ekc...you are probably right. I read it the way annhig did though and that's when I really felt I was being ripped off.

And for what it's worth, neither Lucibello nor Salvatore e Gennaro has responded to my email. The only ones who have are Sorrento Luxury Charters and Blue Star. I never chase down people to give them my money, so chances are I will go with the vendors who took the time to respond to me.

good choice, zenlist - and IMO €2,500 was already pretty steep. After all, you're not Richard Branson, are you? [or perhaps...]

Interesting that you never heard back from Lucibello, as I received very prompt responses to my inquiries early this summer - but I was asking about trips from Positano where they are based.

It is high season, so it is probable they are uber busy. I'd give it another day and re-send.

I was also asking about trips from Positano. And I emailed them last week and again on Monday :( I asked for general info about their "tours".

From Gennaro e Salvatore:




Have a look at about your request I can offer a private boat full day Capri of Amalfi Coast
embark: Sorrento Port 9:30am
disembark : Sorrento Port 6pm
Boat of 10 mt with cabin, shower and toilet
€ 900
Includes: driver, free soft drinks, beach towels, aperitif on board, tax.
Have a look at www.gozzosorrentino.biz

From Lucibello:

Hello
our company is Positano , but we can pick you up and drop off in Sorrento.

Concerning your kindly request , I can suggest some itineraries:

Capri Island:
Departure from Sorrento at your favourite time straight to Capri, with possibility to have free time on the island at your disposal.
Then tour around the island, stop to visit the Blue Grotto ( weather permitting , the entrance costs extra € 15.00 per person),Capri lighthouse , the Green Grotto,
possibility to stop and swim in the nicests spots, towards Marina Piccola, Faraglioni rocks,Villa Malaparte, the White Grotto.
Then La Conca del Sogno for lunch
On the way back , slowly cruising the peninsular , possibility to stop nearby Sorrento to have extra swim then back .

- Gozzo Aprea 32 ( La Lucia or San Salvatore) € 1000.00
- Apreamare 100 ( Ue ma) € 1000.00
- Tornado speedboat € 1200.00
- Itama speedboat € 1500.00
- Lady L € 1800.00


Amalfi Coast 1

Departure from Sorrento at your favourite time, straight to Amalfi Free time to walk around Then cruise of the Amalfi coast to admire the nicest spots and swim.( Conca dei Marini, Esmerald grotto,( weather permitting , the entrance costs extra € 5.00 per person)Fiordo di Furore,
Praiano,Positano , (possibility stop for shopping , and walk around.),
Possibility to stop for lunch in Positano or in Nerano ( small fishermen village along the coast )
then slowly cruising the peninsular , possibility to stop nearby Sorrento to have extra swims then back .

Amalfi Coast 2
Departure from Sorrento at your favourite time, cruise of the Sorrento Peninsula , possibility to stop for swimming, then slowly cruise of the coast towards Positano , possibility stop for shopping and walk around.
Then the Amalfi Coast , admiring the most scenic spots: Praiano, Fiordo di Furore, Esmeraldo grotto
( weather permitting , the entrance costs extra € 5.00 per person), Amalfi.
Free time to walk around . Will be also possible to land on a quite beach nearby for lunch.

On the way back , to Sorrento, we can also pass by Li Galli Islands( marmaids islands).


- Gozzo Aprea 32 ( La Lucia or San Salvatore) € 1300.00
- Apreamare 100 ( Ue ma) € 1300.00
- Tornado speedboat € 1600.00
- Itama speedboat € 2000.00
- Lady L € 2200.00

Of course the itineraries are just suggestions , we leave open to agree with your captain on the boat.

Price includes: Fuel, captain, Taxes, towels, drinks, snacks, masks.


