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The Unvarnished Truth of Life on the High Seas

5½ Misconceptions About Living on a Luxury Cruise Boat

I own Arkadaslik Yachting, a small business offering custom cruises along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and Greece aboard our 22-meter luxury gulet, Arkadaslik. I live on the boat with my husband (the Captain, Oktay) and crew, and we host guests during week-long cruises.

While everyone on the team has specific roles, like most entrepreneurs, the bulk of my job description reads other duties as required. I pitch in whenever and wherever needed. Whether it's scrubbing pots and pans in our tiny galley, cleaning up after a plumbing emergency, or comforting a passenger with sea stomach, I do whatever it takes to make the business successful.

I'm often surprised by how different people imagine my life to be from their own. Here are a few common misconceptions people have.

Misconception 1: "You must be rich to own a boat like that."

This first point is only partly true.

Consider that Arkadaslik is essentially a floating hotel with four guest suites, staff quarters, indoor and outdoor seating areas, a kitchen, a bar, and unlimited access to Mother Nature's swimming pool. The purchase price for Arkadaslik was approximately the same as a single-family home in Canada.

However, the maintenance costs for a wooden boat are staggering. Each year, we spend about one-third of our income on routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and upgrades. Why so much? Safety is the primary reason, and it comes with a hefty price tag.

Just mention "marine grade"" or a harbour address to a vendor or service man, and costs can double, or even triple, what we'd pay for the exact same thing on land. It's crazy!

So, buying a boat? Not so expensive. Maintaining a boat? Very expensive. And maintenance is required whether we have guests or not. So while we are rich in experiences, we're not exactly rolling in cash.

Misconception 2: "Exploring the Mediterranean every day must be so exciting!"

The ancient history, the vibrant culture, the stunning scenery - it's all amazing. But let me confess: there are times during a cruise when I'm bored silly. Usually, it happens on the third or fourth day at sea, after all the guests have settled into the rhythm of the boat. The sun is warm, there's a beautiful breeze, and we're cruising from one awesome destination to another. And all the guests fall asleep. It happens. On. Every. Single. Cruise.

It's wonderful for them, not so exciting for me. During these quiet moments, I'll catch up on emails or watch an episode of The West Wing on my laptop. Or, if the sea is calm, I'll shave my legs. (You can't do it with significant swell!) Mostly, I just wait for everyone to wake up so I can get back to work.

Misconception 3: "You must feast every day!"

Everybody knows you gain weight on a cruise. And our food is truly incredible. Our chef prepares three magnificent meals a day, plus snacks, afternoon tea, and dessert. Add in visits from the ice cream man and the pancake lady. If I ate and drank like our guests, I'd weigh as much as the boat!

Yes, I eat the same meals, but my portions are smaller. And I try to pass on dessert. (Except for ice cream - that’s an indulgence I can’t give up.) Between cruises, I stick to simple, often vegetarian, meals.

Misconception 4: "You party every night!"

As the boat owner and hostess, I spend a lot of time with our guests. Chatting, schmoozing, answering questions, and just generally getting to know them. Enjoying after-dinner drinks and pleasant conversations with the group isn't uncommon. I'll even join their dance parties, karaoke nights, games and other antics if invited. But by 10PM, I'm exhausted, and usually head to bed. After all...

Misconception 5: "Your life is an endless vacation."

Gulet cruises are the epitome of a relaxing holiday - for our guests. The crew and I, however, are working hard to make that happen. My days are packed. When I'm not helping with guest service or cleaning cabins (I'm a perfectionist, and I'm convinced I’m the only one who can clean a bathroom properly!), I'm managing the business behind the scenes: our website, social media, customer communication, trip planning, and more.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But it's definitely work, not a vacation.

The Half-Misconception: "It must be so romantic."

Yes, I live on a beautifully appointed yacht, and I'm surrounded by some of the most romantic scenery on Earth. Yes, I spend evenings sitting with my husband, listening to the waves and gazing at the moonlit sky.

But we're also on call, discreetly keeping watch over everything to ensure the boat is safe and our guests are happy. My cabin, the master suite, serves quadruple duty as our bedroom, a wine cellar, a pantry, and dirty laundry storage. It’s cramped, sometimes smells funny, and privacy is a rare luxury.

We're almost never alone. We're either with our guests or with our crew. While our cruises are incredibly romantic for our guests, we're the ones making that magic happen.

So What's It Really Like?

So, while my life on the sea isn't all champagne and rose petals, it is a rewarding and beautiful one. It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything, especially the moments I get to share with our guests. If you’re ready to explore the Mediterranean Coast, I would love to host you aboard Arkadaslik. Get in touch today, and we can start planning your perfect dream vacation.