Yacht Charter FAQ's

Here is a list of the common questions we get asked:

• How do I arrange a charter?
• What type of vessel should I charter?
• How soon can we go? How far ahead must I book?
• Where should we charter?
• When is the best time to go?
• How do I plan an itinerary?
• What can we do when onshore?
• Can I select the menu?
• Can I be contacted while away?
• How much is your total budget?
• When do I make the final payment for my Charter?
• What is APA? How is it calculated?
• What is the captain’s responsibility?
• Gratuities: do I tip?

Do you have a question that's not listed? Please ask us here.

How do I arrange a charter?

Email or phone the Luxury Charter Group.  Our experts will work with you to plan your special holiday. We will appreciate the type of charter experience you seek, the time you want to spend on board, plus the destinations and style of vessel that appeals to you. Together with the information you give us, and our extensive knowledge of luxury yachts and charter destinations, we will be able to prepare a proposal for your consideration.

What type of vessel should I charter?

The Luxury Charter Group has a very large and very diverse selection of luxury charter yachts – with access to more than 3000 charter vessels worldwide. This allows us to present you with the best charter solution, matched to your specific personal requirements

It’s important for us to know the size and make-up of your party – including ages, interests and accommodation requirements.  With this information we are better informed to offer the vessel or vessels most suited to your needs.

There are four primary styles of vessels available for charter, and these can range in size from around 18 metres (60ft) in overall length through to more than 80 metres (260ft).

SAILING YACHTS: Sailing yachts bring a great spirit of romance and adventure to a luxury charter. They offer the ultimate level in cruising comfort along with an extra dimension: a stimulating and refreshing embrace of the elements while voyaging between destinations. You are at one with nature while relaxing and watching your crew sail the yacht.

MOTOR YACHTS:  Motor yachts are generally faster and mostly bring a more sophisticated level of elegance to your luxury charter.  They can also usually accommodate more guests for a given length of yacht. However since you need to include the cost of fuel in your budget, you need to consider the rate of fuel consumption

CATAMARANS: Power and sail catamarans are the emerging style of vessels in the world of luxury charter yachts. It could be argued quite easily that they bring the best of both worlds to your charter: they are fast, stable, remarkably spacious, and offer the best in appointments.

MOTOR SAILORS and GULETS:  The Turkish gulet is a traditionally designed wooden motor sailor. She has the heritage of those ancient boats which sailed across the Aegean and Mediterranean seas for thousands of years. Today they are being built with much more precision and carry high tech marine equipment; they have air-conditioning, superb chefs, and crew that provide caring hotel services. Gulets have become the best authentic way to explore the Turkish and Croatian cultures and coastlines, and provide superb holiday choices for families and groups of friends

How soon can we go? How far ahead must I book?

The Luxury Charter Group can arrange a charter for you next week, or for next year, however, if you would like to secure a particular vessel or if your holiday dates are not flexible, then it is best that you book as early as possible.

Where should we charter?

The Luxury Charter Group is a worldwide operation, so every major charter destination comes under our canopy, from the islands of the Caribbean and the old world historic seaside towns and villages of the Mediterranean to the magical islands of the South Pacific.  Beyond this, we are able to arrange charters to some of the world’s most remote, and captivating regions: places that are only accessible by yacht and that few people get to see and appreciate.

When is the best time to go?

Almost every one of the world’s pre-eminent charter regions is influenced by the seasons: there are the good times to be there, and the not so good. This again is where the Luxury Charter Group’s expertise will add value to your planning – we will advise you of the best time of year to enjoy any nominated destination, and suggest an alternative if this does not suit your requirements.

How do I plan an itinerary?

The Luxury Charter Group eliminates the guesswork for you when it comes to planning the itinerary for your private crewed yachth charter. We will consider your requirements down to the finest detail, and together with your Captain we will prepare a charter plan that meets your desires.   This includes your food and beverage preferences, and both the on-board and on-shore activities you like to enjoy, and when and where you want to go etc. Of course once you are on board your itinerary is yours to change as the mood takes, under the guidance of your Captain

What can we do when onshore?

