DALA SAIL - FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Tour
What happens throughout the day?
Your day will always starts with a freshly cooked breakfast from your personal on board chefs, being served from 9:00-10:00 am. By now we are already in a new destination as we started setting sail for the next port (during the night while you’re asleep).
We make sure swim stops are scheduled throughout the day, as well as lunch provided which is served around 12:00 noon.
Once docked, your DALA SAIL Rep will coordinate with the group any activities planned for the day, all including transport showing you the highlights and things to do for the afternoon/evening. There may be an excursion already organized which your DALA SAIL Rep will take care of everything so you don't have to worry.
You then meet back with the group for dinner, which is usually around 7:30 pm, followed by ‘Happy Hour’ on the boat before a night out on the town to enjoy the local nightlife.
What time does the tour start/finish?
Tour start time: Saturday morning. Check in from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Tour end time: The following Saturday after breakfast at 9:00 am. You can depart earlier if you wish or have an early flight.
What is the average age of passengers on tour?
With our tours tailored towards the millennials demographic our average age is 24-40.
No matter if you’re outside of that bracket, as most of our travelers are all like-minded and are here for the same reason, to relax, unwind and enjoy local experiences with new friends.
I'm a solo traveler, is this tour for me?
If you're travelling solo, there's no better way than to book a group tour! Some things are just more fun when you take a leap. We know that young adventurers want to travel, have fun and share experiences with people their own age. For this reason alone, DALA SAIL caters for like minded travelers in their 20’s and 30’s.
If you want to get out and explore what each island has to offer, enjoy a sunset with a beer or cocktail or just party the night away, there’s always a great mix of people on board to share it with. You'll come on board as a solo traveler, but you will walk off with a family of life long friends and a bunch of great experiences and stories for the rest of your life.
I’m traveling solo, who will be I be sharing with?
Our prices are based on two or three people sharing a cabin, so if you’re traveling solo, we’ll randomly pair you with a like-minded traveler of similar age as well as the same gender.
If you would like to upgrade to a single cabin, contact us and we'll let you know the availability and single fare for the whole cabin.
How many passengers are on the boat?
On average there are generally between 20-25 passengers per tour group.
What is included in the tour?
As a general overview, the tour price and fees cover the following services (plus more).
Accommodation: 7 nights in a Double or triple room on our luxury DALA SAIL vessels. This means you get to be on board a boat with more luxury than normal.
Each cabin is fitted out and newly renovated with it’s own private en-suite (bathroom, CR,WC), so there’s no sharing facilities between any of our cabins.
All our cabins and lounge areas have Air Condition facilities included in the price.
Meals and Drinks: Every meal is freshly cooked and prepared by our on board chef. Authenticity & quality is what it’s all about as they cater your meals throughout the week (at no extra cost).
Having our own personal chefs also means we can cater to special dietary requirements (just let us know). All Drinks are included (yes even alcohol)
DALA SAIL Rep: You get the services of English speaking experienced tour leader. Note that your DALA SAIL Rep is exclusive for your group. They sleep on board and are there whenever you need them.
Captain and Crew: Your DALA SAIL crew is made up of a captain, 2 chefs, 1 Cruise Director, 2 Dive Masters and a team of sailors making sure you're well looked after.
Orientation tours: As per the itinerary your DALA SAIL rep will provide guidance throughout the tour of any activities and excursions included.
Sun lounges: Sun Lounges on the top deck for you to enjoy your tanning time on.
WiFi: There is no WiFi on board, however if you wish we can assist you in attaining a local sim card so you can easily update and show off to your friends and family back home about the awesome time you're having.
Housekeeping: During the week our housekeeping team will freshen up your room with new linen and towels.
What is not included in the tour price?
Travel insurance, meals, tips for local guides and sailing crew, optional excursions, and/ other services NOT stated in the itinerary.
How much free time will I get on my tour?
How much free time you have is up to you, it’s your holiday! If you want things to do, your DALA SAIL rep is there offer insights to the islands and places we visit, organize your land excursions or nights out with the group.
There are plenty of opportunities throughout the day for you to swim in the sea or chill on the sun deck. In the evenings you have the option to join your new friends out on the land or have the night to yourself for a quiet night in. Whatever you want to get out of your vacation, we are here to help make it happen.
Are there extra excursions on offer?
Yes, for those that want to get even more out of your week with us, we have some great optional excursions on offer. Ranging from skydiving to a wildlife canyon orientation walk. The costs for these are b not included in your tour cost & are payable to your DALA SAIL Rep during the tour, all you have to do is let us know.
Once your booking is complete, you will get a list of the upcoming excursions to choose from so that you can start getting excited!
