What time should you board? check-in, check-out, and a typical day onboard
Updated on: 09/06/2026The essentials
For a boat charter, boarding (check-in) and disembarkation (check-out) follow set times, fixed by the departure base and shown on your boarding pass:
- Boarding: on the day of departure, most often a Saturday, in the afternoon, generally from 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. (sometimes 4 p.m. depending on the base). The boat is ready once the handover and cleaning are done.
- Disembarkation: on the morning of the last day, early, generally between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. The boat must be brought back to the dock the evening before, where you spend your last night on board.
- Early boarding or a night on board the evening before: available at some bases, often as a paid option, to be requested in advance.
- Late arrival: let the base know as early as possible. Depending on the time, you'll board the following morning, with the boat kept secure at the dock in the meantime.
Plan your flights and ground transportation so you arrive before the base closes, and keep the base's number and your Filovent advisor's number handy on boarding day.
What time to board and disembark: the usual times
If boarding is set for the afternoon and disembarkation for early morning, there's a simple reason: between your arrival and the previous crew's departure, the base needs several hours to take the boat back, clean it, refuel, and check the equipment. The table below sums up the most common times, which you should confirm against your boarding pass.
| Stage | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding (check-in) | Day of departure (often a Saturday), from 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. | Welcome at the base, handover inspection, inventory, technical and safety briefing, placing a security deposit hold |
| First night | The evening of boarding | Night on board, in the harbor. Setting sail takes place the following morning |
| Return to the dock | The evening before disembarkation, generally between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. depending on the base | You refuel before returning to the harbor the evening before, for the last night on board |
| Disembarkation (check-out) | Last day (often a Saturday), early, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. | Return inspection, check of the boat and inventory, release of the security deposit |
What time can I board on the day of departure?
Boarding takes place in the afternoon of the day of departure, generally from 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Here's why: the boat was returned by the previous crew that same morning. The base needs a few hours to clean, refuel, and run equipment checks before handing it over to you.
The exact time appears on your contract and on the boarding pass sent before departure. It varies depending on the base and the charter company: some welcome you as early as 4 p.m., others only in the late afternoon. Times also vary by country: in Greece and Croatia, some bases require the boat to be back before 5 p.m. in high season. At the busiest harbors, check-in may also be pushed to Sunday. In high season, a cluster of departures on the same day can delay the welcome time even more. For a bareboat charter without a skipper, plan to arrive with a comfortable cushion: the technical briefing and the handover inspection take time, and it's best not to be in a rush.
Can I board earlier or sleep on board the night before?
At many bases, you can sleep on board the night before departure, at the dock, sometimes called a night on board or early boarding. This paid option depends on the boat's availability, since it has to already be back and ready. It's a great option if you're flying in the night before or driving a long distance.
Important: sleeping on board the night before doesn't mean setting sail earlier. You take over the boat at the dock, but you set sail the next day, once the briefing and formalities are complete. To book this option, mention it to your advisor when you book, since it's confirmed in advance with the base.
What time do I have to return the boat (check-out)?
Disembarkation takes place early on the morning of the last day, generally between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. A rule that often comes as a surprise: the boat has to return to the harbor the evening before, generally between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. depending on the base. You spend the last night on board, in the harbor, and check-out takes place the following morning. This lets the base run the return inspection early, then prep the boat for the next crew, who board the same day.
Practically speaking, plan your last sailing day so you're back at the home port by late afternoon on the evening before check-out, with refueling done. Avoid a long leg on the last day: the sea, the weather, or a setback can delay your return and cause problems for the base.
What happens during check-in?
Check-in is when you officially take over the boat. It happens in several stages:
- The welcome at the base and the check of your documents (ID, sailing license, crew list).
- The handover inspection and the inventory: with the base manager, you check the condition of the boat, the safety equipment, and the gear on board.
- The technical and safety briefing: how the engine, electronics, anchor and ground tackle, and other equipment work, along with guidance specific to the sailing area.
- Placing a hold for the security deposit, usually a pre-authorization on the card of the person skippering the boat. Depending on the charter company, other options exist: bank transfer, full damage-waiver insurance, or a digital deposit (such as Carefree).
