What You Need to Know About Chartering a Vessel

 Why Charter:

A luxury yacht is the ultimate indulgence. Your professional crew will wait on you from the moment you board, appearing as if magic when needed and disappearing when you want privacy. A crewed yacht charter provides an unequaled opportunity to relax and unwind in another world. A world where there are no schedules to keep no appointments to make and no responsibilities to fulfill. Your crew does all the work so you can turn your thoughts to pleasure, relaxation and enjoyment. Your captain will suggest an itinerary, however you are not locked into a schedule and are free to change plans at any time. If you find that perfect spot - stay longer. Cruising will allow you the luxury of unpacking once on a floating resort that will take you to several interesting and exciting destinations.

Privacy:

Your charter broker and yacht agents are accustomed to booking yachts for prominent guests and celebrities, therefore all arrangements are kept in strict confidence. Your professional crew will be discrete and make every effort to maintain a low profile. Confidentiality is an important part of the service we offer. If you wish, we can include a nondisclosure clause in your charter contract to insure that your privacy is respected before, during and after your charter.

 

Contracts:

There are several basic contracts and each captain selects the contract that best suits the circumstances aboard his particular yacht. Four of the most popular are as follows:

1. The Bare Boat Contract with a Crew Employment Agreement is commonly used in US and Bahamian waters, and is plus all expenses. The charter fee only includes the yacht and crew salaries. The term plus all expenses means that taxes and variables such as dockage, food, drinks, fuel, diving and communications etc., are not included in the charter fee. A good guideline for estimating expenses is 20 to 25% of the charter fee for sailing yachts and 35% for motor yachts or areas where provisioning is more expensive. This type of contract allows maximum flexibility in the overall cost of the charter.

2. The All-inclusive Contract is commonly used in the Caribbean, New England and South Pacific areas. It includes the yacht, crew salaries and all expenses except cruising taxes and communications. This type of contract is very simple and makes budget planning easier.

3. The Down Island Contract is often used in the lower Caribbean and is the same as All-inclusive except it may not include some variables such as bar, diving and dockage.

4. The Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association Contract is exclusively used in the Mediterranean area and includes all expenses except cruising taxes.

Note: None of the above contracts include the customary crew gratuity for service and hospitality rendered.        (See crew gratuity)

 

Payment:

The standard deposit is 50% of the charter fee, payable with the signed contract. At this time your charter is confirmed and you are assured of getting the yacht you have selected. The balance of all charter fees are due in cleared funds, 30 days prior to the start date of your charter. If your charter is a plus all expenses contract, an advanced provisioning allowance (APA) to cover all estimated expenses is also due with the balance payment. All yachts strictly adhere to payment dates and late payments can cause a default and cancellation of the charter.

 

Extra Guests:

International law prevents most yachts from carrying more than 12 passengers while underway without special registration. Dockside parties can usually be accommodated without problems, however they do require special arrangements and are an additional expense to the charterer. If you are planning to entertain additional guest, let us know and we will locate yachts that permit larger groups.

 

Cuisine:

Your personal chef will do everything possible to accommodate your personal dietary requirements. Many can do vegetarian menus that will delight everyone, not just the vegetarians! Kosher is available on some boats, though often in 'modified' form due to the constraints of a yacht's galley. A comprehensive set of guest preference sheets will accompany your charter contract. These sheets will enable your crew to provision the yacht with your favorite foods, drinks, hors d'oeuvres and snacks. Our luxury yachts are home to some of the world's best-trained culinary artists. Your chef will usually provide a sample menu of the yachts cuisine. These chefs take great pride in their dishes and always use the freshest ingredients available.

Children Onboard:

Children are welcome aboard most yachts, however the crew members are busy with their assigned duties and are not at liberty to offer child care services. Adult supervision is mandatory for young children at all times. There are many activities available on board for older children. Many yachts offer discounts for young children, so be sure to let us know how many children if any are in your group.

