FAQs

For yacht charter in South East Asia 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.

What really defines the seasons for yacht charter in South East Asia 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 is near to perfect in the Andaman Sea, 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 time the weather is near to perfect in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands, which includes Bali, Flores, Alor and the Komodo National Park.

Throughout Souh East Asia the 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 ports and near towns internet access is ubiquitous and of a reasonably high speed. However, in very remote areas internet access may be 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.

Children love sailing holidays, and a yacht charter cruise aboard the Raja Laut is an amazing way to spend quality time with the kids. With stunning islands of providing the backdrop, children will have a great adventure just being in and around the schooner.

Parents will be re-assured that on the Raja Laut safety is enhanced by the design of the gunwales - the upper edge of the side of a ship - which acts like a safety railing for young children on deck.

Younger children will love kayaking, fishing, swimming, snorkeling or just splashing about in the water off the beach. Older children might like to learn how to scuba dive, waterski or wakeboard, hoist sails, tie knots, navigate with charts and steer a course.

The "double-dog" is a mini banana boat which is fun for kids of all ages, while below deck there is a cosy living area where kids can play board games, read books, or watch DVDs.

In addition, here are a few other tips for making your yacht-charter fun for the whole family:

• Mask, snorkels, fins for younger children do not always fit well so if you already have your own set which fits well we definitely recommend you bring this.
• Pack rash-guards for the whole family. They are a great solution to having to put on so much sunblock all the time.
• Pack your children's favourite board games, travel games, and a small sketch books with colouring pencils.
• Pack a waterproof digital camera

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.

Aboard the yacht 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.

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 cancellations 6 weeks prior to departure.

100% of charter fee will be retained for cancellation less than 6 weeks prior to departure.

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 - enquire for more details.

No, you should not be concerned about pirates in the areas where Raja Laut is cruising. 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 with Raja Laut in Southeast Asia is as safe as it gets. In over 20 years of cruising we have never personally experienced any form of piracy. We have a simple way of looking at it: sailing in Asia is safer by far than walking around the streets of Paris, London or New York. Or driving along any major highway, for that matter. The dangers of motor cars far outweigh the dangers of sailing in Southeast Asia’s beautiful, remote islands.

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.

We insist all guests have adequate travel insurance before they travel. We highly recommend that you understand in detail what your travel insurance covers, and what it doesn't, before you decide what coverage is appropriate for you. Coverage varies depending on the provider.

Should you wish to go scuba diving it is required that you have the right coverage under your travel insurance or by your own personal scuba diving insurance of choice.

The schooner Raja Laut carries two separate insurance policies: 1) Hull & Machinery Insurance, which covers the vessel itself in the event of damage or loss; and 2) Protection & Indemnity Insurance (P&I), which is a third-party insurance and covers passengers and crew during the time they are aboard the vessel.

It is important to note that the P&I Insurance does not cover accidents, injuries, or death outside of the vessel, e.g. due to any swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water-skiing, surfing, kayaking or similar sports, whether supplied by the yacht owner, charterer, or any third party.