How to Charter a Yacht
The process of booking a luxury yacht charter involves several essential steps:
1. Selecting Your Destination: Explore our charter destinations for inspiration and decide where you wish to sail. Our range includes picturesque locations such as Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Göcek, Kaş in Turkey, as well as Rhodos, Symi, Mykonos, Santorini, and other captivating Greek destinations.
2. Defining Your Requirements: Determine your budget, the number of guests you plan to invite, and the type of experience you seek—be it an adventurous escapade, a romantic getaway, or a combination of both.
3. Choosing Your Yacht: Browse through the various types of yachts available to gain an understanding of your preferences and desired features.
4. Consulting with our Charter Broker: Our experienced charter brokers will assist in identifying the most suitable superyachts based on your preferences. Select your favorite from the options presented.
5. Commence Planning: Once you've made your choice, our broker will organize your itinerary and attend to any additional details required for your charter.
Understanding the Costs of Chartering a Yacht
When considering the cost of chartering a yacht, it's important to factor in various elements beyond the base charter rates:
- Seasonal Rates: Typically, charter rates vary between high and low seasons. However, there are additional expenses to consider.
- Running Costs: These typically account for 25-30% of the charter, covering expenses such as fuel, food, beverages, and other provisions during your voyage. This is known as the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA), elaborated upon below.
- VAT or Local Taxes: Depending on the location, there might be VAT or local cruising taxes ranging from 0 to 22%.
- Delivery/Redelivery Costs: If chartering outside the yacht's home port or far from existing bookings, additional delivery costs might apply.
- Security Deposit: Occasionally requested, especially for events, this deposit serves as security and is part of the contractual agreement.
- Crew Tips: While discretionary, it's an essential consideration in planning the overall cost of your charter.
Understanding the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA)
The Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) is an upfront fee covering provisions during your charter. Consider it akin to a petty cash account for your captain and chef, ensuring seamless provisioning and customization of your onboard experience.
By providing the APA, you empower the Captain and Crew to tailor your experience precisely to your preferences. This includes preparing a detailed preference sheet between you and our brokers, allowing the crew to customize the yacht according to your desires well before your arrival.
FAQs: Yacht Charter Etiquette with Seara Yachting
Interacting with the Crew:
At Seara Yachting, our crew is an essential part of your luxury experience. They are dedicated professionals committed to ensuring the safe operation of the yacht and optimizing service for you and your guests. Interacting with the crew is encouraged, and your cooperation and courtesy are highly appreciated.
Inviting Guests on Board:
You're welcome to entertain guests during your charter. Please inform the crew in advance if you plan to invite friends aboard. This allows our team to make necessary arrangements, ensuring an enhanced experience for everyone involved.
Hosting Events on Board:
While some of our yachts accommodate events, there are regulations to adhere to regarding guest limits and local noise regulations. Any events held aboard may require adherence to specific guidelines. Some yachts might request a security deposit to cover potential damages during the charter.
Seara Yachting actively encourages chartering during events like the Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, MIPIM, and Venice Film Festival, providing a unique platform for guests to host parties or conduct meetings.
Additional Staff on Board:
Should you require essential staff such as nannies or physicians, accommodations may be arranged on certain yachts with suitable cabins available. Please provide details regarding employment status, and our crew will ensure their safety and offer guidance on onboard services.
Pets Onboard:
While most yachts may not accommodate pets, some are pet-friendly. If you plan to travel with a pet, kindly mention this during your charter inquiry. Providing details like pet size, breed (if applicable), and a photo will help us ensure a comfortable experience for your furry companion.
Interaction During Crew Cleaning:
Our crew ensures the utmost cleanliness aboard. Guests relaxing on the sundeck during certain periods, like morning coffee, allow our crew the opportunity to maintain your stateroom undisturbed and ready for your comfort.
Addressing Concerns:
Should you have any questions or concerns, our crew members are dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction. A conversation with the Captain is the best approach to address any issues promptly.
Restricted Areas and Safety Protocols:
For safety reasons, guests are requested to avoid crew-designated areas without permission. The Captain or First Officer provides a safety briefing upon embarkation. Familiarizing yourself with safety information, including lifejackets and lifeboat procedures, is recommended.
Footwear and Smoking Policy:
During your charter, we encourage guests to be barefoot or use the slippers provided. Teak decks and sensitive flooring require extra care to prevent damage. Smoking is generally restricted inside yachts, with designated areas available on deck for smoking enthusiasts.
Luggage Suggestions:
Soft luggage is recommended for easy storage, considering the limited storage space in guest staterooms. Hardshell luggage poses challenges for storage and is best avoided.
At Seara Yachting, we aim to ensure an exceptional and comfortable experience for our guests, and adhering to these guidelines helps maintain the luxury and integrity of our vessels.
