Book Your Next Sailing Vacation With 12 Knots

Sailing is one of the most peaceful and relaxing sporting activities you can do on vacation. It’s the perfect method to escape daily stress due to water’s saltiness which helps your body absorb oxygen and get more serotonin within your system. But besides this scientific explanation, sailing is fun and enjoyable. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s time to book your next trip with a reliable company.

12 Knots provides various global destinations where you can discover new cultures and be absorbed by the ocean’s beauty. You can go to the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and even some European locations, such as Greece, Italy or Spain. You’re also offered a vast selection of yachting boat rentals that can make your vacation more luxurious for you and your family or friends. Learn how to plan your perfect adventure.

What Sailing Yacht Fits Your Needs?

12 Knots have charter bases in plenty of countries and regions, which is why you can plan your trip almost anywhere around the world. But depending on a few factors, you need to choose your sailing boat properly.

For example, if you plan on taking your family for a relaxed sailing vacation, you may rent  a cruising yacht or a catamaran with a professional skipper who will operate the boat. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced sailor, you might want to book a bareboat and be your own captain. There are also yachts made for both racing and cruising.

To give more insight into which model is best for you, here’s a short brand division:

• By affordability and popularity: Moody, Hanse and Dehler;

• Rented with a professional crew with more expensive features: Amel, Oyster, Swan;

• Made for racing: Salona, Xp, Azuree;

• Combining racing with sailing: Hanse 505, XC 55, Grand Soleil 54;

What Documents Do You Need to Get a Yacht Charter?

Given that 12 Knots offers destinations worldwide, the answer might depend on the country you intend to sail in. Some regions, such as South-East Asia, don’t require any particular documents. Still, if you’re sailing in Europe, you must own a Day Skipper license, ICC (International Certificate of Competency) and VHF (Very High Frequency) certificate. 

However, having a boating license to ensure your safety while sailing is always a good idea. Even a boating resume is sometimes enough to allow you to sail your boat, so you might need to get certified before going on such an adventure.

If you’re interested in learning, 12 Knots can also help with sailing programs and basic, bareboat or advanced cruising courses. Becoming an active member of a sailing yacht allows you to get more experience and sail on your own safely.

What Is the Best Time to Book a Vacation?

The perfect sailing time depends, of course, on the specific zone you choose to spend your days at. That is usually when the weather is nice, so it’s best to avoid the cold months or seasons with a high chance of storms or hurricanes. For example, in Europe, you’d ideally book your trip any time from May till October. On the other hand, in the Caribbean  with plenty of sailing locations, you need to check them each. For example in windward islands like BVI (British Virgin Islands) it is better to charter a boat between November and June, while if you rent a boat in Leeward islands (like Martinique or Grenada) you may sail there all year round as they are not exposed to hurricanes.

Of course, you also need to check for the best prices, so you might want to avoid the peak sailing season, usually at the end of  December for the Caribbean or Southeast Asia and August for the Mediterranean. If you want to reduce your expenses, you may  also consider shared charters or cabin charters when you share a boat with other guests. 

Remember that the boat charter price usually includes the necessary equipment for coastal navigation. On the other hand, fuel, marinas and other services and products will be paid separately. But all boats have insurance: hull and third-party liability insurance.

How to Book Your Vacation With 12 Knots?

The online process of booking your trip is pretty straightforward. After you research the website and consider the location you want to sail in, the boat and other aspects, you:

• Send an online inquiry that the company will confirm;

• Confirm the final booking by email within four days of the application;

• Receive an invoice and a booking agreement;

• Will send the first installment and receive the payment confirmation and the charter’s terms and conditions;

Depending on the number of days left until the vacation date, you might need to complete full payment or 50% of it, but the first installment is necessary to complete in time; otherwise, the booking might be canceled.

You can pay through a Wire transfer or credit card, but all payments should be done in USD, so you may need to check the official exchange rates for USD conversion if you’re living outside the US.

Know that you can choose optional extras on your trips, such as a skipper, a cook, hostess services and even additional equipment if you’re up to adventurous activities. Of course, these will be charged on top of the basic charter price, so you must check the prices beforehand.

What to Know Before Your Next Sailing Vacation

Always be prepared for anything during the sailing trip and know what to pack to ensure maximum comfort, given that you might not access certain shops for a few days. Cabin fever is also frequent, especially for those who haven’t sailed yet, which is why you need to be careful when moving around the boat and try to contain yourself. You also should avoid sunstroke or sunburn due to the sun’s power on the sea. Overall, prioritize your health and well-being and know you should act differently on your sea trip than on another usual vacation.

What’s Your Next Destination?

Whether you want to sail on Europe’s most beautiful destination or have a short sail around US coasts, choosing 12 Knots for booking your trip is the best decision for having a safe adventure around the waves.