Ultimate Guide To Crewed Yacht Charter Costs

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Crewed Yacht Charter Costs

Many of our clients’ first questions revolve around the cost of crewed yacht charters in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Caribbean. They’re curious whether these charter vacations are truly all-inclusive and affordable for their family or group of friends. Also, they want to know if there are any hidden fees to be aware of.

At Carefree Yacht Charters, we’re here to help you understand the various factors that can influence your overall yacht charter cost. 

If you’re interested in the following topics, this article is for you:

• Overview of BVI & Caribbean Charter Costs
• All-Inclusive Charter Costs
• Plus Expenses Charter Costs
• Charter Cancellations and Trip Insurance Costs
• The Premium Cost of Holiday Charters
• Ways to Reduce the Charter Cost
• Factors That Can Affect the Charter Cost

OVERVIEW OF CREWED CHARTER COSTS

How Much Does a Crewed Yacht Charter Really Cost?

Most of our crewed yacht charters in the BVI and Caribbean are all-inclusive. 

Weekly charter fees range from $20,000 to $100,000, plus a standard tip for the crew.

• For groups of 2 to 6 guests, options are available from $20,000 to $30,000 per week, plus tip, usually on our smaller 50’ catamarans. 
• For groups of 8 or more, weekly prices start around $30,000 per week plus tip and increase from there.

There is also a category of luxury “plus expenses” charters, mostly found on our motor yachts and some catamarans. However, in the BVI, this type of pricing is less common. Many yachts have shifted to an all-inclusive rate.

In general, “plus expenses” charters in the BVI and Caribbean start at around $70,000, with additional expenses typically adding about 35% on top of the charter fee.

ALL-INCLUSIVE CHARTERS:

What’s Included in an “All-Inclusive” Charter?

Once you step aboard one of our yachts, nearly everything is included in the weekly charter rates. 

Here’s what you can expect with an ‘all-inclusive’ charter:

• 8 days and 7 nights aboard This means a week-long charter, for instance from Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday.
• Captain and Chef: Smaller yachts (50’ to 60’) usually have a Captain and a Chef. Larger yachts (60’ and up) often include additional crew members like a First Mate and/or Stewardess.
• 3 meals per day: Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and a multi-course dinner with appetizers and dessert.
• Soft beverages and standard bar: Your bar preferences for beer, wine, spirits, after-dinner drinks, and cocktails are included, as long as they fall within the typical bar spend for your group size and yacht.
• Fuel for the yacht and dinghy: All fuel costs are included, even for all-inclusive motor yachts and power catamarans.
• Operational expenses: Costs like cruising taxes, permits, mooring or dockage fees, ice, and additional provisions are covered.
• Water sports equipment: Use of the yacht’s water sports gear is included at no extra charge. Scuba diving is an exception and typically incurs additional costs for the dives or instruction.

Your crew will ensure your experience includes the water sports activities you desire, weather permitting.

What’s Excluded from an “All-Inclusive” Charter?

When planning your budget for the charter, remember to include the customary crew gratuity. In the BVI, the standard gratuity is 15 to 20% of the charter fee.

The gratuity is paid at the end of the charter and should reflect the level of service you received. You can adjust the amount up or down based on your experience and level of satisfaction

Most crews accept cash or checks from a US bank. However, some yachts may only accept cash or offer other payment options for gratuities.

How Much Should You Really Tip Your Crew?

While the standard gratuity in the industry is 15 to 20%, many of our clients often ask us what they should really tip their crew as their charters draw to a close. Tipping on crewed yachts is very similar to tipping in US restaurants, so it is common for crews to receive 20% tips or higher for excellent to extraordinary service.

How much to tip is always at the client’s discretion. However, if you want to plan for what is usual and customary for excellent service, a 20% gratuity is a solid choice.

It is recommended that gratuities be given to the Captain at the end of the charter. The Captain will then evenly distribute the gratuity among all crew members. We suggest bringing a thank-you card to discreetly present the gratuity to the Captain and crew at the end of your trip.

Are There Hidden Fees On An All-Inclusive Charter?

When working with Carefree Yacht Charters, there are no hidden fees. Any additional costs will be clearly outlined in your charter agreement – so there are no surprises. 

Typical extra fees that you may face include:

• Scuba Diving
• Scuba Instruction
• Premium beverages or fine wines not included in the yacht’s standard bar
• Excessive bar requests

Expenses off the yacht, such as drinks or meals ashore, requested dockage during the charter, or phone expenses, are also the client’s responsibility. 

In addition, all transportation to and from the yacht, including flights, inter-island transfers, and any land taxis before, after, or during the charter, are not included in the charter fee.

PLUS EXPENSES CHARTERS

What’s Included On “Plus Expenses” Charters?

A “Plus Expenses” charter means that the charter fee covers only the yacht and crew, with all other expenses being extra. These additional costs are paid in advance through an APA (advance provisioning allowance), which is typically 35% of the weekly charter fee.

