Useful Information/FAQ
What should I bring with me?
When should I book/when in the year are the weather conditions best?
Will I be able to use my mobile phone on my yacht charter vacation?
Can I bring children on a yacht charter vacation?
What will the food be like?
What if I want to cancel my holiday?
What are Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association (MYBA) Terms?
How safe is it in Asia? Should we be concerned about pirates?
What should we know about local customs & cultures?
What should I bring with me?
You should bring what you normally would on any vacation, except that due to less space on yachts it is best to travel light. It is completely your choice as how formal you wish to be on board. However casual wearing is recommended, and since the weather is usually sunny you will spend most of the vacation in bathing suits, so bring even a few of them. You will spend most time on board barefoot, but it's good to pack some flip-flops and a rubber soled sandals or "reef runners" for venturing ashore.
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreens with at least 15SPF are very highly recommended, as well as soothing after sun products. Your toiletry bag should include all the usual items and perhaps insect repellent and seasickness pill just in case.
When should I book/when in the year are the weather conditions best?
One factor you won't have to worry about when booking a holiday with us is temperature. Southeast Asia, where the yacht Raja Laut is based, straddles the equator, and all-year-round the temperature rarely ever falls below 26C (80F) except at night.
What really defines the seasons is the amount of rainfall, and the direction of the prevailing wind. The general rule to follow is:
- DECEMBER TO APRIL the prevailing winds are from the NORTH-EAST, and during this time the weather on WEST coast of Thailand and the vicinity is as near to perfect as possible with light winds and hardly a drop of rain. December to March is the best time for a vacation in Langkawi, Phuket, Phang-Nga Bay, Mergui, Andaman.
- MAY TO OCTOBER, the prevailing winds are from the SOUTH-WEST and during this is the best time to visit the EAST coast of Thailand and the vicinity (Tioman, Singapore, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo).
- Indonesia is the exception to this general rule. In Indonesia the weather is generally good for year-round cruising.
For more details see: Weather Information.
Will I be able to use my mobile phone on my yacht charter vacation?
Throughout Asia GSM mobile network coverage is good and if you have your phone on international roaming you can access the system. Local sim cards can also be purchased, along with top-up cards, which are available at many shops.
Internet access is variable in quality and availability: in the big cities internet access is ubiquitous and of a reasonably high speed. However, in remote areas internet access may be extremely slow or even non-existent.
When you enquire with us do let us know if mobile phone, internet access or satellite phone is something you require so that we can prepare in advance.
Can I bring children on a yacht charter vacation?
Yes! Children love yachting holidays. Sailing holidays are a great adventure, and also very educational, and most children love sailing holidays. Private crewed charter yachts like Raja Laut are child-friendly, although the crew are usually busy with their assigned duties and are not always able to offer childcare services. So if your charter party includes children, you will need to be responsible for their safety, conduct and entertainment.
What will the food be like?
The visitor to Asia is in for a culinary treat, as the region abounds in variety and taste. Generally Asian cuisine is delicious and spicy, and seafood in particular is some of the best value you can find in the world today. Asian tourism hot spots and cities also have many western restaurants for all budgets from fast food to fine dining establishments.
Aboard the yachts the choice of cuisine is up to you, and our chef will be able to prepare both Asian and Western foods. All tastes, or dietary requirements can be catered for.
For more details see: Raja Laut Yacht Charter Menu
What if I want to cancel my holiday?
It is possible to move the booking dates to a future date instead of cancelling entirely, however if cancellation is required then as a general rule cancellation fees are based on the period of time between the date of cancellation and the departure date as follows:
30% of charter fee will be retained for cancellation up to 3 months before the charter starting date.
50% of charter fee will be retained for cancellation up to 2 months before the charter starting date.
100% of charter fee will be retained for cancellation less than one month before the charter starting date.
Learn more about booking a Raja Laut Yacht Charter: How To Book
What are Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association (MYBA) Terms?
For yachts that use "MYBA" terms, the charter fee includes the charter of the yacht with all its equipment in working order, tools, stores, cleaning material, and basic consumable stores for engine-room, deck and cabins, etc., the crew's wages, food and the insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance.
However, the Charterer will be charged extra, at cost, for all other expenses. These include fuel for the yacht, fuel for the ski-boats or other tenders, food for the Charterers, wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks for the Charterers, other consumable stores, berthing dues and other harbour charges during the charter, and any local fees or taxes incurred during the charter.
Not all yachts use "MYBA" terms, the Raja Laut charter price is more or less all-inclusive (except for alcohol).
Learn more about booking a Raja Laut Yacht Charter: How To Book
How safe is it in Asia? Should we be concerned about pirates?
The piracy in Asia is highly targeted at commercial trading vessels in the Straits of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with over 70,000 ships passing through in 2008. However it is worth noting that in the first quarter of 2009, only 1 piracy case occurred in the Straits of Malacca versus 102 in the rest of the world. In whole of 2008 there were only 2 incidents in the Straits of Malacca in that entire year.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that piracy does affect some parts of the world, especially around Somalia, and around the ports of certain large cities where boats moored near the city can experience burglary just like any house or shop.
However in the cruising areas of Asia (i.e. where the Raja Laut spends 100% of her time) it is as safe as it gets.
In over 6 years of sailing around this region we have never personally experienced ANY form of piracy. The islands and bays that are described here in our website are probably as safe as any.
We have quite a simple way of looking at it: we think sailing in Asia is safer by far than walking the streets of Paris, London or New York! Will this shocking idea stop people from going on holiday to Paris, London or New York?! No, of course not. So we also cannot imagine why people would not come to Asia for a sailing holiday either.
What should we know about local customs & cultures?
There are likely to many differences in customs and etiquette between the Asian cultures and your home country. However, as long as you are respectful at all times, and use common sense, then you will be shown respect in return and enjoy your time in Asia that much more.
Asian's normally dress conservatively in public places (except for the beach or swimming pool), but especially in temples, churches or mosques. Public signs of affection (kissing, etc.) are best kept private as Asians rarely openly show their affections in public.
