All charter prices are quoted per week, can I charter less than 7 days?
Crewed luxury yacht charters are usually indicated per week, meaning complete 7 days (7x24h) with the same embarkation- and disembarkation time. It is possible to get a quote for fewer days, however, this depends on the yacht, the season, and the charter location. For example, for event charters in spring, it is normal to charter less than a full week whereas during the high season in summer, it is common to charter for at least 7 days. Inquiries for 10 days or similar are welcome and will be calculated pro-rata of the weekly price by dividing with 7 multiplying the daily rate by the charter days. If you charter less than a week the weekly rate is divided by 6 and multiplied by the respective charter days. Charter fees are indicative and subject to change. Discounts may apply.
When do the high rates respectively low rates apply?
As the high season concerns the most popular charter period it depends on the charter location. For example in the Mediterranean July and August are considered as to be the high season, whereas in the Caribbean and Bahamas the high season applies for Christmas and New Year periods. For some events, such as the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco or the Cannes Film Festival taking place in spring, the high season rate applies.
How do I secure my chosen crewed yacht?
Once availability and pricing have been confirmed, we send you a verified MYBA e-contract for signature. This charter contract will include all details such as yacht details, charter period, embarkation and disembarkation port, as well as pricing with the payment terms and VAT if applicable. After your signature, a duly signed version with all parties such as the broker, stakeholder, and beneficiary owner will be returned to you. The charter agreement is confirmed once the first installment as per the contract has been executed.
What are the payment terms for crewed luxury charters?
After you have received the duly signed MYBA contract we will ask for a 50% deposit of the total charter fee (+VAT if applicable) to be wired by bank transfer. The remaining 50% deposit of the charter fee is due 4-5 weeks before charter commencement. With this second installment, you will be asked to add all other agreed costs like the Advance Provisioning Allowance (A.P.A.), VAT and delivery/relocation fees if any. In case the charter has been booked within 4 weeks before charter commencement one installment of 100% of the charter fee including all other expenses is necessary.
What is the A.P.A. (Advance Provisioning Allowance) used for crewed yacht charters?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance, also known as APA, is collected with your second charter rate and is forwarded onto the Captain in order to make the necessary preparations for your charter. The APA is estimated at between 25 and 35% of the charter fee before discounts depending on the yacht type and the charter location. The final expenses may result more or less depending on the charterer’s individual requirements. The captain will provide all bills at the end of your charter keeping you informed about the running costs as to the disbursement of the APA. Out of the APA amount costs like fuel, food and beverages, ports/marinas, and any other expenses are charged. Hence if the full APA amount is not spent, the leftover amounts are refunded to the charterer. If more than your estimated allowance has been spent, i.e. by ordering vintage beverages, being berthed in more expensive marinas, or doing excessive cruising, an additional payment will be required at the end of your charter.
In general, the A.P.A. is calculated on the higher end, and in most cases guests to spend A.P.A.. Still, the exact costs are difficult to estimate and highly variable. For luxury sailing yachts fuel might not be significant if you have favorable winds. If you prefer to stay with your yacht on free anchorage and secluded bays, there will be no marina fees at all, and the costs for food and beverages are up to you and your preferences.
Does VAT necessarily apply for all charters?
Commercially registered yachts have been VAT exempt in the past. However, due to European Union tax legislation which has been changed in 2013 value-added tax may apply on the charter fees taking place in the European waters even if a yacht is commercially registered. There are legal ways to avoid a VAT or at least reduce the VAT by cruising a specific distance from shore entering international waters or having an embarkation or disembarkation port outside the European Union. Please feel free to contact Ocean Yacht Charter team for more information on these regulations about VAT.
Can I specify my food and wine preferences to be served aboard a yacht?
Absolutely, Ocean Yacht Charter takes care of all details and it is important for us to understand your food and beverage preferences. As the crew is at your full disposal all the single details matter. We prefer to know if during your luxury yacht charter you have any special occasions, anniversaries, or birthday celebrations, you wish to scuba dive, you prefer to visit any special locations, do sightseeing... Maybe you are active-minded and prefer to have fun with the water toys, or you just want to relax and soak up the sun For all this information we will ask you to fill out a preference sheet which will also include questions on diets, medical details, or allergies. With the preference list, we will be able to round the package up, providing you with all the services starting from the pick-up at the airport or hotel and any services you might need after your charter.
Can I choose an individual itinerary and change it later on spot?
