As the world inches closer to normality, privacy and space are creeping higher up on the priority list, making a superyacht charter more appealing than ever.
As you might expect, hiring a multi million pound yacht is not quite as simple as hiring a car or a luxury villa. There are certain moving parts which need to be addressed; the crew, the itinerary perhaps being two of the most important.
Therefore I have created this step by step guide to help as a reference as you embark on your superyacht charter journey.
STEP 1: Find a good charter broker
Finding a charter broker and building a solid relationship with them should always be the first step in chartering a yacht. The dream charter is built from your very first conversations with the charter broker and it is important that communication is fluid between both parties.
As with most relationships, trust is paramount and this is the same for the relationship which you should have with your charter broker. Good charter brokers will draw on their network of connections and extensive industry knowledge to find you the perfect yacht for your dream charter, making the process from planning to setting sail as easy and stress free for you as possible.
SALT Superyacht brokers act only with your best interest in mind and will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best possible experience onboard. No ask is too big or too small – we just want you to have an amazing time while on charter with friends and family. In our biased opinion, the best setting for any holiday…is onboard a luxury yacht!
STEP 2: Choosing a location
There are natural seasonal charter destinations so the time of year and your choice of cruising location will help narrow down the selection of available yachts. Your SALT charter broker will be on hand to discuss the pros and cons of each cruising region and the best time of year to visit.
If you are not sure where to go, I’d recommend at least choosing a region. Most charter yachts will specify in their listings how far they are willing to cruise to pick you up and drop you off, so even by initially choosing a region as a whole will help narrow down the selection of yachts available to you.
STEP 3: Choosing your dates
Popular charter yachts will consider their booking schedules up to a year in advance. Booking your charter early is a huge advantage, not only because SALT charter brokers can negotiate early booking discounts, but you will have the pick of the charter fleet. It is also good to note that during the peak seasons marinas and restaurants in popular cruising areas are oversubscribed and so planning ahead will avoid disappointment.
Owners also like to enjoy their yachts and will usually block specific times for their own vacations. Booking your yacht vacation early will give you a greater chance of finding that perfect yacht before anybody else has considered it.
STEP 4: Setting your budget
So we’ve nailed down the location and set aside some dates as to when we want to charter. Now it’s important to set your budget. When considering your budget it is important to understand the different costings associated with a superyacht charter:
Charter price: As the name suggests, this is the cost of hiring the yacht and the crew for the desired dates.
Tax: Naturally depends on the region of charter, however in almost all instances tax will need to be paid on top of the charter price.
APA (Advanced Provision Allowance): This is paid on top of the charter fee to cover the costs of provisions for your charter. It helps to think of the APA as the opening of a petty cash account for your captain and chef, because it’s the simplest way of tracking expenses whilst you are on charter. The APA covers all of your day to day operating expenses for your yacht charter. Everything from your food and fuel to port and customs fees. It also covers any special requirements or requests you might have while you’re onboard. It is usually considered that 30% of the charter fee (ex vat) is a sufficient APA to cover a weeks standard charter.
Delivery / Redelivery Fee: On occasion, the right charter yacht for you may be positioned some distance away from your port of embarkation or disembarkation. If this is the case fuel costs may be added to your charter fee. The best way round this is to book early, that way you can position the yacht to suit you and in doing so avoid unnecessary delivery costs. Where possible your SALT charter broker will always endeavor to negotiate on delivery fee.
Crew Tips: It has become an industry standard to leave tips for the crew by the time your charter ends. The industry standard is between 10-20% of the charter price. There is no need to the charter to carry cash now for tipping while on board, this can be arranged post charter through your broker through a wire transfer to the Captain, who will distribute it between the crew members equally. During a weeks charter crews will go above and beyond to ensure you have the most amazing charter holiday. Your tip is a good way to express your gratitude for their excellent service and professionalism and is made totally at your discretion.
STEP 5: Choosing your yacht
This is where your charter broker will provide an enormous amount of value in finding you the perfect yacht according to your brief and budget. An experienced charter broker has all the necessary knowledge of the yachts, their specifics, contractual aspects and operations. Your SALT charter broker will ask you about your preferences, the amount of guests and assess your needs before selecting charter yachts for you. You will then have the opportunity to shortlist your favourites. Your broker will not only negotiate the best price but will ensure it meets all your criteria. So what is key to look out for when selecting a charter yacht?
The size of yacht, cabin configuration, deck area’s, gyms, Jacuzzis and beach clubs; making full use of all the amenities on board not to mention the entertainment and the garage full of water toys. Choosing the right yacht to suit your charter group is a priority but also knowing that the crew will make this a charter experience to remember and cherish. The level of hospitality from crew on most yachts often convert first-time charterers into repeat customers. Your charter broker will have reviews and recommendations from industry colleagues and previous charters in order to assess whether the yacht and it’s crew are going to deliver the best possibly charter for you.
Defining the purpose of the charter will help your SALT charter broker narrow down their search, making sure the yacht has all of the right equipment to deliver your desired charter, whether it is to explore, relax, entertain or enjoy a thrill seeking action packed experience!
STEP 6: Enjoy your charter!
In planning your charter you will want to discuss your itinerary, plan your trips ashore and book selected restaurants. SALT is with you every step of the way and takes care of this all. We will work with you on your provisioning lists, ensure all necessary bookings are made, that you have the correct transfers in place, we can even arrange the full journey process for you, if you wish. Prior to your charter and while on charter we will be in constant touch with the captain to make sure your needs are met and that your APA is being spent wisely and cost effectively, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy your well deserved charter!
This is your time, your unique experience which you have earnt! Gather your group together, have fun, rest and make some memories.
Your superyacht charter journey begins here….and SALT is on board supporting you all the way!
SALT Superyachts – Your Trusted Partner For Your Superyacht Journey.
Offering you an unbiased and comprehensive yacht charter consultancy.
www.salt-superyachts.com
hello@salt-superyachts.com
+44 2038 821 364