sailing holidays or neilsons

R

riojasailer

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We've been flotilla sailing several times with Sailing Holidays and Setsail and are planning on going next year with a group of friends we've met on various of these flotillas with a boat per couple. Looking at the current prices Neilsons Ionian Flotilla is very similar to Sailing Holiday's Whole Ionian but with newer boats (around 33ft anyway) and noticeably cheaper.

Has anyone any observations on why this might be?

Thanks for any information.

R
 
Never been sailing with Neilson, however, if their customer service is anything like that from their ski holidays I wouldn't bother :(
 
we use the neilsons quay in Nidri when the flotillas are out, the boats look newer than sailing holidays and well maintained. The staff seem knowledgable and friendly. Feedbak from talking to their guests is very positive.
 
SimbaDog said:
Never been sailing with Neilson, however, if their customer service is anything like that from their ski holidays I wouldn't bother :(
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No, we haven't either (well, perhaps with a pre-cursor many years ago) and only with Sailing Holidays once. But with Setsail and spin-offs many times (see Yachting holiday trips; 1974 to present).

From observation of Neilsons when we ran into them while with Sailing Holidays this summer, we won't be rushing to go with them. Next month's trip is with Sunscape (Turkey).

Mike.
 
Sailing Holidays vs Nielson?

We went on our first flotilla about 20 years ago on one of the Sailing Holiday Jaguars. Great fun and well run.

We went on a flotilla with Nielson 4 years ago, now as much more experienced sailors and having had our own boat for 15 years. We found them very gung-ho. 4 month old boat and the reef lines had been incorrectly set up, guardrails very slack, duvets and sheets could have been cleaner - ours were changed when we complained.

Maybe we were older and wiser, but I would go with Sailing Holidays if we wanted to go to a very busy sailing area again. Compared to 20 years ago the place has far too many flotillas. Every harbour is full by 3pm and don't even think of getting in to Fiscardo. We were told that 11am is change over time - one flotilla comes out, next goes in. Even the Solent has been quieter than Nidri when we were there.
 
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Have been with both companies, both are good. In the Ionian at the moment and seen lead crews from both companies working hard to get their boats in, and always seem cheerful and helpful. Either company would do as far as staff are concerned but Neilson boats do appear newer.
As regards the Ionian yes it is busy but you can normally get into most places. Even in Fiscardo if you come in late you can tie up to the rocks on the right (better than the quay side in my opinion) In Eufimia at the moment plenty of room on the quay all night, we are anchored in the harbour, cooler and quieter.
 
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We did the stay and sail with Neilson at Sivota/Nidri for our honeymoon in 2007.

We had a marvellous 2 weeks, all the equipment on offer was in good condition, and plenty of staff to assist. The flotilla was well run.
They decked out our room with flower petals everywhere and choccies when they learned we were honeymooners. Great touch.
Good value (although expensive), and we would recommend it.
 
Sailing holidays

Never been with Sailing holidays and looking at their boats this year they all seemed rather old and well used. I have used Neilson for beach/ sail holidays in the past and liked it.

Last few years I have used a company called Sunny Sailing a Dutch company and very profesional (send a diver down at the end of the charter). They also sail out of Corfu and we found less crowds, Might be worth talking to them.

Del Buoy
 
Been a few times with Neilsons and they are good. Agree that their prices are cheaper and guess it's because they use flotillas as addition to their beach clubs. Sailed on their brand new Dufour325 this summer and it was fab. For the Ionian their prices seem the best.
Have fun!
 
In Fiscardo now, clear water and still space on the wall as it got dark. Set our anchor well then counted five sunsail anchors across our chain! Not an early start for me then but a lovely place.


Aries said:
We went on our first flotilla about 20 years ago on one of the Sailing Holiday Jaguars. Great fun and well run.

We went on a flotilla with Nielson 4 years ago, now as much more experienced sailors and having had our own boat for 15 years. We found them very gung-ho. 4 month old boat and the reef lines had been incorrectly set up, guardrails very slack, duvets and sheets could have been cleaner - ours were changed when we complained.

Maybe we were older and wiser, but I would go with Sailing Holidays if we wanted to go to a very busy sailing area again. Compared to 20 years ago the place has far too many flotillas. Every harbour is full by 3pm and don't even think of getting in to Fiscardo. We were told that 11am is change over time - one flotilla comes out, next goes in. Even the Solent has been quieter than Nidri when we were there.
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I have had the misfortune to share anchorages with neilson flotillas on more than one occasion. They seem to delight in loud, communal silly party games on board, with scant regard to other folks trying to enjoy a beautiful peaceful night at anchor. Do people really enjoy all that butlins stuff or do they get bullied into it?
 
Cant say ive sailed with either but have seen plenty of them both in various harbours round the Ionian. Both had keen and knowledgable staff who worked hard and got all the boats in with some interesting mooring techniques. When sailing holidays came in by us in Kassiopi they were on the radio being told to get extra fenders over and make sure there was a rolling fender on our side. Laughed hard at the Nielson guys out helping a huge motor cruiser in Paxoi which had picked up another huge motor cruisers anchor. Until they went out the skipper was just shouting at the helpless crew as everyone in town gathered on the quayside to watch.

