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SPECIAL RATES:
Everyone Loves a Bargain, so be sure to let us know if you are planning a honeymoon or the ages of your children so we can offer you the best rates! Feel free to visit our SPECIAL OFFERS PAGE!! Here you will see a selection of yachts that offer Last Minute Booking Specials, Family Discounts, Veterans Discounts, Book Ahead Discounts and even Free Days!
Many yachts also have special pricing for those who prefer to dine ashore more frequently, or for those who may not desire the services of a Chef at all. The lowest Rates are available for those interested in a CABIN BOOKING where you share the vessel with 2 to 6 other couples. Just be sure to be flexible on dates as Cabin Bookings typically only sail on specific dates, and they book up well in advance!
Why are some yachts more expensive than others? Everyone has a budget in mind for their charter holiday, so please be open with us so we can meet or exceed your requirements, or offer you options with Family Discounts or special rates. Charter fees range widely depending on many factors such as:
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Type and Age of the Yacht and Layout:
Size for size, sailing yachts tend to charter for less than motor yachts. Rates for Catamarans tend to be higher because of their inherent stability, equally proportioned cabins (all double/queen size beds, etc.) and ability to carry far more "toys" and amenities for their length than traditional sailing yachts. Motor Yachts have bigger and more powerful engines, multiple generators, and many carry a small armada of toys, so they tend to be pricier than sail boats of comparable size. And, if you must have the newest yacht, then be prepared to pay a premium rate for all the latest designs with Flybridges and spectacular surroundings. But, there are bargains in all shapes and sizes, and special rates to fill in a yacht's booking calendar (even in high season) can make your budget go further! When we ask about your proposed budget, be realistic and we'll find the perfect match!
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Number of Crew and Services Provided:
Yachts capable of being operated with just one crew member (Captain Only Options) are quite affordable if you are willing to do the provisioning, cooking and clean-up yourself. In fact during high season, these may be more affordable than chartering a Bareboat! Most yachts under 65 feet operate with a Crew of 2 (Captain and Chef/Mate) which means you can relax and leave everything in their capable hands.....you can still take the helm or help on deck, but the chef will take on the menu planning, provisioning, preparing and serving meals, as well as keeping all the cabins ship shape! Many Caribbean yachts that offer Caribbean Inclusive Rates are now offering alternate meal plans for those who prefer dining ashore more than once during your charter. You pay a lower rate, and explore the local cuisine! The larger the vessel, the more crew needed to keep everything running smoothly, and attend properly to guests needs. Some have multiple chefs, engineers, deckhands, a few stewards/stewardesses......ahh, the luxury of having it all! Of course yachts that require more crew to operate the yacht also charge higher rates. Let us know your expectations for the level of service you are expecting so we can be certain to select the Perfect Crew!
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Charter Area:
The Caribbean is the most highly chosen charter destination in the world! In the winter season there are hundreds of crewed yachts available for charter, as supply attempts to meet demand. This results in a very competitive market. In the Summer months, the majority of yachts move on to summer destinations leaving far fewer yachts available (and far fewer motor yachts!), so those that remain for the summer tend to book quickly.
Certain far-flung destinations (Seychelles or Fiji, for example) may only have a handful of professionally crewed yachts at any time of the year. Despite having a most enchanting cruising ground, a number of factors conspire to make it difficult (and therefore expensive) to charter in these regions. Government regulations can be restrictive, provisioning sources can be unreliable, fuel can be scarce, etc. Obviously if you choose to charter in an area with limited vessels to choose from, be prepared to be flexible with your dates and budget. -
Seasonal Rate Variations:
High season typically means higher rates. Caribbean High season is from December 15th through April while the Mediterranean High season is typically July through August. Holidays and Events (New Year/Christmas, Cannes Film Festival, Antigua Race Week, etc.) typically require minimum booking periods at premium rates (expect 10% over High Season rates). Holiday's and Events book out 6 months to a year in advance, so if you are on a budget, you should book early to avoid disappointment!
Low Season rates can make chartering even more affordable than you thought. Add the benefit of fewer crowds and more flights available at a lower cost..... and you can see this can be a great time to get the whole family together for a vacation! Just be sure to consult with us for the best times to sail during low-season so we can help you avoid sailing when local weather conditions may make your vacation a bit too memorable! For Trip Insurance including coverage for cancellation due to Hurricane threats, see the Insurance link on our Home Page. -
Amenities and Equipment:
Crewed yachts include a host of water sports equipment for your enjoyment. At a minimum there will be a Dinghy/Sport Tender for transportation and exploring, snorkeling gear, an entertainment center with a library of music, movies, games and books. Additional toys may include any combination of the following: water skis, kayaks (singles and doubles), knee boards, Wake boards, stand up paddle boards, fishing gear, SCUBA Gear, floating mattresses, sun-beds, Kites, Beach games, deck hammocks, even floating islands! Large Motor Yachts often come equipped with wave-runners/Jet-Skis, Scooters, On-Deck Jacuzzi tubs, even Gyms, Saunas, Submersible Vehicles and Massage Tables for the Masseuse! Whatever your vessel does not have, can usually be arranged to be hired for your charter. Just feel free to tell us what "floats your boat" and we'll make it happen!
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SCUBA DIVING:
Yachts equipped for this sport must have an onboard Dive-master or Dive Instructor in the crew to assure your safety and to comply with the vessel's insurance. There are many yachts that include Scuba diving for certified divers in their "Inclusive" rate, but most will charge an extra fee in order to offset the rising cost of liability insurance and maintaining equipment in tip-top shape. Those yachts that do not offer Scuba can always arrange diving with local Rendezvous dive operators - perfect for those who only want a day or two of diving during their holiday, or for groups that include only 1 or 2 divers in the bunch. These are arranged to meet your boat at an agreed upon location, and they whisk the divers off to the Best Dive Spots for that day's weather, and rendezvous with the rest of the group afterward. Perfect Solution!
Obviously not every yacht can accommodate every toy, so make sure you let us know what your "must have" list entails. -
SPECIAL RATES:
Everyone Loves a Bargain, so just ask us! A selection of yachts offer HONEYMOON Discounts, Family Discounts for young children, and of course Last Minute Booking Discounts! Specials change so frequently, so be sure to check our "SPECIALS PAGE" frequently!
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Crew Gratuities:
Tipping the crew is both customary and discretionary. The standard practice is to award somewhere between 10% - 20% of the charter fee (varies by destination), based on your level of satisfaction at the close of the charter. Be sure to plan for this in your Budget, as this is typically paid in cash at departure. It is customary for the charter party to give the gratuity to the captain in an envelop as they disembark, to be distributed amongst the crew equally.
If you don't want to carry so much cash, we can also "escrow" gratuity funds in advance so you can let us know how much to send the crew once your charter is over.