Life on board of crewed yacht H.Dogan during blue cruise charter

Upon arrival our to our yacht, clients are assisted into their cabins. The guests will find their cabins fully prepared; clean bed linen, shower towels (it is preferable for clients to bring their own beach or deck towel) hand soap and toilet paper will be ready. Once our guests are familiar with their cabins, we share welcome drinks to give brief welcome on board info and tips regarding the cruise route and any questions for the lifeonboard. Cruise starts right after boarding or next day according to clients arrival time.  In standard blue cruise yachts have electricty  runs from either 12v or 24v DC batteries. If our clients require 220v AC electricity (for recharging video recorders or mobile telephones) yacht H. Dogan has a 220v generator on board. The Turkish sockets have two horizontal round pins, so if the client's electrical appliance plugs are different, we suggest they bring a travel adaptor.  All of the cabins have air conditioning. En suite bathrooms have pull-out shower attached at the basin. What to bring with you: As dressing on board of gulet is relaxed, we advice our clients to bring comfortable sports clothing with them. You are only going to want casual wear; your swimming gear, a sun hat, some shirts and shorts, a sweater for cool evenings and for excursions and climbs blue jeans and strong footwear. Instead of one large suitcase, we recommend that you take two smallish soft bags, as they are far more convenient when it comes to stowing them away in your cabin. On the yachts we do not wear any shoes but only soft non slip foot wear. This is to prevent sand and dirt coming onto the wooden decks. We would also advise clients to bring a pair of socks with them, just in case the weather is cool in the evenings. With the safety and enjoyment gulets offer, to cruise on board of a traditional yacht like H.Dogan is the best invitation to yachting. Anyone can travel on a gulet. The crew is accustomed to the sensitiveness of the new passengers. The greatest phobia of landlubbers, seasickness comes to pass in a few hours even at its worst. Every day we normally cruise to two bays, making the last stop the place we stay for the night. It is necessary for the yacht visit a larger port every two or three day to enable us to take on water and fresh provisions during the weekly or longer charter period. We prefer to use the sails as much as possible, rather than just cruise with the engine but of course this depends on the wind. The blue voyage cruising consists of legs that keep the yacht motoring or sailing for only 3 to 4 hours a day, from one secure bay to another. Clients participation is always welcome on board of yacht H.Dogan during peacefull cruise times.Our captain and crew enjoy passing their experience onto the clients and if they wish to steer the yacht or lend their hands at setting the sails. The active guests may take the advantage of the windsurf or fishing equipment on board. Those who wish to do absolutely nothing are encouraged to do so. Just enjoy your blue cruise in Turkey on board of our yacht. There are enough snorkell, mask and flipper equipment on our boat. Windsurf and canoe are good to have fun during our stops in the afternoons. Dinghy with outboard engine for transporting guests to shore. Some harbors or smaller blue cruise anchorages are good to visit ancient sites of your choice. Some of them can be reached by short hike from the shore. Like St Nicholas Church on Gemiler island, or Lycian rock tombs in the hills of ancient Caunos; Dalyan delta. See our bluecruiseroutes page for the info links about nearby places to visit during your charter.

Our youngest blue cruise guest baby Elisabeth

Crew A fully qualified captain and two crew members serve on our boat. Along with their responsibilities as sailors one of the crew is also the cook, the other one is responsible for cleaning  the clients’ cabins and bathrooms daily and keeping  the boat tidy. Due to their life on the sea, the crew members have a good knowledge of surroundings being able to advise on the best places to snorkel and anchor etc. Also you can get some super tips from the cook on local cuisine. The crew will be glad to help out as far as their duties will permit and are there to give you an unforgettable Blue Voyage; private yacht charter making you want to return just as the majority of our clients. They speak enough English to understand you and get along.

Food & Drink on board of our yacht during weekly yacht charter Turkish cuisine is said to be the third greatest in the world. Our menus contain all the local produce available in what is mainly regional home cooking. A variety of salads, yoghurt and vegetable dishes accompany various chicken, meat and fish recipes.  For vegetarians the Turkish food is ideal and can be easily accommodated. We provide the provisioning for the meals (full pension)  at an extra charge 25 Euro- per day per person. Except the big bottle of water served with meals all other drinks are extra. We do not run bar on board of yacht H.Dogan. Our guests can supply and bring their own drinks. Or we can buy all the drinks for them before the cruise starts according to their preferred drink list. The bill can be paid during our welcoming meeting. Some other yachts may have and run yacht bar where most drinks are available.

