A private yacht charter in Greece offers a unique way to explore the country’s islands, secluded beaches, turquoise waters and historic coastal towns. For travellers looking for a more relaxed and personalised experience, a fully crewed luxury charter can take the experience further by combining a private yacht with professional service throughout the journey.
SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services specialises in private yacht charters throughout Greece, offering sailing yachts, catamarans, power catamarans, motor yachts, motor sailers, luxury catamarans and luxury motor yachts from multiple bases in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Charter options include bareboat, skippered and fully crewed yachts.
Among these options, luxury crewed catamarans are particularly well suited to travellers who want to enjoy a Greek sailing holiday without having to manage the yacht, navigation, provisioning or daily sailing arrangements themselves.
What You’ll Learn
This guide explains:
- What a fully crewed yacht charter in Greece includes
- Why luxury crewed catamarans are increasingly attractive for private holidays
- The difference between bareboat, skippered and fully crewed charters
- What to expect from a professional yacht crew
- Why a luxury catamaran can be ideal for families and groups
- Where you can charter a yacht in Greece
- The main sailing regions and destinations
- How luxury motor yacht charters compare with crewed catamarans
- What additional services can make a yacht holiday easier
- How to plan a private yacht charter in Greece
What Is a Fully Crewed Yacht Charter?
A fully crewed yacht charter is a private yacht holiday where a professional crew remains onboard throughout the charter and takes responsibility for operating the yacht and supporting guests during the trip.
Depending on the yacht’s size and configuration, a crew can include a captain, chef or cook, hostess, deck crew and other specialists.
On a luxury crewed catamaran, the captain is responsible for navigation and safe operation, while the chef or cook can prepare meals onboard. Additional crew members may assist with hospitality, housekeeping, service and day-to-day guest requirements.
This means guests can concentrate on enjoying the destination rather than managing sailing, navigation and the practical details of operating a yacht.
Why Choose a Luxury Crewed Catamaran in Greece?
A luxury catamaran charter in Greece combines private accommodation, outdoor living space and access to coastal destinations that can be difficult to experience from a conventional hotel.
Luxury crewed catamarans are particularly attractive for groups who want:
- A private yacht exclusively for their group
- Professional captain and crew
- A chef or cook onboard
- Spacious cabins and living areas
- Large outdoor entertaining spaces
- Swimming and water activities
- Flexible daily itineraries
- Private access to bays and beaches
- Personalised onboard service
- A relaxed alternative to conventional holidays
For families, couples travelling together and groups of friends, the catamaran layout can provide both shared social areas and private accommodation.
Luxury Crewed Catamarans: The Main Focus
Among the different yacht charter options available in Greece, luxury crewed catamarans offer a particularly comprehensive holiday experience.
Modern luxury catamarans are designed around comfort and outdoor living. Their wide beam provides generous space compared with many monohull sailing yachts, while multiple cabins can accommodate families and groups travelling together.
A professionally crewed luxury catamaran can typically combine:
Private yacht + captain + chef/cook + personalised service + flexible itinerary
The exact crew configuration depends on the yacht’s size and specifications. Some yachts operate with two crew members, while larger luxury catamarans can accommodate three or more crew members.
The result is a private sailing holiday where guests can enjoy the yacht and destinations without taking responsibility for navigation or daily yacht operations.
What Does the Crew Do?
The crew’s responsibilities depend on the yacht and charter arrangement, but a fully crewed charter is designed to take much of the operational work away from the guests.
Captain
The captain manages navigation, yacht operation, safety and the practical aspects of the sailing itinerary.
The captain can also help guests make decisions about routes and destinations according to weather, sea conditions and the group’s preferences.
Chef or Cook
On luxury crewed catamarans, having a chef or cook onboard can significantly enhance the charter experience.
Meals can be adapted to the group’s preferences, dietary requirements and preferred style of dining. Fresh local ingredients can also be incorporated into the experience.
Hostess and Additional Crew
Depending on the yacht, additional crew can assist with hospitality, housekeeping, serving meals and maintaining the guest areas.
Larger yachts may have several crew members, allowing the service to be tailored to the number of guests and the yacht’s level of luxury.
Crewed Catamaran vs Skippered Charter
The terms skippered charter and crewed charter describe different levels of service.
