Do I need to use a charter broker?
There are many advantages to using a broker. As an independent yacht charter broker we have access to all yachts which are available for charter and will have personally visited many of them at international yacht charters shows which we attend every year. We do not rely on just a yacht brochure with stunning images - we will have seen the condition of the boat, the layout and the facilities and know the type of crew you can expect aboard. We will be able to pass on the small details about a yacht which might make a big difference to your experience. As an independent yacht charter broker we will have asked all the right questions about the yachts and be able to pass this well-informed, unbiased and vital information on to you.
We have access to the major yacht databases which are available only to professional charter brokers. According to what you tell us you are looking for we put together a short-list of suitable and available boats some of which you may not find during your own research.
All of this means we can recommend a list of the best yachts to suit your requirements, preferences and budget and maybe give you a few surprise alternatives too. And we’ll be happy to talk through the selection to help you make a final choice. So, when faced with any number of similar looking boats we can go right to the ones which are right for you saving you an incredible amount of time.
We will help in all aspects of planning the charter by advising on the most suitable ports of embarkation and disembarkation which are convenient to you and more comfortable in terms of prevailing winds and sea conditions. We’ll suggest special places of interest to visit and interesting shore excursions. We’ll advise on the best time of the year for that location and seasonal weather influences.
Importantly, we will be up to date on all legal aspects of chartering in your chosen cruising area such as taxes and local charter regulations and save you from any unexpected surprise costs and extras. We’ll ensure that you are protected by an official yacht charter agreement where the terms of the charter are clear and unambiguous. In the unlikely event of their being any dispute, we will help. And we will make sure that the funds you need to send in advance to book the charter are safe.
Booking through us will not cost you any more as our fees are paid by the yacht owners.
How much does it cost to charter a yacht?
Possibly not as much as you might think. Chartering a yacht is not just for the super-rich and famous and for a family or group of friends you needn’t pay much more than the cost of a very nice villa rental or luxury inclusive resort. As a very rough indication the starting point for a good-sized catamaran in the Virgin Islands for eight guests with four cabins and two crew will be from around US$30,000 per week, inclusive of food and standard bar. At the top end of the charter market however, a 90m (295ft) luxury motor yacht in the South of France this summer with six cabins for up to 12 guests and 24 crew might set you back well over a million euros, but there’s a vast range of yachts of all shapes and sizes in between to suit most pockets for instance in Greece there are 35m to 40m motor yachts with five cabins at very attractive rates. Generally speaking, the newer and larger the vessel, the more you pay. And remember, these costs are for the whole boat, and which might be shared between two families or several couples.
When looking at charter rates it’s important to look at how the rate is quoted. For instance, most catamarans and smaller sailing yachts in the Caribbean will be quoted according to the number of guests on a seven-night, all-inclusive basis. This rate will include almost everything - three meals a day, snacks, standard ship’s bar (regular spirits, beers, good quality house wines and soft drinks) and local cruising taxes. Even with an inclusive charter rate there will be additional costs including special requests such as premium spirits and champagne, dockage (if used), airport transfers and local customs/immigration costs. Crew gratuities are at the charterer’s discretion, but it is customary to give between 15 and 20% of the charter rate.
The sailing super-yachts and most of the motor yachts structure their charter costs on a base charter rate PLUS all expenses which are an extra cost. For a motor yacht for example, the expenses can add up to another 35-40% of the charter cost to cover things like food and drinks, fuel costs for motoring and tenders, dockage etc. It is normal practice with this type of price structure that you pay an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) which is an estimate of what your expenses are likely to be. At the end of the charter if this expense allowance has not been spent then you will receive a refund.
Value Added Tax (VAT) in some parts of the world can add a significant sum to the charter cost. In Europe the VAT rate payable on yacht charters is between 12 and 22% depending on the country. In the Bahamas there is a 4% Bahamas Tax and a VAT rate of 10% to pay on top of the charter rate.
When comparing the price of different charter yachts take a good look at what’s included and what isn’t. We will always endeavour to make sure that the full cost basis is given to you very clearly right at the start of the booking process when we send you a list of proposed yachts. We hate unpleasant surprises and we know you will too.
What do you do all day on a yacht?
That’s really up to you. You can do as much or as little as you like and it doesn’t mean you must stay on the boat all of the time. It depends of course on the type of yacht you’ve chosen to charter and the cruising area. If you are a real sailing enthusiast, then you’ll probably want to sail as much as you can. After an early morning swim and a good breakfast, you’ll discuss the day’s plan with the Captain - then up-anchor, raise the sails and head off. Maybe a sandwich lunch underway dropping anchor somewhere quiet towards the end of the day. Another swim and then relax with a sundowner on deck and for the evening enjoy a delicious supper with easy conversation across the table ending the day with an early night. Another day you might want to explore a shore, walk along a beach, or have a go with a paddleboard or water-ski or any of the other activities available on board. It’s really up to you. The Caribbean which has some of the best sailing conditions in the world and the venue for a number of major international regattas.