Few hours before the charter starts we buy the provisioning in the local markets and they are prepared on board by our cook Ali. Lots of fresh vegetables, salads and fruits as well as fish and meat are served if there is not any limitations requested by the clients. Mediterranean cuisine is one of the best in the world and Turkish cooking is mixture of this cuisine and traditional Ottoman recepies. Breakfast: Standard int. breakfast, egg( prepared according to individual request), milk, orange juice, cheese ( white, cheddar and soft),green and black olives,butter, jam, local honey, tomatoes, cucumber, bread(toasted) served with unlimited tea , regular coffee or instant coffee. Sausage or salami are also served on alternate days . Lunch: For lunch and for dinner you will have a main course, a side dish, a salad, locally grown vegetables and fresh fruit or dessert.Turkish Mediterranean dishes mainly cooked with olive oil and fresh season vegetables Such as; Green beans, stuffed green peppers, stuffed eggplant, fried or roasted or boiled vegetables, mixed with yogurt, tomato sauce as main dishes either cooked with meat, chicken meat ,minced meat or only without any meat, vegetarian way. Suitable side dish as rice, pasta, macaroni would be served along with. Also plenty of salads or yogurt, bread would be on the table during all lunches and dinners. Fruit plate would follow with all the season fruits available. (Watermelon, melon, peach, pear, apple, grape,banana....) Some of the most popular Turkish dishes are listed on the sample cruise menu below. Fresh vegetables and fruit served will vary according to the time of year. Late afternoon service would be surprise of the cook with freshly baked cake, cookies, boreks (pastry filled with cheese), salty or sweet biscuits along with tea or coffee. Just before dinner some snacks like mixed nuts or chips would be served for the ones to enjoy drinking before dinner time. Dinner: We serve fish (mostly barbecued) and sea food (calamar, octopus or shrimp salad) with mixed green season salad on the first evening. Other evenings the main dish would be chicken (oven roasted), mixed barbecue( lamb,chicken,beef,) steak usually roasted in tomato sauce or barbecued. Fish would be served again during the cruise. Fish and other seafood if not caught by the guests and the crew themselves -can be bought from local fishermen who come along side the boat. Rice, pasta or boreks (pastry)would be served along with barbecues also with salad and different Turkish appetizers prepared with yogurt, garlic, mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon mixtures. Fruit or light deserts would be served after dinners, cook will make the choice of what to prepare according to clients reactions for fruit or desert during the first days the cruise. We buy all the vegetables, fruits (mainly organic products) from the local market just a day before or same day of the charter starts. Also during the cruise cook will get more fresh food if needed, every two, three days fresh bread. If you require a vegetarian menu, it is also possible.

HERE ARE SOME SAMPLES FROM OUR CRUISE MENU; WITH TURKISH NAMES AND EXPLANATIONS;
Sigara boregi:Deep fried filo pastry filled with parsley and white cheese,

Cacik : Finely chopped cucumber in garlic, yogurt and mint

Mujver :Fried zuchini pancakes , with dill, parsley and onions

Etli biber dolma : Stuffed whole peppers with rice and minced meat

Imam Bayildi : Stuffed whole aubergines with onions, green pepper, mince meat, tomatoes and garlic.

Kizartma, yogurtlama: Fried aubergines, green peppers, potatoes and cucumber with garlic yogurt

Sebzeli tavuk: Chicken with seasonal vegetables

Bahcevan kebabi: Kebab with seasonal vegetables

Balik bugulama : Fish stew with potatoes, onions, pepper, bay leaves and tomatoes

Semiz Otu Yogurtlu : Watercress with yogurt seasoned with garlic

Orman Kebabi / Guvec : Stew of meat, potatoes, peas and carrots

Karisik kebap, mangal: Mixed barbeque with lamb, meat balls, chicken wings, beef.

Deniz börülcesi: Broiled local green vegetable served with oil-lemon mix, as side dish with fish main course.

Kalamar kizartma: Deep fried calamar seasoned with garlic , lemon souce

ADDITIONAL USEFUL BLUE CRUISE TIPS:

ITINERARY: Very occasionally, due to certain circumstances such as weather or passenger/boat safety, your itinerary may have to be changed. When this does occur, please remember that the captain’s decision is final.  

CABINS: All cabins are of similar design with comfortable beds, 2 portholes, ensuite shower room and hanging cupboard. We provide blankets, covered pillows, sheets for each person. Remember, soft bags are much easier to store than hard suitcases. There are different layouts of cabins available - double, twin bunk beds and triples.

