Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to clear up any doubts! If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us we’re more than happy to help.
The Chefs on Charter Yachts are very good at accommodating all sorts of common diets, dietary restrictions, and allergies. They are also able to accommodate dislikes or picky eaters. We will send you a Preference Form to complete where you can indicate the types of cuisines and meals you prefer, as well as any dislikes, diet considerations, and allergies. The more the Chef knows, the easier it is for them to prepare. The menu will be prepared to suit your preferences, and proper steps will be taken for any food allergies. Please inform us of any special diets upon inquiring, so we can ensure they can be accommodated for upon booking.
Some people wonder if a yacht is appropriate for people with mobility issues, disability, or medical condition. Getting on and off the boat may pose some challenges for people with mobility issues, but most yachts have ramps or platforms to board the yacht whether from the dock or water. Once onboard, a yacht can be ideal for people with mobility issues, as the yacht moves from one beautiful vista to the next. The Crew are professionally licensed and have first aid and emergency response training. Please inform us of any relevant disabilities and medical conditions upon inquiring, so we can discuss further to ensure proper plans are made.
Many people who suffer from motion sickness are pleasantly surprised when they have no issues on charter yacht vacation. This is especially true on a Catamaran or Power Yacht, as they are very stable on the water, and in cruising areas that have calm waters, such as the Virgin Islands. Some bays are so calm that you hardly feel any swell at all. That said, if you are prone to motion illness, it's still a good idea to bring motion sickness medication with you, just in case. Some people also use Seabands which are known to help. If you do experience any motion sickness, it's best to let the Crew know as soon as possible, so they can help and move the yacht into calmer waters.
Island foot attire is generally sandals, sneakers or nothing at all. Barefoot is preferred aboard your Charter Yacht, but if you would rather wear shoes, then they should be the kind with non-marking soles, and you may be asked to wear them only onboard, not onshore where you can pick up sand and tiny rocks that scratch the deck. Be sure to put extra sunscreen on the tops of your feet if they haven’t seen the light of day in a while!
You can dress up or dress down to however you feel comfortable. On shore, at the local bars and restaurants, you will see people wearing shorts and t-shirts, while others wearing slacks and collared shirts or sundresses. Some high-end restaurants do require men to wear dress pants, collared shirts, and close-toed shoes, and women are asked to dress elegantly.
You will probably find that you spend most of your time in a bathing suit and t-shirt or cover-up, so you can pack lightly. Light long-sleeve shirt and long pants are good for the evenings and on the plane ride.
A light rain jacket, sunglasses and hat are a good idea. Some people also bring a rash guard shirt to snorkel in, so their back does not get too much sun and to keep them warm if the water is cool.
For more information, here is a link to some Packing Tips
There are many yachts available for 6-8 guests, as well as some that are ideal for 2-4 guests. There is also a good selection of yachts available for 10 guests, and a limited number of yachts available for 12 guests. For groups larger than 12 guests, we can show you some mini cruise ships to consider, but you could also consider a Multiple Yacht Charter, where you charter two or more yachts and charter together. Often two or smaller yachts can be more economical than one large one, and it can be very beneficial having multiple sets of crew, watersports equipment, etc.
The Charter Yacht Company only uses Charter Yacht Agreements that have been thoroughly drafted by maritime lawyers from internationally recognized organizations. The terms in these agreements vary slightly, but they consider and protect all parties involved and mitigate losses in case of cancellation.
Some of these organizations are:
The Charter Yacht Brokers Association International www.cyba.net
American Yacht Charter Association www.ayca.net
International Yacht Brokers Association www.iyba.org
MYBA - The Worldwide Yachting Association www.myba-association.com
If your charter must be cancelled, then various cancellation terms will apply depending on the Charter Agreement used and the time and circumstances of cancellation. We are well versed on the Charter Agreements and can explain the various terms within them upon booking. Your funds are held in a Trust Account and only dispersed to the yacht owner as per the terms in the Agreement, which is generally 35% 10 days prior to charter to prepare for charter, and the remaining amount after charter has successfully commenced or concluded.
Contact us! We know the charter destinations well, and we have inspected the yachts and met with the Crew. We will give you the most detailed information possible, solely based on your best interests. We truly take pride in finding you the best option and value for your money. The more we know about you, the better we can find the best options for you, so please share your preferences, no matter how picky they may be. Please also feel free to any questions or concerns you may have. Submit a Charter Inquiry Form or contact us at info@thecharteryachtcompany.com or phone/text 1-866-599-2248
Check out these links to learn more about the various Yacht Options and Destinations.