A skippered charter provides a yacht with a professional skipper. The skipper is responsible for navigation and operating the yacht, while guests generally have greater responsibility for their own meals, housekeeping and other aspects of the holiday.
Some skippered charter guests may additionally choose to hire a hostess.
A fully crewed luxury charter, on the other hand, is designed around a more complete hospitality experience. Depending on the yacht, guests can have a captain, chef or cook and additional crew members onboard.
Bareboat, Skippered and Fully Crewed Charters
SEVEN can arrange different types of private yacht charters in Greece, allowing travellers to select an experience that matches their qualifications and preferred level of service.
Bareboat Charter
A bareboat charter means renting the yacht without a professional skipper or crew.
This option is designed for appropriately qualified sailors who have the required experience and documentation, including a qualified skipper within their group where required.
It offers considerable independence and is particularly suitable for experienced sailors who want to plan and manage their own itinerary.
Skippered Charter
A skippered yacht charter includes a professional skipper.
It is suitable for travellers who want to enjoy a sailing holiday without needing someone in their group to operate the yacht.
A hostess can also be added where required, providing additional support during the trip.
Fully Crewed Charter
A fully crewed charter provides a more comprehensive private yacht experience.
Depending on the yacht, the crew can include:
- Captain
- Chef or cook
- Hostess
- Deck crew
- Additional hospitality staff
For travellers specifically seeking a luxury experience, a crewed catamaran charter in Greece can combine the independence of a private yacht with hotel-style service.
Yacht Types Available in Greece
SEVEN offers access to different yacht categories, allowing the charter to be matched to the group’s preferences and itinerary.
Sailing Yachts
Traditional sailing yachts provide an authentic sailing experience and are particularly appealing to guests who enjoy the atmosphere and movement of sailing.
Catamarans
Catamarans provide two hulls and generally offer generous living and outdoor spaces.
They are a popular choice for families and groups who value space and stability.
Power Catamarans
Power catamarans combine the multihull layout with motor-powered cruising.
They can be an attractive option for guests who want spacious accommodation and faster movement between destinations.
Motor Yachts
A motor yacht charter in Greece can provide a different style of luxury holiday, with an emphasis on cruising speed, comfort, spacious interiors and onboard service.
SEVEN is also working to expand its offering of luxury crewed motor yacht charters for guests looking for a fully serviced private yacht experience.
Motor Sailers
Motor sailers combine sailing characteristics with motor-powered capability, providing another option for private cruising in Greece.
Luxury Motor Yacht Charter in Greece
For travellers who prioritise speed, spacious accommodation and luxury service, a luxury motor yacht charter in Greece can be an alternative to a luxury crewed catamaran.
Motor yachts can be particularly attractive when guests want to visit several islands or coastal destinations during a shorter charter.
The best choice between a luxury catamaran and motor yacht depends on factors such as:
- Group size
- Desired cruising speed
- Preferred onboard layout
- Accommodation requirements
- Itinerary
- Budget
- Sailing preferences
- Level of onboard service
SEVEN can help match the yacht type to the group’s specific requirements rather than treating every charter as the same type of holiday.
Where Can You Charter a Yacht in Greece?
One of the advantages of arranging a yacht charter through a Greece-wide charter network is the choice of different departure points.
SEVEN can provide yachts from bases throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas, including Athens, Lefkas, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos, Paros, Volos and Preveza, as well as other locations.
This gives travellers flexibility when choosing their sailing region and airport connections.
Best Sailing Areas in Greece
Greece offers several distinct sailing regions, each with its own character.
Cyclades Islands
The Cyclades are known for iconic islands, traditional villages, beaches, clear water and the characteristic architecture of the Aegean.
Popular starting points include Athens, Alimos, Lavrion, Paros and Mykonos.
A luxury crewed catamaran can provide a comfortable base for exploring islands such as Paros, Mykonos and other Cycladic destinations.
Athens and the Saronic Gulf
The Saronic Gulf and Eastern Peloponnese can be particularly convenient for travellers arriving in Athens.