How long does check-in take? Check-in typically takes one to two hours, a bit longer for a large boat or a catamaran, and a bit less for a boat you already know. That's why the base sets boarding for late afternoon and asks you to set sail the next morning.
How does check-out work?
Check-out takes place on the morning of disembarkation. The base manager inspects the boat, checks the inventory and that there's no damage, then approves the release of the security deposit. If you took out a damage waiver and no damage is found, the deposit is released. For a smooth disembarkation, clean up and tidy the boat the evening before, gather your belongings, and be ready at the agreed time.
What should I do if I arrive late or late in the evening?
If your flight arrives late or you're running late for boarding, the golden rule is to let the base and your Filovent advisor know as soon as possible. Depending on the time, there are two scenarios:
- You arrive before the base closes: the welcome goes ahead as usual, sometimes in a shorter form if the team is wrapping up for the day.
- You arrive after closing: the boat is kept secure at the dock and you do check-in and the briefing the next morning. You don't lose your charter, but setting sail is delayed accordingly.
To avoid this stress, pick a flight that lands in the early afternoon, leaving a cushion before the base closes. If your arrival is tricky, a boat charter with a skipper makes things simpler: the skipper handles the welcome, the briefing, and setting sail, and you come aboard with complete peace of mind.
What does a typical day on board look like?
Once the cruise is under way, the pace is yours: you decide on your schedule, depending on the weather and what you're in the mood for. On a coastal passage, a day is often organized like this:
| Time of day | What you do |
|---|---|
| Morning | Waking up at anchor or in the harbor, breakfast on board, a weather check and choosing the day's leg, then setting off mid-morning |
| Midday | A few hours of sailing, then anchoring in a cove for lunch, a swim, and some downtime |
| Afternoon | Sailing on again toward the evening stop, with a swim or water sports along the way |
| Late afternoon | Arriving at the harbor or anchorage for the night, mooring or anchoring, any harbor formalities |
| Evening | Dinner on board or ashore, a rest, and planning the next day's route |
Do you have to sail every day? No. Many crews alternate sailing days with days at anchor. Match the legs to your level and the weather: a short sail and a long swim beat an ambitious leg that turns into a race against the clock.
Are the times different for a cabin cruise?
These times apply to a charter without a skipper, called a bareboat charter, where you skipper the boat yourself with no crew on board. For other options, the rules are different. For a cabin cruise, where you book one or more cabins aboard a crewed boat, boarding is organized by the crew at a set time and meeting point, communicated before departure. You have neither a handover inspection nor a security deposit to deal with: the skipper and hostess take care of running the boat and all the logistics. Just check the time and meeting point shown on your travel itinerary and plan your arrival accordingly.
For a river cruise on a houseboat, the principle stays close to a standard charter. Boarding takes place in the afternoon at the river base, followed by familiarization with the boat and a briefing tailored to cruising on canals and rivers: working the locks, reduced speed, mooring along the banks. Over the following days, you cruise at a gentle pace and stop freely along the route. No license is required for this type of boat; the familiarization is enough.
How can I prepare well for boarding day?
Before the big day, check that you have:
- Your boarding pass, which gives the exact time and place to meet at the base.
- Your documents: ID or passport, sailing license if required, crew list validated in your client area.
- A payment card for the security deposit, in the name of the person skippering the boat.
- The base's number and your Filovent advisor's number, in case of a delay or anything unexpected on the way.
Find out more
Want to go deeper? Check out these related guides:
- Life on board: organization, comfort, and daily life during the cruise.
- On-site support: the welcome at the base and assistance during your charter.
- Sailing and anchoring: building your legs and your days at sea.
- The boat inventory: how check-out and the release of the deposit work.
- Insurance and security deposits: understanding the deposit and the damage waiver.
- Documents and formalities: what to present on boarding day.
- Flights and transfers: organizing your arrival so you board on time.
For any questions about the boarding times for your booking, contact your Filovent advisor or our concierge service at +1 332 378 9848.
This article was written by the Filovent team and reviewed by our concierge service, which helps thousands of customers prepare for their cruise every year.