Where you choose to charter much depends on the time of year you wish to travel and personal preference. In the Caribbean, most choose the Virgin Islands, as it’s such a close-knit island chain and offers easy cruising. For Europe, many choose Greece, as this area offers a wonderful charter itinerary. As for the itinerary, this is set to your pace and preference. If you are a scuba diving or snorkeling enthusiast, then much of your itinerary will be focused around the best diving and snorkel spots. Want to party-it-up at the local beach bars, or would you rather tuck into a quiet cove?...it's your choice. There is so much to do and explore! Check out our Activities for more information. We will provide you with all the best itinerary options that the destination has to offer. Feel free to visit our Destinations page and contact us for more information.
Generally, a 25% deposit is required if your charter is booked more than 6 months in advance, then another 25% deposit 6 months prior to the charter. A 50% deposit is required if your charter is booked less than 6 months in advance. The Final Balance is due 60 days prior to the charter. Charter Fees are payable by Credit Card, Check, or Wire Transfer. Processing fees apply for payment by Credit Card.
The Charter Yacht Company follows strict industry standards with regard to your Charter Funds. Funds are held in Escrow and dispersed as per the Disbursement of Funds in the Charter Agreement. You are welcome to contact us or the following associations if you have any concerns regarding the safety of your charter funds.
The Charter Yacht Brokers Association International www.cyba.net
American Yacht Charter Association www.ayca.net
If your charter must be cancelled, then various cancellation terms will apply depending on the Charter Agreement used and the time and circumstances of cancellation. We are well versed on the Charter Agreements and can explain the various terms within them upon booking.
Here are just a few things to consider when looking at the various yacht options:
The sample menus are just examples of the meals prepared onboard. We will send you a Preference Sheet and the chef will provision the yacht and create a menu customized to your preference. The Chefs are very versatile and can prepare meals suited to your personal preferences and dietary requirements.
Some of the yachts offer scuba diving onboard. For the yachts which do not offer scuba onboard, you can always do what is called a “rendezvous dive” where the local dive boat comes right alongside your yacht and takes you diving. The cost for this is approx. $2002dive and includes gear. This option is available for new or experienced divers.
Extra kayaks, paddleboards, fishing gear, etc. can be inventoried on your yacht if need be.
Most yachts do not have standard “King” or “Queen” size mattresses. Often the e-brochures will indicate “double", “queen" or “king" as an estimation. Also, some of the e-brochures will only indicate “double” or “single”, referring to the fact that the bed is either designed to sleep one or two people, regardless of the actual measurement of the mattress. If you have any confusion or concerns in this regard, please let us know and we will help clarify.
Often you can’t judge a yacht by its size since some of the newer smaller designs boast more comfort than the older bigger ones. Also, Catamarans are larger in width compared to monohulls.
Generally speaking, you can start and finish your charter any day of the week.
Most charters are for one week (7 nights). Charters for less than 6 nights incur a short-term charter fee (you can calculate this by dividing the 7 night rate by 6 and multiplying by the desired number of days less than 6). Some yachts will not consider charters less than 5 nights, but this can be determined upon further inquiry. Charters for more than 7 nights may have special discounts.
Some people choose to extend their vacation and stay in a hotel the first and/or last night of their trip. Also, some yachts offer special "sleep-a-board" rate for late arrivals the first night. This is generally for arrivals after 5pm, with dinner dined ashore at a local restaurant, and costs about 50% of the daily rate.
Some people think they would prefer to spend a few days on a yacht and a few on land at a resort/villa/hotel, but then they find that it is much better to just spend the entire time on the yacht. A Charter Yacht is like having a floating ocean front villa, and allows you to explore more of the destination by land and sea!
Most charters start and finish at noontime on the first/last day. Of course, you can arrive late and leave early, if need be. Some people choose to extend their vacation and stay in a hotel the first and/or last night of their trip. Also, some yachts offer special "sleep-a-board" rate for late arrivals the first night. This is generally for arrivals after 5pm, with dinner dined ashore at a local restaurant, and costs about 50% of the daily rate. Please inquire for more details.
