Yacht Charter FAQ

Some of the more common activities that yacht charter guests can enjoy include scuba diving (this may be onboard or rendezvous diving depending on the yacht insurance, charter contract and local regulations etc.), kayaking, jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, snorkelling, swimming, sunbathing, dining, night clubbing, tramping, shopping, fishing, sailing – the list goes on depending on your charter location.

There are two types of prices for crewed yacht charters: either ‘all-inclusive’ or ‘plus expenses’.

All-inclusive generally means that the charter fee includes the services of a captain and crew, meals, standard ship’s bar, fuel and all expenses related to the operation of the vessel and use of on-board sports equipment. The charter fee does not include (optional) crew gratuities, diving, diving equipment, premium drinks and fine wines, excessive alcohol consumption, off-yacht excursions, mooring fees, cruising taxes and permits, telephone, airport transfers or similar expenses incurred by the charterer.

“Plus expenses” refers to a charter rate that excludes items such as catering, fuel, communications etc. Your charter expenses will be charged at cost and included in an APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) to cover your operating costs. Expenses are estimated at 25-30% of the base charter fee, but may be more or less depending on your individual requirements. The Captain will be responsible for accounting for your expenses and will provide receipts. If you spend more than your estimated expense allowance, for example by ordering unusually expensive items, staying in expensive ports or cruising excessively, additional payment will be required during your charter. Conversely, any unspent APA will be refunded to you at the end of the charter. Please also note that a crew gratuity of approximately 10-15% of the charter rate is customary, but is at the discretion of the crew.

Under WMT (Western Mediterranean Terms) charter rates include: fully equipped yacht rental, crew, yacht insurance, crew catering.
Charter rates do not include: fuel for the yacht (main engines and generators), for tenders and water toys; guests’ food and drink; port fees (boarding fee, passenger tax, etc.) and taxes if any; water and electricity on land; personal laundry; personal communication costs (including Wi-Fi) and anything not mentioned under “Rates Include”.

Under SEMT or EMT (Standard Eastern Mediterranean Terms), charter rates include: rental of a fully equipped yacht, crew, insurance, crew food, fuel for 4 or 5 hours per day, port fees and taxes if any, except canal dues. Often, but not always, prices include water and electricity.
Prices do not include: fuel for the yacht for more than 4 or 5 hours per day, fuel for tenders, generator(s) and water toys, private marina fees, guest’s food and drink, communication costs and personal laundry.

Under SCT (Standard Caribbean Terms) charter rates include: fully equipped yacht rental, crew, insurance, guests’ meals, crew’s meals, fuel for a number of hours, often changing from one yacht to another.

Charter rates do not include: beverages, personal communication costs, personal laundry and harbour fees.

As a general rule, charter prices do not include the crew’s gratuity or any other extras. In addition, a repositioning fee may be charged to cover the cost of returning the yacht to the requested location.

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. The APA essentially sets up a bank account for the yacht’s crew to provision on your behalf.
The main provisioning items are fuel, food, drinks and harbour fees.
Normally a percentage is added to the base charter fee – depending on the type of boat and therefore fuel consumption/cost. For sailing yachts you can expect to pay 20 to 25%, for motor yachts 30 to 35% and sometimes more for large open yachts such as Mangusta or Leopard.
You will pay this with your final charter payment. The captain is required to keep all receipts and balance the account for you and you can check the level of expenditure at any time during the charter.

At the end of the charter the captain will give you a full statement of your expenses and any unused amounts will be refunded.
There are no mark-ups on the APA – all funds go directly into the purchase of fuel, food, etc.

Yes, when Charterminute SARL is involved in the charter of a yacht. KYC is the process of verifying the identity of a customer. KYC requires proof of identity and residence. This can be a passport or other government issued ID and a utility bill or similar. Originals or certified copies can be provided. The information is only required to comply with international anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.

In most cases you will be asked to pay a deposit of 50% of the total charter fee (by bank transfer) at the time of signing the charter agreement. The remaining 50% of the charter fee plus APA and any applicable taxes, delivery charges and security deposit are due one month prior to the commencement of your charter.

Most yachts welcome children and some are equipped with children in mind.
However, some yachts may have a minimum age for children and/or require a nanny to be on board during the charter.
The crew cannot provide babysitting services.

Most yachts do not accept pets on board. However, there are some exceptions: contact us for more information.

Smoking is not permitted on most yachts.
For safety reasons, smoking is prohibited in cabins and staterooms on all yachts. Some yachts allow smoking in designated outdoor areas.

Of course: your charter broker will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire (Preference Sheet) describing the food and beverage preferences and special needs of all members of your party, together with any dietary or medical requirements, details of any allergies.
A completed preference sheet will ensure that your charter broker and the crew do everything possible to make your charter a unique and pleasant experience.

Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis, Waverunners, etc.) may be restricted in certain areas and guests will also need to have an appropriate operating licence. Please check with Charterminute first for any guidelines or if you have any specific requirements in this regard.

Communication equipment on board can include Wi-Fi, on-board telephone and email access to ensure easy and reliable connections with your office at home. Although standard wireless access is provided on most yachts, the service may be limited and cannot be guaranteed in certain areas (e.g. high seas). If you anticipate regular use of the internet or require high bandwidth during your charter, please let Charterminute know prior to boarding as upgrades may be subject to availability.

Charterers may wish to take out cancellation and curtailment insurance to protect their investment should unforeseen circumstances prevent or curtail their charter.
In addition, all members of the charter party should be covered by personal accident and medical insurance, and their personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage. Other forms of insurance, such as Charterer’s Liability, may also be advisable.

As with any trip, it makes sense to remember that you are a visitor to another country and culture.

Our top 10 do’s and don’ts:
1. Do Respect the crew and keep them informed

2. Do respect the barefoot rule on board.

3. Anticipate crew cleaning times

4. Be flexible with your itinerary (depending on the weather)

5. Fill in the preference form in advance

6. Do not pollute the sea and waste fresh water

7. Do not expect the crew to babysit your children.

8. Do not do anything illegal (drugs, weapons…)

9. Do not violate the smoking policy

10. Do not enter crew areas without permission

You must be in possession of a valid passport and the necessary visas and charter contract forms before embarking on your charter.
It is a good idea to have a copy of your personal documents with you when you leave the yacht. As always, ask the captain and crew for advice on what is best.

Even many superyachts are limited to 12 passengers by the International Maritime Organisation’s SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention. However, there are some exceptions.

Street shoes, such as boots and high heels, are strictly forbidden on all ships as they can damage decks and floors and soil carpets and other decorations. The barefoot rule is therefore regularly enforced on board.

Short answer for crewed yacht charter: no.

Most yachts can accommodate up to 8/10 guests in 4/5 cabins and some rare mega yachts can accommodate 16 guests. Mini cruise ships such as RM Elegant can accommodate up to 30 guests.

Your booking will go ahead even if it’s raining. However, large yachts are equipped with jacuzzi, cinema, gym… and shopping is not forbidden. Your crew will advise you accordingly.