What Is Naleia Yachting?
We like to feel the joy of living. We love to encounter new experiences and new horizons everyday. We believe that happiness is most true when shared.
If you miss these feelings, we have got the travel for you. We put you on a yacht with like-minded people. We all set out for the adventure of discovering coastlines along the Mediterranean sea and beyond. Skippers teach you sailing along the way and let nature (weather) frame the schedule for our experience.
We detach from reality. We snorkel in azure waters, see places of incomparable beauty and socialize with other Naleians. We sail from town to town visiting postcard-like bays along the way. Each night we spend in a different place. Two or three nights we drop anchor and stay in a secluded bay or on a remote island, somewhere in the middle of a paradise…
We are not making unforgettable trips. We live them together.
The Naleia Community
In most cases, Naleians do not know each other before a trip. It’s similar to Couchsurfing experiences: You arrive, say hello and immediately feel connected. The bond strengthens during the week by preparing meals and eating together, exploring cities, bays and pubs, and – of course – by sailing and operating the yacht together.
Openness, kindness and care for others are essential parts of this trip. People joining Naleia Yachting are not looking for mass events where anonymity and size of the event prevent from really getting to know fellow travelers. Naleians seek entertainment, yes, but also freedom to enjoy the location they are in and a schedule allowing spontaneous ideas to come to life.
Naleians are open for anyone who is open 🙂
Developed in cooperation with a musician, a psychologist, a philosopher, a sociologist, a system engineer, a cultural scientist and a skipper. It’s a field proven algorithm of creating best-fit crews out of all Naleia Yachting participants. Input: your data from the booking form.
Do We Match ?
Fill our survey and check if your expectations match the reality.
We do not want you to come on board hoping for something we cannot deliver!
Pro Skippers
In order for the cruise to be safe, there is a professional skipper assigned to each yacht. It is his/her job to take care of the yacht and ensure that the crew arrives safely at the destination. S/He is also the one teaching you the sailing skills if you wish to!
As the skipper is part of the crew, you need to take care of him/her, feed and treat well. A happy skipper is a safe skipper! Each skipper takes some of the role of a team leader, psychologist, storyteller, organizer, translator, guide so s/he may need some rest from time to time!
Also you are encouraged to bring yourself along the trip and form it with the skipper. If you have a particular place on the coastline you would like to visit, if you have an idea for a themed evening, if you know a party game that you would like to share with others, by all means, do tell that to your skipper. We are all in this boat together!
Learn To Sail Training
A basic sailor training is included. If you wish (opt-out possible), you will be a competent crew member after the trip! We cannot yet give a certificate, but our course follows the internationally renowned sailing organization methodology, and is a first step towards being an independent skipper. We think that participating in this fun and easy training gives your skills to boost your confidence on the boat, positively impacts your mood, brings everyone the topics to discuss after a day of sailing and truly connects you to the nature.
Daily Plan
- 0800-1000 Waking up, breakfast at the yacht, choosing our destination, briefing
- 1000-1300 We leave port and set the sails
- 1300-1500 We drop anchor at a postcard-like bay, for lunch break – time for food, a cold beer, swimming in azure waters, snorkelling, relaxing…
- 1500-1700 Second part of sailing for the day. Arriving in port
- 1700-2000 Dinner on the yacht or a restaurant/tavern
- 2000-2300 Socializing on yachts or somewhere in town/nature. Time for going out and/or nightly exploration of the surroundings
- ??00-??00 Time for bed! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The above-mentioned plan may be changed by events presented in the Weekly Plan.
Weekly Plan
Depending on the weather and your preferences, a different amount of the below mentioned options will be included in our weekly schedule. As they add diversity to our trip, we try to include as many as possible. These however do not mean that every evening is `organized`. We like to leave space for spontaneity!
Restaurant together
Sunrise Sailing Session
Welcome/Farewell Drink
Reggata
Bar/Club Together
Sunset Sailing Session
Yacht Raft Party
Lazy Afternoon
Your Suggestions
“NALEIA” Meaning
It is a symbol for the times in which you manage to embrace joy and happiness.
It is passionate adventure, new experiences and having an endlessly changing horizon.
Saying what you want without hesitating or making excuses.
Goosebumps while listening to the most favorite song.
A stroll through the city when everybody is asleep.
An honest smile from a stranger.
Or laughing from the bottom of your heart.
Origins of the Word
Naleia is the short form of a female name in the Hawaiian language.
Name: Naleialoha /nʌ`leɪə,ləʊhə/:
- Meaning: The leis of love.
- Soul Urge: People with the name Naleialoha have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition.
- Expression: People with the name Naleialoha value community and balance, and are dependable and considerate. They often tend to gravitate to occupations where they can act as peacemakers or negotiators, or fulfill these roles among their friends and family. They tend to be unconventional, responsible, family-oriented, warm and affectionate. They sometimes worry obsessively about those they care for. They work for harmony and balance in their lives, and respond positively to beautiful things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the questions that occurred more than once are listed below. If you will not find answer to YOUR question there, and neither on the sub pages of this website – please feel free to contact me!
