How Much Does It Cost To Vacation On A Yacht

How much does it cost to vacation on a yacht? That’s the question at the root of our new feature article. We’ve put together a short guide to cost-effective ways you can enjoy time on the water and maybe even nab an empty vessel for yourself! There are some surprising facts surrounding yacht charters and the yachting industry. With its high price tags and seemingly unattainable lifestyle, many people have wondered just how much does it cost to vacation on a yacht? Be prepared for more than you expected!

It’s 2017 and the world is right in your underwear. That makes it easier than ever to find out everything you ever wanted to know about vacationing on a yacht. From the financial implications, to the finer details of actually booking a trip — we’ll cover it here.

How Much Does It Cost To Vacation On A Yacht

It’s been said that you can have anything you want in life if you are willing to pay the price. When it comes to vacationing, having a luxury yacht is certainly a dream of many people. You might be content to purchase a used luxury yacht at a fraction of the cost, but there’s something about being able to sit back and relax on a Bahamas getaway with friends or loved ones which just won’t be had with a used yacht. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of spending a week on a yacht, sipping cocktails as the sun sets and then recharging for the next day of adventure. Perhaps your idea of a dream vacation is so perfect that it completes the picture of your perfect family vacation.

What are standard private charter yacht prices?

There are a number of factors that affect charter yacht pricing. However, on average, a week-long private yacht charter costs anywhere from $10,000 on luxurious sailing yachts and catamarans, and up to $150,000 for superyachts.

What affects charter yacht prices?

There are several things that influence how much your yacht charter will cost. The type of vessel, charter destination, length of trip, base cost, time of year, and local taxes all make a difference.

How much does it cost for a crewed vessel?

Charter yacht prices do increase when hiring a crew along with the boat. At Worldwide Boat, we offer two types of crewed charter experiences: all-inclusive and plus expenses. An all-inclusive charter yacht includes accommodation for all guests, food and drink, water sport activities, and fuel costs – dockage fees and taxes are charged separately. A plus expenses experience accounts for just the yacht’s base price. Things like food, drinks, fuel, dockages, taxes, and other expenses are charged separately and are usually estimated to be about 35% of the base price.

What’s included in all-inclusive boat charters?

At Worldwide Boat, your all-inclusive charter experience includes a diligent and friendly crew, water toys, food, drinks, fuel, water and electric services, and occasionally diving experiences.

What are some additional charter boat costs to consider?

After finding a base price you’re comfortable with and evaluating your package, you’ll also want to consider delivery fees, crew gratuity, insurance fees, taxes, and Advanced Provisioning Allowance rates. If you are responsible for these fees, your crew will handle the necessary transactions on your behalf.

What does it cost to rent a 100- foot yacht charter?

This depends on what type of vessel you’re looking at and how long you’ll need it for. The average weekly cost of a 100-foot sailing yacht is between $50,000-100,000. A weekly 80-foot catamaran charter runs around $40,000-100,000, and a week-long 100-foot motor yacht rental is anywhere between $50,000-80,000.

Does the price to rent a yacht change depending on what type of boat it is?

Yes. Worldwide Boat offers sailing yachts, catamarans, and motor yachts. All of these vessels have different capabilities, but there are other factors that determine the price beyond what type of boat you choose. The year the boat was built, owner, availability of water toys, onboard amenities, and the ship’s reputation can all change how much the ship is priced at.

Not many things can match the glamour of yacht travel. The endless opportunities for exploration in the most luxurious of settings, as the wind blows through your hair, sounds even more alluring after a year spent indoors with feet firmly on solid ground. As we emerge from the grips of the pandemic, a private yacht charter could offer adventure seekers the perfect escape away from the crowds. And one of the most common questions amongst novice charterers is ‘how much does it actually cost to charter a yacht?’

Here at Elite Traveler, we are answering this question and more as we round up the key costs that anyone planning their first yacht charter needs to take into consideration.

[See also: The World’s Most Expensive Yachts for Charter]

What will my yacht charter rate include? 

Most importantly, there are generally two types of yacht charter: an all-inclusive charter and the more common ‘plus expenses’ charter. As suggested by the name, the cost of an all-inclusive yacht charter will include (almost) everything such as crew, food, drinks, fuel and water sports equipment (though always check as this does vary between charter companies). However, some all-inclusive charters won’t include dockage or mooring fees, which can soon add up – but more on that later. 