There are a myriad of opportunities to be explored and enjoyed when you venture ashore from your mega yacht: it all depends on where you are in the world.  In some destinations you can snorkel or scuba dive into the vibrant world of a coral reef, go fishing for the ‘big ones’, stroll on a deserted soft sand beach, indulge yourself in the serenity of a picnic on an isolated beach, dine five-star in a bustling town, rub shoulders with the locals and enjoy their food, shop in a brand-name store, purchase trinkets from a beachfront hut, or go on excursions where you take in scenery like you have never seen before.  At Luxury Charter Group we’ll be happy to provide you this information to add to your itinerary

Can I select the menu?

You can most definitely advise us of your food and beverage preferences for your superyacht charter. Part of our planning procedure involves you completing a detailed questionnaire to advise of your food and beverage preferences, and if there are any special dietary or medical requirements for those in your party. This allows your Crew to fully understand your requirements and to provide you the most relevant service.  All of our charter yachts’ chefs are experienced and pride themselves on the high standard of cuisine they present their guests.

Can I be contacted while away?

The majority of luxury yachts have satellite phone and internet capability (sometimes there is a charge for this service) and most charter destinations have cell/mobile phone service available. Additionally, we can provide the contact details for your charter yacht, for you to distribute to family or friends prior to your departure.

How much is your total budget?

The Luxury Charter Group charter portfolio includes an exceptionally wide range of yachts and charter destinations around the world. The costs associated with each of these holiday opportunities are equally diverse: ranging from a few thousand dollars or euros to $500,000 or more. To best assist you in planning your charter, it is important you advise us how much you wish to dedicate to this holiday. This information will allow us to quickly and effectively advise you of the most suitable yachts and itineraries that fit within the bounds of your charter plan.

When do I make the final payment for my Charter?

Charter agreements can differ slightly for particular yachts around the world, but in general your balance and other relative costs (APA) are due at least 30-days prior to the commencement of your charter.

What is APA? How is it calculated?

The charter fee generally covers only the hire of the yacht and crew, all other expenses are in addition to the charter fee. Every Charterer has different needs and wishes.

APA, or Advance Provisioning Allowance, is the standard arrangement for paying your expenses during your yacht charter.

It's a simple, fuss-free way of creating a petty cash account for your charter yacht Captain to cover the operating expenses such as fuel consumed for your itinerary, food, wines, liquor, communications, port fees, transfers to and from the vessel, special requests, and incidentals on your behalf. The Captain will make all payments out of this account and is obliged to keep all receipts and balance the account for you. There are no mark ups on the APA and you can review the expenditure level at any time.

Any credit remaining at the end of your luxury charter will be reimbursed to you in full in cash, and likewise any overages are to be paid to the Captain in cash prior to disembarkation. Your Captain should warn you in advance if it looks like your expenses will exceed your APA so there are no surprises.

The amount of APA is estimated in advance and is calculated as a percentage of the charter fee, generally 20-25% for a sailing yacht and 30 - 35% for a motor yacht depending on your itinerary and the number of guests.

Under MYBA Terms, the APA is due at the time of the final charter payment. This allows the Captain and Crew to plan and personalise your charter in advance of your arrival

What is the Captain’s responsibility?

All the Crews aboard charter yachts in the Luxury Charter Group’s portfolio are professionally certificated to ensure that you have the ultimate charter experience with safety.  Crews are also trained to provide a high level of service and hospitality on board for everything from fine dining to recreation and using the water toys safely. The Captain will, when necessary, consult with you and always try to accede to your wishes; however he is ultimately responsible for the safety of the vessel and for all those on board, and he has the final call when circumstances demand it.

Gratuities: do I tip?

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, while exceptional service and attention to detail can warrant a tip of 20% or more, but always at your discretion.

Once again if you have any further questions do please contact one of the expert team at the Luxury Charter Group.