5 Things You Need to Know After Booking

Your boat is booked – now it is time to prepare for your trip! From choosing extras to organising your arrival, these five steps will help you get ready for departure.

1. Get in touch with your charter company

Your booking has been confirmed by our partner charter company, which operates the boat and manages your check-in at the base.

You should receive its contact details by email. If these are missing, contact your GlobeSailor advisor.

Before departure:

• Check your booking confirmation: Make sure the boat, dates and departure base match your reservation.
• Confirm the contract arrangements: Some companies send the charter contract in advance; others arrange signing at the base.
• Save the contact details: Keep the charter company’s number and the base contact handy.
• Discuss any questions: Contact the operator to clarify your booking or arrival arrangements.

Your charter company should contact you within seven days of booking confirmation. If you have not heard from them, let your GlobeSailor advisor know.

2. Confirm your extras and skipper

Check which services are included in your charter price and which are payable separately. Some charges, such as final cleaning, may be compulsory.

Discuss your needs with your crew and confirm any extras with the charter company before departure. These may include:

• Bed linen and towels.
• A stand-up paddleboard.
• A child safety net.
• An outboard motor for the dinghy.
• A professional skipper.

Reservations and payments for these services should be arranged directly with your charter company, according to your booking terms.

Need a professional skipper?

Request a skipper as soon as your booking is confirmed. Early notice gives the charter company more time to organise availability.

Confirm the skipper’s fee, payment arrangements, meals and sleeping accommodation. If a skipper cannot be arranged, ask your GlobeSailor advisor about the available alternatives.

3. Prepare your documents

Update your profile, sailing experience and qualifications in your GlobeSailor account. Then confirm which documents your charter company needs and when to submit them.

Depending on your destination and booking, these may include:

• Travel documents: Valid passports or identity cards, plus visas where required.
• Sailing qualifications: An appropriate boating or sailing licence and, where required, a VHF radio qualification.
• Sailing CV: A summary of your experience for a bareboat charter.
• Crew list: Details of everyone travelling aboard.

Check that the total number of people, including the skipper, stays within the boat’s permitted capacity. Ask which original documents you must bring to check-in.

4. Organise your arrival at the base

Plan your journey to the marina and share your expected arrival time with the charter company.

Before travelling, confirm:

• The meeting point: The marina address and exact location of the charter office.
• Check-in times: When you can board and what to do if you arrive late.
• Transfer options: Whether the company offers transfers or can recommend local transport.
• A contact number: Who to call if your flight or journey is delayed.

If you have booked additional travel assistance through GlobeSailor, ask your advisor whether transfers form part of your arrangements.

5. Plan your provisions

A little preparation makes shopping easier and helps avoid overfilling the boat.

Before departure:

• Discuss dietary needs: Check allergies, food preferences and any meals required for the skipper.
• Plan simple meals: Allow for meals ashore and opportunities to restock during the trip.
• Prepare a shopping list: Include drinking water, breakfast supplies, snacks and basic ingredients.
• Check delivery options: Ask whether a supermarket or provisioning service can deliver to the marina.
• Confirm the details: Check delivery times, charges and how you will receive the order.

Your charter company or GlobeSailor advisor can help you identify provisioning options near your departure base.

For more preparation advice, read our guide to how to successfully charter a boat.

Thank you for choosing GlobeSailor. We wish you a wonderful sailing holiday!