WHAT IS THE BLUE CRUISE?
The Blue Cruise is the best way to get rid of all your blues! But that is not really how the name was coined… The name originated in Bodrum in the late 1950’s by a group of writers, painters, and others interested in natural beauty and historical sites. The Blue Voyage started in the Gulf of Gokova and later extended to include the more distant southern shores of Turkey.
- A Blue Cruise combines sun, sea, history and hikes at various cruise destinations.
- You can either relax in your swimming suit all day long, enjoy the good food and the sunshine, or you can experience more exciting activities like snorkeling, fishing, water skiing, banana rides or exploring the natural and historical sites.
- Sailing in Turkey allows you to experience a truly enriching cultural exchange with the hospitable and gracious people of the coastal villages and towns. The small harbours and settlements offer an intimate view of coastal life which large ships cannot replicate authentically.
- In many ways a gulet is like a full-service hotel where every room has a sea view and the scenery changes constantly!
- With over 8,333 kilometers of coastline and four seas, Turkey is a real treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches.
- Unlike cruises on large ocean liners, on a Turkish gulet you can explore the secluded and often deserted bays, coves and islands of the spectacular Turkish coastline. You will see a hidden Turkey, beautiful beyond belief, and most of it completely unseen by the average tourist!
WHAT IS A TURKISH GULET?
A gulet is an all wooden handcrafted motor sailing yacht equipped with 1 or 2 masts, built for cruising the Mediterranean Coast. GULETS were originally built and used by fishermen and sponge divers to transport their catch. Today they have been luxuriously re-designed especially for yachting holidays.
The classic gulet has a rounded aft, low-to-the-water profile and roomy hull. However, these days, various designs have emerged, all of which come under the collective description of the wooden gulet. The design of the original gulet with rounded aft limits the number of cabins which can be built in it. Therefore the newer ‘ayna kic’ (flat-backed) style of gulet, is becoming increasingly popular as a charter vessel.
Today, Gulets contain large fresh water tanks, a fuel tank and a waste tank. They have been added to increase the comfort on the boats. But with this addition, the weight of the gulet has increased, and therefore become more suitable for cruising than for sailing.
The most common gulets have 4 to 8 double/triple cabins and can accommodate from 8 to 18 passengers. All cabins have either a double berth, or a double berth lower and a single upper (bunk-berths). Every cabin has a wardrobe for hanging clothes and a number of drawers. All cabins have their own ensuite bathroom with toilet facilities and a pull-out shower hose attached at the basin.
Interior features of a gulet include a salon/bar/indoor dining area and a fully equipped galley. The aft deck includes a covered outdoor dining and lounging area. The forward deck which has numerous sun beds can be shaded by a canopy when the yacht is not sailing.
The ladder for getting into and out of the water is mostly a straight ladder which descends under the surface of the water.
The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V/24 V. Please consider this if you wish to bring battery-operated or electric shavers, camera/phone chargers, portable PC’s, etc. Electrical appliances may only be connected while the yacht is tied up to land.
Also on board is a fridge/freezer to keep drinks cold, CD player, board games, snorkels & masks and fishing lines. You may fish for your dinner and your cook will gladly prepare it for you! A dinghy (with either oars or an outboard engine), a ship-to-shore radio, mobile telephone and life jackets are on board. All the boats are government approved with fully qualified captains.
Today, Gulets contain large fresh water tanks, a fuel tank and a waste tank. They have been added to increase the comfort on the boats. But with this addition, the weight of the gulet has increased, and therefore become more suitable for cruising than for sailing.
The most common gulets have 4 to 8 double/triple cabins and can accommodate from 8 to 18 passengers. All cabins have either a double berth, or a double berth lower and a single upper (bunk-berths). Every cabin has a wardrobe for hanging clothes and a number of drawers. All cabins have their own ensuite bathroom with toilet facilities and a pull-out shower hose attached at the basin.
Interior features of a gulet include a salon/bar/indoor dining area and a fully equipped galley. The aft deck includes a covered outdoor dining and lounging area. The forward deck which has numerous sun beds can be shaded by a canopy when the yacht is not sailing.
The ladder for getting into and out of the water is mostly a straight ladder which descends under the surface of the water.
The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V/24 V. Please consider this if you wish to bring battery-operated or electric shavers, camera/phone chargers, portable PC’s, etc. Electrical appliances may only be connected while the yacht is tied up to land.
Also on board is a fridge/freezer to keep drinks cold, CD player, board games, snorkels & masks and fishing lines. You may fish for your dinner and your cook will gladly prepare it for you! A dinghy (with either oars or an outboard engine), a ship-to-shore radio, mobile telephone and life jackets are on board. All the boats are government approved with fully qualified captains.
