Blog | Luxury Yacht Charter Guide

Setting sail on a yacht charter is certainly one of the most unique experiences that life has to offer. However, finding a luxury yacht charter that meets your needs is not always easy. With us, you don’t need to worry about a thing – we will help you select the superyacht charter and book your vacation in a few simple steps.

More and more travelers are looking at yacht charters as their dream holiday option. Exclusivity, security, and peace of mind are some of the main features to look out for when booking a charter yacht holiday. Our charter brokers have decades of combined experience in such holidays and can help you choose your luxury motor yacht as well as your yacht charter destinations.

We are ready to help both first-time charterers but also experienced travelers choose the best yacht charter for your needs and also provide professional advice on other important details. But first, let’s define some of the yacht charter basics.

What Is Luxury Yacht Chartering?

Yacht chartering is the process of renting a sailboat or a motor yacht and traveling to various charter destinations. Coastal or island, these destinations are often handpicked by experts.

If you are interested in chartering a yacht, the best way to move forward is by hiring a yacht charter broker that is specialized in superyacht charters and has plenty of charter experience. At 26 North Yachts, we are a perfect example of that – our yacht charters are the perfect example of holidays that first-time yacht travelers love, and our attention to detail is what exceeds our client’s expectations.

In the guide below, we are covering more areas of this topic and sharing some of the fundamentals of charters that you must know.

Choosing A Yacht Or Superyacht Charter

Nowadays, there are so many charter yachts and options to choose from when booking your luxury yacht holiday. As members of the worldwide yachting association, we know what are the most popular options for travelers and are always offering different choices.

First on the list is the choice of a yacht – motor yacht or sail – as well as its size, guest capacity, length of charter, destination, activities, and itineraries. Comfort is key when sailing on unique yachts, so you will need something that meets your needs. For instance, if you are willing to spend more and want a mega yacht or a family charter, you should look for a superyacht. However, most yachts provide enough comfort to sit back and relax, whether you are traveling to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.

We are here to support you every step of the way, depending on your preferences and your budget. Our luxury yacht charters are designed to suit specific needs, and finding your ideal motor yacht is very easy, given the massive selection that we have. And if you are a current motor yacht owner and are looking for sailing yachts to test a new kind of experience, you can choose from a shortlist and find a yacht that fits your bill.

Crewed Charters

A charter yacht that has a permanent and dedicated crew fully employed by the owner is known as a “crewed charter.” These types of charters are popular in mega yachts, providing you with the comfort of having someone to work as a team and provide great service and a super experience for you. These teams know the charter process, understand all the technical workings of a charter yacht, and can be hired for an additional charter fee.

The good thing is that at 26 North Yachts, you can find charters for smaller yachts but also mega motor yachts. Our team can help you find the right-sized team and explore charter destinations with all the right yacht options.

Top Destinations For Charter Yachts

Choosing a destination is the next step toward a worry-free vacation. Your private yacht charter holiday can take place in virtually every major country or vacation port in the world. Obviously, we know some of the best destinations for a great charter experience and are here to advise you on which areas are best for larger yachts, which areas are ideal for a family trip, where you can get access to special events, and so on. Let’s look at some of the top locations where you can charter a yacht and enjoy a unique holiday:

• Mediterranean: The Western Mediterranean has a specific charm. The French Riviera is a hotspot for luxury motor yachts in summer but also in spring (the Monaco Grand Prix event and Cannes Film Festival are good examples). You can roam through St. Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco and have a boat party or explore the national parks. The Italian riviera is next, where you can enjoy a great climate and indulge in ancient history. The Eastern Mediterranean is also worth exploring in the summer season, especially in countries like Greece, Croatia, and Turkey.
• Caribbean & Bahamas: Some of the largest yachts out there can be spotted chartering in the Caribbean. This area is also home to many secluded bays – you can take your yacht charter to the Leeward Islands, Antigua, Anguilla, and St. Barths, but also bathe under the Bahamian sun in the high season.
• Asia Pacific: You can swing at anchors in secluded areas and access some of the most awesome marine worlds in the South Pacific. It’s easy to find a popular destination in this part of the world, whether it’s Fiji, French Polynesia’s Tahiti, Thailand, or Singapore.
• Indian Ocean: The idyllic Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are ideal for a trip in the off-season and offer many activities besides sungazing and enjoying the crystal clear blue waters. The period between Christmas and New Year is usually the peak season for chartering in these regions.

