A boating vacation with the family: Should you book now or wait?

Published by Brain Yachting on 11.08.2025

Why timing is crucial for your dream vacation

Many families planning their first boating vacation in Croatia or other popular destinations are faced with the same question: “Should we book now or wait a little longer?”

At first glance, the decision seems insignificant – but in fact, it can be crucial in determining how good your vacation will be, how much you pay for it, and how stress-free the preparation process will be.

What other families have experienced

Family Meier from Graz
“We wanted to see if a better offer would come along and inquired elsewhere. Two weeks later, the boat that would have been perfect for us was gone. We ended up booking, but not with the optimal cabin layout. Today we know: it's better to strike right away when it's right.”

Family Schneider from Munich
“We booked in January and even then many boats were already reserved for the high season in Croatia. But the advantage was that we could plan our route without stress and prepare ourselves optimally for our boating vacation. So much advance planning really paid off.”

Family Novak from Vienna
“For us, booking early meant we had time to get the children excited about the adventure. They practiced sailing knots at home, we planned shore excursions, and we marked the itinerary on the map together. The anticipation was almost as enjoyable as the vacation itself.”

4 reasons why it pays to book early

Early bird discounts aren't just available for package holidays – it also pays to plan and book your boating holiday well in advance.

1. More choice – secure the perfect boat

Family-friendly boats and yachts are in high demand, especially during school holidays. However, cabin layouts, safety equipment for children, and spacious vessels at the desired ports are not infinitely available. Those who book early can secure exactly the boat that meets their needs – instead of having to choose later from what is left.

2. Better conditions and early bird prices

Many charter providers reward early decisions with cheaper rates or additional extras. These can include free water sports options, equipment upgrades, or additional services. The closer the peak season gets, the scarcer the availability becomes – and the prices rise.

3. Stress-free planning and individual design

A boating vacation with children needs to be well planned – from the right route to shore excursions and child-friendly meals. Planning well in advance offers many advantages:

Design routes to suit your preferences – whether staying overnight in ports with infrastructure or anchoring freely in quiet bays.
Reserve shore excursions and activities in advance.
Easily implement individual requests (e.g., special meals, nanny service, or equipment).

4. More anticipation and security

The earlier you book, the more relaxed you can be when preparing for your trip. Instead of constantly checking availability, you can focus on the fun stuff: looking at routes, getting the kids excited about sailing, maybe even learning some basic Croatian vocabulary—and enjoying the anticipation together ;-)

✅ Early bird checklist for your family boating vacation

1. Set your desired time period

Check school vacations and public holidays
Consider any overlaps with family celebrations or appointments

2. Select a suitable area

Check popular family regions such as Croatia, Greece, or Italy
Compare travel options (flight, car, ferry)

3. Decide on the type of boat

Sailing yacht, catamaran, or motorboat?
Determine the number of cabins, amenities, and comfort level
Consider child-safe extras such as safety nets or life jackets in children's sizes

4. Clarify the skipper option

Request an experienced, family-friendly skipper
Book early, as good skippers are quickly booked up during the high season

5. Define your budget

Calculate charter price + additional costs
Check for early bird discounts or package deals

6. Plan extras and activities

Reserve water sports equipment (SUP, snorkel, kayak)
Book shore excursions and special experiences early

7. Book early & enjoy the anticipation

Make a binding reservation for the boat
Start planning your route and collecting travel tips

💡 Tip: Print out this list or save it on your smartphone – that way, you'll have everything at a glance when planning and won't forget any important steps.

For whom early booking is particularly important

Families with school-age children – as vacation periods are in high demand
Sailing newbies who want to book an experienced skipper (these are also limited in availability)
Group or multi-generational vacations where several cabins are needed
Travelers with special requests, such as specific safety equipment, certain ports of departure and arrival, or individual routes