Each time we host a meet and greet, we're reminded of just how good the questions are. Whether someone's been sailing for decades or has never stepped on a yacht, the questions that come up are honest, practical, and worth answering properly. So, we thought we'd share a few from our most recent gathering, in time for those early birds looking at our 2027 sailing calendar.
One of the most common questions we hear from people considering a sailing trip is whether they need a sailing licence.
The answer is: yes, if you're planning to skipper your own yacht, you'll generally need a recognised sailing qualification. The exact requirements vary from country to country and sometimes even between charter companies but having an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is usually your best option. It's one of the most widely recognised qualifications internationally and tends to make the charter process much smoother.
If you're not sure whether your current licence or experience is suitable for the country you're travelling to, just ask us. We deal with these requirements every day and can point you in the right direction.
No licence? No problem.
You still have a couple of easy options.
If you're travelling with friends or family and would like your own yacht, you can simply add a professional skipper to your booking. They'll take care of the sailing, navigation, and local know-how, while you relax, learn, or be as hands-on as you'd like.
Alternatively, you can join us by the cabin, where the skipper is already included in the price (excluding the customary tip). These trips are designed to be beginner-friendly and are a great way to experience a sailing holiday without needing any sailing qualifications at all.
In fact, many of our guests have never sailed before. Some come for the adventure, some for the scenery, and some because they simply like the idea of waking up in a different harbour each morning. You don't need to know how to tie a bowline to enjoy it.
A professional skipper is usually around 200 EUR per day, plus their own cabin, meals, and a tip at the end of the trip.
At our recent info night, we saw a few eyes widen as we listed what this involves: a cabin, use of the facilities, provisioning for the trip, and a tip at the end.
We get it. That list sounds long when you say it quickly. But you're not just hiring someone to handle the sailing. You're gaining a crew member who becomes one of the best parts of the trip.
Our local skippers know these waters intimately. They know which tiny bay is sheltered from the afternoon breeze, which church up a donkey track is worth the climb, and which taverna the locals actually eat at. They bring stories, music, and a warmth that shapes the whole experience. We've had skippers who play guitar at sunset, who've cooked for the group, who've led spontaneous detours to places that weren't in any itinerary and ended up being the highlight of the week.
As a reminder, if you join us by the cabin, the skipper is included, so that part is already sorted for you.
This one came from an experienced sailor, which tells you something; even people who know what they're doing want to get it right.
The short answer: no, you do not need to bring any of those things.
Each yacht is fully equipped with life jackets and an EPIRB. What you might want to pack is a lightweight spray jacket, just incase. But the full foul-weather offshore gear you'd reach for on a Sydney to Hobart? Leave it at home. We're sailing short distances in sheltered waters, almost always within sight of land. While its impossible to control the weather, we choose forgiving sailing grounds, the right time of year to travel, and we adjust the itinerary to offer us the best protection.
That said, personal EPIRBs are becoming more common, and we think they're a sensible idea, not because sailing with us is inherently dangerous, but because life happens on land too. A few years ago, a traveller, on the island of Symi, slipped while walking off a pathway, just outside a town and wasn't found for three days. That's not a sailing story; that's a reminder that a personal locator beacon is useful any time you're exploring, whether you're at sea or on a hike. Small, affordable personal EPIRBs are widely available and easy to carry. We don't insist on them, but we won't talk you out of one either.
How does provisioning actually work when I book by the cabin?
This is one we're always happy to walk through, because it sounds more complicated than it is.
Before we head to the supermarket (there's one a short walk from every marina), we pull together a shopping list in our WhatsApp group. Everyone contributes; dietary needs, preferences, things you love for breakfast. We shop together or in small groups, and we top up along the way at each port. Most of the islands have local supermarkets, fresh produce markets, and bakeries where you can grab what you need.
The goal on the first shop is to stock up for the first few days: breakfasts, a couple of lunches, some snacks, drinks. After that, we restock as we go. No one is going hungry, there is always enough, and the shared nature of a boat means food becomes one of the small daily joys. Someone bakes something. Someone discovers the local cheese. Someone makes a batch of pasta at anchor and suddenly everyone's around the table.
We also eat ashore most evenings, so you're not relying entirely on what's in the fridge. Between included group dinners, tavernas, and waterfront restaurants, the food on a Mariner trip is genuinely one of the highlights.
If you're travelling by the cabin, we work together and everything gets sorted out, we share the costs and it's more fun than it sounds.
Come and ask us your questions
If any of this has sparked something you've been wondering about, we'd love to hear from you. These conversations are exactly how trips get better, for everyone.
We have spots available on the Sail Sweden 2026 trip and are now taking bookings for our 2027 trips. Reach out any time, we're up for a chat.
Mariner Boating Holidays runs guided sailing trips to Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, Thailand and Tahiti. Trips are beginner-friendly with professional skippers on board. We also arrange bareboat charters for independent sailors.
Not sure which sailing holiday suits you best? Take our quick quiz to find out.