Sebbene la Sardegna sia innegabilmente bella e il percorso di navigazione offrisse panorami e punti di balneazione incredibili, l'esperienza a bordo della barca di Renato ha lasciato molto a desiderare, soprattutto a causa del comportamento e dell'atteggiamento dello skipper stesso.
Dopo pochi minuti dal nostro incontro, Renato ha fatto un commento inappropriato sulla vita sessuale di un ospite in base al colore dei suoi capelli, facendolo passare per “una battuta italiana”. Questo durante quello che avrebbe dovuto essere il briefing iniziale, ma gli unici argomenti trattati sono stati i costi della spesa e le opzioni di rotta. Non è stato fornito alcun briefing sulla sicurezza, nessuna spiegazione sulle procedure di emergenza o sulla posizione delle attrezzature. Per tutta la durata del viaggio, siamo stati lasciati a immaginare le misure di sicurezza più importanti.
Altri problemi sono stati:
* Il viaggio indicava che c'erano 4 cabine, ma non diceva che una di queste era per lo skipper. Quindi ho dovuto condividere un letto matrimoniale e 1 lenzuolo con un perfetto sconosciuto, che è molto da chiedere in linea con il prezzo costoso per notte.
*Agli ospiti non è stato permesso di utilizzare le docce private, nonostante l'annuncio suggerisca il contrario. È stato consentito solo un breve risciacquo all'esterno, sul retro della barca, e anche questo è stato monitorato per meno di un minuto a persona.
* La cucina e il frigorifero erano off-limits per gli ospiti.
* Sono stati addebitati costi aggiuntivi rispetto al prezzo della prenotazione: 60 euro a persona per la spesa (che serviva anche per alimentare lo skipper) e una tassa a sorpresa di 70 euro a persona alla fine per il carburante e la lavanderia, che è sembrata eccessiva e non è stata comunicata chiaramente prima della partenza.
* Renato ha fatto spesso battute inappropriate, compresi numerosi commenti sul corpo delle donne e su ciò che dovremmo o non dovremmo mangiare; quando abbiamo sollevato le nostre preoccupazioni, queste sono state liquidate come differenze culturali. Questo schema ha creato un'atmosfera di disagio per tutto il viaggio.
* Il suo umore era imprevedibile, il che rendeva stressante anche fare domande basilari come se potessimo preparare un caffè.
Quello che avrebbe dovuto essere un viaggio divertente e rilassante si è trasformato in una situazione in cui gli ospiti hanno legato sul disagio comune. È un peccato perché la bellezza naturale della zona e il comfort generale delle cabine e della barca avevano un potenziale reale. Renato è chiaramente esperto di mare e ci ha mostrato luoghi e tramonti bellissimi, ma il suo approccio all'ospitalità e alla cura degli ospiti è decisamente carente.
In breve, se siete alla ricerca di un'esperienza di navigazione rispettosa e rilassante - soprattutto se siete donne - non vi consiglio questo viaggio.
—- English:
Within 10 minutes of meeting Renato he labelled one of his passengers as someone who gets a lot of sex due to the colour of their hair, passing it off as an Italian joke. This was during the initial briefing as we arrived, when the only other thing he mentioned was money for groceries and then gave us 2 options of where to sail too. I’d imagine that a safety briefing would have typically taken place here, but for all we knew there were no life jackets on board or any safety precautions to take.
The examples are endless of his lack of hospitality, including: not letting us open the fridge or use the kitchen, not letting us take a private shower for the complete 4 day trip (only a 30 second rinse off with a hose at the edge of the boat was allowed). He made me so uncomfortable that I was even scared to ask for a coffee due to his unregulated emotional state, and complete lack of compassion.
After every crude joke, or remarks about women’s bodies, he would pass it off as a ‘cultural divide’ - “this is what we say in Italy” was a common defence used to silence us.
On top of the boat booking fees, we each paid 60 euros for groceries, which included feeding him. We were also slapped with a 70 euro fee each for fuel and laundry at the end of the trip which seems like scam.
In the end the passengers on this trip sought comfort from each other more than they smiled, and for that alone I’d like to seek compensation.
In keeping an honest review: the bed sizes are okay for couples. And the places he took us too were gorgeous. Some of the best sunsets and clearest waters I’ve ever seen. He is a good skipper in terms of the sea, but unfortunately his hospitality runs dry in comparison.
—
While Sardinia is undeniably beautiful and the sailing route itself offered incredible views and swimming spots, the experience aboard Renato’s boat left much to be desired — especially due to the conduct and attitude of the skipper himself.
Within minutes of meeting us, Renato made an inappropriate comment about a guest’s sex life based on their hair colour, passing it off as “an Italian joke.” This was during what should have been the initial briefing, yet the only topics covered were grocery costs and sail route options. No safety briefing was provided — no explanation of emergency procedures or equipment locations. For the duration of the trip, we were left guessing about critical safety measures.
Other issues included:
* The trip stated that there were 4 cabins, but did not state that 1 of those was for the skipper. So I had to share a double bed & 1 bed sheet with a complete stranger, which is a lot to ask for in line with the expensive price per night.
*Guests were not allowed to use the private showers, despite the listing suggesting otherwise. Only a brief rinse outside at the back of the boat was permitted, and even that was monitored to less than a minute per person.
* The kitchen and fridge were off-limits to guests.
* Additional fees were charged beyond the booking price: €60 per person for groceries (which also fed the skipper), and a surprise €70 fee per person at the end for fuel and laundry, which felt excessive and was not clearly communicated beforehand. The skipper did not show us receipts/tickets for these costs so for all we know he just made the figures up himself.
* Renato frequently made inappropriate jokes, some were direct racism, and others were comments about women’s bodies & what we should or shouldn’t eat; these were dismissed as cultural differences when we raised concerns. This pattern created an uncomfortable atmosphere throughout the trip.
* His mood was unpredictable, making it stressful to ask even basic questions like whether we could make a coffee.
What should have been a fun and relaxing trip turned into a situation where guests bonded over shared discomfort. It’s unfortunate because the natural beauty of the area and the general comfort of the cabins & boat had real potential. Renato is clearly experienced at sea & showed us beautiful locations and sunsets, but his approach to hospitality and guest care is sorely lacking.
In short, if you’re looking for a respectful, relaxing sailing experience — especially as a female traveler — I would not recommend this trip.