FAQs: Preference Sheet
What is a preference sheet?
A preference sheet is a detailed form designed for you to specify your preferences. It serves as your platform to communicate any specific requirements or desires you may have for your charter experience. Ranging from your group’s sleeping arrangements to your preferred dessert choices, the preference sheet plays a pivotal role in assisting our crew to curate and deliver an extraordinary holiday tailored to your wishes.
When should I complete the preference sheet?
You will receive the preference sheet well in advance of your charter. We kindly request that you complete and return it to your designated charter broker at your earliest convenience, ideally a month before your embarkation date. Timely submission ensures that our team has ample time to review and accommodate your preferences seamlessly, guaranteeing an exceptional and personalized journey aboard our yachts.
FAQs: Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
When and Where to Pay APA?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) aligns with your final charter payment, usually due about a month before your departure. This amount is transferred directly to the yacht captain, and your broker will furnish you with the requisite banking details beforehand.
Who Manages Charter Purchases?
All purchases before and during your charter are supervised by the captain. Their responsibility includes overseeing the crew's adherence to the budget and providing receipts and expense accounts upon request. Charges are at cost, and upon conclusion of your charter, you'll receive a comprehensive breakdown of expenses.
APA Coverage Shortfall?
While charter cost estimations are typically accurate, unforeseen expenses at sea might surpass the initial payment. In such cases, you can supplement the APA either in cash while onboard or through a wire transfer to the yacht's account. The captain will keep you informed during the voyage, and any outstanding expenses must be settled before disembarking.
Unused APA Balance?
In the event of remaining credit in the APA account post-charter, the captain will arrange a refund. You'll receive the surplus amount in cash before departing the yacht or within five working days via wire transfer after the charter concludes.
APA Applicability to Charters?
For luxury yacht charters, the APA serves as a standard procedure. Its simplicity facilitates easy tracking of expenses during your time at sea, ensuring transparency and convenience for all parties involved.
FAQs: Family Yacht Chartering with Seara Yachting
Can I charter with my children?
Chartering a luxury yacht with Seara Yachting is an exceptional experience for families, offering an array of amenities and activities designed to delight kids. Our charters increasingly cater to families, providing a range of children’s activities, tailored itineraries, specialized menus, and more.
What should I consider for my children's safety?
Prioritize safety features for children during your yacht charter. Many of our yachts are equipped with safety measures such as locks, gates, and safety nets, ensuring secure play areas for our younger guests. Your broker can confirm these details with the captain and crew before finalizing your yacht reservation.
How can I plan for a child-friendly charter?
Consult your broker for a child-friendly itinerary. From sandy beaches to water parks, zoos, and museums, our charter destinations offer a plethora of family-oriented activities to ensure an enjoyable experience for both kids and adults.
What activities are available for children onboard?
Our yachts are furnished with a variety of entertainment options, ranging from books and board games to gaming consoles and movie theaters. Furthermore, our professional crews are happy to organize treasure hunts and themed nights, ensuring an unforgettable experience for younger guests during their charter.
What if my child has specific dietary preferences?
Similar to a 5-star restaurant, our yacht chefs excel at crafting delectable meals for the entire family. Many of our chefs are adept at preparing kid-friendly dishes to entice even the most discerning eaters. Whether selecting from a personalized menu or exploring local delicacies, mealtimes onboard our luxury yachts are tailored to captivate young palates.
Can the crew provide babysitting services?
While our crew is committed to ensuring an enjoyable experience for our younger charter guests, they may not be available for babysitting during your charter due to their responsibilities onboard. If you require babysitting services, we recommend bringing a nanny along to assist specifically with childcare needs.
FAQs: Tipping
How should I handle tipping the crew during my charter with Seara Yachting?
At Seara Yachting, tipping the crew is a customary practice to acknowledge their exceptional service. To facilitate this, kindly offer the gratuity to the captain. Our experienced captains oversee the fair distribution of tips among the entire crew, ensuring all members, including those working behind the scenes, receive their due recognition. Should you believe that a specific crew member has exceeded your expectations, don’t hesitate to communicate this to the captain directly.
What are the recommended tipping standards at Seara Yachting?
Adhering to industry standards, Seara Yachting aligns with the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association's (MYBA) tipping guidelines. Generally, it is suggested to allocate a tip ranging between 5-15% of your charter fee, taking into account the yacht's size and the cruising destination. These guidelines have become widely accepted within the yachting community. To confirm whether your charter yacht follows the MYBA guidelines, feel free to inquire through your designated broker during the booking process. At Seara Yachting, we prioritize transparency and ensuring that your charter experience aligns with the highest standards of service and satisfaction.
Please note that while tipping is customary, it is entirely at the discretion of the charterer and should be based on the level of service received during the voyage.