If there's any additional excursions you may want to do that aren't on our list, let us know and we'll do our best to ensure you get the chance to tick it off your bucketlist.
Do you cater for dietary requirements on board?
Having our very own personal chef means we can cater to your special dietary requirements. Just let us know your dietary requirements before check-in on day 1.
If you think you’re requirement is unique and want to check with our team beforehand, you can drop us an email at hello@dalasail.com
How much should I budget for the tour?
Depending on your taste, a sailing tour in Philippines can be cheap once you are there and not too much money needs to be spent during the week if you didn’t want to. All your meals, snacks and drinks (and alcoholic) are covered by us so no need to spend any extra. However, local meals in restaurants range from Php 250 - 500 per person.
If you decide to join the group on the nights out, our DALA SAIL reps organize free entries to clubs and drink specials exclusive to DALA SAIL, helping you to save money to be spent elsewhere.
We also have a bar on board the boat that is self service Beer, Wine and Spirits. Yes that’s right, even alcohol is included.
Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory and it’s entirely up to you if you decide to give extra to your Dala Sail crew. It’s not expected but is very much appreciated.
You will see the DALA SAIL team always go above and beyond to ensure you have the best week of your life on our tours.
Do I need travel Insurance?
YES, you NEED travel insurance. We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before final payment has been made. Ideally you should get a policy that covers you for; Emergency travel arrangements and accommodation expenses, cancellations, overseas medical and hospital expenses, personal accidents, personal baggage and public liability.
THE BOAT
What is the boat like?
Our luxury boat is newly built and renovated, RINA - certified to the highest specification, with spacious air-conditioned cabins and private en-suites, so there’s no sharing between cabins like other boat tours overseas.
Enjoy the large sun deck and dining area. There’s plenty of room to take in the sun, relax on deck or chill and take in the scenery by one of our many chill-out zones.
What are the rooms like?
Have a sneak peak into the rooms and check out our photos here.
Deluxe or Premium Deluxe?
If you're deciding whether you should choose going with Deluxe or Premium Deluxe cabin, here's some info to help you out:
• Same Same - All of our rooms are spacious, newly renovated and have air-condition and private en-suites.
• Lighting and Windows - This is the main difference between the rooms. The Premium Deluxe rooms are located above deck have a normal size window whereas the Deluxe rooms have a port hole for a window, letting in less natural light.
• Space - The Premium Deluxe rooms are slightly larger.
• Double Beds - The twin beds in the Premium Deluxe rooms can be pushed together to make a double bed. Great for couples and partners. This is not an option in our Deluxe rooms as they are fixed. (Only 2 of our premium deluxe rooms have this feature so please specify this upon booking).
• Stairs - Our Deluxe rooms are below deck, so you will need to take the stairs each time you want to come to the dining room and sun deck.
• Location - By being in the Premium Deluxe (above deck) rooms, you have the luxury of stepping out of your door straight into daylight then into the water for that morning dip in the Philippine seas. Winning!
Below deck cabin doors are on the inside and open into the hallway.
Is there a bar on the boat?
We have a self service bar, because everything is covered by us, this means its an open bar, including all beverages, water, sodas, juice, beer, wine, and spirits.
What power sockets are available on the boat?
As we are in the Philippines, our boat uses Philippine sockets (2 flat prongs), so you will need to bring an international conversion adapter to use your electronics and devices.
What should I pack?
You can pack light for this week long tour on the seas. The weather during the summer is on average 26-32 C, so you can rely on not having to wear jeans or a jacket to keep you warm.
The dress code for the nightlife and islands here is very relaxed. Casual Summer wear is more than acceptable.
Where do we dock?
We dock in the main port at each destination. Your Dala Sail Rep will get you familiar with all that you need to know for your time at each island.
Will I get seasick?
First thing to note is that our boat is the only RINA (European standard) certified vessel in the Philippines, RINA provides quality assurance and certification for important ship's components and accessories, including life-saving appliances, marine pollution prevention, fire protection, navigation, radio communication equipment, deck gear, cables, rodes, and anchors.
Most of the time it's like sailing on a large lake, very rarely does anyone get seasick on our tours.
If you do usually get seasick, we recommend you get yourself some motion sickness tablets.
It may even be helpful consulting your doctor as they know your medical history and will be able to advise accordingly.
What if I can’t swim very well?
Life jackets and floaty devices are available on our boat and there will be plenty of other activities to keep you busy. Or, if you prefer, you can stick to lounging around, sun tanning on our huge upper deck and/ of course, the islands.
What if we get bad weather?
As we sail during the summer season, it's very rare that we have bad weather.
