Frequently Asked Questions

The Blue Cruise (Mavi Yolculuk in Turkish) is a unique sailing vacation along Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Originating in the 1940s with writer Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (the "Fisherman of Halicarnassus"), it involves spending a week aboard a traditional wooden gulet, sailing from bay to bay, exploring ancient ruins, swimming in turquoise waters, and experiencing Turkish coastal culture.

A gulet is a traditional Turkish wooden motor-sailing vessel, handcrafted by master boatbuilders in towns like Bodrum and Bozburun. Gulets feature wide beams for stability, spacious sun decks, and typically 4–8 private cabins with en-suite bathrooms. They combine the romance of wooden sailing with modern comfort — air conditioning, generators, and professional galley kitchens. Gulets are the original and iconic vessel of the Blue Cruise.

Heritage Yachting is the world's first route-first charter marketplace. While other platforms ask "which boat?" — we ask "which route do you want to sail?" You start by choosing a color-coded sailing itinerary (Gökova Gulf, Hisarönü Peninsula, 12 Islands, or the Classic Blue Cruise), then pick your week, then select your gulet. This ensures every charter is a real voyage of discovery, not just a floating hotel anchored in one spot.

The Blue Cruise operates along Turkey's southwestern coast between Bodrum and Fethiye, covering the Aegean and Mediterranean. Key departure points are Bodrum, Marmaris, Göcek, and Fethiye. The sailing area includes the Gökova Gulf, Hisarönü Gulf, Fethiye Bay, and the famous 12 Islands of Göcek.

The sailing season runs from late April through early November. Peak season is July–August with the warmest waters (26–28°C) and highest prices. Shoulder seasons (May–June, September–October) offer ideal conditions — warm weather, calm seas, fewer crowds, and lower rates. April and November are possible but cooler.

Heritage routes are color-coded: Blue Route = Gökova Gulf (Bodrum ↔ Bodrum loop); Yellow Route = Hisarönü Peninsula (Bodrum or Marmaris loops); Red Route = 12 Islands (Göcek ↔ Göcek loop); Green Route = Classic Blue Cruise (Bodrum → Fethiye one-way). Each color represents a distinct region and sailing experience.

Loop routes depart and return to the same marina (e.g., Bodrum → Gökova Gulf → Bodrum). One-way routes start in one port and end in another (e.g., Bodrum → Fethiye). Loop routes are the most popular. One-way routes are used for the Classic Blue Cruise experience or to reposition boats between charter weeks. One-way routes may include a fuel surcharge to cover the additional distance.

Each Heritage route has a recommended day-by-day itinerary with suggested stops, anchorages, and activities. Within the route corridor, your captain can adjust timing and specific bays based on weather and your preferences. However, the departure port, arrival port, and general region are fixed — this is what makes the route-first concept work and ensures you actually explore the coast.

Each day on a Blue Cruise typically includes 2–3 stops at different bays, coves, or small villages. A typical day: wake up in a calm bay, swim before breakfast, sail to a new location mid-morning, anchor for lunch and swimming, visit a village or ancient ruin in the afternoon, then sail to a secluded bay for dinner under the stars.

Contact us via WhatsApp. For private charters or special itineraries outside our standard routes, we can work with boat owners to create a custom voyage. Note that standard route bookings offer the best pricing since they align with the fleet's weekly scheduling system.

Step 1: Choose a route (color). Step 2: Pick your charter week — all charters run Saturday to Saturday. Step 3: Select an available gulet for that route and week. Step 4: Add optional extras (water sports, transfers, etc.). Step 5: Pay your deposit or full amount securely via Stripe. You'll receive instant confirmation.

The Saturday-to-Saturday cycle is a long-standing tradition in Blue Cruise chartering. It standardizes the fleet calendar so boats can be cleaned, provisioned, and prepared between charters. It also means all gulets follow synchronized routes, creating better scheduling for loop routes and repositioning. This system has worked for decades and is the industry standard.

For peak season (July–August), we recommend booking 3–6 months in advance, as popular gulets and routes sell out quickly. Shoulder season bookings (May–June, September–October) can often be made 1–3 months ahead. Last-minute availability does exist, but choice is limited.

Yes! Multi-week charters are possible. You can stay on the same gulet for 2+ weeks, sailing different routes each week. For example, Week 1 on the Blue Route (Gökova Gulf) and Week 2 on the Yellow Route (Hisarönü). The system automatically ensures route compatibility between weeks.

All standard Heritage charters are one week (Saturday to Saturday). This is the traditional Blue Cruise format and the minimum booking duration. Shorter charters (3–4 days) may be available on select boats during shoulder season — contact us via WhatsApp to inquire.

Each gulet has a weekly rate that varies by season (Low, Mid, High, Peak). The listed price includes the boat, crew, and route. Fuel, meals, and add-ons are charged separately. Prices are displayed in your chosen currency. There are no hidden booking fees.

A 50% deposit secures your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before your charter start date. For bookings made within 30 days of departure, the full amount is required at booking. All payments are processed securely through Stripe.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) through Stripe, our PCI-compliant payment processor. Bank transfers may be arranged for large bookings — contact us for details.

One-way routes (like the Classic Bodrum → Fethiye) consume more fuel than loop routes because the boat must travel a longer net distance. The fuel surcharge is calculated as the difference between the one-way fuel cost and the baseline loop route fuel cost. It's clearly displayed during booking before you pay.

