6 min readplanning

Crewed vs. Bareboat Charter: Which Is Right for You?

Understanding the key differences to choose the perfect charter experience for your group.

In This Guide

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The Fundamental Difference

The choice between crewed and bareboat is the most important decision in planning a yacht charter. It fundamentally shapes your experience: **Bareboat Charter:** You hire the yacht alone and sail it yourself. You need a valid sailing licence (ICC or equivalent), and you're responsible for navigation, anchoring, cooking, cleaning, and all onboard operations. It's the sailing equivalent of renting a car. **Crewed Charter:** You hire the yacht with a professional crew — captain, chef, and additional crew depending on the yacht size. The crew handles everything: navigation, meal preparation, housekeeping, and local knowledge. It's the sailing equivalent of a private chauffeur-driven tour with a personal chef.

Experience Comparison

**Bareboat — The Hands-On Adventure:** - You choose the route and make all decisions - You cook your own meals or eat ashore - You handle anchoring, mooring, and docking - You clean the yacht and manage provisions - You need sailing experience and a licence - Maximum freedom, maximum responsibility **Crewed — The Luxury Experience:** - The captain suggests routes based on weather and your preferences - A professional chef prepares gourmet meals tailored to your tastes - The crew handles all yacht operations - You wake up to a clean yacht and fresh coffee every morning - No sailing experience needed - Maximum relaxation, zero responsibility The difference in daily experience is dramatic. On a bareboat, you're working — enjoyably, but working. On a crewed charter, you're purely on holiday.

Pro Tip

If anyone in your group doesn't sail, a crewed charter ensures everyone has an equal experience. On a bareboat, non-sailors can feel like passengers rather than participants.

Cost Comparison

Bareboat charters are cheaper on paper, but the total cost difference is smaller than you might think: **Bareboat (7 nights, 4-cabin catamaran):** - Charter fee: €4,000–€8,000 - Provisioning (food & drink): €1,500–€3,000 - Fuel: €300–€600 - Marina fees: €500–€1,000 - End cleaning: €200–€400 - **Total: €6,500–€13,000** **Crewed (7 nights, 4-cabin catamaran):** - Charter fee (includes crew): €12,000–€25,000 - APA (fuel, food, marinas): €3,000–€7,000 - Crew gratuity: €1,200–€2,500 - **Total: €16,200–€34,500** Per person (8 guests), a bareboat costs €800–€1,600/person/week. A crewed charter costs €2,000–€4,300/person/week. The premium buys you a professional chef, a captain who knows every anchorage, and zero chores on your holiday.

When to Choose Bareboat

A bareboat charter is the right choice when: - You have a valid sailing licence and genuine experience - Your group enjoys the hands-on sailing experience - Budget is the primary concern - You prefer complete independence and spontaneity - You're comfortable with cooking, cleaning, and yacht management - You're chartering in a region you know well Bareboat is popular with experienced sailors who love the freedom of being their own captain. It's a genuine adventure — but it requires skill, confidence, and a willingness to work on your holiday.

When to Choose Crewed

A crewed charter is the right choice when: - You have no sailing experience (or don't want to sail yourself) - You're celebrating a special occasion (anniversary, birthday, honeymoon) - Your group includes non-sailors, children, or elderly guests - You want gourmet food prepared on board - You want local knowledge and insider recommendations - You want to truly relax without any responsibilities - It's your first charter and you want a stress-free introduction For most of our clients at Aegean Yachting, the crewed charter is the clear choice. The crew transforms a boat trip into a luxury experience — and the memories of a great chef's cooking and a captain's secret anchorages last a lifetime.

Pro Tip

Many of our clients started with bareboat charters in their 20s and 30s, then switched to crewed charters as they got older and wanted to truly relax on holiday. There's no going back.

The Hybrid Option: Skippered Charter

Can't decide? A skippered charter is the middle ground. You hire a yacht with just a captain (no chef or stewardess). The captain handles navigation and yacht operations, while you handle cooking and housekeeping. This gives you professional seamanship without the full crew cost. Skippered charters are popular with groups who enjoy cooking together but want the safety and local knowledge of a professional captain. It's also a great option for sailors who want to learn — many captains are happy to teach.

Our Recommendation

At Aegean Yachting, we specialise in crewed yacht charters because we believe they offer the best possible holiday experience in Greece. The combination of a professional crew, gourmet food, and intimate local knowledge transforms a yacht trip into something truly extraordinary. But we understand that every group is different. If you're unsure which option is right for you, speak with Katerina — she'll give you honest advice based on your specific situation, not a sales pitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a bareboat charter in Greece, you need a valid sailing licence (such as RYA Day Skipper, ICC, or equivalent national certificate) and demonstrable sailing experience. Greek authorities may check your qualifications at port. No qualifications are needed for a crewed charter.

For most guests, yes. A crewed charter includes a professional captain (local knowledge, safety), a chef (gourmet meals tailored to your preferences), and stewardess service. You don't need to worry about navigation, provisioning, cooking, or cleaning. The crew's local knowledge of hidden bays and best restaurants adds enormous value to the experience.

Absolutely! Most captains on crewed sailing yachts welcome guests who want to get involved. You can help hoist sails, take the helm, and learn navigation — or simply sit back and enjoy. It's entirely up to you. This is a great way to learn sailing in a safe, supervised environment.

Crew size depends on the yacht. A 15-20m yacht typically has 2-3 crew (captain and chef, possibly a deckhand). A 25-35m yacht has 3-5 crew. Superyachts (40m+) can have 6-15 crew including captain, chef, stewardess, engineer, and water sports instructor. More crew means more personalised service.

Before your charter, you'll complete a preference sheet detailing dietary requirements, allergies, favourite cuisines, and drinks preferences. The chef provisions the yacht accordingly and prepares three gourmet meals daily plus snacks and cocktails. Most chefs specialise in Mediterranean cuisine using fresh local ingredients, but can prepare international dishes on request.