The phrase “all-inclusive” gets used loosely in the travel industry, but on a crewed catamaran charter it means something specific and genuinely valuable. When it is done properly, everything you need for a week on the water is covered in one upfront price – the yacht, the crew, the food, the drinks, the fuel, and the extras. No surprise bills at the end, no provisioning runs on arrival day, and no mental arithmetic over dinner about what the marina fees are going to add up to. In this guide, we break down exactly what an all-inclusive catamaran charter covers, what it typically does not, and why this style of sailing holiday is the clearest and most stress-free way to experience the Mediterranean by sea.
The Yacht and the Crew
The foundation of any all-inclusive catamaran charter is the yacht itself, along with a professional crew included as standard. On a well-run charter, this means at minimum a qualified skipper who handles all navigation, passage planning, and boat management, plus a chef or host who takes care of onboard meals, drinks, and the general comfort of guests. In addition, the crew brings local knowledge that no guidebook can replicate – the quiet anchorages, the best tavernas, the timing that avoids the afternoon wind. This combination of safety, seamanship, and hospitality is what sets a crewed charter apart from any other type of sailing holiday.
On the CAYAsail Lagoon 450F catamaran, the crew consists of a professional skipper and an onboard chef. Both are included in the charter price with no extras. The skipper manages the boat from departure to return, while the chef handles all onboard cooking, provisioning, and catering throughout the week. Guests arrive, step on board, and the holiday takes care of itself from that point on.
Food and Drinks
On a true all-inclusive charter, meals and drinks are covered as part of the package. Usually, this means breakfast and lunch every day, prepared fresh on board by the chef. Breakfast might be eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt, and good coffee served in the cockpit as the boat moves between anchorages. Lunch is typically prepared while at anchor – salads, fresh bread, grilled fish, local cheeses, and seasonal produce sourced from the islands along the route.
Furthermore, soft drinks, beer, wine, and water are stocked on board and included throughout the week. This matters more than it might seem. On a bareboat or a plus-expenses charter, drinks add up quickly over seven days in the sun. On an all-inclusive catamaran charter, the bar is open and the bill is already paid.
CAYAsail includes breakfast and lunch daily, plus one onboard dinner during the week. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are all included. Dinners ashore are not included – and deliberately so. Eating out in the Ionian’s waterfront tavernas is one of the great pleasures of the week, and building in those evenings ashore gives guests the best of both worlds: excellent onboard catering and the chance to experience local restaurants along the route. The South Ionian itinerary passes through some of the best waterfront dining in Greece, including Fiskardo and Syvota.
Fuel and Marina Fees
Two costs that catch bareboat charterers off guard are fuel and marina fees. Over a week of island hopping, fuel consumption adds up significantly – particularly on a larger catamaran with engines running in and out of anchorages each day. Marina and pontoon fees vary across the Ionian but can easily reach €50-100 per night at busier stops. On a plus-expenses charter, both of these come directly out of the guests’ pockets via an advance provisioning allowance.
On an all-inclusive catamaran charter, fuel and marina fees are already covered. Guests do not think about either during the week because there is nothing to think about. CAYAsail includes both fuel and marina fees in the charter price, along with all other standard running costs. The pricing page sets out exactly what is included, with no ambiguity.
Water Toys and Onboard Extras
Most quality all-inclusive catamaran charters also include a selection of water toys and onboard equipment as standard. These typically cover stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and a dinghy tender for getting ashore from anchor. In comparison to a land-based resort holiday, having these available directly from the boat transforms how you interact with the water – you can paddleboard off the stern, snorkel the anchor bay, or dinghy into a village for a morning coffee without organizing anything in advance.
CAYAsail includes two SUPs and full snorkeling equipment for all guests, along with WiFi on board and a movie night setup for evenings at anchor. Linen and towels are also provided. Also included is the tender for going ashore – an essential piece of kit for any week that involves anchoring in bays away from marinas, which is most of the best stops on the Ionian route.
What Is Not Included
Even on a well-structured all-inclusive catamaran charter, a few things typically fall outside the package. Knowing these in advance avoids any surprises at the end of the week. The most common exclusions are flights and transfers to the departure marina, travel insurance, dinners ashore at restaurants, and crew gratuities.
Crew gratuities are worth addressing directly. On a crewed charter, tipping the skipper and chef at the end of the week is standard practice and widely expected. A typical guideline is 10-15% of the total charter cost, split between the crew members. It is always discretionary, but a good crew works hard throughout the week and a generous tip reflects that. CAYAsail’s FAQs page covers gratuities and all other common questions in full, including what to pack, how sailing experience affects the booking, and what happens in bad weather.
Private Charter vs Cabin Charter
All-inclusive catamaran charters come in two main formats, and understanding the difference helps you choose the right option for your group. A private charter means you take the whole yacht exclusively for your group – up to 8 guests on the CAYAsail Lagoon 450F, from €9,905 for the week. Everything described above is included, and the itinerary is shaped around your group’s preferences within the framework of the South Ionian route.
A cabin charter puts you on the same fully crewed, all-inclusive yacht but books by the cabin rather than the whole boat. This works well for couples or solo travelers who want the crewed experience without the cost of a private charter. It is also a good way to meet other sailors and share a week on the water with like-minded people. CAYAsail’s cabin charter option is available through cayasail.com, with prices from €1,925 per cabin – the same skipper, the same chef, the same all-inclusive South Ionian week.
Is an All-Inclusive Catamaran Charter Worth It?
The honest answer is that when you add up what a comparable week of independent travel actually costs – flights aside – the gap between an all-inclusive charter and a DIY sailing holiday is smaller than most people expect. Factor in provisioning, marina fees, fuel, drinks, and the value of having a professional skipper and chef on board, and the all-inclusive price starts to look straightforward rather than expensive.
Ultimately, the real value is not just financial. It is the absence of friction. No supermarket run on arrival day, no splitting bills at the end of each dinner, no navigating an unfamiliar marina in the dark. A week that runs smoothly from the moment you step on board to the moment you step off is worth a great deal – and that is exactly what a well-run all-inclusive catamaran charter delivers. To find out more or to start planning your own week in the Ionian, get in touch with the CAYAsail team.