Sun Protection:

It is prudent to give consideration to the damaging effects of the sun when chartering in warmer climates. For those people not accustomed to being in the sun, a wide brimmed hat is a good idea. If you are sun sensitive, you may wish to bring a long sleeve shirt as well. Sunscreen is usually a must have, however please do not bring oil based sunscreen onboard. It will stain the yachts upholstery, damage the wood decks and trim, and can make hand holds slippery. Lotion based sunscreen is preferred on all yachts. In all cases common since and a healthy respect for the effects of the sun will be your best protection.
 

 

Communications:

Most yachts are equipped with the latest communications equipment including cellular service, global satellite telecommunications, personal computers and fax machines. Many yachts have computers with Internet connectivity for your use. You may also bring your own laptop if desired. In most cases the cost of communications is a part of guest additional expenses. Many cellular phones can be used in popular charter destinations. It is best to check with your cellular provider to see if your phone will work in your destination.

 

 

Passports:

Requirements for passports and visas will differ according to the country you are visiting and your nationality. Therefore all guests should consider carrying valid passports. In some locations such as the Bahamas and BVI, US citizens can get through customs with a drivers license and a certified birth certificate. If you are unsure of the requirements, just ask us and we can provide you with a list of the required documents for the areas in which you will be chartering. It is the responsibility of the charterer and guests to obtain all necessary travel documents in advance of the charter departure date. Therefore it is advisable to address these issues early and avoid last minute problems.
 

 

Insurance:

Travel insurance is always recommended in case of unforeseen circumstances. Your charter agreement will detail insurance provisions onboard. The yacht is insured by the owner during the charter, however owners insurance does not cover loses incurred by guests, therefore it is recommended that you purchase additional coverage to protect you and your guests from any unforeseen mishap. Damage to the yacht caused by you or your guests beyond normal wear and tear is your responsibility. Most types of travel insurance can be purchased from your local agent, however Fun-N-Sun Yacht Charters can provide this coverage as part of your charter package.

 

Seasons/Locations:

Fun-N-Sun Yacht Charters represents a fleet of fine yachts worldwide, which gives us the ability to provide you a great vacation anytime of the year. The sun is always shining somewhere and we will help you find it. Off-season charters are sometimes difficult to book and can be disastrous. A hurricane can ruin your whole day, however if you are willing to take the chance, off-season charters may be less expensive.

 

Clothing:

Most charters are booked in warmer climates and in locations where the atmosphere is casual. Bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts, and comfortable , cool clothing are the norm in these locations. Most restaurants are casual, so formal clothing is not required, however fine dining in any location will require appropriate attire. The Mediterranean has a cooler climate except in the middle of summer.  Comfortable touring clothing makes since, however you might want to have the option of more formal attire for formal dining and evening wear. Soft sided luggage provides an advantage, since space is sometimes limited and storage is easier. Also hard luggage can damage woodwork and paint.

 

Laundry:

Many larger yachts have fully equipped laundry facilities on board for the stewards to clean linens and the crew's uniforms. Usually the crew is willing to do some guest laundry, however if you have a large group or have large expectations, let us know so we can check with the yacht first.

 

Diving/Instruction:

Many yachts have dive equipment on board. Those that do not will arrange to rendezvous with a local dive company. You must be a certified diver and must present your certification card to use the equipment. For guests that are not certified, a resort course is available that will allow them to dive to 40ft. with an instructor present. There is a small fee for the resort course and it can be easily completed by anyone who is comfortable in the water. Snorkeling is always an option for anyone who wants to just get in the water and look around. Yachts will have everything required to snorkel as part of your charter fee. Some yachts have PADI certified Scuba diving instructors in their crew that offer certification courses while on your cruise. There is an additional cost involved that will vary slightly from one instructor to another (usually about $300.00 pp plus equipment for the 5 day course). Some instructors also offer open water certification dives if you have completed the classroom work prior to your arrival on the yacht (the cost for this 2 day course will be approximately $150.00 pp plus equipment). If you wish to include diving in your activities, it is best to let us know before a yacht is selected. This will assure you of getting a charter that is best suited to your plans.

