The Caribbean needs no introduction. Calm seas, sun-drenched shores, cocktails with a dash of spice, and 7000 gemstone green islands that make the perfect playground for a family superyacht charter.
With so much to pack into your itinerary, and so many yachts to choose from, we can tell you about the yachts where a bottle warmer, buggy and cot are waiting on board, so you can pack light. Our Charter Consultants will hand pick the best yachts for toddlers, watertoys for teens, and secure you a reservation at the most exclusive addresses in St Barts.
Explore uninhabited islands on your own pirates of the Caribbean adventure, play a round of 18 holes at the world’s most exclusive golf resorts, or celebrate a milestone over a beach barbeque on a private island. A yacht charter is the most flexible type of luxury vacation. So, just give us the brief and we’ll handle the rest.
A holiday, tailored to your tastes and driven by your passions.
The Caribbean’s calm, warm waters are a haven for young swimmers and novice snorkellers. Whether it’s swimming with turtles, scuba diving lessons, learning to sail, jet skiing, or Caribbean style treasure hunts, a yacht charter here is brimming with excitement for children and teens.
The Caribbean is a playground for families seeking both relaxation and excitement. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, exploring only-by-boat beaches, or enjoying a family movie night under the stars, on a Caribbean yacht charter savour uninterrupted quality time where every moment is special.
For those who dwell in more northern climes, swap the winter blues for liquid sunshine, pristine beaches, some of the finest waters in the world for sailing and watersports, and the chance to create memories that will last a lifetime in a tropical paradise.
"An amazing trip in every way. Your attention to detail and all the things that mattered including choosing a family friendly yacht were spot on! The crew took excellent care of the kids and had lots of activities for everyone. The chef understood our desire to give more options at each meal, and absolutely delivered.”
Whether you have a specific Caribbean Island in mind or are looking to be inspired, our specialist consultants can guide and advise you with this important first step in planning your yacht charter experience. From cosmopolitan destinations like St. Kitts and St. Barts to the serenity of the Virgin Islands, your Charter Consultant’s local knowledge and industry expertise will ensure your itinerary is tailored to you.
From dates and budget to the type of yacht, number of guests and onboard facilities, understanding your requirements is the key to crafting your perfect vacation. Prior to your charter, we will ask you to complete a preference sheet. From this and conversations with your Charter Consultant, everything will be considered, from your preferred ambience and onboard activities to specific dietary requirements and shore-side excursions.
Our mission is to deliver you the ultimate luxury experience and matching you with the perfect yacht is an essential ingredient. With exclusive access to the Caribbean’s finest charter yachts, the next step is for your Charter Consultant to present a curated yacht selection. Taking into account factors such as the crew, facilities, cruising areas, tech and toys, they will identify a shortlist of yachts for your consideration. If you don’t find what you are looking for, this process is easily repeatable.
Once you have chosen the yacht, the next step is to proceed with booking. You will be issued one of two standard contracts. The most common is the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) charter agreement and is regarded as the reliable industry standard. The other is a two-part American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) agreement, primarily used in the U.S. and with U.S.-flagged vessels. Your personal Charter Consultant will be on hand throughout the entire booking process to answer any questions that you may have.
A superyacht charter provides the ultimate personalised holiday. Your dedicated Charter Consultant will work with you to plan every aspect of your itinerary, from where you drop anchor each day to dining, activities and excursions. Be it private rum distillery tours and tastings, heli-tours, or a laid-back beach barbeque, the beauty of a yacht charter is in the diversity of experiences on offer.
Your Captain and crew will be fully briefed on your preferences so, no matter what time you want to eat, sleep, or play, your needs will be anticipated. Ensuring you and your guests the ultimate charter experience, whether it’s chilling an extra bottle of champagne in case you bring friends on board, or your favourite smoothie waiting after your morning yoga session, every last detail will be taken care of.
As passionate perfectionists, we are experts in crafting the ultimate charter experience. Contact us to begin planning your Caribbean yacht charter, access insider info, and get priority updates, offers and opinions direct to your inbox from the best-connected people in the business.
A superyacht charter is a way to rent a luxury yacht for a period of time, typically a week or more. The yacht comes with a crew, including a Captain and chef, to take care of the vessel and guests. The guest can work with a charter broker to customise their itinerary, decide where they want to go, and what activities they want to do while on board. From luxury vacations, to special occasions and corporate events, a superyacht presents a chance to make any vacation or event truly memorable.
The total cost of your private yacht hire will depend on a variety of factors. This includes the size and type of yacht you charter, alongside your cruising area, travel itinerary and any other special requirements you have for your luxury yacht experience.
Luxury superyachts can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per week, plus costs for fuel, food and beverages, and crew gratuities.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with our specialist team to find more information on our yacht rental prices and our services.
