No Shoes Allowed - A gulet review

[JakTar]

The website does not have an "Other" option for reviews which is why this appears in the Forums section.

 

Introduction:

This was a 7-night gulet cruise along Turkey's fabulous Turquoise Coast (sometimes known as the Lycian Route or the Aqua Cruise) taken during the penultimate week of the season (in October 2012), and the first experience of a gulet for either of us.

 

The itinerary was:

Fethiye - Kekova - Ucagiz / Kalekoy - Kas - Kalkan - Olu Deniz - Gemiler - Fethiye.

 

The Boat:

The Harun Bey was built in 2007 and has the classic lines of a traditional twin-masted motor schooner or gulet. It is 28 metres in length and has a passenger capacity of 16 in 8 double or twin en-suite cabins. It isn’t luxurious, but it is comfortable. There is a covered (but usually open-sided) aft deck dining area, plus lounging areas aft and a large sunbathing deck forward. There is also an indoor saloon comprising seating area and bar.

During this trip, there were 15 passengers and 3 crew (the captain, the cook and the deckhand).

Shoes are not worn on-board.

 

Transfers, Embarkation and Disembarkation:

These were all handled efficiently and painlesslessly with a 1-hour transfer between Dalaman Airport and the marina in Fethiye.

The health and safety information, including life-jacket information, was conducted before leaving port.

 

Cabin:

The cabins were basic and comfortable - and roomier than others had expected, or experienced on previous cruises, particularly the en-suite bathrooms. All cabins and bathrooms had small sliding windows. There was room for small suitcases and sufficient hanging space, bearing in mind far less clothes are required for this type of cruise than a sea or river cruise.

Hot water was supposed to be restricted but only once did I fail to have a hot shower.

The cabins were cleaned and beds were made every day.

Air conditioning was available in the cabins during the early evening only.

 

Eating:

Food was served four times a day and was plentiful, filling and very tasty. How such delights were created in such a small galley is a mystery. Breakfast (tea, coffee, meat, cheese, eggs, tomato and cucumber, melon, olives, bread and spreads - orange juice was an extra) was served at about 8.15. Lunch, at about 1 o’clock, was warm rather than piping hot and usually a vegetarian affair with meat occasionally served. Afternoon tea (tea, coffee and plain biscuits) was at 4 o’clock. Dinner, served at about 7.30, was similar to lunch except there was always fish or meat, as well as a vegetarian dish if requested. Dessert comprised fruit only - sadly, no traditional sweets such as baklava were offered.

All drinks had to be purchased, except tea and coffee during breakfast and afternoon tea. A tab was kept which could be paid in cash in either Pounds Sterling (preferred) or Turkish Lira.

Bar prices were fairly reasonable and priced in sterling, e.g. Tea - 45p, Can of Lemonade - £1.80, Bottle of White Wine - £9, etc.

Dress was casual at all meals, with t-shirts and shorts for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, and a little dressier for dinner for those that wanted to.

 

Daytime Programme:

A morning briefing was only given twice. At other times we had to ask for this information. Mornings were usually spent sailing through gorgeous seas of varied hues of blue. Okay, we didn’t sail, we motored.… Sadly the sails were never raised on our boat or any other we saw even when a healthy wind blew.

Afternoons, when not in port, were spent swimming, snorkeling and just chilling. There was snorkeling equipment available but most brought their own or bought during the week. Sadly there was no kayaking - it had been broken by some twerp during the previous week.

 

Night-time Programme:

Chatting, reading (some had solar-powered e-readers), cards, backgammon and even a little dancing were the communal activities when we dropped anchor in some beautiful cove or bay. Several passengers brought their own varied music (e.g. Northern Soul, easy listening) which, together with some gentle alcohol consumption, added to the relaxed and convivial atmosphere. When in port we repaired to a bar - or several bars.

 

Ports of Call:

- Fethiye

An overnight stay on the first and last nights in a lovely town

- Kekova

A short cruise over the site of partially sunken ruins

- Ucagiz / Kalekoy

A two-hour visit (three would have been better) to an interesting site

- Kas

A full day and overnight stay in a beautiful little town

- Kalkan

A two-hour visit (three would have been better) to yet another beautiful little town

- Olu Deniz

A wonderful morning’s swimming and snorkeling in the famous blue lagoon

- Gemiler

An afternoon and overnight mooring at the legendary island of Santa Claus

 

Summary:

This was a terrific cruise in superb weather and all passengers (late 30s to late 60s) got on extremely well. The crew were very competent and helpful, if unnervingly reserved on a personal level. (Perhaps we should have asked them to dine with us?) All scheduled ports of call were visited and sailing was smooth at all times except for one morning.

Recommended? Without hesitation!

 

Quality of Food:

Noted in the review

 

Entertainment / Onboard Activities:

Noted in the review

 

Shore Excursions:

Transport to and from the shore was always provided free of charge.

 

Crew/Staff:

Noted in the review

 

Children's Facilities:

n/a

 

Cabins

Noted in the review

 

Overall Rating

9.9 / 10