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Yacht Week vs Sail Week: Which Is Better?

Yacht Week and Sail Week Croatia are both well-established travel companies offering various sailing routes around Croatia. This article is a side-by-side comparison of the two.

As a former yacht crew member, I get asked two questions pretty often:

1️⃣ First, is working on a superyacht really like what you see on Below Deck ? 2️⃣ What’s the difference between The Yacht Week and Sail Week Croatia?

The Yacht Week, the original company in this space, essentially invented this type of holiday. And Sail Week offers excellent value for money.

They both provide instagramable opportunities at every turn, and the best option for you will depend on your individual needs.

Let’s get started with what set’s these brands apart!

The Yacht Week is heavily focused on the party and music festival crowd . Their website offers a tasty selection of floating festivals and unique events by partnering with festival organisers and record labels.

If you are looking for remote island shenanigans soundtracked by some of the world’s best underground DJs, then The Yacht Week is a solid choice.

Sail Week is an ABTA member in the UK, and they offer financial protection on all their travel products. They strongly emphasise creating a memorable party atmosphere but with the added twist of offering chic excursions to sweeten the deal .

⚖️ Product Range Comparison

A few sailing routes can be compared directly, and they are in Croatia and Greece. However, for the sake of this article, I have only compared routes that are similar to each other.

The Yacht Week (TYW) Sailing Route Range

The Yacht Week features eight different sail routes for you to choose from . All of The Yacht Week routes are listed below:

• Hot Creations
• Original Route
• Athens Route , Greece
• Ultra Festival Route
• Hideout Festival Route
• Tahiti Route , Polynesia
• BVI Route , Caribbean

All the routes last for 7 days (6 nights), keeping with the mantra ‘yacht week’. The majority of the routes are in Croatia, and they follow the same itinerary except for the Hideout Festival route.

The Hideout Festival route begins and ends near the seaside city of Zadar. In comparison, the other Croatian routes start and finish in the town of Split.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Yacht Week (@theyachtweek)

Sail Week Croatia Sailing Route Range

All these routes last an entire week, and there 6 to choose from depending on if you want to party flat out or find a more balanced vibe. They can be seen below:

• Party Route
• Ultra Route
• Dubrovnik Route
• Montenegro Route

The Party Route and Ultra Route are party-focused routes. And the balanced vibes are on the Dubrovnik, Athens and Montenegro routes.

Route Range Winner – The Yacht Week

📦 Package Comparison

Both brands have similar package options. However, the most significant difference is that Sail Week offers a Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) option , which considerably impacts the price you pay for a given package.

The Yacht Week Packages

You can select from 4 different package types, namely:

• Build your own

Monohull (43-46ft); Capacity 9 (4 cabins)

• Air-conditioning

Monohull(47 – 60ft); Capacity 10(5 cabins)

Catamaran(40-45ft); Capacity 10(4 cabins)

The difference is the type of yacht your money gets you here. Classic packages offer monohull yachts in the 43-46ft range, and Luxury packages afford you access to catamarans in the 40-45ft range.

The luxury packages also include all the amenities available like air-conditioning, a host and half board meals. You can add a host and air-conditioning to the Build Your Own package.

Sail Week Croatia Packages

The options are below:

• Deluxe Catamaran
• Full Yacht (ideal for larger groups)

Monohull (43-50ft); Capacity 8-10 (4-5 cabins)

• Food package

Monohull (43-50ft); Capacity 8-10 (4-5 cabins); Built 2016+

Catamaran(40-45ft); Capacity 8(4 cabins)

The standard packages get you a cabin on a monohull yacht in the 43-50ft range. Unfortunately, there is no option to add amenities like air-conditioning or a host to these packages.

The Deluxe Catamaran offers air-conditioning, a host, food package, and half-board included. The yacht size is in the 40-45ft range.

If you are a group, you can select between monohull or catamarans when using the Full Yacht Package with the option to add any of the Sail Week amenities.

Package Option Winner – Tie

🏝️ Route Comparison

*To compare apples to apples, this article will focus on similar routes between the two brands. First up is the flagship routes of each brand, namely; Original Route (TYW) vs the Party Route (SWC). Followed by both Athens Routes.

Original Route vs Party Route

Tyw – original route.

