Families get the best of this market's pricing and the worst of its logistics. The boat is quoted per week rather than per person, so filling the cabins is straightforward value. Against that, everything about the week has to work for the least enthusiastic person aboard, and a seven day charter gives you nowhere to put a child who has had enough of sailing.
Why the pricing suits a family
A charter is quoted per yacht. Croatia Yachting prints from 1.376 euro against a four cabin Bali Catspace at its Trogir base, and that figure is the same whether four of you sleep aboard or eight. For a family of four or five the headline looks large and the per person figure is reasonable, and the strongest lever available is sharing the boat with another family rather than hunting a cheaper week.
The catamaran, and why families end up on one
It does not heel, which matters at mealtimes and to anyone who gets seasick; the cockpit holds everyone at once; and the cabins sit on separate hulls, which is the difference between children sleeping and children not. Sunsail's approximate BVI figures show the premium plainly: about $3,500 for a low season bareboat monohull against about $5,700 for a low season catamaran.
Which cruising ground forgives a family week
The ones with short legs and something to do ashore most afternoons. The Croatian Dalmatian islands and the Greek Ionian are the standard answers: passages under twenty miles, warm water from June, no tide, and a town with an ice cream waiting each afternoon. The Cyclades, with the meltemi, are a poor first family week however good the photographs are.
Taking a skipper, and where they sleep
Most families sailing for the first time take one, and it buys local knowledge more than seamanship: which bay is sheltered this afternoon, which quay will have room, where the shallow swimming is. The catch is the cabin. On many boats the skipper takes a forward cabin or the saloon, so a four cabin yacht sleeps your family in three. Ask before you book rather than at handover.
Questions people ask about family sailing vacations
How much is a family sailing vacation?
Croatia Yachting prints from 1.376 euro for a four cabin catamaran at Trogir, read on 11 September 2026, and the price is for the boat rather than per person.
Catamaran or monohull for a family?
A catamaran for most families: it does not heel, the cockpit holds everyone and the cabins are on separate hulls. Sunsail's BVI figures put the premium at about $3,500 against $5,700 in low season.
Where should a family sail for the first time?
The Croatian Dalmatian islands or the Greek Ionian: passages under twenty miles, warm water from June, no tide and a town to walk into most afternoons.
Should we take a skipper?
Most first time families do. Check where the skipper sleeps first, because on many boats it is a forward cabin or the saloon you were counting on.