From Positano we also offer other services as following:
BOATS WITHOUT DRIVER :
- tipycal wooden boat 8HP , € 35.00 per hour, over 3 hrs we give a
little discount. Daily rental ( over 5 hrs) € 180.00 including 1 tank of
gasoline ( just to cruise along the coast) maximum 4 people

- Small rubber boat ( without canapy) 40 Hp € 60.00,over 3 hrs we give a little discount. Daily rental ( over 5 hrs) € 280.00 including 1 tank of gasoline maximum 6 people

- Large rubber boat ,8 seats with canapy,40 Hp € 70.00,over 3 hrs we give a
little discount. Daily rental ( over 5 hrs) € 320.00 including 1 tank of gasoline
maximum 8 people

Suggested itineraries by private boat with captain:

AMALFI COAST:
Departure from Positano cruising the Amalfi coast, passing by
Praiano, Fiordo di Furore , Esmerald Grotto(entrance costs extra € 5.00),
Conca dei Marini, stop for swimming at Marmorata waterfalls , then we
pass by Minori , Maiori, we stop to have another swim at Pandora cave, Cetara , Vietri.
Possibilty to visit the little towns of the coast .
( We suggest Amalfi and Ravello) . Also on this side of the coast there are several typical restaurants if you like to have lunch ( to avoid Amalfi that is more touristy) etc.

CAPRI Island:
Departing from Positano at their favourite time to Capri, tour around the island, passing
by the White Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, towards Marina Piccola, the Green Grotto.
Along this part of coast we stop to have a swim if they like. Stop to visit the Blue Grotto ( weather permitting , entrance costs extra € 15.00 each) ,then free time on the island . On the way back , slowly cruising the peninsular , possibility to stop in Nerano ( small fishermen village ) for a late lunch ( less touristy then Capri) , stop for extras swim and back to Positano.



PRIVATE BOATS with driver , to Capri or Amalfi coast:( between 9 am and 6 pm)

- Gozzo Esposito Pappa €450.00 ( only for the Amalfi coast)
- Gozzo Aprea Lucilla €550.00
- large rubber boat 26 feet € 700.00
- Lancia Notte e Juorno € 850.00
- Gozzo Sorrento 32 € 1000.00 ( San Salvatore)
- Aprea 32 open € 1000.00
- Apreamare 100 Ue ma € 1000.00
- Itama 45 speedboat € 1500.00 .
- Lady L € 1800.00

Half a day rental ( from 9 am to 1 pm or from 2 pm to 6pm)
- Gozzo Esposito Pappa €350.00 ( only for the Amalfi coast)
- Gozzo Aprea Lucilla €400.00( only for the Amalfi coast)
- Large rubber boat 26 feet € 450.00
- Gozzo Sorrento 32 € 700.00 ( San Salvatore)
- Aprea 32 open € 700.00 ( La Lucia)
- Apreamare 100 Ue ma € 700.00
- Itama 45 speedboat € 1100.00
- Lady L € 1300.00 up to 12 people

We accept Visa and Mastercard.

Excursions :

CAPRI SPECIALE *

Suggested Departure from Positano by 9.00/9.15 to Capri, tour around the island, passing
by the White Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, towards Marina Piccola,the Green
Grotto.Along this part of coast we stop to have a swim.
Stop to visit the Blue Grotto ( weather permitting , entrance costs extra
€ 13.00), then free time on the island.( 4 hrs /5hrs ) and back to
Positano . € 70.00 each

Towels and soft drinks provided.


LA COSTIERA:*

Departure from Positano at about 10.00/ 10.30 , cruising the Amalfi coast, passing by
Praiano, Fiordo di Furore , Esmerald Grotto(entrance costs extra € 5.00),
Conca dei Marini, stop for swimming at Marmorata waterfalls , then we pass by Minori , Maiori, we stop to have another swim at Pandora cave.
Then we stop in Amalfi about 4 hrs pm then back.
€ 70.00 each.

Esmerald Grotto: ( during about 1.45/2hrs)
Departures at 10:15 am and at 1.45pm.
Short tour along the Amalfi coast ,passing by
Praiano, Fiordo di Furore , Esmerald Grotto(entrance costs extra € 5.00),
on the way back stop for a swim off the boat and back to Positano .

€ 25.00 each


*Towels and soft drinks provided.

Payment only in cash

Regular fast ferry just to Capri and back

POSITANO JET fast ferry schedule :

POSITANO -CAPRI at 10.25am - 2 pm - 6pm
CAPRI - POSITANO at 12 am- 3.10 - 7 pm
30 minutes ride

€ 17.00 one way

€ 34.00 return ticket

Capri Town Hall disembark tax € 1.50 each from July 1st, 2012

now you are spoilt for choice!

it had never occurred to me to even think about hiring a private boat and driver but really some of these are quite reasonable for a special treat perhaps.

Help me make my decision, Annhig lol It's so tough for me. I stink at making decisions.

