It is easy to pick a beautiful yacht based on photos and promises made in the brochure, but what happens behind the curtain? How is the yacht run? How ready is the crew for your arrival?
What turnaround time tells us about a yacht
We have organized hundreds of crewed charters across the Greek islands, and we have seen a clear pattern: yachts that allow for at least 48 hours between bookings consistently deliver better guest experiences.
Longer turnaround time is a sign that:
- Crew wellbeing is a priority
- There’s time built in for maintenance and care
- The yacht isn’t being run into the ground just to chase volume
A rested crew is a better crew
Turnaround time isn’t just about fluffing pillows—it’s about giving the crew time to reset, breathe, and prepare to give you their absolute best.
“I know what it is like to do same-day turnarounds,” says Marcelle Hailwax, one of our lead brokers and a former onboard chef. “But when you’re operating at that pace, you’re in survival mode. You can deliver the basics—but the magic? That only happens when the crew has had time to rest and regroup.”
When the crew is well-rested, you get:
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A more polished, personal level of service
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Crew that’s cheerful, engaged, and energized
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Fewer mistakes, less stress, and a much smoother atmosphere onboard
In short, your holiday feels like an actual holiday.
Time for thorough cleaning, provisioning, and prepping
A yacht isn’t a hotel room. It’s a fully operational, self-contained floating villa. It takes time to turn it around properly between guests.
With 48–72 hours turnaround time, the crew can:
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect guest areas
- Deep-clean and reset the galley
- Launder and press linens properly
- Inventory and restock provisions (not just throw in what’s available)
- Detail the yacht inside and out
“Guests may never see the effort behind the scenes,” Marcelle says, “but they always feel the difference when it’s been rushed.”
Proper service of technical systems is critical for a safe charter
AC, watermakers, generators, plumbing—it’s all got to run smoothly. And these systems can (and do) fail when the crew doesn’t have time to inspect them between charters.
We’ve seen charters go sideways because a clogged toilet wasn’t caught, or because the AC gave out mid-week after a hectic back-to-back schedule. These are not the kinds of things you want to deal with while sailing the Cyclades.
A longer turnaround means:
- Full systems check-ups
- Small problems fixed before they snowball
- Less chance of tech issues disrupting your week
It’s not glamorous—but it’s what keeps things running smoothly.
Our Expert Tip
We recommend a minimum of 24 hours between bookings for catamarans, but 48–72 hours is the gold standard. Yachts flipping in less than 24 hours? We don’t suggest it. The risks—from rushed cleaning to overworked crew—just aren’t worth it.
When we curate your yacht options, we always check how much time the crew has to prepare. That’s part of our job—and why our clients trust us to deliver flawless charter experiences.
These Greek Catamarans Have a 48+ Turnaround Time
Almosta Road, Ombre Blue 3, and Just Marie 2 all have an ideal turnaround time of 48 hours. And Ipharra, one of the biggest charter catamarans in Greece, has a whole 72-hour turnaround time.
ALMOSTA ROAD
OMBRE BLU 3
Just Marie 2
IPHARRA
Talk to a Yacht Charter Expert
Marcelle Hailwax is a yacht charter broker with extensive experience in the industry. After spending 8 years as a professional yacht chef, Marcelle has a deep understanding of all sides of the charter business. She knows what happens behind the curtain, what it is like to be crew, and what it takes to make guests happy.
She has chartered all over the world and is an expert in the best destinations for a perfect yacht vacation, including the BVIs, Antigua, Corsica, Sardinia, Greece, and the Balearic Islands.
Marcelle’s enthusiasm for her job is contagious, and she is dedicated to providing her clients with unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