The All-inclusive rates are all-inclusive of the use of the yacht, and it's amenities, provisions (fantastic meals set to your dining preference), beverages, fuel, and all Running Expenses, unless otherwise indicated. An Open Bar with wine, beer, and liquor is included in your charter fee and set to your preference. However, if you require extraordinarily expensive wines, champagnes, or liquors, these can be provisioned but might be at additional cost. We may be able to negotiate Half Board rates, where you dine ashore a few meals at the local restaurants. This is generally $30/dinner and $20/lunch per person off the rate.
The Plus Expenses rate includes use of the yacht and crew and use of all the amenities on board but are plus the cost of provisions, fuel, water, and any other items you require for your charter. So you only pay for the food and beverages you plan to consume. An Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of approximate 30% of the Charter Fee is required, which is used to purchase food, beverages, fuel, and other such items for your charter. The Captain will keep all receipts and records of the APA used, so you can check expenditures at any time. Any amount not used will be refunded to you at the end of the charter. If your expenses exceed the APA collected, then additional funds will be required for outstanding bills. All purchases are transparent and at cost value.
Taxes: Some destinations require sales taxes, cruising permits/taxes, or National Park/Customs Fees, to charter in their waters. These charges may be at additional cost for particular yachts.
Gratuity: A Crew gratuity is customary and generally 15-20% of the charter rate, scaled up or down based on your satisfaction and left to your discretion. This is split between the Crew, not per Crew member.
Dockage: the cost of dockage is usually included in the Charter Fee for pick-up and drop-off at the beginning and end of your charter. For most destinations it is not necessary nor preferable to stay at a dock during your charter, as each of the islands is rimmed with sheltered coves to anchor in, and only docks on some islands. Your dinghy is your taxi to and from shore. That said, if you do decide to stay at a dock during your charter, the cost to do so would be at an additional cost.
Scuba Diving: Some yachts offer scuba diving onboard. In some cases this included in the Charter Fee, but most charger a minimal addtional fee to scuba dive.
Once we have narrowed down your choice to one yacht, we will place a no-obligation "hold" on that yacht’s calendar while you are confirming the booking. In the case where someone else already has a hold for your dates, we can “challenge” their hold by giving them 48hrs to confirm their booking, or the no-obligation hold becomes ours to with as we wish.
Once we have a hold on your desired yacht, we will prepare a Charter Agreement for your booking. Generally, a 25% deposit is required if your charter is booked more than 6 months in advance, then another 25% deposit 6 months prior to the charter. A 50% deposit is required if your charter is booked less than 6 months in advance. The Final Balance is due 60 days prior to the charter. Charter Fees are payable by Credit Card, Check, or Wire Transfer. Processing fees apply for payment by Credit Card.
The crew works very hard before and during your charter to ensure that you have the best charter experience possible, and in turn, for their gratuity. Customary gratuity is 15%-20% of the charter fee, but you may choose to give more or less based on your satisfaction with the crew's service. In other words, 15%-20% is for satisfactory service, more than 20% is for exceptional service, and less than 15% is for unsatisfactory service. Your Crew accepts gratuity by cash or personal check (from a US Bank), and some can also PayPal, Venmo, etc. Gratuity is typically given at the end of the charter, but you are welcome to give it beforehand if you wish. Gratuity is split between the Crew, however, you are also welcome to give it to them individually if you wish.
Of course, we can't predict the weather, but we can advise on the best times to charter in certain destinations with regard to weather. Areas like the Caribbean are very nice year round, but Hurricane Season is June to November, with the most chance of a hurricane being in August/September/October. It is still a very popular time to charter and the chances of a hurricane are rare, but this is just another reason why Travel Cancellation/Interruption is recommended. Most Charter Agreements also allow you to reschedule your charter, or offer you a partial refund if your charter is cancelled due to do extreme weather. Of course, your safety is the top priority, and any extreme weather is tracked very closely and often predicted weeks before your charter. Please contact us for more information and for information on weather in other destinations.
Whether it's an accident, illness, extreme weather, or airline delay, occasionally there are reasons that our vacation arrangements are interrupted. This is why Travel Cancellation/Interruption Insurance is recommended. This Insurance will cover the reimbursement cost of your yacht charter, flights, hotel accommodations, etc., in the event that you must cancel your vacation for reasons predetermined by the various insurance policies. We do not sell insurance, however, please find a list here for recommended insurance providers.