Summer is just a few days away. This means that, for many boaters, these are the crucial weeks for organizing the details for their next boat cruise. Many will have already decided on the general itinerary, who will be on board, and even which ports they will moor in (as we will emphasize below, it is always best to book your berth well in advance). However, there are many other details to address in order to organize the ideal boat holiday: today we want to list the most important tips for a peaceful, pleasant, and stress-free cruise, gathered after years of sailing and, of course, managing the Genoa marina! Let us look at some valuable suggestions for managing your cruise effectively before and after departure.

Tips for a peaceful cruise, before setting off

• Check the boat and its equipment: the first of our tips for a peaceful cruise may seem obvious, but it is certainly worth remembering. In the weeks leading up to departure, it is advisable to perform a special check-up of the boat, knowing that it will have to face many—and perhaps long—days of navigation. It is therefore better to check all systems and instrumentation, from the plumbing to the windlass, as well as all onboard equipment. From fenders to safety gear, everything must be in good condition.
• Study the route carefully, also based on the crew: whatever the main destinations of the cruise, there will likely be several possible routes to choose from. It is best to study the path and the different options, and evaluate how to organize the stages based on the skills, habits, and desires of every crew member. For some—starting with those little or not at all accustomed to life on board—crossings lasting several days can be excessively taxing, especially if scheduled for the very first days of the cruise.
• Book your berth in the selected ports: once the itinerary is established, it is wise to book your berth in the chosen marinas, knowing that along the most renowned Mediterranean coasts, moorings run out of berths for August weeks or even months in advance. Those who wish to spend nights in ports—perhaps alternating with nights at anchorage—should therefore select the marinas and contact them in good time.
• Provision the galley rationally: once the itinerary is decided and the stages and stopovers are planned, you can move on to provisioning the galley. The goal should be to purchase and bring on board everything necessary for the cruise (or almost), knowing that during the trip, there will be the delightful opportunity to buy fresh, local food. Essentials in the galley include sufficient drinking water, dry goods, and possibly canned foods, with a good selection of snacks to ensure the energy needed for navigation is always available.
• Explain the fundamental rules to everyone: before setting off on the cruise, especially when there are people among the crew with little or no sailing experience, it is always essential to organize a brief “briefing.” In this meeting, information on itineraries, stages, and stopovers will be shared, and above all, the rules of life on board will be reiterated (from the correct use of the boat’s toilet onwards).

Suggestions for a happy boat cruise, after departure

• Maintain order on board: a good start is half the battle. From the moment you leave the berth, it is important to maintain order on board, ensuring that all walkways are clear and that every piece of equipment is (and returns) to its place. In this way, sailing will be easier, safer, and less tiring.
• Organize shifts: those who plan to sail only a few hours a day can certainly do without this. For those who have planned a more demanding sailing schedule, and even more so for those who have planned night crossings, the organization of watch shifts is essential to reduce stress and fatigue while always maintaining a high level of safety.
• Keep the weather under control: simply indispensable in a list of tips for a peaceful cruise, for the simple fact that the meteorological situation inevitably affects a boat holiday. Nowadays, there are many tools to check the weather for the following hours and days, from bulletins issued by the Coast Guard to various dedicated apps, as well as direct observation of currents and winds.
• Always have a plan B: this could be the most important of the tips for a peaceful cruise. From the moment you depart until the boat holiday ends, it is always necessary to be ready to manage the unexpected. This means there should always be some margin, leaving time, space, energy, and resources to deal with an emergency effectively. A breakdown on board, a storm that arrives early, an injury: for an unprepared crew, such situations can turn into real nightmares.
• Always prepare the mooring in advance: as sailors and as managers of the Genoa port, we know this very well, and we will never stop repeating it: preparing the mooring in advance, and therefore before arriving near the berth, is fundamental to being able to handle this step correctly, safely, and without stress. This means that before entering the port, you must prepare the fenders, just as it is wise to arrange the mooring lines and assign everyone a specific task. In this way, mooring in the marina becomes easier and less anxiety-inducing.
• Remember that it is a holiday: finally, the last of the tips for a peaceful cruise, which should always be kept in mind. It is a holiday, and it should be approached as such. Of course, to operate a boat, it is necessary to maintain a high level of attention, but it is equally certain that fun and relaxation should always be central. Chatting with other crew members, playing with children on board, taking a dip offshore, admiring a sunset, letting yourself be enchanted by the sighting of dolphins, swordfish, and whales: this is also the essence of yachting.