FRESH WATER & HOT WATER:  The boat carries tanks of fresh water, which are replenished at regular intervals and wherever possible – however, to avoid a water shortage, please be economical. We keep the water in the galvanized tanks so it is drinkable, but we don't recommend this. Water is heated by the boat engine and by electiricty so it is very hot after the engine has been running, and remains hot 24 hours a day.

BATHROOMS & SHOWERS: Each cabin has an ensuite shower with hot and cold water (shower hose pulls out from washbasin), a proper toilet, mirror and portholes. The boat has large holding tanks for dirty water. There is also a fresh water shower on deck for use after swimming.  

WC, TOILETS:  Toilets on board are standart marine toilets. However please put all waste (toilet paper etc) into bins provided. (bins will be emptied daily by the crew).

POWER & ELECTRICITY:  Our boats have 24volt electricity from battery. 220volt from generator (when running) and through invertors when generator is not running. Please turn off the lights when you are not use in the cabins and everywhere - this will save the boat’s batteries and won’t attract mosquitoes.

MAST & SAILS: H.Dogan has 2 masts with 3 sails. To sail with the heavy wooden boats; gulets, we need enough time and gentle breezes to sail. (with strong winds, sailing can be dangerous).

ON DECK: Most of the deck area is teak wood. There is lots of space on the decks for sunbathing, chatting, eating, drinking, reading, playing backgammon, (front deck, aft deck, upper deck, flying bridge deck). We have sun beds, tables, chairs, and games available. If it gets too sunny we have sun tents and shaded areas, if it gets to windy  - watch your belongings!!
Please do not use sun oil on the decks, just lotion. Oil may cause slipperry surface specially on front deck.
TABLES: All the tables are made pine wood and finished with varnish. Dining is possible both outside and in.

MEALS  Are  served on the deck.  But you may also enjoy drinks around the two small tables at front deck, watching the sunset!!!
Mealtimes may vary according to your schedule  - but the cook will let you know when it’s time to eat, ring the campana! and you’ll probably smell it for yourself.

WHEEL HOUSE: You can see all the navigation instruments: Dials, compass, VHF radio, radar, gps, in the wheel house.

SWIMMING LADDERS: There is a ladder & a bathing platform for you to swim. Don’t forget you can jump from anywhere on the boats except the masts and upper deck.

INSIDE LADDERS: There are few ladders in our boats between the decks. There are varnished so be careful you don’t slip - especially if you wet. 
 
SPEED BOAT & DINGHY: Each boat is equipped with a tender (dinghy), which is used for transporting passengers, and for water sports. For safety reasons, only crew can drive the boat, but you can ride with them.

WATERSPORTS & SWIMMING: For safety’s sake, please tell someone before you go anywhere away from the boat: in this way, should you get into difficulties, it will be easier to assist you. If you want to swim a long way follow the coastline - don’t swim across open, busy sea.
PLAYING CARDS & BOARDS: There are playing cards, backgammon and chest sets for you to enjoy. It is fun to play group games in the cruise.

NOISE: As a boat is a comparatively small place, please be considerate towards your traveling companions with regards to noise in and out cabins.

NO SMOKING: Smoking is only permitted on deck areas - for your own safety, please DO NOT smoke in cabins and please take note of the fire safety instructions in your cabin. Remember  - our boats are made entirely of pine Wood - please be careful. 

DIVING & JUMPING: Don’t dive off the boat whilst the engine is running. The captain may have to move the boat and may not be able to see you. For your safety, wait until the engine has been switched off and the swimming ladder is in place.

SHOES:  Whilst on board, please don’t wear any outdoor footwear except for flipflops. You will need trainers of walking sandals for trips ashore.

PORTHOLES: Close the portholes in your cabin whilst the boat is underway, to prevent spray from wetting bedding.

FISHING: There is fishing equipment on board for your use. So don’t miss a chance to catch dinner. You can trawl behind the boat for tuna fish and blue marlin. But please be careful of the lines especially when people are swimming.

LIFE JACKETS: There are life jackets under the beds in your cabin. (enough for everyone plus extra, children life jackets also available).

TIPS: It is customary in the yacht world to tip the crew at the end of a cruise. If you are happy with the service you have received, please hand your tip to the captain and the money will be shared equally among the crew.

HAVE A HAPPY BLUE CRUISE