On a luxury charter, you will experience a real sense of comfort and luxury, as if you were in a luxurious villa on the water. In addition to choosing your itinerary, you will be accompanied by a full crew including a captain, hostesses, and a cook. Finally, luxury charters offer a wide range of water sports, making your stopovers all the more enjoyable.
The Base Charter Fee is essentially the cost of hiring the yacht itself, with all equipment in working order, the crew, and the Owner’s insurance.
A deposit to cover potential onboard expenses is known as an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA). APAs are typically computed at 30% of the charter charge. When you arrive, APA is forwarded to the Captain so that the yacht is fueled, provisioned, and ready to go. All expenses are charged at cost to you with no markup, and upon disembarking, transactions are checked with the captain and any residual funds are returned to you.
VAT (if applicable): This is most usually applied on charters departing from the EU, but other destinations charge VAT/Tax (Turkey, Bahamas etc.). Because these percentages fluctuate on a regular basis, we recommend that you consult with your charter broker to obtain an accurate proportion of VAT for your yacht charter.
Crew gratuity is usual but entirely optional. Tipping is customarily done at the end of the charter and delivered to the captain, who divides the sum between the crew. It typically ranges between 10% and 20% of the regular charter charge.
The cost of chartering a luxury yacht depends on the size, crew, and amenities onboard the yacht. Prices typically start at $15,000 all-inclusive for a one-week charter. On the largest luxury yachts, a one-week charter can cost more than $700,000, this does not include VAT or taxes, charterer’s expenses (APA) such as fuel, food, and beverages, as well as other services such as scuba diving lessons or spa services.
In accordance with European laws, short-term charter agreements necessitate the payment of VAT at the prevailing rate in the European Member State where the customer gains access to the transportation means. Yacht owning companies are obligated to either register for VAT in all EU countries where the charters will commence or appoint a fiscal agent to handle the collection and payment of VAT on charters. Consequently, VAT must be paid in the country where the charter begins and may vary depending on your itinerary.
Before your charter, you will be requested to fill out a preference form to advise your crew, who will then conduct the provisioning.
A few weeks before the charter, you will receive a “preference sheet”, a questionnaire on which not only the names and passport numbers, flight dates, and transfer requests of all guests are entered, but also all preferences, culinary wishes, information about allergies, water sports, etc. The crew can then prepare your luxury yacht vacation in the best possible way.
The types of yachts available for charter are as follows:
– Motor yachts
– Motor Catamarans
– Sailing multihulls
– Sailboats (monohulls)
– Motor yachts
Your yacht must meet your needs in terms of size and capacity. A modern motor yacht will, for example, be suitable for a family charter by offering beautiful spaces. A sailing yacht will be a fantastic choice for a boating enthusiast.
The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is due at the time of final charter payment. This amount is generally equal to 25% of the total amount of the charter, but maybe 30% in cases of motor yachts. These funds, intended to cover operating costs such as fuel, food, beverages, port fees, and one-time incidental expenses, will be remitted to the captain before the start of your cruise. He will ensure that your yacht is fully fueled and provisioned when you board. Although an updated statement of accounts may be requested at any time during your cruise, expenses will normally be presented by your captain at the end of the cruise.
If during the cruise, expenses exceed the amount already paid, additional cash funds will be required immediately. All unpaid invoices must be paid cash before final disembarkation. Of course, any credit remaining at the end of your cruise will be fully refunded. Upon request, transfers to and from the yacht can be made by WI Luxury Yachts or by your captain, the payment of which will be deducted from your APA.
As with most vacations, the general rule is: the less you pack, the better. Softer luggage is ideal for stowing in cabin lockers and is generally more practical on a yacht. To help you pack, imagine what you’ll be doing on your cruise. Sometimes you’ll be swimming or sunbathing, sometimes you’ll be eating at a great seafood restaurant. It’s the type of charter and the location that determines what you should pack.
Some items to consider are, light summer clothing such as shorts, tops, skirts, hats or caps, sandals, sneakers or soft-soled athletic shoes, bathing suits, and warmer nightwear such as sweatshirts, sweaters, windbreakers, jeans, and light pants. You may want to go out to dinner and meet people in the evening, so more casual and even formal clothing, such as long pants, collared shirts and perhaps a jacket, might be a good idea. If you’re chartering an adventure yacht, you’ll be informed of the specific items needed.
This of course depends on the yacht charter in question. Generally, your itinerary will be based on your interests and requests. WI Luxury Yachts, as well as the captain and crew, have a thorough knowledge of the area, both at sea and on land. Your itinerary will be tailored largely to your wishes and is flexible, but is dependent on weather and wind conditions. If you need more information about the place of your choice, contact us and we will let you know what kind of attractions this particular place offers.
To help you plan your dream vacation with family or friends and be sure to book the right boat, Windward Islands puts its specialized knowledge and long and rich experience as a charter broker at your service.
Don’t miss out on your ideal yacht charter due to limited availability. In certain regions such as French Polynesia and Fiji, it’s crucial to plan ahead and book your spot at least 24 to 36 months in advance.
For peak seasons like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Easter in the Caribbean, reserving your boat 10 to 12 months ahead is essential to secure the perfect vessel in your desired location. Ensure that your broker can provide the boat at your preferred port of embarkation.
To have the best options and ample time for planning, we recommend making Mediterranean season reservations at least 10 to 6 months in advance. Take control of your vacation and guarantee a fantastic experience for your entire group.
Stay ahead of the crowd and seize the best deals! Popular yachts are in high demand and sell out quickly. Be flexible and don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable journey.
Bring the whole family along on a charter vacation with no age restrictions. Discover a world of fun and adventure on board a yacht perfect for kids. With a plethora of safe and exciting water activities, there’s something for everyone. Make sure to consult your charter broker for advice on which yacht is best for your little ones and your vacation plans. Just keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on the kids, unless you decide to hire a nanny.
Some do! It depends on the yacht. If this is an important point for you, your advisor can help you identify yachts that will accept all members of your family.
The most popular boating destinations vary according to the season.
In the summertime, the Mediterranean is the most popular Northern Hemisphere destination, including the French Riviera, Corsica, the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, the Greek islands, and Croatia.
During the winter, the Bahamas and the Caribbean are the first charter spots.
Very few yachts allow smoking indoors, but some may allow smoking in designated outdoor areas. If this is important to you, please mention it to your advisor beforehand.
Almost all yachts offer WiFi, but this is a point to be discussed with your advisor and confirmed with the captain of the boat. As far as the cell phone service is concerned, your service provider will have to confirm if it covers the destination of the cruise.
The advantage of chartering a yacht is that it is often possible to change your itinerary and head towards the sun. A rainy day at the port also offers the opportunity to explore the stores, bars, and restaurants.
While it is at your discretion, it is customary to tip the Captain and crew at the conclusion of a charter for excellent care and service. As a guide, a gratuity of 10-15% of the base charter fee is considered fair.
