6 things to know before your first charter

A luxury yacht charter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Whether celebrating a special occasion, looking for the ultimate family-friendly getaway, or simply wanting to indulge in privacy and luxury, a superyacht provides the perfect platform.

However, the prospect of getting the right yacht, destination, and activities can be overwhelming for those new to the yacht charter scene. This is where our concierge department and brokers come in. As experts in the industry, they leverage their extensive knowledge of our fleet and crew to find your ideal match. They will handle the negotiations, logistics, and itinerary planning, protecting your interests each step of the way to create an ideal yachting vacation tailored to you.

Here are our six tips to ensure an unforgettable first-time yacht charter experience:

Make sure you book early
Charter bookings are at an all-time high, having more than doubled since before the pandemic. Yachts are therefore limited, so book as early as possible – up to a year ahead if you can – to avoid disappointment, especially in popular cruising destinations. If you can’t plan earlier, chose dates during the off-seasons or be fully flexible so brokers can offer you unexpected, last-minute gaps in the calendar.

Think about your destination
Most yachts can be found cruising the Mediterranean in summer. Where you decide to go will also impact the number of days required for a good itinerary, with potentially more time needed to reach a certain arrival/departure point. It’s also important to know if a destination has a hot months, as this will determine when it’s safest to cruise.

Bigger isn’t always better
There’s much more to consider than just the number of cabins or overall length when selecting the perfect charter yacht. If you’re interested for big event, you might prefer cruising on a super yacht, or if you want to explore a far-flung destination, a steel-hulled explorer with a helipad might be the best companion. Design style, amenities, eco-credentials, crew numbers, child-friendliness and water toy options are all vital elements to check with your broker before booking.

Fill out your preference sheet
The more information a yacht crew has about guests’ desires, the more likely it is that the charter experience will live up to expectations. Even before you step on board, brokers will provide a preference sheet – if guests fill this out in good time, the crew can account for any dietary requirements or arrange necessities for younger guests or pets. It also means that crew can be duly prepared with food, decor or entertainment for celebrating special occasions.

Take your shoes off
High heels and dark-soled shoes can damage teak decks, so most yachts ask guests to take off their shoes or only wear soft-soled “boat shoes” on board. Beyond that, dress codes are entirely up to personal preference although guests often dress up for dinner on board. When it comes to packing, try to bring lighter loads and soft suitcases as storage space is often limited.

There’s more to pay than the charter rate
Rates advertised on our website are never the same as the final bill. Most charter contracts will include an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), covering additional costs such as fuel, food and drink, dockage fees, insurance and tax. The APA is often about 30% to 35% of the charter fee. Guests should also be prepared to tip the entire crew – standard practice is to offer a sum of between five and 20 per cent of the base charter rate at the end of your time (only for weekly charter).

Discover the feeling of ultimate luxury and relaxation with the experience of a charter yacht that will meet your highest expectations. Enjoy crystal clear waters in Greek islands, serene getaways to secluded beaches and personalized service that makes every moment unique.


Book the trip of a lifetime today and enjoy the experience you deserve!