry for you because it sounds as though you really needed this break with all that’s been going on 💐

Yet, you don’t do anything about it. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

Ugh, poor you. Sorry for all your troubles and what a shame a well needed relaxing holiday is proving such a disappointment.
Honestly - who wants to go to an indoor water park when you are on a boat that can take you to hidden beaches where you have glorious sea and sand and no crowds? (Which I assume is what you were expecting). I'd be fuming at the very idea!
Also it's impossible to climb back on a boat after a swim and not drip a bit. They need towels on the seats and you can relax and dry off.

No advice, just sympathy. 💐

Well that’s not a slight issue…. They own the boat. But they are being ridiculous. Does the charter fee not include an end of charter cleaning fee? Re the restaurant they will almost certainly be eating/drinking free for bringing trade in. Insist on eating where you want. I shouldn’t think it is in the contract where you must eat where they say. Regarding sailing tuition This is usually a separate much more expensive charter especially if it leads to certification. They won’t be willing to give free tuition. Taking the helm under supervision should absolutely be part of the experience…… are you being ‘allowed’ to help with the sails? Next time hire a boat with Sunsail or Sailing Holidays. There is still a three some staff (engineer, captain, hostess) but they are on their own lead boat. You would be free to sail during the day but have a target harbour to reach for the evening. If needed initially one of the staff will come onto your boat for the first day or so just during the day. Group dinners in a restaurant are optional but are a good way to socialise. On booking they try to match up similar families ie those with teenagers. There are 10/12 boats in a flotilla. Lots of fun. Expensive but probably far cheaper than what you have paid. I don’t think things will improve for your second week.

Sorry, I was slightly jesting, I'm sure you wouldn't be wearing anything unsuitable but whatever you were wearing that causes the host to shout Shoes!

Thank you so much for your response. I will use your suggested wording as it covers everything.

My DH just reminded me that he approached the skipper at the helm yesterday to ask where we were going and the hostesses waggled her finger to say “no, no, no” at him as though she thought he was going to ask to take over the helm. He was so shocked- who waggles a finger at a grown adult?!

Sounds normal to me, especially shoes. Sounds like you have not been on a small boat very often.

Shoes is the only normal rule from what I know!
I mainly book luxury villas and I can tell you my heart sinks if the owner is anywhere nearby. It totally ruins the experience.
It sounds like they are funding a lifestyle with their summer hosting rather than offering a professional hosting experience. Sorry OP.

It become, annoyingly, our family catch phrase now 🤣

This sounds intimidating and hostile. The very opposite of relaxing. Imagine being told not to get crumbs on the table or apply sunscreen in a good hotel. If this is the general expectation on boat holidays, count me out!

Though yes, the way they are acting towards you sounds less than ideal and you certainly shouldn't feel like an inconvenience.

I have had the luck of being on many many boats of all sizes. It might sound like your haven’t read the OP 😬

I also have had much experience with my Dad winterising our boats following a busy summer. This OP isn’t about how to treat boats generally, it’s whether or not our experience and treatment from our skipper and hostess is “normal” or not.

I agree their customer service/attitude doesn't sound the best, OP.

Their customer focus is zero honestly. You should feel that the boat is yours for the week and the crew are there to help you enjoy it.

I hope the experience doesn’t put you off. An earlier recommendation to do a flotilla holiday is a good one. They are perfect for families with teens.

I know nothing about this kind of holiday, but the thing that seems really bizarre to me is the obsession with drips of water - surely boats get water all over them all the time from spray and waves??

When they next shout "shoes, shoes, shoes!", shout back - "I'm taking them off, off, off!"
Very loudly.
Also, when they next wipe up a tiny drop of water, ask them if the boat isn't fully waterproof, because you'd have booked another one if it isn't.

Yes, indeed! My thoughts exactly.

I think the slight issue is that the skipper and host own the boat

In that case it sounds very much as if they don't really want you on the thing, but are just doing it to get some money back

I'm surprised none of this shows up in reviews though ... unless they're getting adverse ones cancelled?

I've been on this holiday with teens (obsessed not this boat), we did have one night at an expensive restaurant and told the skipper we wanted more affordable after that, it was no problem. I would not entertain going to an expensive restaurant to suit the skipper!! We also had use of paddle boards, other sports stuff - the skipper went out of their way to make it entertaining for the teens. Do-nut behind tender, swimming off the boat. They also cooked for us one evening. No shouting but we were diligent re no shoes :). Set your expectations - it's not a cheap holiday and the skipped should be following your direction not the other way (as long as it is safe!)

You need to talk to the host. Calmly explain your not enjoying the constant reminders and as a paying guest you expected a better level of hospitality. Confirm you'll be sending feedback to the holiday company but for the rest of the trip you expect the following. Then state the feedback and what's needed for you to enjoy the holiday.