The first steps to booking a superyacht charter are to contact your charter broker and provide them with details for your desired itinerary, dates, and group size. You will then be presented a range of suitable yachts to choose from and their respective quotes. If you decide to proceed, you will be given a charter agreement to sign before making a deposit to secure the booking.
Typically, a deposit is required to secure the booking and the deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance is usually due several weeks before the charter begins. If you need to cancel the charter, the remaining balance may be refunded, but it will depend on the terms and conditions outlined in the charter agreement. It's important to carefully review the cancellation policy before making a booking and to consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance to protect your investment. If you are unsure of any terms and conditions be sure to ask your broker to clarify before signing the agreement.
As the ultimate luxury holiday, a superyacht rental can be tailored uniquely to your needs and preferences. Our experienced brokers work with you to understand which private yacht for charter is perfect for you. Then, using their global network of over 3,000 luxury yachts for charter, they will find all available yachts that match your requirements. Using their extensive local knowledge, your Charter Broker can work with the Captain to advise a charter itinerary that is totally unique to you. Should you have questions at any stage of the charter process, your broker will be available to assist.
In general the minimum charter duration for a superyacht is one week, although some yachts can be chartered for shorter periods. A charter may be shorter than a week to host events such as weddings and parties, or for a three day Formula One Grand Prix weekend.
What is and is not included in the price of your superyacht for charter varies from yacht to yacht and you may be expected to pay the following in addition to the set charter rate:
– APA – The APA, or Advanced Provisioning Allowance, represents the operating expenses that you will incur during your stay on board, including but not limited to fuel, berthing fees, customs charges and food and beverages.
– Shipping/supply agent fees
– Local taxes
– Delivery fees
Your broker will gladly advise you on all additional charges during the process of selecting your luxury yacht for charter.
If your time on board a private yacht rental has been everything you hoped it would be, by all means, show your appreciation with a gratuity. However, please note that, on all superyachts for charter, although crew gratuities are customary, they are left at your sole discretion. As a guideline, we would suggest between 10% and 20% of the charter fee to be split equally between the crew depending on the level of service.
In most cases, you will be required to pay (by wire transfer) a 50% deposit of the total yacht hire fee upon signing the Charter Agreement. The remaining 50% of the charter fee plus the APA and any applicable taxes, delivery fees and security deposit are due one month before the beginning of your charter.
Culinary excellence is often the highlight of any yacht charter, and your personal chef will ensure your dining experience is no different. Prior to your charter, we will ask you to complete an information sheet noting your culinary preferences or any special dietary requirements, beverages, newspapers, flowers or other special requests. Details on any medical issues, allergies and special occasions can be noted. We encourage you to divulge as much information as possible to give the crew a detailed understanding before you step on board your luxury yacht for a charter like no other.
It is common practice on most luxury yachts for charter that small quantities of personal laundry are 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 APA.
Generally, on luxury yachts for charter, smoking is not permitted inside the yacht for safety reasons. Many private yachts operate a policy of smoking permitted on deck only; however, please check the policy as each yacht varies in its approach to smoking on board.
Typically, two seasons are ideal for chartering a private yacht. The summer season lasts from the beginning of May until the end of October and mainly revolves around the Mediterranean, whereas the winter season runs from November until April when the Caribbean and Bahamas are traditionally the destination of choice. We have many superyachts for charter during these periods in destinations around the globe, however it is crucial to keep in mind that popular yachts in the most exclusive destinations are typically booked months in advance.
The short answer to this question is anywhere. Modern yachts are able to circumnavigate the globe with ease. So, while charter destinations include the ever-popular cruising grounds of the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mediterranean, some explorer yachts offer a unique opportunity to sail in luxury anywhere from the tropics of the South Pacific, and Indian Ocean to the remote wilderness of Central America and Antarctica.
The number of guests a superyacht can accommodate mainly depends on the yacht’s size and layout. Some smaller yachts can only accommodate five to six guests, while the largest mega yachts can sleep up to 20 or more guests, although the industry average sits between 10 and 12.
The type of yacht you should charter will depend on your desired itinerary, group size, budget, and style. From interior décor to amenities and space, the choice is endless. While the most popular are motor yachts as they generally offer superior space, comfort, amenities, and cruising speed, sailing yachts offer the romance and charm of traditional yachtsmanship; while motorsailers and multihulls can offer a happy medium blending the sailing experience with the luxury of a motor yacht. To choose the right yacht for your needs, contact your Ocean Independence Charter Broker.
Should you pack the travel cot? Book ahead for on-land excursions? Whether it’s a week of opulence in the Leeward Islands or a far-flung holiday to undiscovered shores, our round-the-clock team of specialist Charter Consultant can tailor trips to your taste, whatever your party size or budget.
The yachting journey can be complex with many decisions to be made. Get in touch with Ocean Independence, and one of our specialist consultants will help you make the right choices.
As a truly global company with 15 offices worldwide, we’re available 24/7 to help with any enquiries.
