Sailing The Ionian Islands

[mikemanor]

... my friends is a teacher so it will have to be high season
oh well worse things have happened at sea.

Seems another good reason to go for a flotilla. Let the lead crew take all the stress of finding a berth for the night. Always busy in the Ionian high season.

+1 for SailingHolidays Ltd. You can join in the social side as much or as little as you like, but have the support of a professional crew at all times.

 

[lufc71]

Yep, 2 or 3 boats anchored peacefully, how perfect. And then the flotilla arrives. [eek]

I did my first flotilla this year (with Sailingholidays) and this is what I feared. However, the reality was totally different. We had our daily meetings where the lead crew gave us weather forecast, destination and points of interest etc., but then we were on our own all day to sail and explore at will. Obviously the lead boat is always only a radio call away, but it is not a 'convoy' of yachts. We were often the only yacht in a bay.

 

[blueglass]

during the day yes, but each evening the flotilla takes over a bay or harbour. nothing wrong with that of course - my only gripe is the loud party games, often with total disregard for the peace of the surroundings. flotilla leaders should be more sensitive to other's needs. if its party night - head into town.

 

[mjcoon]

during the day yes, but each evening the flotilla takes over a bay or harbour. nothing wrong with that of course - my only gripe is the loud party games, often with total disregard for the peace of the surroundings. flotilla leaders should be more sensitive to other's needs. if its party night - head into town.

I've never observed anything like that in 30+ years of flotillas. Never been with Neilsons, mind. Observing them from "outside" they seem a bit more like 18-30 groups than others.

Conversely, years ago we were moored in what we thought was a quiet bay in the Ionian, away from any flotilla, when an actual 18-30 group were "bussed in" on their tourist boat to take over the beach with noisy games. One cheeky swimmer even tried to board our yacht thinking there was no-one aboard!

Mike.

 

[Flying Penguin]

I've never observed anything like that in 30+ years of flotillas. Never been with Neilsons, mind. Observing them from "outside" they seem a bit more like 18-30 groups than others.

Would be my observation too. Never seen a Sunsail or Sailing Holidays lot get out of control (the occasional bit of dancing in a Taverna aside!), but the Neilson groups sometimes seem to be a bit "livelier", with the piles of bottles and cans evident on a couple of occasions. To be fair though, half of these were in places where they were the least of our concerns!

 

[blueglass]

Mike -I have seen it many times. For eg. we were alone in 2 rock bay on the mainland one night last year. If you don't know it, 2 rock bay has no taverna or any settlement of any kind ashore and it is a lovely quiet place to sip a glass of wine and watch the sun go down at anchor. A nielson flotilla of around 12 boats came in and anchored up in one large raft, anchored fore and aft. leaders were hoisted up in the bosun's chair to shout down the instructions for the party games involving much screaming/ jeering/forfeits and other such nonsense. the games went on from sunset until well after dark to be followed by loud music, shouting and raucous singing until 3 A.M. The raft was about 2 boat lengths away from us and they had no respect whatever for anybody else. I regret to say that all the clients were English with Australian leaders. All ages from teens to mature couples. Other boats came in at dusk to anchor, took one look and went straight back out to sea. Totally unforgivaable.

 

[Cardo]

+1 to Sailing Holidays. Spent a week on the Lefkas flotilla this past summer and we found it very enjoyable. Very chilled attitude from the lead boat, which was perfect for us. They gave us the briefing in the morning and off we went to explore on our own, meeting up with the others again in the evening. The louder parties were generally held in the bigger ports/tavernas so we didn't disturb any quiet anchorages.

 

[jimbaerselman]

I regret to say that all the clients were English with Australian leaders. .

Interesting. I thought Neilson had a policy of only recruiting British staff.

I also have to apologise for being a participant on a Sailing Holidays flotilla once, and (together with others) making an unforgivable racket in a formerly quiet anchorage. The key event was the kids race round the raft in dinghies - with loads of screaming adults egging them on, and Grandpa up the mast taking pictures.

 

[blueglass]

Interesting. I thought Neilson had a policy of only recruiting British staff.

sounded pretty antipodean to me - but it's not really a relevant factor.

 

[jordanbasset]

Have found the flotilla people and leaders (with one exception) to be friendly people. Yes they are on holiday for a week or two and want to enjoy themselves, but not found them any noisier than people chartering.
We were invited to a Neilson party at Frikes, (we were happy for their boats to moor along side us and helped to moor them) free drink and food, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, this finished at around 7pm. The female lead skipper was a credit to Neilson as were her crew. We do enjoy speaking and socialising with people from all backgrounds and sailing habits.

 

[gafferduck40]

FLOTILLAS

Hi , Has anyone used this company before not been going long their prices seems very reasonable vistasailing bareboat charters


Come on guys don't be to harsh on flotillas the sea is for everyone!! , they are on holiday after all, it is allowed it keeps the industry alive what,s left of it.

I spent 8 months in the BVI on a SV if it got to noisy we just moved on or sometimes joined in with the fun and they were my best nights on Rum.

I have been fortunate to get a lot of sailing experience in on my friends yacht otherwise i would be on a flotilla also as it happens looking for peace and quite so going bareboat.

 

[blueglass]

the sea is for everyone!! , they are on holiday after all, .

yes it is for every one - that's why we should all respect each other's needs. I am on holiday too and I enjoy tranquil hideaway anchorages. If others want loud party games I have no problem with that but go somehere noisy to do it. Plenty of lively places if that's your bag.

 

[gafferduck40]

FLOTILLA

yes it is for every one - that's why we should all respect each other's needs. I am on holiday too and I enjoy tranquil hideaway anchorages. If others want loud party games I have no problem with that but go somehere noisy to do it. Plenty of lively places if that's your bag.

I absolutely agree , however its 1 week in the year we and thousands of others really looking forward to having fun

regular cruisers have to be considerate also and let people enjoy their holiday.....................


This is a big topic lots of for and against

The best advice i would give anyone who is anti flotilla is to contact all the charter companies in the area and find out which itinerary their on and avoid them.


Happy sailing fair winds and CRUISING

 

[blueglass]

I absolutely agree , however its 1 week in the year we and thousands of others really looking forward to having fun
regular cruisers have to be considerate also and let people enjoy their holiday.....................

it may be 1 week for you - its actually every week from May to September. Not stopping anybody enjoying their holiday - just suggesting that if you want to be loud and boisterous anchor up off Nidri or somewhere, not in a secluded place which most people would choose for its peace and solitude.

 

[richardbayle]

For me Sailing Holidays. Great fun had three cruises with them and as soon as they see you know what you're doing, very relaxed about leaving you to go on your own