Introduction

Planning a sailing holiday in Greece in 2027? Choosing between a traditional gulet and a modern catamaran can make a significant difference to your holiday experience. Both offer opportunities to explore beautiful Greek islands, swim in crystal-clear waters, discover secluded bays, and enjoy life on the Mediterranean Sea. However, they offer different approaches to sailing, accommodation, dining, and relaxation.

A gulet is a traditional wooden motor-sailing vessel, often associated with spacious decks, comfortable cabins, and a fully crewed holiday experience. A catamaran, on the other hand, is a multihull boat with two parallel hulls, offering a different balance of stability, sailing performance, and onboard living space.

Both gulets and catamarans offer sailing holidays in Greece, but they serve fundamentally different travellers. A gulet cruise is a fully crewed, all-inclusive experience with meals, a cook, and a captain — guests arrive, unpack once, and the boat does the rest. A catamaran charter typically requires either sailing knowledge or a skipper hire cost on top, and provisioning is usually self-managed. For groups of 10 or more who want a hassle-free, culturally immersive experience, a gulet is almost always the better choice.

The best option ultimately depends on your group size, budget, preferred level of independence, and the type of holiday you want. Here is how the two options compare.

What Is a Gulet?

A gulet is a traditional wooden vessel originating from the Turkish and eastern Mediterranean maritime tradition. Today, gulets are popular for crewed holidays around Greece and other Mediterranean destinations.

These boats are particularly appealing to travellers who want to explore the Greek islands without taking responsibility for sailing, navigation, or daily meal preparation.

Key Features of a Gulet Cruise

1. A professional crew

Most crewed gulet holidays include a captain and other crew members, with a cook commonly included depending on the vessel and package. Guests can relax while the crew manages navigation and onboard operations.

2. Comfortable accommodation

Gulets generally feature private cabins, beds, bathrooms, and shared indoor and outdoor living areas. Cabin layouts and facilities vary according to the boat and booking package.

3. An enjoyable dining experience

Many gulet packages include meals prepared onboard. Depending on the package, guests may enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and opportunities to experience Mediterranean cuisine. Always check which meals, drinks, and additional charges are included.

4. Spacious social areas

Traditional gulets often feature generous deck space, outdoor dining areas, and places to sunbathe or relax. These shared spaces make them attractive for families, friends, and larger groups travelling together.

5. A relaxed island-hopping experience

The captain handles navigation and sailing decisions, allowing guests to focus on swimming, sightseeing, enjoying local destinations, and spending time together.

For travellers who value convenience, hospitality, and a sociable atmosphere, a gulet cruise can be an excellent way to experience Greece.

What Is a Catamaran Charter?

A catamaran is a boat with two parallel hulls connected by a central structure. Sailing catamarans are widely used for private yacht charters in Greece because they combine sailing capabilities with comfortable onboard accommodation.

Unlike a typical organised gulet cruise, a catamaran charter often offers greater control over the itinerary and daily activities.

Key Features of a Catamaran Charter

1. Two-hull design

The two-hull configuration generally provides good initial stability and can reduce the rolling motion associated with some monohull vessels. Actual comfort depends on weather, sea conditions, boat design, and individual sensitivity to motion.

2. Private accommodation

Catamarans commonly offer cabins, bathrooms, a saloon, and a cockpit or outdoor seating area. Larger models may provide substantial living space for families and groups.

3. Flexible sailing plans

A private charter allows guests to work with their skipper, or manage the boat themselves if qualified and permitted, to plan stops and activities. Weather, safety, marina availability, and local regulations may affect the final itinerary.

4. Independent dining arrangements

Guests on many bareboat or skipper-only charters arrange their own groceries and meals. Some charters offer a cook, catering, or other provisioning services at an additional cost.

5. Sailing involvement

A bareboat charter is suited to appropriately qualified and experienced sailors who want to manage the vessel themselves. Those without the necessary experience can consider a skippered charter.

A catamaran is an excellent option for travellers who enjoy independence, want more control over their holiday, and are comfortable organising some of the practical details.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Gulet vs Catamaran in Greece

The following table compares the main differences between a traditional gulet cruise and a catamaran charter.

Factor	Gulet Cruise	Catamaran Charter
Stability	Depends on vessel design, size, and sea conditions	Two hulls generally provide good initial stability
Comfort	Spacious decks and shared social areas on many vessels	Comfortable cabins and living areas, depending on model
Cost	Often packaged with crew and selected services	Varies by charter, season, skipper, provisioning, and extras
Group size	Suitable for groups, including larger parties when capacity allows	Suitable for private groups within the boat's permitted capacity
Meals	Often included according to the cruise package	Usually self-arranged unless catering or a cook is booked
Itinerary flexibility	Captain-led route, with changes subject to conditions and schedule	Greater scope for private itinerary planning, subject to conditions
Crew	Usually crewed	Bareboat or skippered options
Sailing responsibility	Managed by the professional crew	Managed by the charterer or hired skipper
Holiday style	Relaxed, sociable, and service-oriented	Independent, private, and activity-oriented

Which Option Offers Better Value?

The total cost matters more than the advertised boat price.

A gulet package may include accommodation, crew, and selected meals, making it easier to understand the overall holiday cost. Depending on the package, drinks, port fees, excursions, and other expenses may be charged separately.

A catamaran charter may appear attractive when the rental price is divided among a group. However, you should also consider the cost of hiring a skipper, purchasing food, arranging transfers, paying marina fees, and covering fuel or other charter expenses where applicable.

