When you compare quotations for a 7-night private gulet cruise from Bodrum, it can be surprisingly difficult to work out what you are actually paying for. One price looks lower but excludes food; another seems higher but includes almost everything. Understanding exactly what is included – and what is not – is the key to choosing the right yacht and budgeting for your holiday without unpleasant surprises at the end of the week. In this guide we explain, clearly and honestly, how a typical weekly gulet charter is structured, based on the contracts and inclusions of the yachts in our own Bodrum fleet.
In general, a private gulet charter in Turkey is quoted on a weekly basis for the entire yacht, not per person. That price always covers the use of the boat and its professional crew, and on most gulets it also covers fuel for a normal cruising itinerary. Food and drinks are then added either as a fixed full-board package or on a pay-as-you-go basis. Once you understand this basic structure, comparing yachts becomes much easier, and your personal advisor will always set out every item in writing before you book.
Private gulets for a 7-night Bodrum cruise
Always Included in the Charter Price
- Exclusive private use of the yacht for seven nights, normally from Saturday afternoon to the following Saturday morning – no other guests on board.
- A professional, licensed crew – usually a captain, chef and one to three deckhands or stewardesses, depending on the size of the yacht.
- Fuel for a normal itinerary of around four to five hours of cruising per day on most gulets.
- Bed linen, bath and beach towels, changed regularly through the week.
- Daily cleaning of the cabins and common areas.
- Water toys and equipment such as a tender with outboard engine, snorkelling gear, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and fishing equipment (exact toys vary by yacht).
- Air-conditioning, usually at set hours or throughout the night, depending on the yacht.
- Insurance of the yacht and crew, and the yacht’s regular port fees in Bodrum.
The crew deserves a special mention, because they make or break a gulet holiday. Your captain is responsible for safety, navigation and choosing the best anchorages according to the weather; the chef plans and cooks every meal; and the deckhands look after the yacht, the tender, the water toys and your comfort throughout the day. On larger gulets you may also have a dedicated stewardess or hostess who serves meals, prepares cabins and organises drinks. In our experience, a warm, attentive crew is the single biggest reason guests return year after year.
Full-Board Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The most popular food option with British guests is a full-board package, which typically costs around €60–€90 per person per day, depending on the yacht and the level of menu. It includes a generous breakfast, a light lunch, afternoon tea or snacks and a three-course dinner every day, plus water, tea and coffee. The chef shops for fresh produce at local markets along the way and prepares a mix of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes: fresh fish, grilled meats, slow-cooked stews, mezze, salads and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and children’s menus are easily arranged when you tell us in advance. On luxury yachts, gourmet menus with premium ingredients are also available. Our sample weekly gulet menu gives you a taste of what to expect.
Alternatively, some groups prefer a half-board package or a provisioning arrangement where they pay the actual cost of the food purchased, which can suit guests who plan to eat ashore several evenings. Whatever you choose, there is no obligation to eat every meal on board – the captain will happily anchor near a village so you can try a local fish restaurant.
What Costs Extra?
- Drinks – alcoholic and soft drinks are usually charged at the price on board, or you can pre-order your favourites.
- Marina and harbour fees outside Bodrum, if you choose to overnight in a marina.
- Entrance fees to sites such as Cleopatra Island or ancient Knidos.
- Greek island transit fees if your route crosses into Greece.
- Airport transfers, which we can arrange privately from Bodrum or Dalaman.
- Crew gratuity – customarily around 10% of the charter fee, given at the end of the week if you are happy with the service.
- Extra cruising hours beyond a normal itinerary, and premium water toys such as a jet ski on some yachts.
On motor yachts the structure is different: fuel is not included, and an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), usually around 30% of the charter fee, is paid in advance to cover fuel, food, drinks and harbour fees, with any unused balance refunded at the end. This is why a traditional gulet, where cruising fuel is included, is often the most predictable and cost-effective way to spend a week at sea. For a full breakdown of prices by yacht type and season, see our 2027 gulet charter price guide.
On board: decks, cabins and dining
A Typical Weekly Budget
As an example, a group of ten guests chartering a mid-range 5-cabin gulet in June might pay around €25,000 for the yacht and crew, around €5,000 for a full-board food package, perhaps €2,000–€3,000 for drinks, and a crew gratuity of around €2,500 – roughly €3,500 per person for a full week including accommodation, all meals, crew service and transport between some of the most beautiful bays in the Aegean. Your advisor will prepare a similar personalised budget for your group, so you know exactly where you stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is food included in a gulet charter?
Not usually in the base price; it is added as a full-board or half-board package, or charged on a provisioning basis.
Is fuel included?
Yes, on most gulets fuel for a normal cruising itinerary is included. Motor yachts charge fuel through the APA.
How much should we tip the crew?
Around 10% of the charter price is customary, depending on your satisfaction.
Are water toys included?
Basic toys such as paddleboards, kayaks and snorkelling gear usually are; premium toys like jet skis may cost extra.
Planning your own week at sea? Discover our gulet and yacht charter in Turkey – private gulets, motor yachts and superyachts from Bodrum, Göcek, Marmaris and Fethiye, arranged by our team since 2001.