With the beginning of the Cannes film festival commencing this week, it is impressive to see the glamour and luxury of the event, which can inspire you to boat around the city of Cannes. If you want to holiday like the stars and replicate your favourite actors this summer when you next sail, but have a tighter budget, here are 5 tips on what to do.
Book with friends to lower costs
One of the best ways to lower prices is to simply bring a larger group of friends. Not only does this split the cost of the boat, but also any activities and other provisions you may buy by pooling resources and sharing expenses so that everyone can save money. And with a bigger group of friends comes more fun, entertainment, and a chance to form shared memories and bonds. With many boats available for more than 10 people, sailing with SamBoat is a great way to sail away with your friends on an affordable and incredible holiday.
Clever provisioning
One-way costs can add up on any holiday is by not planning your food beforehand, especially with how costly marinas and other seaside attractions can be. If you take the time to properly plan how your provisions ahead, this can easily cut the cost of food down by more than half. Some clever provisioning includes planning and cooking groceries for on the boat beforehand, such as for breakfast and lunch, so that you can cut down on the number of expensive restaurants you will be attending, or doing the proper research before you dock to find an affordable place to eat nearby.
Flexibility
While this may not be an option for many people, especially groups with kids, if you can manage to be flexible with when you will go on holiday this can help save costs in almost all sections of your holiday. For example, if you choose to sail around Croatia during the low season of November to April, you will find the costs of boats, accommodation, beachside activities and other attractions to be lower than that during the peak season. Another great time to avoid is during school holidays when prices will be higher and crowds will be larger.
Lower-budget activities and entertainment
A myth in the yachting world is that many of the activities you may want to try on board can be expensive. While that is true in some cases, it is also the case that there are many alternatives that are just as fun but a fraction of the price. One such activity includes water sports, where rather than paying an extortionate amount of an hour on a banana boat, you may choose to hire or bring your own wakeboard or tube and use the boat which you have already paid for an afternoon of fun. Some low-budget activities include fishing, which you may already have your own equipment for, or you can rent for a low price, or choose a lowkey day on the beach where you can sunbathe and swim for no cost at all.
Sail in local waters
Some of the marinas and large ports can be a nightmare with costs while sailing, and while it may seem like a quick and easy option at the time, if you plan where you will dock ahead, it can save you both time and money and also offer you an opportunity to see parts of the country you may have never seen before in a more secluded area. Docking in local waters can have many advantages and can allow you to allocate more of your budget to more memorable and important aspects of your holiday. One important thing to note is that you must do your proper research before setting off, to respect any local regulations, environmental concerns, and other guidelines in place.
Sailing on a budget doesn’t mean you must compromise on a fun and luxurious holiday, but instead prioritise the important aspects of the trip, such as the fun-filled memories and experiences and making the most of the opportunities available to you. If you follow these 5 tips you are sure to have a holiday to rival your favourite actors and actresses at this year’s film festival.
