A yacht charter is a luxurious and exciting way to experience the world’s beautiful coastal regions and islands. But what should you know before chartering?

Where you choose to go can greatly impact your trip cost. Online prices typically only show the base price for the yacht and crew, but fuel, mooring fees, food, soft drinks and communications are additional costs.

Getting Started

A yacht charter Fort Lauderdale offers you a unique opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime. However, it’s important to understand what to expect before your trip. Creating an itinerary that balances relaxation and exploration can help make your experience truly memorable.

While the yacht’s cruising grounds are undoubtedly a major consideration, your charter broker and captain can also provide tips on local activities and excursions. Additionally, many ships have a Medical Person in Charge trained in first aid and CPR and can connect you with medical resources ashore if necessary.

Another important consideration is the yacht’s APA (advance provisioning allowance) budget. The APA is a pre-paid account for the crew to spend on food, drinks and other expenses during your charter. Once the alliance is over, any unspent APA funds will be reimbursed to you. Additional fees include fuel, dockage and VAT (value-added tax). Your charter broker will be able to provide you with an accurate breakdown of these expenses.

Choosing the Right Yacht

Yacht charter brokers can help you find the right yacht for your needs, budget and cruising destinations. They have a lot of experience in the industry and are members of reputable yachting organizations. Look for the logos of these groups on your broker’s website – they prove that the broker has taken the time to earn their membership.

Your yacht’s crew is one of the most important factors in determining your ultimate yacht charter experience. Depending on how well they do their jobs, they can make your trip a dream or a nightmare. They are experts on the cruising area you will be visiting and know how to plan fun activities for children and adults.

Many yachts are also equipped with various entertainment options for their guests. These range from dance floors to on-deck cinemas and fully-equipped gyms to staffed spas and personal yoga instructors. It is a good idea to ask your charter broker for information about the entertainment offerings on board your chosen yacht before you book.

Planning Your Itinerary

Once you’ve decided on the right yacht for your charter and figured out how long to cruise, you’ll need to start planning your trip. The best way to do this is by identifying the destinations you want to visit, the activities you want to enjoy, and the shore excursions you plan to take.

Remember that most yachts move around throughout the year, so your destination choice will heavily influence what boat you decide to book. For example, if you have your heart set on experiencing UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece, you’ll likely have to charter a yacht based in the Eastern Mediterranean in summer.

Remember that many charterers choose to purchase cancellation and curtailment insurance, which covers costs incurred if the charter must be canceled or shortened due to weather or other uncontrollable circumstances. Your broker will be able to explain the options available.

In addition, most charterers pre-book an APA or advance provisioning allowance. This is a pre-paid amount that covers the cost of food, beverages and mooring fees for your charter and is refundable at the end of the alliance.

During the Trip

The crew will handle all the details as you cruise your bespoke itinerary. Your charter broker will help you fill out a Charter Preference Form before your departure, which gives the yachts’ chefs and other staff a glimpse into your dietary needs and favorite drinks. Then, they’ll create an onboard menu and schedule for your trip.

All charter yachts are held to high standards of cleanliness and sanitation, and their captains and medical persons in charge have extensive CPR and first-aid training. In addition, most carry a broad range of lifesaving supplies and have telemedicine contracts that connect them to doctors ashore.

Most charter companies operate fleets worldwide all year round; they may be large companies that manage several hundred yachts or smaller outfits that contain a few in their local waters. Some include the cost of fuel, docking fees and insurance in their charter fee; others itemize those charges separately. It’s also customary to tip the crew, averaging between 10 and 20 percent of the charter fee.