Potential bases include:
- Alimos Marina
- Lavrion Marina
- Nea Peramos
- Flisvos Marina
- Delta Kallitheas
- Agios Kosmas
- Other Athens-area locations
The region offers access to islands and coastal destinations without requiring a long transfer from Athens.
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Sea is well suited to private yacht holidays focused on beautiful bays, green landscapes and relaxed island cruising.
Common bases include:
- Corfu
- Lefkas/Lefkada
- Preveza
- Kefalonia
- Zakynthos
A crewed catamaran charter in the Ionian Islands can be particularly appealing for families and groups looking for a combination of swimming, island exploration and relaxed cruising.
Dodecanese Islands
The Dodecanese offers a different side of Greece, with destinations influenced by centuries of Mediterranean history.
Major charter bases include Kos and Rhodes.
Sporades Islands
The Sporades are another option for a private yacht holiday, with bases including:
- Volos
- Skiathos
- Skopelos
The region offers a combination of island scenery, beaches and sheltered cruising areas.
North Aegean and Peloponnese
The North Aegean and Peloponnese provide additional possibilities for travellers who want to explore areas beyond the most familiar Greek island routes.
Popular Yacht Charter Bases in Greece
The most suitable departure point depends on the chosen yacht and itinerary.
| Sailing region | Potential charter bases |
| Saronic Gulf & Eastern Peloponnese | Athens, Alimos, Lavrion, Nea Peramos, Flisvos, Agios Kosmas |
| Cyclades | Athens, Alimos, Lavrion, Paros, Mykonos |
| Ionian Islands | Corfu, Lefkas, Preveza, Kefalonia, Zakynthos |
| Dodecanese | Kos, Rhodes |
| Sporades | Volos, Skiathos, Skopelos |
Availability varies by yacht, season and departure location, so guests should select the sailing region before narrowing down the yacht.
Sailing Holidays in Greece With a Private Crew
A sailing holiday in Greece does not have to mean spending the entire trip sailing from one island to another.
With a fully crewed yacht, the itinerary can combine sailing days with time spent swimming, exploring villages, visiting restaurants or simply relaxing onboard.
For many guests, the attraction is the flexibility of having a private floating base rather than following the fixed schedule of a hotel or group tour.
A crewed yacht can also make it easier to discover quieter bays and beaches where guests can spend time away from crowded tourist areas, subject to weather, anchoring conditions and local regulations.
Private Yacht Charters for Families and Groups
A fully crewed luxury yacht can be particularly suitable for private groups.
Families can enjoy private accommodation while sharing dining and outdoor areas. Groups of friends can create a flexible itinerary without having to coordinate separate hotel rooms and daily transport.
Private charters can also be arranged around special occasions such as:
- Honeymoons
- Weddings
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Bachelor parties
- Bachelorette parties
- Family celebrations
- Corporate events
SEVEN also provides yacht-based event arrangements through its partners.
Provisioning for a Crewed Yacht Charter
Food and provisions are an important part of any yacht holiday, particularly when cruising between secluded islands and beaches.
Provisioning can be arranged according to the group’s preferences so that essential food, drinks and other supplies are available onboard before or during the charter.
For a luxury crewed catamaran, provisioning can also be coordinated with the chef or cook, allowing food preferences and dietary requirements to be considered as part of the overall charter planning.
SEVEN offers provisioning arrangements for guests and can provide a provisioning list on request.
Transfers and VIP Transportation
The yacht experience can begin before guests step onboard.
SEVEN can arrange transportation services including taxis, minibuses and VIP or luxury transfers for individuals and groups. These services can be used for airport transfers, marina transportation, guest transfers or transportation for business groups.
Coordinating transfers with the yacht departure time can make the overall holiday more seamless, particularly for guests arriving internationally.
Accommodation Before or After the Charter
A yacht charter does not have to begin and end at the airport.
Guests can combine their sailing holiday with a hotel or villa stay before or after the charter.
This can be particularly useful when travelling to Greece for a longer holiday or when guests want additional time on an island after leaving the yacht.
SEVEN can also assist with accommodation arrangements for guests looking for hotels or villas.
Flotilla Sailing Holidays
For sailors who want to meet other people while exploring Greece, a flotilla sailing holiday provides a different type of sailing experience.
Several yachts sail within the same general itinerary, with a professional skipper and hostess team on the lead yacht providing assistance to the participating boats.