The daily pattern could be much the same on a motor yacht or catamaran.
If you lead an extremely busy, highly pressurised professional life you might wish to spend the first day or two just chilling. Late mornings, leisurely breakfast, a gentle swim, check your e-mail (if you must) and from the top deck watch as your yacht comes into its first port of call. By which time lunch will be ready. For the afternoon, maybe a snooze is called for or you can bury yourself in a good book or watch the kids enjoying all the water-sport toys the yacht carries under the watchful eye of a crew member. Late afternoon take a brief visit ashore and be back on board in time to freshen up for an evening cocktail before dinner and catch up with what everyone else has done for the day. An early night.
Depending on where you’re chartering there will also be interesting places ashore to visit. If you’re in the Mediterranean, for instance, you could make a point of visiting any number of fascinating archaeological sites, beautiful ancient walled cities or quaint fishing villages. We can arrange private tour guides or you can just wander at your own pace. Local cookery demonstrations or visits to wineries are popular excursions. Your yacht may be at a dock in which case you can go ashore as you wish. Or if at anchor, the crew will take you ashore in the yacht’s tender.
For beach lovers, you’ll be able to go to some beaches only available by boat – how special is that. Take beach games if you like or ask the crew to set up a private beach party for you. Or just go off on a short hike.
Even though the food aboard will be expertly prepared according to your tastes, you should try to eat ashore at least once or twice for a true experience of the region you’re visiting. A lunch or dinner – the Captain will be able to make suitable recommendations.
Perhaps you’d like to experience some of the local nightlife too, although the larger motor yachts have fully stocked bars and dance floors too with excellent sound and light and systems. There will be at least one large screen TV - or watch a movie under the stars. And for a fun evening choose from the range of party themes.
For the water-sport enthusiast, yachts carry an amazing range of equipment – snorkel gear as a minimum. But expect much, much, more on the larger vessels to suit all levels of expertise and energy. Some yachts will carry scuba diving gear with a dive master or instructor as part of the crew. Parts of the Caribbean have some of the best dive sites in the world. Luxury charter yachts are packed with things to do and it’s all there for you to use to the full.
When you’re seeking for a quiet spot to get away from fellow guests for a while, every yacht has a number of different areas to escape to. And the larger the yacht, the more places.
We’ve never chartered a yacht before, is this the right holiday for us?
If you are looking for a unique vacation tailored to your specific needs, great food, personal service, relaxation, peace and quiet, time to reconnect with your family or to enjoy the company of friends then chartering a fully crewed yacht is almost certainly is for you.
Chartering a yacht is much like staying in a private villa with full time staff - the yacht’s crew sail the boat, prepare food according to your tastes, mix your favourite cocktails and service the cabins. The yacht of course is able to move to different locations – quiet anchorages away from the crowds with visits to busy or glamorous ports when you wish. You can wake up in one quiet bay, move to somewhere else for a mid-morning visit and be in yet another place or even a different country for supper all without having to pack your bags. You can go ashore when you want and visit charming villages, chic ports, dine ashore if you like, visit beach bars, visit historical sites, go on an island trek or enjoy your own private beach barbeque with beach games.
Being on a sailing yacht is about the thrill of sailing and the full-time professional crew will deal with all aspects of handling the boat and will invite you to participate if you’re interested. If sailing is not for you, then a catamaran could be a better choice or a motor yacht.
Being out on the water is something very special though and making use of the yacht’s water-sport toys will provide endless excitement. Just a gentle morning swim off the yacht’s swim platform or snorkelling over a coral reef might be all you want. Try a paddle board, kayak, seabob or sea scooter. For the more energetic there will be water-skis and depending on the type and size of yacht you charter there will be an impressive range of water-sports equipment. Some yachts might offer scuba diving from the boat and most motor yachts will have jetskis all provided under the safe and watchful eye of the yacht’s crew.
Even the smallest charter yacht will have a good music system and collection of movies to watch or books to read as well as board games and of course internet access. The slightly bigger yachts will have astonishing onboard entertainment systems with the ability to stream tv and access to vast movie libraries. If you’re in the mood for some fun the crew will put on theme a night for you – or after dinner you can retreat to a quiet spot on the boat for a night cap.
Most of your time aboard the yacht you’ll be casually dressed - swimwear or shorts and t-shirts by day and smart casual at night. But if dressing up is more your style, or for a special occasion then look forward to a formal dinner in a beautifully appointed dining room aboard a motor yacht or stunning upper deck overlooking a magnificent harbour.
Yacht chartering is suitable for many different groups, especially families, groups of friends or even just one couple.