CAPRI Island:
Departing from Positano at their favourite time to Capri, tour around the island, passing
by the White Grotto, Faraglioni rocks, towards Marina Piccola, the Green Grotto.
Along this part of coast we stop to have a swim if they like. Stop to visit the Blue Grotto ( weather permitting , entrance costs extra € 15.00 each) ,then free time on the island . On the way back , slowly cruising the peninsular , possibility to stop in Nerano ( small fishermen village ) for a late lunch ( less touristy then Capri) , stop for extras swim and back to Positano.>>

I don't like the responsibility, zenfoodlist, but I like this one, if you want to go to Capri. My only reservation is the amount of time you might have on the island - given what you will be paying I would want to maximise my time on the boat.

if you are ok with not going to Capri, then i like this one because you get to do any walking first, and swimming in the pm when the water will be warmer:

Amalfi Coast 1

Departure from Sorrento at your favourite time, straight to Amalfi Free time to walk around Then cruise of the Amalfi coast to admire the nicest spots and swim.( Conca dei Marini, Esmerald grotto,( weather permitting , the entrance costs extra € 5.00 per person)Fiordo di Furore,
Praiano,Positano , (possibility stop for shopping , and walk around.),
Possibility to stop for lunch in Positano or in Nerano ( small fishermen village along the coast )
then slowly cruising the peninsular , possibility to stop nearby Sorrento to have extra swims then back .

Does that help?

If this helps, we hired a private driver with a rubber boat no canopy to take us to Nerano from Positano one day. Don't do it. Boat was very uncomfortable and not easy to get into or out of for anybody, including our kids. BTW, Nerano would be almost an hour from Amalfi, and that's a long time to sit with your knees almost up in your face if the sea is rough!

Thanks annhig. I still haven't booked anything and probably will not until we get a bit closer. I am worried about weather and cancellation policies etc. I know from experience, however, that charters DO sell out. We had to book our charter in the BVIs weeks in advance and we when got there, our friends who decided to wing it, couldn't find anyone for the day we were all heading out. I'm just a bit overwhelmed at this point with other things. I will get to it! I want a combo of Capri AND the towns etc and some swimming. I want it ALL! ;)

I want it ALL!>>

IME travel [and life] becomes much more comfortable when you realise that's just not possible. Why not e-mail your favoured company and ask them for a quote for your ideal trip?

if they can't do it, [or it's too expensive] you'll know where you are. if they can, and the price is right, you can prove me wrong!

IMO it would be a shame to visit Capri, but not have time on the island. We were recently there and the views from the highest point are lovely. From the boat docks you must take a funicular to Capri town, then a bus or private taxi up to Ana Capri. Finally after wandering around there, you take a 13 minute chairlift to the peak. You will want at least several hrs there.

dgunbug - in theory I agree but surely the whole point of hiring the boat for the day is to be ...on the boat.

IMO it would be better to use the boat to explore the coast including the coast of Capri, and actually go to Capri to explore the island as you suggest on another day.

A charter is fabulous time!!! but E2500 sounds a bit overheated to me... but price aside, 8 hours on a boat is a long time... It better be a pretty big boat!!! we just chartered a beautiful 14 person mahogany venetian taxi on Como for E150 an hour for the ten of us... we had a nice wine & cheese party, saw a good bit of the lake and it's famous villas... and it was great, but everyone had enough after 3 hours... enjoy... i'm sure you'll have great fun!!!

Zen- forgive me if I missed it but which did you end up booking? I recently booked an 8 hour boat charter with skipper and English speaking guide for 1600 with Amalfi Sails. This is for a Pershing 37. I got quotes from about 4 different companies, the first one was also 2500 and it did not come through a hotel, it was direct from the charter company.

I wish I saw your thread earlier, I was trying to do exactly the same thing as you at exactky the same time, also for a family of 5.

Oh I just saw your last update & that you haven't booked yet. As far as wanting it all - wanting Capri AND some towns and swimming, etc. That is exactly why I ended up booking with Amalfi Sails, they will essentially just play the day by ear, coming from the customer's mouth. They'll go to & stop at as many places as time allows. I would think at some point a fuel surcharge could be incurred for going further than a reasonable distance. I should inquire about that. But anyhow, I think a cruise along a bit of the coast, then stops in positano and Capri with some swimming stops mixed in will cover having it "all" in my party's case.

Good luck with your charter search & trip :)