The direction of sailing/travel for the week is: Trogir > Bol > Natural Bay > Hvar > Vis > Trogir.

There are 10 weeks that this route runs, beginning on the last weekend of May and ending in mid-September.

Prices for peak summer (July) are considerably more than the end of the season (September), which is to be expected due to the demand.

You can select from 4 different package types: classic, premium, luxury, or BYO.

It’s hard to beat this route if you are looking for a party. The week lineup is simply jam-packed, and nobody does this better than The Yacht Week.

For your money, you’ll get an array of party shenanigans to experience:

• Opening party in Trogir
• Circle rafts floating festival
• Dockside disco at Fort George
• Buzz Boat party (a boat with DJ booth and Void Acoustics)
• Carpe Diem party in Hvar
• Tunnel raft party (like you see in the videos)
• Headline DJs, including the like of Claptone and Gorgon City

Add in seaside yoga sessions, a castle hike in Hvar and even convertible VW Beetle exploring in Vis , and you have more than enough to keep you entertained for an entire week.

Yacht Week prides itself on being able to throw the best parties you’re likely to experience, and it makes them different in this regard from Sail Week Croatia.

SWC – Party Route

The direction of sailing/travel for the week is: Split > Supetar > Makarska > Bol > Vis > Vinogradisce Bay > Hvar > Split .

This route has 13 different weeks for you to choose between. For example, beginning the first week of June and ending the first week of September.

Each week, you can choose different packages depending on your budget or group size. The package options are:

The party atmosphere is also up there with the best, and you can expect everything from cave parties & beach parties to the infamous circle raft floating festival in the busiest weeks.

What makes Sail Week different from Yacht Week is the diversity of extra activities they offer. Everything from Sky Diving to Fly Boarding is an option for you, although not included in your package price.

Flagship Route Winner – The Yacht Week

Athens Route (TYW) vs Athens Route (SWC.)

The direction of sailing/travel for the week is: Athens > Poros > Porto Heli > Ermioni > Natural Bay > Hydra > Athens.

You can choose from 10 available weeks from the end of May until the first week of September. This route begins and ends in Athens, where you will get to visit the Acropolis overlooking the city below.

There is a good dose of partying thrown in with the infamous Yacht Week circle raft (think boutique floating festival), day parties at Cavo Bianco, and beach parties on sandy beaches, complete with cocktail-sipping DJs.

In addition, there are wellness elements to enjoy in the form of sunset hikes and water volleyball to keep the hangover at bay.

The emerald waters of the Greek islands are famed for their marine wildlife, so dolphin spotting is almost certainly something you can bank on.

The direction of sailing/travel for the week is: Athens > Agistri > Hydra > Ermioni > Spetses > Dokos > Poros > Athens.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SailWeek (@sailweek)

In total, there are 14 allotted weeks available, and they start in June and run through until the middle of September.

The focus of this route is more toward the activity side, with the option to do stand up paddle boarding, wine tasting, quad biking, hiking and even donkey riding if you desire.

There is nightlife and partying on the islands you visit, but these are not organised by Sail Week, unlike Yacht Week on this same route.

If you are looking for hidden gems in the Greek archipelago, then this route will delight you with secluded coves, charming villages and unique coastal pine forests to explore.

Atehns Route Winner – TYW

💸 Price Comparison

Okay, so here we are at the all-important price comparison of the two. For simplicity sake, I’ve compared apples to apples again and taken the first week of August (6th-13th) for the Original Route (TYW) and the Party Route (SWC) and staked them side-by-side.

To keep it as balanced as possible, I’ve further compared each of their package tiers, and prices are per person (p.p)

• Classic – €1000 p.p
• Premium – €1725 p.p
• Luxury – €2360 p.p

For the build your own package, the yacht selected was a 50ft Catamaran for a group of 10 people – a total of €2919 p.p (host and skipper included).

Local payment of 600 Croatian Kuna (~€80) per person applies to all bookings.

• Standard – €826 p.p
• Premium – €1058 p.p
• Deluxe – €1490 p.p

For the build your own package, the yacht selected was a 50ft Catamaran for a group of 10 people – a total of €2413 p.p (host and skipper included).

Winner – Sail Week

🏆 Overall Winner

This Yacht Week vs Sail Week review demonstrates that The Yacht Week is the superior party holiday week due to its strong following and 15-years of experience.

