Charter FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions we receive as the principle charterer, from charter fees and contracts through to supplying personal preferences. If you can not find the answer to your question, please get in touch with us.
- Charter contracts, fees and payment conditions
- Advance provisioning allowance (APA)
- Choosing a yacht charter holiday
- Personal preferences
- Preparing for your charter holiday
- Life on board
- Sports and watercraft
Charter contracts, fees and payment conditions
What is and is not included in the charter rate?
Read the 'Charter rates' section on charter terms and payment conditions.
What are shipping/supply agent fees?
In the past, Clients have made challenging requests whilst on charter. Although we plan as much as we can in advance, these surprises often happen at short notice.
To meet your high expectations and to accommodate your and your guests' requirements, some Captains may decide it is necessary to use the services of a shore-side agent.
For example, they might involve arranging:
- a last-minute berth in a sought-after location
- a private excursion
- a table reservation at an exclusive restaurant
- tickets and luxury transport to a top show.
These requests will often incur an agent's fee, which will be added to your bill.
Is VAT applicable on the charter fee?
In most cases worldwide, for a charter yacht to operate legally, it has to be registered as a commercial vessel. As a result, no VAT is therefore applicable on the charter fee.
However, in some countries, a specific local or government tax may be applicable on the charter fee.
Do I pay delivery and/or redelivery fees?
A chosen cruising itinerary with embarking or disembarking at a point other than the yacht's home port (or a port en route) may incur delivery or redelivery fees.
These are usually calculated as a fuel-only charge using the yacht's published fuel consumption. However, during high season they may also include a time charge.
These delivery or redelivery fees are paid in advance with the advance provisioning allowance (APA).
Do I pay for fuel?
When you embark, the yacht will be fully fuelled. The Captain will pay for any subsequent fuel costs throughout your charter using your advance provisioning allowance (APA) funds. For convenience, the consumption is usually calculated on an hourly basis.
Fuel charges apply to:
- the yacht itself
- its tenders, jet skis, wave runners and generators
- any other equipment consuming fuel during the charter period.
Is there a contract involved?
Yes; read the 'Charter contract' section on charter terms and payment conditions.
When do I transfer funds?
Read 'Conditions of payment' under the 'Charter contract' section on charter terms and payment conditions.
Do I pay a gratuity?
While customary, the crew's gratuity is entirely a matter for your personal discretion. If you are satisfied with the level of service received on board, we would suggest an amount of 5%–15% of the charter fee (to be split equally between the crew).
Advance provisioning allowance (APA)
What is the APA?
Your APA represents the operating expenses that you will incur during your stay on board. Deductions from the APA include:
- fuel for the yacht, tenders and water toys
- berthing fees
- customs charges
- harbour and pilot fees
- divers' fees where required
- shore-side water and electricity when applicable
- food and beverages
- communication charges
- agent fees and other miscellaneous costs.
How much APA is required?
Following many years of experience, MYBA has recommended a percentage of the charter fee to be quoted. This takes into account the average consumption of food, beverages, fuel, berthing fees and so on.
This is usually equivalent to 25% of the charter fee but could be 30% in some cases (e.g. the yacht has high fuel consumption, or the charter party are all adults as opposed to a mixture of adults and infants).
Do I take the APA on board with me?
To prepare the yacht for your arrival, we will transfer the APA electronically to the Captain on your behalf (banking fees may be charged) once we have received the balance of the charter fee and APA from you.
Should the yacht be in a location with no banking facilities, a shore-side agent may be used to receive the funds, in which case this agency's handling fee will be deducted from the APA.
Once the Captain has received the APA (usually several weeks before your arrival), the crew will try to purchase all the items you have requested to make you feel at home the moment you step aboard.
Can I keep track of how the APA is being spent?
Yes, you certainly can – it is your money after all! The Captain will keep accounts of all expenditure with receipts, and will present these to you at the end of the charter along with a refund of any excess funds remaining.
