A Guide to Charter Yacht Rates, General Information and Catering Options
General Charter Information
All rates are for the entire boat and are subject to change without notice prior to actual reservation. Charter Fee does not include a customary gratuity in the amount of 15-20% of the total charter fee payable to a deserving Captain and Crew upon the completion of a successful charter. All guests over 18 yrs wishing to fish in BVI must purchase a BVI license prior to boarding ask us for information. Marina dockage if applicable upon the request of the charter guests is not included.
Hurricane Season is from 1st June to end of November and it is imperative that all guests purchase trip insurance. Yacht’s are not responsible for clients shore side expenses if charter cancelled for named storm (this includes meals hotels transportation as well as air transport) Most yachts will allow client to rebook unused dates within 6 months of cancellation (excluding holidays).
All Inclusive Charter Rate
An all inclusive charter includes, the yacht, all amenities on the yacht, a professional crew, all provisoning, beverages, wines, standard bar and the running expenses of the charter e.g fuel. This will cover all your meals during your charter (7 nights) unless you decide to go ashore for one evening which would be at the guests expense. Traditionally this would include inviting the crew too however it is at the clients discretion and not taken for granted.
Fine wines champagnes and top shelf liquors are not included and can be purchased upon request of the charter guests at their expense
Once the yacht is booked everything is planned before the charter starts by preference sheets. These are forwarded after payment is made for all the guests to fill in. They are returned to your broker who after checking them forwards them to the crew. It gives the crew an insight into what sort of charter the guest would like and their dietary preferences. From this the crew will plan your itenity and menu for the whole charter. Just sit back and relax and let the crew tail make the vacation for you.
Half board Rates
Quite a few yachts are offering this as well as fully inclusive as some guest prefer eating ashore for one or more nights to experience the ambiance of the island. Each yacht is slightly different and it includes all breakfasts, 3 or 4 lunches and 3 or 4 evening meals. The remaining lunches and evening meals will be taken ashore at the guests expense. Your experienced crew can recommend the best places to eat as you travel round the islands.
Local Fare
This very similar to the half fare board offering a variety of breakfasts, lunches and dinners with the remainder taken ashore at the clients expense. These options will be outlined on the yacht specifications that are sent to you on selection.
Captain Only
This rate includes the yacht and all the amenities and its own Captain. All provisioning and running expenses will have to be planned and bought by the guests. The Captain will keep account of running expenses and settle up with you at the end of the charter. Depending on the yacht most Captains will do the provisioning for you before you arrive or you can order online with stores and have the food delivered. At that point you would need to be liaising all the details with the Captain so he can be onboard for deliveries.
PLus expenses APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance)
This usually concerns yachts chartering outside the Caribbean. Rates is for the yacht plus eqipment and professional crew and in addition the running costs, taxes and provisioning. separate cost for For yachts requesting this there is an advanced payment which covers between 15 and 20% of the charter rate for sailing yachts and 25 to 30% for motor yachts (they have higher fuel costs). While on charter the Captain will keep a log of all running expenses and any unused APA funds will be refunded.
Scuba
Scuba rates depend on individual boats, some are included in the rates some are not each yacht will give an explanation on the specification sheets in more detail. Please make sure at the beginning if Scuba is important to you as it will define the selection of yachts sent to you.
Taxes
In the Virgin Islands the taxes are usually included in the rates however if you sail down the Caribbean and visit different islands there may have additional charter fees for taxes, beverages and bar.