TYW features more unforgettable parties and world-class DJs than any of its competitors. But, those factors also make TYW significantly more expensive.

Both premium brands provide similar experiences, and SWC is an excellent choice for fun-seeking revellers on a stricter budget. Their mix of parties and chic extra activities offers fantastic value when considering their premium options.

You could argue that you get better value for your money with Sail Week from the fact it’s 7 days & nights, as opposed to Yacht Week’s 6 nights.

Both are aimed at those who love travel and music festivals. The Croatian music festival scene is well renowned in Europe. With the option of these floating festivals, it is now truly world-class.

Written by:

Founder and editor at On The Beating Travel. I’m a lover/fanatic of repetitive electronic beats. Now exploring new music hotspots and festivals. Former yacht crew, now running this online space.

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Catamaran vs Monohull: Why the Cat is Better for Your Sailing

• We enjoy the extra lounge space a cat provides, especially a flybridge if available - that's where we'll spend most of our time during the day
• We like the common areas being above the waterline and the better stability
• We care less about sailing performance - we are the type of crew that is OK dropping sails if the winds are light or it's more convenient to motor
• As the captain, I appreciate the maneuverability twin engines provide for docking - it keeps some stress out of the equation
• Most tend to come with generators, AC, and water makers: all features we enjoy on these trips

Space & lounging

Sailing performance, maneuverability.

• Comfort & Stability

• Catamaran draft: ~4-5 feet
• Monohull draft: ~5-6 feet

Comfort & stability

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Not All Sailing Holidays Are Made Equal

Sometimes it's the little details that matter most to make a trip of a lifetime. If you're considering a sail week but not sure who to go with - we've got the lowdown from our community on why Yacht Week is the most unforgettable experience (for all the right reasons).

"My Yacht Week experience was an absolute 10 out of mothereffing 10”

- Cosmopolitan

Here's What Makes Yacht Week Different

At Yacht Week, we put experience first. Our team is constantly working to plan out the best routes and programmes and source the best yachts.

Everything, curated.

Over the course of 18 years, we've perfected our routes, venues, and parties. We know the music matters, that's why we bring the DJ directly to you in the middle of the circle raft on our buzz boat. We know the experience matters which is why we have a brand new theme every year to transport you into an entirely new world of adventure and exploration.

The best routes & programming.

There's more to a Yacht Week than a circle raft (though we do those too). Our team is on the ground early, making sure that every activity, swim stop, yoga session, and party is planned out - so you have the time to explore, relax and party. Not only this but we run weeks specifically curated around the music so if you have a certain genre you love, we've got a week for you.

Exclusive stops, venues and parties.

We book the best boats available on the water, whether you pick a catamaran, monohull or cabin, you're in safe hands. No one wants to be surrounded by randomers when you’re trying to dance like nobody's watching, which is why our parties are Yacht Week exclusive in the biggest and best venues in all destinations.

"You've never traveled like this"

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18 years of unforgettable experiences, crystal waters and exclusive parties.

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Embark on a week-long adventure filled with sailing, exploration, and unforgettable parties. Brace yourself as the iconic festival of the seas takes a thrilling new twist for the second year running. Dive in and discover more by signing up below.

SET SAIL FOR THE SUMMER OF LOVE

Drop out of the ordinary with Yacht Week this summer. Reconnect, recentre and renew with us, your friends and hundreds of like-minded adventurers. This year, Yacht Week celebrates the Summer of love. Seven days in paradise, living your best life at sea. In this haven, free spirits come together, forging connections as robust as yacht sails. Cupids guide hearts towards romances that blossom like sails in a gentle breeze —an experience of a lifetime. Welcome, dear dreamers and seafarers, to the Summer of Love.

YACHT WEEK: A SUMMER OF A LIFETIME

An adventure and festival like no other. Sail through the sun-kissed paradises of Croatia, Greece, and Sardinia. Join friends old and new on an adventure of a lifetime packed with sailing, exploration and an unforgettable parties on the high seas.

SAIL & EXPLORE

Drop out of the ordinary. Your canvas: gentle breezes, wild flower groves, and an atmosphere brimming with life. Immerse yourself in local culture. Uncover secret swim spots. Explore secluded beaches. And hike to heights that'll make your heart soar.