Flotilla sailing can be suitable for sailors who want greater independence than a fully crewed charter while still having professional support nearby.
Why Consider a Fully Crewed Luxury Charter?
A fully crewed charter is particularly suited to travellers who want the yacht to function as both transportation and a private holiday environment.
The main advantages include:
Professional Navigation
The captain manages navigation and yacht operation, allowing guests to relax.
Personalised Dining
A chef or cook can prepare meals according to the group’s preferences, depending on the yacht.
Private Space
The yacht is exclusively reserved for the chartering group.
Flexible Itinerary
The route can be planned around the group’s interests and adjusted according to weather and local conditions.
More Time to Relax
Guests do not have to spend their holiday managing the yacht, navigation, provisions and other operational details.
Luxury Onboard Experience
Luxury crewed catamarans combine spacious accommodation with professional service and access to Greece’s coastline and islands.
Greece or Another Mediterranean Destination?
Greece is the primary destination offered by SEVEN, with a broad selection of charter locations across the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
For travellers interested in exploring beyond Greece, yacht charters can also be arranged in other Mediterranean destinations, including Croatia, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
However, Greece remains the main focus, with a particularly broad range of yacht charter options and sailing areas.
Quick Guide: Which Charter Is Right for You?
Choose a bareboat charter if you are an appropriately qualified and experienced sailor and want to manage the yacht and itinerary yourself.
Choose a skippered charter if you want a private yacht with a professional captain but do not necessarily require full onboard hospitality.
Choose a fully crewed luxury catamaran if you want a private yacht, professional captain, chef or cook and a higher level of personalised service.
Choose a luxury crewed motor yacht if speed, motor-powered cruising and a high-end onboard environment are central to your holiday.
For many families and groups seeking a premium private holiday, the combination of a luxury crewed catamaran in Greece, professional captain, chef and personalised itinerary provides a comprehensive way to experience the Greek islands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Crewed Yacht Charters in Greece
- What is included in a fully crewed yacht charter in Greece?
A fully crewed charter generally includes a professional captain and additional crew according to the yacht’s size and configuration. Luxury crewed catamarans may have a captain and chef or cook, with larger yachts potentially carrying additional crew members. Exact inclusions vary by yacht.
- What is the difference between a crewed and skippered yacht charter?
A skippered charter provides a professional skipper to operate the yacht. A fully crewed charter provides a broader level of onboard service and may include a captain, chef or cook and additional hospitality crew.
- Are luxury crewed catamarans suitable for families?
Yes. Luxury catamarans can offer spacious living areas, multiple cabins and large outdoor spaces, making them suitable for families and groups. The professional crew also allows guests to enjoy the holiday without having to operate the yacht themselves.
- Where can I start a luxury yacht charter in Greece?
Depending on yacht availability, charters can start from locations including Athens, Alimos, Lavrion, Lefkas, Corfu, Preveza, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Rhodes, Kos, Skiathos, Volos, Paros, Mykonos and other Greek bases.
- What is the best yacht for a luxury holiday in Greece?
The appropriate yacht depends on the group size, itinerary, desired level of service, cruising preferences and budget. For travellers seeking spacious accommodation, private service and a relaxed sailing experience, a luxury crewed catamaran is one option to consider. Guests who prioritise speed may prefer a luxury crewed motor yacht.
Plan Your Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter in Greece
A private yacht charter can turn a Greek island holiday into a personalised experience built around the people, places and activities that matter most to the group.
For travellers who want more than simply renting a boat, a fully crewed luxury charter provides the combination of a private yacht, professional navigation, personalised hospitality and flexible island cruising.
SEVEN Sailing & Tourism Services can arrange yacht charters across Greece, including sailing yachts, catamarans, power catamarans, motor yachts, motor sailers, luxury catamarans and luxury motor yachts. Charter options include bareboat, skippered and fully crewed arrangements, with additional services such as transfers, provisioning, flotillas and accommodation available to support the wider holiday experience.
For guests specifically looking for a luxury crewed catamaran charter in Greece, the next step is to define the preferred dates, group size, sailing region and desired level of onboard service. From there, the appropriate yacht and crew configuration can be matched to the trip.
