Those who, as children, managed to read Jules Verne's novel about Captain Grant and since then, now and again, imagine themselves as a kind of MacNabbs, lounging in a deck chair with a cigar in their teeth on the deck of a sumptuous yacht, have lived to see brighter days. (However, those born to the hiss of Pepsi may have even cooler associations.) A week-long holiday on a “luxury” class yacht designed for only eight passengers is one of the most interesting Turkish offers of this year, announced at the UITT-2003 tourist exhibition held in April.
The cruise project off the Shore of Light (the southern coast of the Aegean Sea) has already been tested on Russians, since the SNG office of the company that conceived it, Sadko Yachting, is in Moscow. But! In May, the firm, with whose charming president Haji Akdemir we managed to talk at the exhibition, intends to open its representative office in Kiev. “Unfortunately, for the most part, Ukrainians still do not know what yachting is,” Mr. Haji complained. “But this is ordinary European recreation! After talking with Kievites for a few days, I firmly decided to start my business in Ukraine. There are such wonderful grandmothers, taxi drivers, smart and beautiful girls...”
It is unlikely, of course, that serious reliance is placed on grandmothers and taxi drivers, since yachting is still an elite entertainment. Nevertheless, even now many can afford to spend $2-3 thousand for a seven-day trip in a floating five-star hotel in the company of a loved one.
The company's “fleet” today consists of three vessels; the Ukrainian market will be served by the 26-metre sail-and-motor “Olga”, launched in July 2001. A cosy family atmosphere will be ensured by the minimum number of fellow travellers: the vessel has four double cabins and one VIP suite. The cabins have two beds - a double and a single - a wardrobe, a toilet, and a shower. The VIP suite, with an area of 20 square metres, has a double bed plus two sofas, as well as a toilet, a safe, a refrigerator, a dressing table... All cabins and the saloon have air conditioning. Achievements of civilisation such as televisions, players, etc. are also available.
Only four people run the household and serve the distinguished guests - the captain, two sailors and a cook. Meals are three times a day, and the menu, naturally, is discussed in advance. Initially offered are, in particular, fish, shrimp, vegetables, fruit and so on. The “McNabbs” part of the programme - that is, relaxing on deck - is a sacred matter: there are mattresses, awnings, a “sultan-style” sofa, and a place for communal feasts, if any come about. For those who have watched too many episodes of “Titanic”, there are lifeboats for 25 people and 16 inflatable life jackets - that is, with a reserve, you can even pick up someone who has “swum past the buoys”. Moreover, the yacht generally follows the shore, and icebergs off the Aegean coast have not yet been encountered.
There are three route options, chosen according to the wishes of the trip participants: Bodrum - Gokova - Bodrum, Bodrum - Marmaris - Bodrum, and Bodrum - Fethiye - Bodrum. All stopping points and excursions are also agreed in advance. The trips naturally include sightseeing, visits to coastal restaurants, and so on. For example, the organisers suggest visiting the Island of Ships, the small town of Gijek, and the Dalyan River. During stops in bays, you can enjoy extreme activities - diving, windsurfing, trolling (catching exotic fish from a motor boat). On board the Olga itself there is a three-seat scooter and a canoe. The yacht is planned to set sail on Saturday evenings from 18:00, and return at 10:00 am the following Saturday.
The aforementioned $2-3 thousand include expenses for airfare, insurance, and obtaining a visa. These are the so-called individual expenses. The yacht rental is, as it were, carried out by the whole group, and the distribution of expenses is based on this total price. Thus, the total weekly rental of a vessel like the Olga in April-May costs approximately $1,900, in June-September $2,280, in September-November $2,150. It is easy to calculate that the per travelling “person-unit” will be somewhere from $300 to $400. However, perhaps to start with the Turks will take a little less; in any case, Haji Akdemir assured that the price would be from 200 to 300 US unconditional units. In addition to the rental fee, you will have to chip in for fuel, fresh water, and harbour berths - but that is only $10 each. These expenses are mandatory. Non-mandatory, that is, those you may ignore, include payment for breakfasts (you can, after all, hold out until lunch) and water fun like windsurfing.
On some technical aspects of the process. After the receiving party confirms acceptance of your order, a similar gesture must follow from you, namely, you make a prepayment for the rental in the amount of 30% of the total sum together with the mandatory general expenses. Moreover, if the order is placed less than eight weeks before departure, full payment must be made.
As for guarantees of the integrity and professionalism of the organising company, one can be guided by the following points. First, as Haji Akdemir told “Zagranitsa”, they have been working in this market sector for about six years (Sadko's offices are in Bodrum, Istanbul, and Moscow). The president himself has been in tourism management for 18 years, starting with working as a guide on yachts after graduating from an American university. Second, it is a family business (eight brothers and a sister are involved), and no one is going to risk its future. Third, Mr. Haji is not just acquainted with the mentality of Eastern Slavs, since he is married to a Muscovite, Irina. Fourth, his business plans regarding Ukraine are long-term and are not limited to yachting: upcoming projects include opening a restaurant and a textile business.