THE FUN, STRESSFUL, EXCITING PART We’ve toggled all our embarkations so that each client on each yacht thinks they are the only charter happening that day. Sometimes this means docking the gulets close enough together so that one of us can discreetly hop over to the next embarkation.
After a head count for each group and having settled clients sufficiently (having sorted lost suitcases, missing spouses, last minute shopping, and any outstanding financial balances), it
is
then time for the all important gulet safety
briefing.
This is followed by an introduction to the crew and a review of the cruising itinerary with the Captain. We then identify any vegetarians, special requests and warn the children about the giant octopuses in the water if they misbehave. It’s then time to tour above and below deck. And,
if a couple in the group is going to fight about who gets which master cabin, this is when it happens: Tug on shirt sleeve followed by a whisper…“Dina….Dina…tell me the truth. Is the aft master cabin that much better than the forward master?”
END OF THE WORKING DAY IN THE AFTERNOON
This is when it begins to get hairy. Clients are arriving in various groups, and some members of some groups have gone exploring. The phone does not cease. Even with an official embarkation time of 16:00, some clients have decided to ‘check out my gulet’ earlier, leaving socks, shoes and suitcases for the crew to work around. One particular panicked client cannot work out how to buy SPF 50 sunscreen at the English speaking market in the harbour. We like to call this part of the day ‘Herding cats’.
The fun part is popping the champagne with our charter guests on deck while ensuring that an overeager deckhand hasn’t been silly and first furiously shaken the bottle. Repeat this drinking exercise on six yachts throughout the afternoon and the warm glow of another successful and hectic day settles in. Ah, the perks of the job! However we are always aware of another day of hard work, managing our gulet charters is just around the corner.
ONBOARD | SPRING 2017 | 51
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