The Charter Process

If you are ready to spend some great time chartering through any of the above-mentioned destinations and willing to try our seamless service, it’s time to see how the process goes.

It’s very simple – all you need to do is select the desired charter type, and you will get details about the best yachts and crew for your needs. You can browse a variety of crewed charters across the globe and preview locations, types of boats, prices, cabins, and so on. Once you find what you like, make an inquiry, and we’ll get back to you!

We have a variety of crewed motor yachts to choose from, which makes the process of finding a boat and crew very easy. Whether it’s a sportfishing boat, a day charter yacht, or a bachelor/bachelorette party in a specific charter destination, we are here to listen to your needs.

The Crew

If you are wondering what defines a charter crew, there is the captain, who is responsible for the ship, passengers, and crew. He is also the go-to person for any issues and spends most of their time on the bridge (but he can interact with guests, too).

Then, we have the first officer, that is usually the second in command on the yacht, and a person that reports directly to the captain. Depending on the size of your crew, it could be a full-time position or someone in addition to deck operations.

The deckhand and bosuns are people in charge of ship maintenance – they assist the captain in docking the ship but can also entertain passengers by showing how to use water toys, ensuring proper safety in the water, and so on.

After then, we have the engineers that ensure that the boat is in proper working order and runs safely, maintaining all mechanical and electrical operations.

Lastly, we have the stewardesses (stews) that take care of the interior of the ship, serving meals and drinks, handling housekeeping, and doing laundry. In addition to them, there is a chef (and a sous chef) that cook delicious meals for you during your trip.

FAQ

Why Do I Need A Charter Broker?

Most luxury yachts are exclusively available through charter brokers or brokerages. At 26 North Yachts, we pride ourselves on being able to assist with any of your specific needs, helping you find a luxury charter yacht for your trip. We are here to assist you and figure out which yacht to charter based on our preferences. We can secure the contract, communicate with the captain, agree on the best charter rate, and help you plan your itinerary.

If you have trouble arriving at your charter destination, we are here to book private aviation for your needs. Similar to that is finding the right crew – our brokerage specializes in that and can help you find a standard crew but also accommodates such as masseuses, personal trainers, security guards, assistants, chefs, nannies, and so on. At the minimum, your luxury yacht will have a captain and a host.

What Are Some Of The Extras Worth Exploring?

A chartering trip on a yacht can be fun for everyone. There is a myriad of activities – you can have fun and book some water toys, focus on working out and hire a personal trainer to join you on your chartering trip, or hire a specialized crew with wine-tasting experts to meet your needs. The list of extras is long – just let us know what you are looking for, and we will do our best to fit your needs.

Why Use A Broker For Your Superyacht Charter Holiday?

If you are still questioning whether you need to use a broker for your yacht charter luxury holiday, the answer is always yes. When looking to charter a yacht, the best way to ensure that everything meets your personal preferences is by consulting a professional and dedicated charter broker with the right knowledge and experience.

For instance, if you are looking for a Monaco yacht for a specific period, finding one on your own is possible but a complex mission. With a broker, you can agree on a base charter fee, choose whether to include add-ons and find the most charters roaming around the French riviera at that time.

Lastly, the service you will get with a charter broker is free – the only thing you will pay for is the yacht and the add-ons of your choice. We are here to help you browse through motor yachts, choose one for your needs, and plan your charter yacht holiday.

How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Superyacht?

No charter experience is cheap, and choosing a yacht for a day charter or a week-long experience is a holiday that costs more than any traditional holiday. First-timers should know that the biggest price indicator of a yacht charter is boat size. Next on the list are features – if you are looking for the best yachts out there, be ready to pay more.

If you plan to bring many guests on your yacht charter holiday, the price will go up. Crew reputation, ship design, age of the vessel, and in some cases, the yachting destination can also make the prices fluctuate. Although there are some costs that are inclusive, there are also ‘plus expenses’ charters. In these options, only the crew and ship are included in the price, while an ‘Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is used to cover all necessary extras. Paying advanced provisioning allowance won’t cover crew gratuity, which is given at your discretion, but has a going rate of around 15-20%. For more details on the cost of a yacht charter, don’t hesitate to contact us today!

Ready To Sail Smoothly?

At this point, you can probably see why booking a yacht charter makes sense and why it is the preferred method for many first-time and repeat travelers. We are here to carefully analyze your criteria and provide you with the best selection of luxury yachts to choose from.

If you have additional requests, such as private aviation or anything else that results in absolute luxury on your yachting experience, do not hesitate to contact us and plan your holiday.