Included: the gulet, professional crew (captain, cook, deckhand), bed linens, towels, cleaning, use of standard water toys (snorkeling gear, fishing rods), a full day-by-day sailing itinerary. Not included: meals/provisions (typically arranged with the crew before departure), fuel, marina fees, premium add-ons (jet ski, SUP boards), tips, airport transfers.

Yes. Shoulder season weeks (May–June, September–October) are significantly cheaper than peak July–August. Some gulet owners offer early-bird discounts for bookings made 6+ months in advance. Multi-week bookings and group charters may qualify for special rates. Check available promotions on the yacht listing page or ask us via WhatsApp.

Cancellations 60+ days before departure: full deposit refund minus 10% admin fee. 30–59 days: 50% refund. Under 30 days: non-refundable. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. In case of extreme weather preventing safe sailing, we work with you to reschedule.

Gulet cabins are private en-suite rooms with double or twin beds, built-in wardrobes, air conditioning, and their own bathroom with shower. Cabins are typically below deck with portholes. Master cabins on premium gulets may have larger windows and more space. All linens and towels are provided.

Your gulet has a professional cook who prepares three meals a day using fresh local ingredients. Turkish cuisine — meze platters, grilled fish, fresh salads, kebabs, and baklava — is a highlight of the voyage. Provisions are usually arranged before departure; your crew will coordinate with you on preferences, allergies, and dietary needs.

Most gulets now offer Wi-Fi, though coverage and speed depend on how close you are to shore. In open water or remote bays, connectivity may be limited. Many guests find this a welcome opportunity to disconnect. If you need reliable internet, check the gulet listing for Wi-Fi details or bring a local Turkish SIM card.

Standard activities include swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. Many gulets carry SUP boards and some have water skis or wakeboards. Premium add-ons available on Heritage include jet ski rental, scuba diving excursions, and guided onshore hikes to ancient Lycian ruins. Each route also passes villages and towns worth exploring on foot.

Absolutely. The Blue Cruise is a popular family holiday. Gulets carry life jackets in all sizes, and crews are experienced with families. Children love swimming off the stern, exploring bays, and helping the crew. For families with very young children, we recommend gulets with safety netting and shallower swim platforms.

Yes. Please inform us at booking so provisions can be planned. Our cooks can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and allergy-specific diets. Turkish cuisine is naturally rich in vegetable, grain, and seafood dishes, making most dietary needs easy to meet.

Pack light in soft-sided bags (no hard suitcases). Essentials: swimwear, light clothing, a hat and sunglasses, sunscreen (high SPF), non-marking soft-soled deck shoes or sandals, a light jacket for evenings, and any personal medications. Leave formal wear at home — the Blue Cruise is relaxed.

Morning: wake to calm water, early swim, Turkish breakfast on deck. Mid-morning: sail to a new bay (1–2 hours). Midday: anchor for lunch, swim, relax. Afternoon: explore a village or ancient site, or simply enjoy the sun deck. Evening: sail to a sheltered cove, dinner prepared by the cook, stargazing from the deck. It's a rhythm of movement, discovery, and relaxation.

Gulets range from 4 cabins (8 guests) to 8+ cabins (16+ guests). The most popular size is 6 cabins (12 guests) — ideal for extended families or friend groups. All guests stay in private cabins. Groups can also charter multiple gulets sailing the same route together.

Yes. While swimming is a major part of the experience, it's never mandatory. You can enjoy the voyage from the deck, explore villages on foot, and participate in onshore activities. Life jackets are always available for those who want to enter the water.

Blue Cruise routes are designed to stay in calm, sheltered waters close to shore — not open ocean. Most sailing time is 1–2 hours between stops in protected bays and gulfs. Seasickness is rare, but it's wise to bring motion sickness medication as a precaution.

Very safe. All Heritage gulets are inspected, insured, and crewed by licensed captains. Routes run in sheltered coastal waters, not open ocean. Gulets are equipped with modern navigation, life rafts, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits. Your captain monitors weather conditions and adjusts the route if needed.

Your captain is responsible for safety and will adjust the route or schedule to avoid rough conditions. In practice, this might mean visiting a different bay, staying an extra hour at a sheltered cove, or altering the order of stops. Severe weather is uncommon during the charter season (May–October), and harbors are always nearby.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and personal belongings. While the gulet carries marine insurance, personal travel insurance is your responsibility and gives peace of mind.

Airport transfers can be booked as an add-on during checkout. The main airports are Bodrum-Milas (BJV) for Bodrum departures, Dalaman (DLM) for Göcek, Fethiye, and Marmaris departures. Transfer times are typically 30–90 minutes depending on the route.

Turkish mobile networks (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) have good coastal coverage. You'll generally have 4G signal in towns and most bays. Some very remote anchorages may have weaker signal. We recommend buying a local SIM card at the airport for the best experience.

Register as a boat owner or charter company through our portal. You'll create a profile for your vessel with photos, specs, cabin details, and equipment. Set your weekly pricing by season (Low, Mid, High, Peak) and define which routes your boat can sail based on its base port.

You manage your own availability calendar through the owner portal. Mark which Saturday-to-Saturday weeks are open for booking, which port you'll be in, and which routes you're available for. The system handles route compatibility and prevents double-bookings.

Heritage operates on a transparent margin model. You set your owner price per week; we add a platform margin and list the total. You receive your set price for every confirmed booking. Payment is processed through Stripe and disbursed after the charter.

Yes. Many owners list on multiple platforms. You're responsible for keeping availability up-to-date across all channels to prevent double-bookings. Our calendar system makes it easy to block dates that are booked elsewhere.