The Truth About Food on Gulet Cruises – What You Really Need to Know
Food is one of the most memorable parts of a gulet cruise, but the quality can vary widely depending on how it’s organized. From sourcing fresh local ingredients to the way meals are served, dining at sea can be either extraordinary or disappointing. This guide uncovers the truth about food on gulets - what questions to ask, what to watch out for, and how to make sure your culinary experience is as unforgettable as the journey itself.
Key Takeaways:
- The quality of food depends heavily on whether the owner or agency is a true “foodie.”
- Fresh, locally sourced ingredients make a huge difference compared to supermarket supplies.
- Beware of shortcuts like frozen pizza or jarred sauces - ask for variety and authenticity.
- Soft drink packages may cut corners; check if drinks are served fresh and properly.
- Prioritize food quality over yacht luxury - excellent dining elevates the whole experience.
7 Gulet Cruise Truths you need to know about food
1. Is gulet owner or an agent organizing your food “a foodie”?
Food on a gulet is either organized by its owner (in Croatia) or by an agency that sold you the cruise. In both cases, it is incredibly important that the person behind it is a so called “foodie”. If he loves to “dine and wine” then he will make sure you also get to share this experience with him.
How to test this: do not just ask for a “classic menu example” which can be really generic. Ask specific questions about food. If you do not get back “strong passionate answers” that show you food is also super important to the other side, change either the gulet, or the agency you are dealing with.
2. How is the food being organized – Where do they buy?
Does the fish come from the local fish man or from the supermarkets?
Does the meat come from a local amazing butcher or it is ordered? Is cheese local?
It is easy to make an agreement with a distributor and just send a fax for the food list – and they deliver it to the boat like a post office cargo. But the real professionals do not do it like this. The new important word in this moment is “local”.
3. Frozen Pizza and Knorr Pesto Sauce from Jar on Spaghetti?
Clients are paying good money for an excellent holiday, and they should not be having Knorr pesto sauce from a jar on spaghetti and frozen pizza for the kids, or just Yoplait strawberry yogurt and Nutella for breakfast.
A variety of food and how free everything is incredibly important also.
4. What about Soft Drinks? Are they included in the price?
On a gulet, you can either buy drinks from ships bar, you can make your own shopping or have a “soft drinks package” included in the price. Keep in mind that when soft drinks are included, some gulets that wish to save money gulets just buy 2.5-liter bottles of coke/fanta and pour it into a glass all day long (and the bubbles die with each passing hour).
It is much cheaper for the boat, but not the same experience as opening your own, cold can of Cola during the day.
5. Different Prices of Food. Be Careful what you decide
The cost of food (especially meat and fish) in Turkey (as well as in Croatia) has sky-rocketed in the past 18 months. You can easily check these prices online, with many items being more and more expensive on a daily basis.
It is hard to save money on fuel, but on food, the options are almost limitless. Buy € 1cheese instead of € 5 cheese.
Ask questions what will be included in your food. Tell us about your preferences and dislikes. Get an idea what you get for different prices and then decide for the one that suits you the most.
6. Never Save Money on Food
This is very easy to explain.
It is 10 times better to book 3 stars gulet and 5 stars food, rather than 5 stars gulet and 3 stars food.
If you need to remember just 1 thing from an entire article, this should be it.
7. Design, Services & Crew
It is not just the food you eat. It is also how it is served. Professional waiter, uniformed and friendly chef and a hostess that can prepare your table in a neat way are as important as the ingredients you have on your plate. So it is very important to pay attention to these things also.
Would you like to learn more about gulets?
You can do it here.
Special thanks for this blog post goes to Dina Street. A “foodie” and the owner of gulet Southern Cross Timer. Most of the points made in this article about local food, good preparations and organizations were done by her.