DANCE & BELONG

Turn on, tune in and party like there's no tomorrow. A refuge for free spirits, soundtracked by laughter, love, and lush tunes. Deepen friendships. Connect. And join a community for life.

OUR GUEST FEEDBACK

18 years of unforgettable experiences, crystal waters and exclusive parties

Lauren Boone

Yacht week was everything I imagined and more! We set sail on a monohull with a skipper and host that were both absolutely incredible and people that I now consider to be friends no matter where in the world we are.

Angie Kaminsky

I've made some lifelong friends throughout the course of the week and have memories I will treasure forever.

Lauren Stiene

The events were by far my favorite element of the trip. Epic once in a lifetime parties!

We were so lucky to make so many new friends on the boat, everyone was so friendly. We're already planning next summer and booking a yacht with all the new pals we met this year, can't wait!

Annelyse Malcolm

Our time with Yacht Week exceeded all expectations, and we cannot recommend this experience highly enough. The combination of a beautiful yacht, an incredible crew, and new lifelong friendships is a recipe for an unforgettable adventure.

Priscilla Andrade

The friendships you make are uniquely special and allow you to make connections all over the world!

Audrey Abizaid

Great decorations and venues! It was honestly pretty magical:)

I would need to write a novel to truly tell you the beauty that is The Yacht Week. This was my fourth The Yacht Week experience. I have met all of my best friends from TYW, ALL OF THEM.

SUMMER OF LOVE EVENTS

Catch immaculate vibes from the moment you set sail. Create core memories with friends old and new with our themed sundowners and all-day parties.

Golden Hour

SEEN Beach Club

Tunnel Raft Party

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Our party themes are launching soon, sign up now to be the first to hear about them. Discover first, dance to the last.

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I met my husband on YW Croatia 2013 (I’m American and he’s from Singapore). We lived in Germany the last 5 years and now live in Bali and have 2 kids together. - Megan Wend

The only word to describe Yacht Week is: INCREDIBLE! Amazing people, both staff and guests, top class organization, and the most beautiful party sites/venues!

I met my now husband on Yacht Week! Two years ago. Best trip I have ever taken! - Heather Lloyd

Morten and I met in August 2012 South Route Croatia…since then we got married, started a yacht charter business in the Caribbean, had three kids, took our kids sailing in the Mediterranean for a year…TYW was the biggest turning point in my life and I’m forever grateful. - Sarah Teigan

The three of us met in Thailand on The Yacht Week New Years trip in 2015 into 2016. We became fast friends and then ended up hiking around Banff, Canada together a few years later. - Jon-Erik

We had the best boat summer of 2018 in Croatia!!! 5 girls from New York and 3 boys from Sydney! And of course our amazing skipper Dan and incredible hostess Isabel! We have all met up several times in the last 5 years and the group chat is still active! Really hit the jackpot with this group! - Caroline Rago

Drinks are not included in any bookings. Food is included on certain cabin bookings only.

Cabin Bookings: Classic Catamaran, Premium Monohull and Premium Catamaran.

Food and a host are included in the booking total. Your host will reach out 2 weeks before you set sail, go through any dietary restrictions you may have and create a meal plan with the crew.

They will go to the supermarket before you board the yacht to get all the provisions and across the week your host will prepare 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 2 dinners.

Before you board your yacht, you will need to go to the supermarket to get your alcohol, drinks and anything else you may need.

Cabin Bookings : Classic Monohull

Food and a host are not included in this cabin category, when you arrive at the marina you will need to head to the supermarket to buy your provisions including food and drink for the week.

Please remember, that you will need to cover food and drinks for your skipper, who will be keeping you safe throughout the week!

Yacht Bookings: Classic Monohull, Classic Catamaran, Premium Monohull, Premium Catamaran and Custom Yachts.

Food is not included in any Yacht booking.

With a Host - Your host will reach out 2 weeks before you set sail, go through any dietary restrictions and create a meal plan for the crew. When you arrive for check-in, you and your crew will head to the supermarket with your host to pay for the provisions and help bring everything back to the yacht! At this point, you will need to get alcohol and anything additional you may need. The host will prepare 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 2 dinners.

Without a Host - When you arrive at the marina, you will need to head to the supermarket to buy your provisions including food and drinks for the week. Please remember, that you will need to cover food and drinks for your skipper across the week.