A ‘plus expenses’ or ‘separated charges’ charter is where a base price is charged for the ship and its crew, while everything else is paid for through an ‘Advance Provisioning Allowance’ (APA) before you step onboard. Prior to a voyage, guests will complete a preference sheet with their likes and dislikes, enabling the chef and service team to stock up on the guest’s favorite items. This tends to be the norm on superyacht charters as it allows for a much more tailored experience.

When is the high season for yacht charters?

The price of a yacht fluctuates depending on the season. A Mediterranean yacht charter cost rises in the summer and drops in the winter, whereas Caribbean boat charter prices are high during the winter and lower in the summer months.

How does my destination affect charter yacht cost?

The more remote an area is, the more expensive it will be to charter a yacht there. That’s because prices go up in areas that have fewer boats. If you were to travel somewhere like the Galapagos, which isn’t a typical yacht destination, you’d pay more than you would if you were traveling to the Caribbean.

How much do I tip the crew when reviewing my yacht charter expenses?

It’s not required that you tip your crew, but it is recommended and appreciated. If you had an enjoyable experience it’s considered polite to tip your crew anywhere from 15-20% at the end of your charter.

What is included in a luxury yacht rental price?

The base price of a yacht charter given is usually the weekly rate. It accounts for 60% to 80% of the final price and refers to the cost of the yacht itself, its insurance, all its equipment and toys, the crew salary and services during the whole charter duration.

Most often, the more spacious, luxurious, prestigious the yacht is, the higher the price. Yet, several other factors can significantly impact yacht charter costs.

Here is an overview for an in-depth look at yacht rental costs.

Factors influencing the cost of a yacht charter

Size and type of yachts influences (a lot) charter costs

The size of a yacht is the key factor impacting the price:

• Between 65ft (20m) and 80ft (24m), expect a weekly charter rate of $20,000 to $80,000.
• Between 80ft (24m) and 100ft (30m), expect a weekly charter rate of $80,000 and $120,000.
• For a superyacht over 100ft (30m), expect a weekly charter rate of $100,000 and above.
• To rent a mega yacht over 200ft (60m), weekly charter rate goes from $300,000 to $1,000,000 and more.
  
  For example, with her 136 meters length, Megayacht Flying Fox charter weekly rate  is from €3,500,000, and she can host up to 36 guests with 54 crew members.

Other factors influencing the charter rate are the type of yacht: is it a motor yacht, a sailing multihull, a power catamaran ?

The year of build, the shipyard (for instance Lurssen, Sunreef or Vitters that have quite a reputation), the water toys available onboard, or the number of crew included can have a big impact on the luxury yacht charter final cost.

The season factor influences the luxury yacht charter cost

As in many other touristic services, yacht rental prices also vary with seasonality. They generally increase in the high season months – summer season in the Mediterranean (July and August) or winter in the Caribbean (Christmas, New Year, February) – and decrease during the low season months.

The yacht charter rates may also increase when popular events are taking place (carnival, shows, festivals, etc.) 

Are destinations affecting yacht charter fees?

A yacht charter price depends as well on the destination and is subject to the law of supply and demand.

The Galapagos Archipelago is one of the most explicit examples. The yacht charters fleet is very limited there; therefore, prices are higher than more popular destinations.

On the other hand, in regions offering large crewed yacht charter fleet like the Mediterranean, luxury yacht charter costs are more attractive due to higher competition.

What is NOT included in a Crewed yacht charter price ?

The APA amount needs to be added on top of the yacht charter cost

The yacht charter base price just generally covers the rental of the vessel with her crew. This is where the APA comes in.

The role of the APA

The Advance Provisioning Allowance is here to to pay for provisions on board, special customers’ requests, fuel and other variable costs. The APA is a standard system, like an onboard box, managed on your behalf by the Captain. Your crew uses this money to buy any product of your choice, or pay for taxis, port fees, communication fees and other expenses that are hard to plan for.

How does the APA work? 

All the APA expenses are charged at cost. This is a transparent budget management, and all the receipts are available upon request. The Captain can present a detailed breakdown of all the expenses during the crew or after. On the last day of your charter, the remaining unused funds of the APA are reimbursed in full to the clients. 

APA is an important part of the total cost of your charter. It usually represents between 20% to 30% of the yacht charter base price. Since APA is payable in advance, at the time of booking, it is just an estimation. One basic rule: If you’re uncertain, estimate your APA on the high side. Better be safe than sorry!