What to Pack for a Gulet Charter (and What to Leave at Home)

Many first-time guests are excited about their Blue Cruise, but a bit unsure about one simple thing:

“What do we actually need to pack for a week on a gulet?”

The good news: you need much less than for a hotel holiday.
Space on board is limited, and life on a gulet is relaxed and informal.

Here’s a simple, practical packing guide so you can arrive prepared – without overpacking.

Suitcases: Soft Is Better Than Hard

Let’s start with the most important detail: your suitcase.

Choose soft bags or duffel bags if possible.
Hard-shell suitcases are more difficult to store in cabins.
Once you’ve unpacked, crew can often store your bags in a designated space.

If you only change clothes once or twice a day, you really don’t need a huge wardrobe.

Clothing: Light, Simple and Comfortable

On a gulet, you will spend most of the day in swimwear and light clothes.

Consider packing:

2–3 swimsuits
2–3 light T-shirts or tops
2–3 shorts or light skirts
1–2 casual dresses or shirts for dinner
1 light sweater or long-sleeved top for cooler evenings
1 light windbreaker or cardigan (especially for May, early June and October)

Most guests find that less is more; you can reuse clothes and spend more time in the sea than in your wardrobe.

Shoes: You Won’t Need Many

On deck, most guests go barefoot or with soft deck shoes.

A simple guideline:

1 pair of comfortable sandals or flip-flops for the boat
1 pair of trainers or walking shoes for short hikes or village walks
Optional: 1 slightly smarter pair if you like dressing up in town

High heels don’t mix well with wooden decks – they’re not recommended and can even damage the surface.

Sun Protection: Non-Negotiable Essentials

You’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, so good sun protection is very important.

Pack:

High-factor sunscreen (reef-safe if possible)
A hat with a brim (caps are fine, but a full brim gives better protection)
Sunglasses with UV protection
After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel

If you’re travelling with children, bring extra hats and rash vests / UV T-shirts for long hours in the water.

Toiletries & Personal Care

Most gulets provide basic soap and toilet paper. Some offer more amenities, but it’s safer to bring what you personally like.

We recommend:

Travel-size shampoo and shower gel
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
Any special skincare products you use
Basic personal hygiene items

Remember that fresh water on board is limited (even with water makers), so shorter showers and reasonable use of products are appreciated.

Medication & Health Items

There is usually a basic first aid kit on board, but you should still bring:

Any prescription medications you need, in original packaging
Painkillers and any preferred over-the-counter medicines
Motion sickness tablets (even if you don’t normally get seasick)
Plasters, blister pads if you plan to walk a lot
Insect repellent (especially for evenings in some bays)

If you have allergies or a medical condition, inform your broker and crew in advance.

Documents, Money & Small Essentials

Don’t forget:

Passport(s) and copies (especially for Turkey + Greek Islands routes)
Travel insurance details
Credit cards and some cash in euros and/or local currency
Driver’s licence if you plan to rent a car before/after the cruise

Small but useful extras:

A small dry bag for phone and valuables when going ashore by tender
A reusable water bottle
A simple daypack for walks and excursions

Tech: How Much Do You Really Need?

Wi-Fi is available on many yachts (with limits), but a gulet holiday is also a good chance to disconnect.

You might bring:

Phone and charger (and power bank)
E-book reader or a favourite book
Headphones
Camera if you enjoy photography

Laptops are of course possible, but many guests end up using them far less than they expect.

Optional Extras That Can Make Your Week Even Better

Not essential, but nice to have:

A light sarong or pareo – useful as a beach cover-up or light towel
A simple travel laundry line and a few pegs for swimwear
A small notebook if you like journaling your trip
Card games or a pack of playing cards

What You Can Safely Leave at Home

There are some things you really don’t need on a gulet:

Very formal or heavy clothing
Multiple pairs of shoes and high heels
Hairdryers (most yachts have them and power is limited)
Large bottles of perfume or aftershave (strong scents + small spaces = not ideal)
Excessive jewellery and valuables

The goal is to feel light, relaxed and comfortable – not to recreate your entire wardrobe at sea.

A Simple Packing Checklist for Your Gulet Charter

To summarise, for a 7-night gulet charter, a typical guest might bring:

1 soft bag / duffel
2–3 swimsuits
2–3 T-shirts / tops
2–3 shorts / skirts
1–2 casual evening outfits
1 light sweater + 1 light jacket
2 pairs of shoes (sandals + trainers)
Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Toiletries & personal medications
Passport, wallet, phone, chargers
A book or e-reader, small daypack, dry bag

Pack light, keep it simple – and leave a little space in your bag for something you might bring back:
memories, photos, and the feeling of wanting to return next year.