Cyclades Odyssey

For travellers who want to spend more time under sail and be fully involved in life on board. Take an active role in the crew, help hoist the sails, steer the yacht and experience the adventure of sailing firsthand. The focus is on unforgettable days at sea, shared challenges and life as a real crew.

How challenging is the tour?

• During our week, we will cover approximately 200 nautical miles.
• During the day, we are usually active for about 4 - 8 hours (including swimming stops).
• On some days, depending on the planned route, we may be out for longer.
• Being able to swim freely for at least 20 minutes is a must.
• You do not necessarily need sailing experience to participate in this tour. However, we recommend it, as there will be more sailing involved compared to other sailing tours, and the area typically offers more wind.

This tour is suitable for you if you meet the following criteria:

• You have a strong interest in sailing and are eager to take on sailing challenges.
• You are motivated to contribute to the daily sailing activities with the crew. This includes sailing itself, meal preparation, as well as cleaning up and washing dishes after meals.

Awesome Crew:

• We sail in a flotilla of 3 - 6 yachts, each with 8 - 10 participants.
• Sailors from all over the world (on-board language is English).
• Approximately 80% of participants are young professionals aged between 27 - 33.
• Specially trained JTC skippers from our Skipper Academy.

Harmonious Distribution:

• 50/50 gender mix (with full occupancy up to 2 weeks before the start of the trip).
• The ratio of singles, couples, and small groups is balanced.
• For a group of more than 4 people, you should book a private yacht & skipper.
• We'll carefully match you with the crew that best suits you. If you have any preferences, please let us know in the booking form.

Crew Chat:

• Right after booking, you'll receive access to our crew chat.
• Say "Hey Crew 😍🤙" and exchange information about the journey!

Tour operation:

• All dates will be confirmed starting from the second booking.

Depending on the date, you can book one of the yacht standards listed below. All standards have everything you need to sail safely with your crew and experience the vacation of a lifetime. The standard equipment of all boats includes, for example, a fully equipped kitchen, bathing platform, audio system, and a dinghy with outboard motor. The yachts and catamarans of the Classic Plus class are generally newer, offer more space per person, and may have additional extras for more comfort on board.

Easy payment:

• Deposit: 30% of the tour price upon booking.
• Final payment: 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• Payment methods: Bank transfer, Credit card, ApplePay, AndroidPay, Klarna.

Reserve 5 days at no cost:

• Simply choose 'reservation' in the booking form.
• Reservations are possible until 6 weeks before the start of the tour.
• If you don't book, the reservation will automatically expire after 5 days.

Cooking or Dining Out:

• We usually prepare our meals on board ourselves.
• On some days, we have the opportunity to eat out ashore in the evenings.
• When cooking, we can form teams of two, so that each person takes turns cooking / washing up. However, everyone usually helps out anyway.

Preparation in advance:

• In the crew chat, we can discuss meal and beverage planning before the tour begins.
• If you have any intolerances or allergies, please inform us in advance in the crew chat so that they can be taken into account during shopping.

Shopping:

• On the first day of the tour, we plan our shopping together using the JTC shopping list. You can find this in your crew area under "my tours".
• As a crew, we all buy groceries together for our week.
• Each person should bring two large cloth bags so that we don't have to use plastic bags on site.
• If the supermarket is not within walking distance, we can have the groceries delivered to the harbor by taxi.
• During the tour, we have the opportunity to buy small items on land.

Arrival:

• Airport: Athens Eleftherios Venizelos.
  Our Marina: Marina Lavrion.
• Your route in Google Maps from the airport to the marina.

Check-In:

• Your crew will meet at 11:00 AM at the café announced in the crew chat.
• If you are going to arrive late, inform your skipper.
• We depart from the starting port on Sunday morning.

Check-Out:

• At the end of the trip, we reach our destination port as planned on Friday around 5:00 PM.
• We spend the last night in the harbor and leave the boat on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

How do I book my Flight?

• Ideally, you should book your flight so that you arrive on time for the first meeting in the café (or the day before, so you're more rested and can meet some of your fellow sailors).
• Your departure should ideally be no earlier than Saturday around 12:00 PM so you can have breakfast in peace with your crew after the week. If this is not possible, you can book the return flight for 7:00 PM on the last day.

What to pack?

• Most crew members travel with carry-on luggage.
• A suitcase takes up a lot of space in the cabin, so a bag or backpack is recommended.
• For sustainability, it's important to bring biodegradable hygiene products (shampoo, sunscreen, etc.).
• For nights under the starry sky, bring a sleeping bag.
• Towel, pillow, pillowcase, wool blanket, and a bed sheet for the mattress are provided on most trips.
• The crew fund does not need to be brought in cash. Most expenses can be paid on site by card or withdrawn in cash.

Climate

• Warmest month: July & August
• Average temperature: 31°C during the day, 23°C at night
• Average # rainy days: 1
• Coldest month: January & February
• Average temperature: 13°C during the day, 10°C at night
• Average # rainy days: 6

Mobile phone reception & power supply

Mobile phone reception:

• Mainly good network coverage on most days of our route.
• Depending on the bay, weather, and daily route, there may be no reception at times.
• Check with your provider for roaming charges.

Power supply:

• Smartphones and other small devices can be charged on board via the 12V socket.
• In most ports, other devices such as cameras, laptops, etc., can be charged via shore power (220V) during the mooring period.
• A power bank is recommended.

Currency, prices & tips
Currency:

• Euro is the currency.
• Cashless payment with credit card is possible.

Prices:

• Restaurant visit: Approximately 15 to 30 euros per person.
• Examples: Cheap meal: €6, Local beer: €2, Cappuccino: €1.50.
• Food prices may vary depending on the store, location, and offerings.

Tips:

• Average tip: about 10%.

Culture

• The Cyclades are known for their characteristic white buildings with blue domes, which characterize the islands of Santorini and Mykonos.

• The islands have a rich tradition in weaving, pottery, and church building. Local festivals, known as "Panigyria," are frequent on the islands and offer dance, food, and music until the early hours of the morning.

Safety in the Country

• The Cyclades are considered a safe region for solo travelers.
• Keep important documents and cash safe.
• A printed or digital copy of your documents is recommended.
• Be aware of pickpockets.

Entry Requirements & Vaccination Protection

For Schengen area citizens:

• A valid ID card or passport.

For other nationalities:

• Please check the current entry requirements on the website of your Federal Foreign Office before booking.

Vaccination protection:

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry.
• Your standard vaccinations, according to the vaccination calendar of the Robert Koch Institute, should be up to date.
• For further questions, consult your general practitioner (or tropical medicine specialist).