Should you wish to keep a check on the accounts during the charter, please let us know in advance and we will arrange for the Captain to present the accounts to you on a regular basis.
If the APA begins to run low midway through your charter (for example, if you hosted a special event on board with many additional guests), the Captain will advise you to ensure additional funds are available.
Choosing a yacht charter holiday
What are the differences to consider between a motor or sailing charter yacht?
Once all practical considerations have been made, the type of yacht that you choose comes down to personal preference.
Motor yachts often have more space and facilities. The three types of charter motor yacht are:
- planing / fast (high speed)
- semi-displacement (normal speed and steady at sea)
- traditional / displacement (slower but very steady at sea).
Sailing yachts have a more sporty look and often consume less fuel than motor yachts. The four types of charter sailing yacht are:
- classic
- unique
- comfortable
- sporty.
Who plans the itinerary for my cruise?
To give you a taste of what can be achieved during your charter, every itinerary we propose is written specifically with your own requirements in mind.
Once we have discussed the particular details of your charter, we will then liaise directly with the Captain to create your own bespoke itinerary.
Please bear in mind that some cruising restrictions do apply to certain areas of the world, but these will be made clear when discussing your proposed cruise.
How long can I cruise for each day?
Cruising distances will vary according to your preference and itinerary, but we suggest cruising for no more than six hours per day.
However, it is very unusual for yachts to reach this average as most itineraries concentrate on the use of the yacht and its water-sports equipment and so on, rather than an excessive number of long passages.
Personal preferences
How will the chef know our likes and dislikes?
Culinary excellence is often the highlight of any charter. Your yacht's chef will select the freshest and finest ingredients available to tantalise your taste buds!
To achieve this, we will ask you to complete an information sheet before your charter. This will note your culinary preferences or any special dietary requirements, as well as your preferred beverages, newspapers, flowers or other special requests.
This sheet also requests details on any medical requirements, allergies, sporting and entertainment requests. Please share as much information as possible, to give the crew a detailed understanding of your desires and requirements before you step on board.
For more information about booking, visit our page on how to book.
Preparing for your charter holiday
How should I pack my things to come on board?
We suggest packing your personal items in soft luggage bags as this enables easier storage whilst on board.
Where's the best place to arrive to board the yacht?
We recommend you choose an embarkation port within a reasonable distance from the nearest airport. Should you require, a crew member will gladly meet you at the airport and escort you to the yacht.
Life on board
Will the yacht have fresh flowers on board?
In most cases, fresh flowers will initially decorate sociable areas of the yacht ready for when you embark, courtesy of the Owner.
Should you want further fresh flowers throughout the charter or additional displays, please request this on your information sheet. Additional flowers will be at your expense and deducted from the advance provisioning allowance (APA).
Will the steward/stewardess deal with my personal laundry?
It is common practice on most yachts for small quantities of personal laundry to be carried out by the yacht's crew as a service.
Please note that these terms also allow the crew to refuse politely to do excessive quantities of laundry on board or to handle particularly delicate items.
It may be possible to have certain laundry done ashore professionally if time allows, the cost of which will be deducted from the advance provisioning allowance (APA).
Can I smoke on board?
Smoking is generally not allowed inside the yacht for safety reasons, but many yachts operate a policy of smoking permitted on deck.
Please check the policy, as each yacht varies in their approach to smoking on board.
Sports and watercraft
Do you arrange scuba diving?
If a yacht does not advertise scuba diving as a guest facility, it is usually possible to arrange a local shore-based diving company. They will bring all the necessary equipment and take you and your guests on a specific diving trip (subject to local law restrictions).
Are personal watercraft allowed?
In most cruising destinations, use of personal watercraft (e.g. waverunners and jet skis) is only permitted subject to the operator having the appropriate licence and meeting with local operating regulations.
We can tell you where to get a licence. In the future, licences may be available from a trained instructor on some charter yachts. Please ask your charter broker.
Certain countries forbid the use of personal watercraft in their waters. This should be a consideration when planning your itinerary.
For more information about yacht toys, visit life on board.