Niall
 
riojasailer said:
We've been flotilla sailing several times with Sailing Holidays and Setsail and are planning on going next year with a group of friends we've met on various of these flotillas with a boat per couple. Looking at the current prices Neilsons Ionian Flotilla is very similar to Sailing Holiday's Whole Ionian but with newer boats (around 33ft anyway) and noticeably cheaper.

Has anyone any observations on why this might be?

Thanks for any information.

R
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My son started with Sailing Holidays, moved over to Neilson for a few months and went back to Sailing Holidays as he preferred the 'sailing ethos' with them - he still actually sails as lead boat !!!
Not a recommendation for you but I do believe that happy 'sailing' lead boats give an indication of customer care that you might expect as a sailor. That is not to decry the very hard work that ALL Flot Leaders put in.
 
Went with Sailing Holidays and found them very relaxed and helpful all the time.

Best bit was when they told us all that they would try and get us good spots in Fiskardo so we could watch everyone else making total prats of themselves anchoring and tying up.

We watched:

a German boat having to move very fast as he'd moored up where the ferry came in and it wasn't stopping;

A Moody 44 snap the pin on the outboard when the prop hit a rock,

Someone trying to get in stern first when the rudder ran aground so they went and tied onto a rock rather than go in bows first;

and best of all, our own lead boat have problems getting up their anchor. Resolved when they found the debris (gas cylinder, postcard display stand etc etc) which had been tied to the chain by a friend of theirs who had slipped on his scuba gear to do it discreetly. All the while their friend in his elderly mobo was serenading them with "Always look on the bright side of life" from his deck speakers.

Sailing Holidays for me!
 
As a local observation, this season. I have hardly seen Sunny sailing boats, Neilson also down in numbers. Sailing Holidays without doubt have had lots of flotilla bookings this year. They have been Arriving in Agia Efimia weekly 2/3 times with up to 24 boats. I have sailed with them myself, they would be my choice, they have a good balance of help when needed, ie stern to mooring for the first timers, help with any problems or advice, always a cheerful crew, party games no, but friendly get together in a Taverna on the first day can help ease everyone into a great holiday.
 
blueglass said:
I have had the misfortune to share anchorages with neilson flotillas on more than one occasion. They seem to delight in loud, communal silly party games on board, with scant regard to other folks trying to enjoy a beautiful peaceful night at anchor. Do people really enjoy all that butlins stuff or do they get bullied into it?
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Looks like the Authorities have had enough as well

From 1 March 2010 in the Gocek Dalaman Area:

This area will be announced as a sea park like similar ones in Italy.
- Discharge of black and grey water is forbidden in this area (therefore a holding tank for all waste water is essential).
- All boats must have a Blue Card (see below).
- Other than the marinas only 1112 boats can stay in this area.
- Entering some historical areas (like Hamam Bay) is prohibited.
- Anchoring in some areas is prohibited to protect the ecological underwater system. Only dedicated mooring buoys should be used.
- Maximum mooring period for boats in Gocek-Dalaman Coves is limited to 11 days.
- Speed limit is maximum 6 knots.
- Disturbing music is prohibited.
- Cooking on deck is prohibited.
- Diving in some coves is also prohibited.

Full BLUE CARD Details Here

We spent 3 great weeks in Turkey this year. We moored near a Yacht in a very quiet anchorage. To our dismay the boat next to us decided it was party time and turned up the music.

Feeling brave I swam over and asked them to turn it down. I was then told that they were aiming to have a party into the small hours to which I replied as long as you switch it off when we go to bed at 9pm I was not bothered.

Glad I wasn't invited to the party it was very quiet.
 
I have used both and prefer Neilson. They have better boats and offer better value for money than Sailing Holidays or Sunsail.

The lead crews are all much of a muchness and most move around the various flotilla companies. It is pot luck which 3 you get on your flotilla but I have never had a bad lot.
 
Thats nice, most of the boats you mention probably cost their owners over £100k and are usually only a husband and wife crew, unlike you with a lot of crew on board and local knowlege from your shoreside rep. Running aground might seem funny to you but i am sure the boat owner didnt think so probably facing a hefty repair bill.



Daedelus said:
Went with Sailing Holidays and found them very relaxed and helpful all the time.

Best bit was when they told us all that they would try and get us good spots in Fiskardo so we could watch everyone else making total prats of themselves anchoring and tying up.

We watched:

a German boat having to move very fast as he'd moored up where the ferry came in and it wasn't stopping;

A Moody 44 snap the pin on the outboard when the prop hit a rock,

Someone trying to get in stern first when the rudder ran aground so they went and tied onto a rock rather than go in bows first;

and best of all, our own lead boat have problems getting up their anchor. Resolved when they found the debris (gas cylinder, postcard display stand etc etc) which had been tied to the chain by a friend of theirs who had slipped on his scuba gear to do it discreetly. All the while their friend in his elderly mobo was serenading them with "Always look on the bright side of life" from his deck speakers.

Sailing Holidays for me!
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