CHARACTER OF THE TRIP
IS IT MORE LIKE A PARTY CRUISE OR MORE LIKE A RELAXING SPORTIVE CRUISE?
IS THERE ANY INTINERARY OF EACH ROUTE?
HOW OLD DO I NEED TO BE TO JOIN THE TRIP?
Minimum age is 28. Most of the people joining are in their 30s or 40s. Sometimes there is also someone 50+. Age does not really matter for us. What matters is to be open to meet other people, spend good times together, be able to adapt and be your best self during the trip.
ARE THERE ANY GENDER LIMITATIONS?
Yes, to make the group coherent the limitation is that no more than 60% of participants of one gender (in the binary thinking) are allowed to register.Â
ARE PEOPLE JOINING MOSTLY IN GROUPS OR ALONE?
In the last years around 25% of people were joining in two, around 25% were groups of various sizes and the remaining 50% joined alone.
WE ARE YOUNG COUPLE WITH A CHILD. CAN WE TAKE OUR CHILD WITH US?
I do not think other people would be so keen on it. The trip is rather for the people in their 30s and 40s without children. So I could not guarantee the silence at the time your child should go to sleep. You are though most welcome to leave your child with grandparents and come along just in two 🙂
CAN I TAKE MY DOG ON THE YACHT?
ORGANIZATIONAL
WILL YOU STILL SEND SOME SPECIAL INFORMATION IN AN E-MAIL TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS WITH SOME ORGANIZATIONAL THINGS?
Yes. In each of the email confirming your booking or payment there will be a link to packing list. Additionally up to a week before your cruise you will receive an email with contacts to the whole group and your skipper. This should allow you to organize your travel to the marina together and maybe already visit some places with other Naleians.
DO WE HAVE FOOD ON BOARD OR DO I HAVE TO BRING SOME WITH ME FOR THE WHOLE WEEK?
You have to make your shopping by yourself (as a crew). Come to marina, find us and your yacht and meet with your crew. Only then, you should buy the food in a large supermarket.
WILL THE CREW LISTS BE PUBLISHED BEFORE? WHEN?
As soon as they are full – not later than a week before the cruise. You will receive an email.
CAN I RESERVE THE OPTION OF SAILING AND DECIDE IF I REALLY GO IN A MONTH?
No.
COULD YOU PERHAPS LET ME KNOW WHEN IT'S FULLY BOOKED? (OR MAYBE WHEN THERE ARE JUST A FEW SPOTS LEFT?).
All the updates regarding the amount of spaces left will be firstly communicated to the subscribers of the Newsletter, then on Facebook and on Twitter.
WHAT TO TAKE
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?
The most crucial are: flip-flops, comfy summer clothes, swimming and snorkelling stuff and a wallet. (The full suggested packing list you will receive with organizational email – until one month before the cruise).
SHOULD I TAKE ANY SPECIAL SHOES / EQUIPMENT FOR MOVING AROUND ON THE YACHT?
If you do not like to walk bare-footed on the yacht take trainer shoes with bright sole. The fingerless hand gloves might be useful (for working with lines) and a wind/waterproof light jacket as well.
CAN I TAKE MY HARD CASE LUGGAGE ON-BOARD?
ARE LINEN AND TOWELS INCLUSIVE?
Linen is included. Bring your own towel(s).
Booking and Payment
I AM TRAVELLING ALONE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE PLACED IN A CABIN WITH A NALEIAN OF THE SAME SEX. IS THAT POSSIBLE?
This is the assumption for every single traveller. I will make sure that you will be in a cabin with a person of the same sex. Selectan algorithm helps to match the mindsets.
WE ARE TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP. HOW SHOULD WE BOOK?
WE ARE TRAVELLING WITH A GROUP. CAN WE HAVE A DISCOUNT?
ALL THE PLACES FOR THE TRIP I WANT TO BOOK ARE TAKEN. IS THERE ANY SORT OF `LET ME KNOW IN CASE OF FREE SPACE` LIST?
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
First of all, cancellations are a natural situation. However, I choose not to calculate them in this business case, as this increases the base price for each and every person.
Therefore, if you cancel:
- more than 4 months in advance, 90% of your booking fee is returned.
- between 4 and 2 months in advance, 60% of your booking fee is returned.
- between 2 and 1 month in advance, 30% of your booking fee is returned.
- less than 1 month in advance, 0% of your booking fee is returned.
At any time it is possible to provide a substitute for your booking. You contact your friends and family and I contact the reserve list (if the trip is booked out). In such a case the change of booking (for the substitute name) is made free of charge.
The only manipulation fee is the cost of bank transfer or credit card charge back.
AM I INSURED WHILE TRAVELLING WITH NALEIA?
YACHTS
CAN I TAKE A SHOWER ON THE YACHT?
WHAT KIND OF ELECTRICITY DO WE HAVE ON BOARD, IN TERMS OF TAKING THE RIGHT ADAPTERS WITH ME?
WHAT IS THE SMOKING POLICY ON THE YACHT?
