How To Charter A Yacht

1. Decide when you want to charter

The first step of how to charter a yacht is to consider when you want to plan your trip. Do you have a specific window for your charter, or are you open to different dates depending on what is available? As you may imagine, being flexible gives you many more options.

How far in advance should you arrange your charter?

The process of preparing to charter a yacht can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. You ideally want to leave as much time as you can for planning, as this will allow you to think properly about your holiday and design it exactly the way you want. This will also mean that you can have your pick of a wider choice of available yachts. However, yacht charter brokers are known for pulling off miracles and are able to organise charters in very limited time frames if required. 

2. Decide what you want for your charter

Before you approach a broker, you will likely already have an idea of what you want out of your yachting holiday and what your budget is. You may have decided on a region you want to cruise in (e.g the West Med or the Bahamas), the type and size of vessel you would like (e.g motor yacht or sailing yacht), and the amenities you want onboard (e.g a Jacuzzi, a cinema room or an array of water toys).

Start by considering your preferred yacht for charter and decide whether you are happy with its cruising region, or pick your preferred cruising region and browse the charter yachts that are available in that yachting destination. Remember that charter yachts typically have different summer and winter cruising destinations, so it will not always be possible to find your ideal yacht in your preferred destination for your dates. However, YACHTZOO can match you to charter yachts that are not listed on our website, so don’t be put off if you can’t find what you are looking for at first glance.

3. Decide on the experiences and/or amenities

Once you have your preferred yacht or destination, the next step in our yacht charter guide is to get a bit more specific with your research. Would you like to visit a certain city or landmark on your charter, or experience something special, such as wine tasting or diving? You could also explore the unexplored and venture to some of the top off-the-beaten track yacht charter destinations.

Or perhaps you would simply like to spend your time onboard your charter yacht relaxing, in which case you may want to pick a yacht with a great array of water toys, or arrange some lessons in watersports, cooking, or fitness classes such as yoga. Remember, it’s your holiday and your yacht broker will do everything in their power to make your dreams come true, so don’t assume anything is impossible.

4. Contact one of YACHTZOO’s yacht charter specialists to arrange your charter

Now you have a clearer vision of what you want from your trip, contact a yacht charter specialist to guide you through how to charter a yacht. Then the real fun starts – talking through options for your holiday with a dedicated expert. Having visited many yachts in person, your broker will be able to tell you the exact experience you can have onboard a specific yacht, and find a luxury yacht charter that perfectly meets your requirements. This includes making sure the crew is a good fit with your charter party, whether you are searching for a young, enthusiastic crew, or a highly experienced seven-star team. 

5. Signing the contract

Once you have agreed on your yacht and a rough itinerary, the next step in our yacht charter guide is the drawing up of the contract, which you will just have to read through and sign. Many reputable yacht brokers will use MYBA contracts, which are an industry standard and can provide you with extra peace of mind when signing. All charter contracts are made between the client and the yacht owner, but should an issue arise, your broker will help find a solution.  

6. Preparing for your charter  

As your holiday approaches, your yacht charter broker will plan all the details, from creating your specially tailored itinerary to sending your preferences to the yacht, so that the Captain knows what to buy to make your time onboard the best it can be. They will also take care of planning your Advanced Provisioning Allowance, or APA, which typically covers your fuel, berthing costs, food and drink, and any other day-to-day costs they predict you will incur onboard, which you will pay before stepping onboard the vessel. 

7. Paying for your charter

Your broker will ensure that whichever payment method you choose, your transaction is completely secure.

8. Enjoy your charter

The last step of how to charter a yacht is enjoying your holiday! A yacht charter is a luxury vacation unlike any other, allowing you the opportunity to discover new countries and cultures from your own floating private villa. Get ready to make memories that last a lifetime.