 

Sailing Instruction:

Most yachts are happy to share their knowledge of sailing with you and there will be opportunities to steer the yacht and work the sails if you desire. For those guests that are interested in learning more, there are captains that are also qualified sailing instructors. You may receive your certification in Basic Keelboat/Coastal Cruising or Bareboat Chartering. There is an additional fee for certified sailing instruction, usually about $250.00 pp for the one week course. If you are seeking sailing certification, please let us know before selecting a yacht.

 

Pets:

Most yachts will not permit guest to bring pets on board because of rigid cleanliness standards. There is the potential for animal allergens to remain on board and pets can be very uncomfortable with the environment. Traveling with pets aboard and checking through customs in foreign ports-of-call may subject animals to quarantine periods.

 

Seasickness:

You are the best judge of your susceptibility to motion sickness. If you are worried about seasickness, check with your pharmacist for special medication before leaving home. Acupressure wristbands, available at dive shops and yacht chandlers, are reportedly effective. If you are new to yacht chartering, let your crew know and they will make your trip as comfortable as possible by recommending routes in protected waters and keeping tabs on changing weather conditions. Your safety and comfort are of primary concern to your captain and crew.

 

Drugs:

Possession, use, sale or distribution of illegal drugs on board any yacht is a criminal offense and will result in immediate termination of the charter and forfeiture of all moneys paid.

 

Smoking:

The use of tobacco products is rarely permitted inside the yachts due to fabric damage and lingering odors, however most allow you to smoke on the outside deck areas. Most contracts specify that no smoking is allowed in confined areas. Violation of this clause can result in immediate termination of your charter with forfeiture of all charter funds. Let us know if you have smokers in your group.

 

Booking Procedures:

Select your destination and fill out our information request form. We will respond as soon as possible with a yacht recommendation or a request for more information if needed.  Please take note that the yachts we show on line are only a sampling of the hundreds of yachts we represent. Our recommendations are based on matching the boat and crew to your party and your desired activities. This selection process is greatly enhanced with a phone conversation and we prefer this type of contact before your final decision is made. For most yachts we can supply an online brochure or a paper color brochure. Both will provide complete information on the yacht with photos of the boat and crew. Once you have made a selection and the scheduling is negotiated with the yacht, we will draw up the appropriate contract and send it to you. With the contract you will receive a set of guest preference sheets and a guest information sheet. These sheets are to provide information needed by the crew to make necessary arrangements and provision the yacht with all your favorite food, drinks and snacks.

 

Pricing:

Pricing will vary greatly depending on the size of the yacht, the chartering destination and the level of luxury you desire. A minimum guideline for smaller yachts is $1,200.00 to $2,500.00 per person per week including expenses, with a minimum of four guests. Larger, more luxurious yachts offering a higher level of comfort and service will have a higher per person rate. You can usually find less expensive charters in off season locations, however we recommend the use of this minimum guideline to obtain a satisfactory charter. A cheap charter rate usually means a less desirable yacht and can result in wasted time and money. 

 

Crew Gratuity:

None of the charter contracts include the crew gratuity which is customary in consideration of service and hospitality provided. The gratuity normally ranges from 10 to 20% of the basic charter fee, before expenses. It is usually presented to the captain, in cleared funds on the final day of the charter for his disbursement among the crew.

 

Safety on Board:

All yachts are equipped with the standard USCG required safety gear. This includes sufficient Coast Guard approved Type II buoyancy aids for all passengers. Some but not all yachts carry "vest type" jackets, which are more comfortable for prolonged use. Consider having children under 10, wear properly fitting jackets when the yacht is under way. Ask us to verify the equipment on board if you feel vest type jackets are necessary for anyone in your party. You also have the option of bringing your own vests if you feel more comfortable using them.

Ins and Outs of Chartering

 

 

The following is presented to assist the first time charterer in understanding the policies and procedures involved in chartering a yacht.  It is our goal to make chartering as simple and easy as possible and make your charter experience a pleasure from beginning to end.  Each captain establishes the policies aboard his yacht, therefore they may differ slightly from one yacht to another.  If you have additional questions please contact us.  We will gladly provide any additional information you desire.  Every question is important and needs to be answered before you charter. There are no dumb questions!  Follow the links below to find answers to some of the most common charter questions.

 

Or give us a call at...   877 FUN 1 SUN