Booking a yacht charter isn’t quite like booking a hotel. There’s no “book now” button. Instead, there’s a short, well-established process that protects you and the yacht’s owner, and that a good broker will guide you through step by step. This is how it works when you book through us.

This article is general information, not legal advice. The charter contract for your yacht always sets out the exact terms.

1. The shortlist

Once you’ve told us about your party, dates and budget, we check availability with the central agents who manage the yachts’ calendars, and send you a shortlist with our honest view of each yacht and crew.

2. The hold

When you’ve found a yacht you like, we can ask its central agent to place a hold (sometimes called an option) on your dates. A hold reserves the yacht for a short time, often a few days, so you can make your decision without someone else booking it.

A hold isn’t a booking. It doesn’t commit you, and it costs nothing. If someone else wants the same dates, the agent may ask you to confirm or release the hold.

3. The contract

When you’re ready, we prepare the charter contract. It’s an agreement between you and the yacht’s owner (or the central agent or charter company acting for the owner). We arrange it on your behalf, but we’re not a party to it: our role is to make sure it reflects what you’ve agreed and to help if anything goes wrong.

Caribbean crewed yachts usually use one of the standard industry forms of charter agreement. It sets out:

  • the yacht, the dates and the embarkation and disembarkation ports;
  • the charter fee and what it includes;
  • the payment schedule;
  • any advance on expenses;
  • the cancellation terms;
  • the responsibilities of both sides.

Read it carefully, and ask us about anything that isn’t clear.

4. The deposit

Your charter is confirmed when the contract is signed and the deposit is received, usually 50 per cent of the charter fee. Until then, the yacht isn’t yours.

5. The balance

The balance is normally due 30 to 60 days before the charter starts. If you book within that window, the full amount is due on signing.

What’s included in the price

This depends on the yacht.

  • All-inclusive yachts (most crewed catamarans in the Virgin Islands) include the yacht, crew, meals, a standard bar, fuel for normal cruising and the usual fees. Extras are things like premium wines, meals ashore, scuba diving with an outside operator and the crew gratuity.
  • Plus-expenses yachts (most larger motor and sailing yachts) quote a charter fee for the yacht and crew only. Food, drinks, fuel, berthing and other running costs are paid through an advance on expenses, often called the APA: usually 30 to 40 per cent of the charter fee, paid with the balance. The captain keeps a full record of what’s spent; anything left is refunded at the end, and any overspend is settled before you leave.

Taxes vary by country and are set out in the contract.

Cancellation

If you have to cancel, the contract’s cancellation terms apply, and the deposit is usually not refundable once the charter is confirmed. Closer to the date, the full fee may be due. That’s why we strongly recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover from the moment you book, including cover for named storms if you’re travelling between June and November.

If the yacht can’t fulfil the charter, the contract sets out your rights, which usually include a substitute yacht or a refund.

Security deposits on bareboat charters

On a bareboat charter, you’ll also pay a security deposit (or buy a damage waiver) to cover any damage to the yacht. It’s refunded after the yacht is checked on your return.

How payments are made

Payments are usually made by bank transfer, in the currency of the contract, most often US dollars for the Caribbean. We’ll tell you exactly where each payment goes and confirm when it’s received.

Our role throughout

From the first conversation to the day you disembark, we’re on your side: checking availability, negotiating where we can, explaining the contract, chasing the paperwork and dealing with anything that comes up. Our full terms of business explain how we work.

Questions?

If anything about booking isn’t clear, ask us. When you’re ready, start an enquiry, and read our guide to tipping so there are no surprises at the end of the week.

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