However, if the seas are too rough on any given day, our Captain carefully plans out an alternate route to avoid them.
We may change up the itinerary slightly to ensure the most pleasurable experience on board by avoiding any bad weather (just in case).
BOOKING
How do I make a Booking Enquiry?
Once you’ve had a look at our dates and availability all you need to do now is let us know that you want to jump on board with us.
You can do this easily by clicking on the Enquire Now button in the Header of each page which will take you to our Booking Enquiry form for you to make contact with us.
One of our friendly Dala Sail team will get back to you ASAP with our availability, fares and inform you of any discounts and deals we have on offer.
How do I lock in my spot on tour?
After making contact with our Dala Sail team, they will fill you in on all your options available with us. Once you are ready to live the dream with us, simply reply back to that initial enquiry and we’ll get started.
We’ll send you out a link to pay your deposit of €300 (approx ₱ 18,000) and that will lock your spot and any sale discounts. Easy!
How do I pay for my tour?
Payment for your Dala Sail tour can be made easily by credit card through our secure online payment link. This will be emailed through to you along with your invoice.
All invoices and payment links are in Peso currency.
What payment options do you have available?
Deposit now, pay later: A Non refundable deposit of €300 (approx ₱ 18,000) per person must be paid to secure your spot. Then you just need to pay the balance as outlined in your final payment email before the due date.
Pay in full: Take advantage of the early payment discount and pay in full. Payment is required by the due date. Failure to meet your payment deadlines may result in your booking being cancelled or price increase. Any additional costs incurred due to late payment are the responsibility of the passenger (you).
Are there any extra charges?
All dives/dive gear rental will be extra charge. Snorkeling gear is complimentary.
Guests are responsible for safe use and handling of all gear. Any missing
equipment will be charged to the account.
A Fuel surcharge of USD 100 pp and Park and Port fees of USD 100 pp are to be
paid upon arrival to your Dala Sail Representative.
Philippines
What currency do they use in the Philippines?
Philippines official currency is the Philippine peso (Php) however currency exchange booths are located at main airports and main cities. Most of the destinations we visit are islands so it's a good idea to have your money exchanged in Php before you arrive on tour.
Alternatively, ATM machines are readily available throughout most destinations to use your own cash card. VISA and other credit card options are also available is most places, however not all the time and most prefer cash.
Do I need a Visa for Philippines?
Not many passports these days require a visa for their visit to Philippines, however it is recommended that you follow this up with your passport country of issue to see if a visa is required. It is then your responsibility to obtain any tourist visas you may require to visit the Philippines.
You can check on this website to get you started: https://www.visahq.com/philippines/
My passport is almost expired, will this be ok?
To comply with most immigration regulations, ensure that your passport has a minimum of six (6) months validity from your intended return date back to your home country. Your booking with Dala Sail should be made using your full name exactly as it appears on your current valid passport.
What language do they speak in Philippines?
In Philippines the locals speak Filipino, however most people also speak English. English is very widely spoken, especially by the younger community. Philippines is considered to be among the better English speaking Asian countries.
How do I get from CEBU, CATICLAN (BORACAY), PUERTO PRINCESA Airport to the Port?
Dala Sail has all your transfers covered, when you book with us, you will fill out all necessary information we need, including flight times and dates so we can arrange a warm welcome for you. If you haven't booked your flight already, don't stress, just keep us updated when you do.
What is the weather like in Philippines over the Summer?
The average year-round temperature measured from all the weather stations in the Philippines, is 26 - 32°C. The best time to travel to Philippines is January, February and March, perfect for sailing and adventure.
What vaccinations do I need for Philippines?
You should seek medical advice before travelling to The Philippines from your local health practitioner (doctor) and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations.
As a guide, Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid are strongly recommended. For more health information for Philippines visit the CDC Traveler's Health page.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Philippines?
Tap water in Philippines is generally not encouraged to drink (especially for foreigners), as a precaution against stomach upsets you may want to drink bottled water, which is readily available from shops, hotels, restaurants and convenience stores throughout Philippines.
Is it standard to tip in Philippines?
Tipping is not expected in Philippines, however leaving a tip on your bill in a restaurant a good gesture. When it comes to other areas of the service industry, (such as trikes and taxis), rounding up the fare is a nice gesture but not obligatory.
Is WiFi widely available in Philippines?
In main cities and ports, WiFi is mostly available in airports, hotels and in some restaurants, cafes, bars and public places (not on islands). Should you opt to get a local sim card, these enable you to use Facebook for FREE.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE
FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US WITH YOUR ENQUIRY AND WE'LL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST.