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Frequently Asked Questions – Sail & Cycle
Q: What day does the trip leave?
A: All boats depart on Saturdays at 1pm.
Q: What time do the trips finish?
A: All boats return to port on the Friday night and you disembark early after breakfast on the Saturday morning by 9am.
Q: What are the cabins like?
A: They usually have 2 beds in them, often bunk beds. On some boats, there is a triple cabin or double bed available. We can check at the time of booking if you request this. Click on Ensuite boats for more details.
Q: What is the difference in above deck and below deck?
A: Simply put, above deck is above the main deck of the boat. Below deck is in the hull of the boat. A benefit with the cheaper below deck is often they are much cooler as they don't heat up as much during the day. The big benefit with the above deck is they are on the top of the deck with views out to the ocean. Please note that on some of the Ensuite boats the above deck cabins are located on 2 levels, i.e. on deck and upper deck.
Q: I am travelling by myself. Why is there a single supplement?
A: If you are willing to share your cabin, there are NO single supplements on the Sail & Cycle cruises. However, if you prefer to have a cabin to yourself, we need to levy a single supplement which is 50% of the cruise price.
Q: Is food included?
A: Breakfast and dinner is included every day. Lunch is not included as we encourage you to try the local cuisine whilst you are out cycling during the day. Our guide can offer some suggestions on the best places to go. On some days, lunch may be provided instead of dinner if this fits in better with the day’s itinerary – the guide will advise you of this during the week. The breakfasts are simple continental style, with breads and spreads. You can pay onboard for a cooked breakfast each morning at a supplement of 40 euros for the week.
Q: I am a vegetarian or have a special meal request - do you cater for me?
A: We don't cook specifically for vegetarians or travellers with special meal requests. Dinner usually includes soup or pasta as a starter, some meat or fish, vegetables as side dish, salad and dessert. The vegetarians will enjoy larger amounts of vegetables and salad. To have it on your plate from the first day of the cruise, please advise us at the time of your booking that you are vegetarian. If you are allergic to some sorts of food, please specify in advance what it includes. We will put a note beside your name on the list of guests so the crew can be prepared. At the time of your check-in, please introduce yourself to your cook or waiter so they are aware of who you are and you can discuss anything in particular with them.
Q: Can I bring food and drink onboard?
A: You cannot bring food and drink onboard the boat, except for specific dietary requirements. Each boat has its own bar and drinks consumed here (including bottled water) must be purchased at the bar. You can pay a supplement onboard of 20 euros for the week which entitles you to 1.5 litres of bottled water per day.
Q: What are the bikes like?
A: The bikes are all 24 speed mountain bikes around a year old. The manufacturer is Author (http://www.author.cz/), a popular Czech brand or Trek (www.trekbikes.com), a US brand. Helmets are also provided. If you would prefer to bring your own bike/helmet, you are most welcome.
Q: Do you have to cycle every day? How fit do you need to be?
A: There is no obligation to cycle every day – you can choose to have a day relaxing on the boat if you wish. You need a reasonable level of fitness for the cruise due to the distances covered each day. Each cruise usually has a range of cyclists and the guide will take into account that some will cycle at a slower pace.
Q: How much spending money do you think I will need to take with me?
A: It is difficult to specify the money that you can spend per day. As a general rule, Euro 25 to Euro 30 or GB £25 to £30 per day can provide you with additional meals and optional entrances.
Q: Are there powerpoints on the boats?
A: Yes. There are European points which can be used for charging phones, cameras and use of hairdryers, etc. These are different for each boat but are generally located in the main salon area on all boats and in the cabins on Ensuite/Premier boats only.
Q: Do you sail from island to island?
A: Essentially the boats are motor cruisers which enable the boats to take in more islands and get from point to point as per the schedule. Sails do go up on the boats if the winds are good but the wind isn't reliable enough to allow the boats to keep to the itineraries so we cruise most of the time.
Q: How do I get to Split?
A: Easyjet, Wizzair and Croatia Airlines fly into Split on a regular basis from the UK. Many travellers also fly into Ancona and catch the overnight ferry to Split on Friday night at 9pm and arrive Saturday morning at 7am. There are quite a few options - our Getting There page has more details.
Q: How do I find the boats?
A: The boats are located in the main harbour in Split. From Split airport, there are regular shuttle buses to the harbour taking about 45 minutes. The main bus and train stations in Split are opposite the harbour. Your confirmation invoice will have your boat name on it and there are representatives on the quayside who can assist you.
Q: Should I book the ferry from Ancona to Split?
A: Yes. You run the risk of the ferries being full. Overnight ferries go most nights but not all. Please check the departure dates before booking your flights. You can visit www.jadrolinija.hr to view timetables and connections.
Q: How do I get to Opatija?
A: The best option is to fly into Rijeka, Trieste or Ljubljana and catch a local bus to Opatija. We can organise taxi transfers if you prefer. The journey is around 100km altogether. The boats depart from the main harbour in Opatija.
Q: I am South African. How do I get a visa?
A: Once your booking has been confirmed we will email you your pre-departure documents and you will be able to apply at the Croatian Embassy. It is a simple formality for the Croatian Embassy to process which rarely encounters problems. If you plan on visiting Bosnia you will also need a visa for entry here. Please note that if you plan on catching a bus between Split and Dubrovnik, the route goes through Bosnia.
Q: Which is the best trip?
A: Each trip has its own appeal. The most popular is the Southern Route as this starts and finishes in Split, which has good transport links and is an interesting city to see. The Northern Route is a little more ‘off the beaten track’ and is popular with guests who want to see slightly quieter islands or who have already been to Split and the nearby islands. The Coastal Route is a little easier in terms of the cycling mileage covered and takes in more of the mainland than the islands.
Q: I was thinking of just catching buses and ferries around?
A: The advantage of doing a trip with us is that our guides have the local knowledge and we can take you to the hidden spots. We can stop for a swim and have time to discover small bays and islands. With accommodation on board the boats, you have more time to explore the towns and ports and there’s no rushing around chasing ferry connections.
Q: What nationality are the crew?
A: Our crews are Croatian. They are local people showing you the best of their own culture.
Q: Do the crew speak English?
A: Most do but not all, however there will be at least one crew member that will speak English on the boat and they will be responsible for looking after you. You can expect to encounter traditional people with traditional values. They are excellent hosts and go out of their way to ensure you have a fantastic trip.
Q: How many people are on the boats?
A: This depends on the size of the boats. They accommodate from 20 to 40 people. The average boat size is around 28 people.
Q: What age and nationality are the passengers?
A: All ages - we don't discriminate on age. The boats usually have a mix of couples and single travellers. The average age is usually about 45. Our boats usually have a broad mix of European and Antipodean travellers.
Q: How do I make sure I am on the same boat as my friends?
A: Each group has a group leader. This person is responsible for coordinating with each of you to ensure you all know what boat you are on. If you friends have already booked, we can add you onto their booking and you can still pay for your trip separately.
Q: Who owns the boats?
A: The boats are owned and operated by their crew who often sail in the summer and work on their boats or at other professions in the winter. They are locally owned and are often from the small ports you will visit along the way. Our management company in Croatia ensures all boats and crew operate to a high standard. We use your feedback to monitor the ongoing success of our operations.
Q: What are the typical temperatures in Croatia during the season ?
A: Average temperatures in Croatia in degrees celsius are:
Apr 17
May 21
Sep 25
Oct 21
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