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Whether you’re celebrating a special family event, a milestone birthday or perhaps your retirement, few experiences can rival a private luxury yacht charter. The thrill of the open sea, the charm of a Mediterranean port or the privacy of a secluded Caribbean beach, plus unparalleled and bespoke service on board combine to create a truly unique vacation.

A quick scroll through the tantalizing images of superyachts will reveal a wide selection available for charter in destinations around the world, with very different price tags. When planning a luxury yacht charter, budget is often a good starting point, but are there additional costs beyond the headlines?

Working with an experienced charter broker is essential when planning a crew yacht charter vacation, but this basic guide to understanding fees and costs will help you through the process.

What is a private yacht charter?

Chartering a yacht means that you are paying a fee to the owner in exchange for the exclusive use of the yacht for a specified period of time. Your itinerary will be planned in advance and during the charter you will have access to all the yacht’s facilities which may include water toys on board such as jet skis, paddleboards and water slides or a Jacuzzi, beach club and spa. Crewed yacht charters come with an onboard crew that includes captains, deck team, stewardesses and chefs who will cater to your every need depending on your preferences.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht?

Generally speaking, the size of the yacht determines the ‘base charter fee’ which is the price you will see advertised on yacht listings often quoted as a ‘per week’ amount. But other factors come into play including: the age of the yacht or how recently it has been refitted; facilities on board and quality of fixtures and fittings; Whether it is a motor yacht, sailing yacht or catamaran; crew size and inclusion of chef or spa treatments; And perhaps the most influential factor, seasonal and special local events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival or the Olympics. The base charter fee will usually have two basic rates covering high and low season – high season dates will vary depending on the destination but will be specified in the price.

High season includes the most popular weeks of the year, often winter in the Caribbean and July and August in the Mediterranean – these are the most common regions for chartering but the seasons ahead of extreme locations or destinations may vary. High season often includes school holidays so is usually the busiest time. To avoid the crowds the shoulder season – the weeks around high season – can offer great value with little variation in weather conditions.

The base charter fee will cover crew wages, food and all listed amenities – although there may sometimes be additional charges for jet ski hire and fuel or specially requested toys such as an inflatable water park. Your charter broker will outline all inclusions in the contract which should be industry standards such as MYBA (Worldwide Yachting Association) or Standard Caribbean Conditions (SCT) – usually more or more inclusive.

What is Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)?

Once the base charter rate has been established, it is important to consider what additional costs will apply, which will generally be described as ‘plus costs’ and are often called Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). The terms of the APA should be included in the charter contract and should include costs for additional food, beverages, special requests, internet access, fuel, harbor fees and dockage. Although it may seem like a hidden cost, having an APA allows guests complete control over how much is spent on catering, variety and the number of beverages on board and depending on the itinerary. Fuel is charged only when it is used – although this includes tender and jet ski fuel – and dockage can vary widely from premium berths at the Monaco Grand Prix to none at all in some areas.

APA is usually up to 30% of the weekly charter rate and will be paid prior to departure. The captain will keep a detailed record of expenses and present the final amount to you or your broker upon completion of the charter. Any unused funds will be returned in cash but if the balance is low, guests are expected to provide sufficient funds for the remainder of their stay. Your charter broker can help manage these funds on your behalf to avoid the need to carry large amounts of cash.

Are taxes and insurance included?

As the old adage ‘nothing is certain but death and taxes’ holds true in yachting anywhere, local taxes and VAT are chargeable by law in many regions, on top of the charter fee. Taxes are a complicated issue, especially if your itinerary includes multiple countries and depends on where you board or disembark. A professional charter broker is invaluable in determining which local taxes are applicable and ensuring that they are paid promptly to the appropriate authorities.

The base charter fee will include insurance to cover accidental damage, personal injury and risk such as use of the yacht’s toys and equipment, and third-party liability – note that some countries require a license to use a jet ski and insurance will be void. proper paper. Cancellation and curtailment insurance is important and covers charterers for unforeseen circumstances that may alter or cancel their travel plans. The experience of a reputable charter broker and the right insurance policy will give you peace of mind and is a wise investment.

Is it customary to tip the crew?

Gratuity is entirely at guests’ discretion and reflects their appreciation for quality service from the crew while on board. Although not mandatory, tips are between 10 and 20% of the base charter rate.
When you have interacted more with a particular crew member or spent a lot of time with the deck crew on tenders or water toys, the crew should be treated as one and tipped to the captain at the end of the charter. They will distribute money to ensure that each crew member is properly recognized – remember that for every client-facing stewardess or deckhand there is a hard-working sous chef in the galley or an interior stewardess in the laundry and preparing the cabin. Everyone on board will work diligently to ensure the success of your charter.

The costs can seem staggering, but careful planning and familiarizing yourself with contracts and procedures in advance means you can focus on relaxing and enjoying yourself while on board, rather than worrying about how much it costs to spend the night at or enjoy a particular marina. can concentrate. Local delicacies for a celebratory dinner. With a professional charter broker as your guide, you’ll benefit from their experience and support to smooth the waters from the start of your charter planning journey until you leave the yacht with a head and heart full of lasting memories.