Yes, you are welcome to specify any wishes along with the preference list; furthermore, we can send a sample itinerary once a charter has been confirmed or your superyacht captain can tailor an individual itinerary reflecting your preferences. Your captain will also be glad to discuss any wishes and changes on the spot taking the weather and your mood into account.
What are the responsibilities of a crew?
The professional crew ensures a tailor-made and individual private yacht charter experience. As charter guests, you will not be locked into any kind of pre-defined sailing programs. Everything is tailored for and around you. The crew listens and understands and does its best to meet your expectations. Please feel free to ask the captain, as he/she will be glad to assist with his expert knowledge finding the most secluded bays or hot spots. Imagine you are cruising some of the world’s famous charter location and you wish to dine at a Michelin star-awarded restaurant on shore– ask the captain. The chef will tailor individual menus based on the preference list you have earlier sent, the hostesses will serve and prepare drinks, clean the yacht, and the engineers and stewards will maintain the yacht together with the deckhand deploying water toys and preparing activities. The number of crew depends on the yacht size and smaller luxury yachts may have only a captain, deckhand, and hostess/chef whereas bigger yachts may have more than 30 crew members at your disposal.
Very important is that the hostess and stewardess cannot act as babysitters. In the special conditions, it may be mentioned that children under a specific age need to be under the supervision of adults or a nanny. In some rare cases, yacht owners may limit a minimum age of children to be on board and/or request the presence of a nanny.
What is included in the charter rate of a crewed yacht?
Almost all charter rates for luxury yachts on our website are based on MYBA Terms and Conditions. This means that the yacht is provided in full commission with all necessary equipment and belongings. As a matter of course the yachts are all insured against marine risk having a reliable and professional crew. Crew salaries, clothing, and food are on the owner’s account, whereby all other running expenses are deductible from the Advance Provision Allowance.
Please note that for some luxury sailing yachts Caribbean Charter Terms may apply. The difference may be that food and beverages without special or excessive alcohol consumption are included in the charter rate as well as cruising fuel.
Can I smoke on board of a charter yacht?
Smoking is not permitted inside luxury charter yachts we offer. Smoking can be allowed in designated areas like the sun or aft deck on the exterior areas of a yacht.
Am I allowed to use the yacht’s water toys and water sports equipment without a license?
This depends on the charter destination and the respective legislation. Some destinations request a certificate of competency for operating watercrafts like the jet-skis. Many luxury yachts are certified RYA training centers where guests can obtain a valid license. Some countries do not request a certificate of competency for operating a jet-ski or wave-runner. If a yacht is not a licensed RYA training center an instructor can be arranged subject to availability and at the charterer’s cost. Any liability arising from non-compliance is entirely on the operator’s risk.
If the yacht has scuba diving equipment on board it may only be used by divers holding internationally accepted certified diving licenses. The captain can also arrange rendez-vous diving with a local diving center and diving instructor.
What personal insurances are guests covered with?
Ocean Yacht Charter strongly recommends charterers taking out cancellation and curtailment insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, all guests of a charter party should be covered by international medical insurance and by personal accident insurance. Contracting further forms of insurance might be prudent such as charterer’s liability or insurance of personal belongings against theft, loss, or damage.
Do I solve automatically any visa issues by booking a yacht charter?
Unfortunately not. All guests on board of a yacht are solely responsible for obtaining and carrying all necessary visas for any of the countries they might visit during a charter.
May I bring pets on board of a yacht?
Crewed charter yachts usually do not accept any kind of pets on board due to high hygiene standards. Pets are more sensitive and more often affected by seasickness than humans. Please understand that also due to insurance reasons of the yacht pets are not allowed to be brought on board, but pets may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.
Can I stay in touch with my business partners and relatives at home?
Of course, almost all crewed luxury yachts feature global satellite communications on board providing Wi-Fi and internet access on board. There might be areas and locations where internet reception is not provided.
Do I need to tip a crew on board?
Even though crew wages are covered by the owner of the yacht, a tip for the crew is customary but at the charterer’s discretion. This means only if you have been fully satisfied with the service on board, you may tip the crew handing the crew gratuity to the captain who will divide the the tip into equal amounts with the other crew members. As an industry guidance luxury yacht charters are tipped 5-15% of the net charter rate.
What can I do if I still do not find an answer to my question?
Please contact your Ocean Luxury Yacht Charter team