For a fair comparison, calculate the expected total cost per person for the same dates, group size, destinations, and service level. Neither option is automatically cheaper in every situation.

When to Choose a Gulet

A gulet is worth considering if you want to enjoy Greece without organising every part of your holiday yourself.

1. You Want a Hassle-Free Holiday

A crewed gulet takes much of the practical work out of sailing. You do not have to manage navigation or operate the vessel yourself. Depending on your package, meals and other onboard services may also be taken care of.

This allows you to spend more time relaxing, swimming, sightseeing, and enjoying the company of your fellow travellers.

2. You Are Travelling With a Large Group

Gulets can be particularly attractive for groups of friends, extended families, and organised group holidays. Some vessels accommodate larger parties, but the exact capacity, cabin arrangements, and shared facilities must be checked before booking.

For groups of 10 or more, compare the cost of booking a suitable gulet with the cost of chartering one or more catamarans.

3. You Enjoy Socialising

The spacious decks and communal dining areas on many gulets encourage guests to spend time together. Shared meals and relaxed evenings can become an important part of the holiday experience.

This format is especially appealing if you want a sociable trip rather than a holiday focused entirely on private sailing.

4. You Want to Experience Local Culture

A gulet itinerary can combine island visits, coastal scenery, swimming stops, local food, and time in traditional Greek destinations. The experience depends on the route and the stops included in your cruise.

Explore suitable options through our Ionian cruise and Zante cruise pages.

5. You Prefer a Crew-Led Experience

If you have little or no sailing experience, a crewed gulet can be a straightforward choice. The professional crew manages the vessel while you enjoy the journey.

Choose a gulet if your priority is convenience, onboard hospitality, shared experiences, and a holiday with fewer day-to-day responsibilities.

When to Choose a Catamaran

A catamaran may be the better choice if you prefer a more independent sailing holiday.

1. You Want More Control Over Your Itinerary

Private catamaran charters generally offer greater freedom to plan destinations and stops with your skipper. You may be able to spend more time at a particular island or change your plans, depending on weather, safety, and practical constraints.

2. You Prefer Privacy

A private catamaran gives your group exclusive use of the chartered vessel, subject to the booking arrangement. This can appeal to couples, families, and groups who want to spend time together without joining a shared cruise.

3. You Enjoy Sailing

Experienced sailors may appreciate the opportunity to manage the vessel themselves through a bareboat charter, provided they meet the operator’s qualification and experience requirements.

If you prefer not to sail yourself, a skipper can usually be arranged for an additional fee.

4. You Want to Organise Your Own Meals

A catamaran charter may suit travellers who prefer choosing their own groceries, preparing meals, and deciding how they spend their time onboard. Provisioning and catering services can also be arranged when available.

5. You Prefer an Independent Holiday Style

Catamarans can be a good fit for travellers who enjoy planning activities, managing their schedule, and making decisions about the daily sailing experience.

Choose a catamaran if independence, privacy, sailing involvement, and flexible holiday planning matter more to you than having meals and services arranged as part of a cruise package.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a gulet or catamaran better for a holiday in Greece?

Both can provide memorable Greek island holidays. A gulet is often a better fit for travellers who want a crewed, sociable, and relatively hassle-free experience. A catamaran is often better for travellers who prefer a private charter and greater control over their itinerary.

2. Is a gulet cheaper than a catamaran in Greece?

Not necessarily. The total price depends on the season, boat size, group size, accommodation, and services included. Compare the full cost of each option, including meals, crew, skipper fees, fuel, and other additional charges.

3. Are meals included on a gulet cruise?

Many gulet cruises include meals, but the exact arrangements depend on the boat and package. Check whether breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and any special dietary requirements are covered before booking.

4. Do you need sailing experience for a catamaran charter?

You generally need appropriate sailing experience and qualifications for a bareboat charter. If you do not have the required experience, a skippered catamaran charter is an alternative.

5. Which boat is better for a group of 10 or more?

A gulet can be an excellent option for a larger group that wants shared dining, professional crew, and a sociable holiday. A catamaran may also work for smaller groups or larger parties if suitable vessels are available. Check permitted capacity, cabin arrangements, and the total cost before deciding.

6. Which boat is more stable in rough seas?

Catamarans generally have good initial stability because of their two-hull design, but this does not mean they are always more comfortable in every sea condition. Both boat types respond differently to waves, wind, and vessel design. The captain’s safety decisions and current conditions should always take priority.

7. Can you visit Greek islands on both a gulet and a catamaran?

Yes. Both options can visit Greek islands and coastal destinations, depending on the route, weather, boat capabilities, and charter or cruise schedule. Your available destinations will depend on the particular trip you book.

8. What should I check before booking a gulet or catamaran?

Compare the total price, cabin layout, passenger capacity, included meals, crew arrangements, route, departure dates, cancellation conditions, and additional fees. Confirm the specific services included in writing before making your booking.

Final Verdict: Gulet or Catamaran?

The best choice depends on what you want from your Greek sailing holiday.

A gulet cruise is an excellent choice for travellers who value a professional crew, shared dining, spacious social areas, and a relaxed experience with fewer responsibilities. It can be especially appealing to larger groups who want to enjoy the Greek islands together.

A catamaran charter is a strong alternative for travellers who value privacy, independence, sailing involvement, and the freedom to plan their own holiday.

Before booking for 2027, compare the available routes, accommodation, included services, and total costs. Choose the boat that matches your group’s needs and the way you want to experience Greece.

For a more organised and sociable island-hopping experience, explore the available Sail in Greece cruise packages. Your ideal Greek sailing holiday starts with choosing the experience that suits you best.