Living on a Yacht
If you never have been on a yacht, you might wonder how it is to live on one… Here is the list of things you should know before you book the trip:
- The main language of communication is English, you should be comfortable using it. (You do not need to have great English skills, but you should not feel uncomfortable speaking to people.)
- Everyone helps with either cooking, cleaning, doing dishes, shopping… Try to do your part. Think of a yacht as your home.
- The trip is primarily about sailing – and socializing with other Naleians – not about spending the whole day on shore. You can expect to spend a minimum of 5-7 hours on the yacht each day (including break for lunch, swimming and snorkelling).
- Doing things together, (like setting up sails, preparing scrambled eggs for 9 people, having lunch together, stealing knives from the other yacht…) creates a bond – be prepared to miss some people after the trip!
- We are equal – there is no better/worse person, no Mr, Mrs, etc…
- Going out of your comfort zone makes you grow as a human being – you might learn something about yourself (or at least admit officially to some things you already knew subconsciously).
- There’s “no” private property on a yacht (except your cabin). So, don’t be surprised if socialism is applied in terms of food sharing :).
- Life in a small space and with lots of people is not always easy. It helps a lot to be patient, flexible and helpful (breathe and smile! :))
- You are mostly outside – sailing, setting up the sails, steering the yacht, admiring the views, enjoying the weather, swimming, chilling out on deck, reading, chatting with people.
- Bathrooms are quite tight – but taking a warm shower on the yacht is possible – even in two 😉
- There is a third fresh water shower on deck of the yacht (to get rid of the salt that stays on your body after a swim).
- In marinas: there are spacious (and usually fancy) showers and toilets, power cables to charge our batteries and water hoses to refill the water tanks (all included in the marina fees!).
- Our yachts are equipped with water tanks that fit ca. 500 liters of fresh water, that sounds (and is) a lot, but still it is good to save water.
- Sailing is a sport for everyone who moves more than just from couch to fridge… You need to pull some ropes, rotate large steering wheels, and winch some winches… no big muscles needed but a bit of agility.
- Don’t expect luxury and prepare for limited space → pack lightly!
(TIP: take only half of what you have prepared to pack! We never had anyone who packed too few clothes but about 70% of participants who complained they packed too much) - Yachts have got their electricity from batteries. There is only 12V, which is why you cannot charge computers, mobiles, cameras. This, however, can be done on the yachts when we are plugged into marina’s grid. Anyway: be in the moment! Not on the internet!
- There is a stereo player on the yacht – remember to bring your favorite tracks to play some nice tunes along the way! There is nothing better than breakfast with good music and wonderful views!
Yacht Life Rules
By joining the Naleia Yachting trip, you agree to stick to the rules below. The suggestions are to make your life easier.
Rules:
- I understand that the day schedule depends on the (to a certain extent) unpredictable weather – and for my safety and comfort – plans may change.
- People have different eating habits – I make sure to tell others if I am allergic to any kind of food, before they go shopping/do the cooking.
- I will be on time (or even earlier). Others might not enjoy waiting.
- I am able to swim 50m without stopping.
- I cover any damages caused by me (damages to the yacht over 1500 euro are covered by yacht’s insurance). Damages caused by ‘higher force’ are of course excluded from your responsibility.
- I accept others to be different (I accept differences as much as similarities).
- The toilets in the yacht’s bathrooms are common asset, therefore, to keep them hygienic, all men pee sitting. No discussion.
- I understand that the skipper is in charge of the sailing, and that he’s not an animator, I listen to the skipper in terms of sailing and yacht related stuff. He is responsible for bringing me safely to my destination and I know he does so according to “his best knowledge”.
- There are things to do on the yacht. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc… I do my part. If not, I am ok with a punishment the crew invents for me.
Suggestions:
- Make the biggest shopping on the mainland – the prices on islands are higher.
- Be like a small family on the yacht – accept others as they are, trust but also tell off when needed.
- Be patient and respectful.
- If you have a problem with something: talk about it openly and try to solve it. Attitude: Dealing with the problem, not with the person.
- Nobody forces you to party: if you don’t feel like, you don’t have to join.
- Collect memories, experiences and notes. Write some of them down and store them for later.
- Enjoy the moment and do not rush but focus on what you are doing right now.
- Respect others and expect to be respected – if you cannot sleep because of the neighbors from the other yacht, playing guitar at 3 o clock in the night – go out and tell them about this (in a normal tone of voice). They are not evil people! 🙂
- If you are not up for learning how to sail, just tell your skipper and he will involve you less. The same applies if you are extremely eager to learn, the skipper will be happy to share his knowledge.
- Do not have a full mind, but be mindful – enjoy the views, people`s company, nature. Don’t worry! There’ll be time to worry about your ToDo’s, problems and office tasks later… 🙂
- Keep the common area (saloon and deck) clean.
- Drink plenty of water! Sun, wind and salty water dehydrate you fast.
- Use sunscreen!
- Encourage others to disconnect from reality, and forget their worries. They should be here and now, not somewhere on Facebook 🙂
- Bring along instruments and make use of them!