What’s Excluded On “Plus Expenses” Charters?

On a “Plus Expenses” charter, everything beyond the yacht and crew is extra. These additional expenses are covered through an Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA), which is typically 35% of the charter fee. However, the exact amount of the APA can vary and might be less depending on the specific yacht or type of yacht.

APA’s (Advance Provisioning Allowances) Explained

The APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) is paid in advance to cover all food and beverage requests, standard bar requests, fuel for the yacht and tender, guest dockage requests during the charter, and other related expenses.

The standard crew gratuity is an additional expense, typically 15 to 20% on top of the charter fee. 

To estimate your “all-in” cost on a plus expenses charter, you can multiply the charter fee by 1.55. For example, if the charter fee is $70,000, you should estimate the total cost at $108,500 ($70,000 x 1.55).

The APA of 35% usually covers expenses on most yachts. However, once preference forms are submitted, the Captain can inform you if your requests will stay within the APA or if additional funds will be needed.

If additional funds are required, you can top up the APA before or during the charter. Any unused APA funds at the end of the charter will be returned to you. The easiest way to handle leftover APA is to use it towards the standard crew gratuity at the end of the charter.

CANCELLATIONS AND TRIP INSURANCE

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Once paid, your charter deposits are non-refundable, except as outlined in the standard industry agreement.

If you need to cancel and your yacht is rebooked for all or part of your dates, you can receive a refund of your deposit or a prorated portion of it, minus a 20% cancellation fee. This fee is based on the total charter fee, not just the deposits paid at the time of cancellation.

Should I Get Trip Insurance?

Carefree Yacht Charters recommends trip insurance for all our clients, especially during hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the peak period in the BVI and Caribbean from mid-August to early October. 

We suggest trip insurance year-round to protect your charter investment in case of unexpected events.

Choosing trip insurance and the provider is up to you, but we can recommend some industry sources.

Generally, a trip insurance plan might start at around 5 to 6% of your total charter fee.

THE COST OF HOLIDAY CHARTERS (CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S CHARTERS)

Do The Yachts Charge Premiums For Christmas And New Year’s Charters?

New Year’s is the most popular and expensive week for charters in the BVI and Caribbean. Nearly every yacht is booked, and they typically charge at least 10% more, often with a higher flat fee regardless of the number of guests.

Christmas also has a premium price, but it’s usually slightly less than New Year’s, making it a popular choice for family groups.

Given the popularity and premiums for these weeks, it’s best to secure your New Year’s or Christmas charter in the BVI well in advance. Booking early not only ensures you get the yacht of your choice but also gives you access to the best value for the premium price.

Thanksgiving has also grown in popularity, and some yachts now charge premiums for this week as well. Booking early for Thanksgiving provides better availability on yachts without premiums.

WAYS TO REDUCE THE CHARTER COST

Charters of less than 7 nights

Most charters in the BVI and Caribbean are 7 nights long. This duration allows you to see all the must-see spots and highlights at a relaxed pace.

For those interested in a shorter trip, many all-inclusive crewed yachts offer prorated rates for 6-night charters. To calculate the 6-night rate, divide the weekly rate by 7 and then multiply by 6.

Six-night charters are popular for those with busy work schedules, kids with school activities, or limited vacation time. This option also allows clients to book a larger, more expensive yacht while staying within their budget.

Most yachts also accept 5-night charters. However, the cost difference between a 5-night and a 6-night charter is minimal due to the way the industry calculates 5-night rates. To determine the 5-night rate, divide the weekly rate by 6 and multiply by 5.

Published Yacht Charter Specials

Some crewed yachts offer special rates during the season to fill their charter calendars for specific dates. Others provide permanent discounts for children under a certain age at the time of the charter.

At Carefree Yacht Charters, we keep track of these specials and will include them in your charter quote or when recommending yachts that fit your budget.

Yacht prices are non-negotiable, so published specials are the only way to lower the weekly charter rate on a full-board charter. These specials are announced industry-wide and are consistent regardless of where you book.

Charter rates are determined by the yacht owner and management team, based on factors such as the yacht’s age, size, amenities, water sports and activities offered, and the popularity of the crew and the yacht.

Shore Side Meal Plans at a Reduced Price

Many yachts offer half-board and local fare charters, which provide slight savings per guest for a set number of meals taken ashore at the client’s expense.

While the discount is helpful, it’s important to note that it typically doesn’t cover the full cost of meals and drinks taken ashore. These meal plans are best suited for families or groups who enjoy dining off the yacht to experience the local ambiance. However, these plans may impact your overall itinerary, especially with a half-board charter.

Here’s a traditional breakdown of what to expect with these meal plans:

• Half-Board Charter: Includes a combination of lunches and dinners taken ashore at the client’s expense, typically one meal per day, with a small discount on the rate
• Local Fare Charter: Includes a combination of lunches and dinners taken ashore at the client’s expense, typically three meals during the charter, with a small discount on the rate.

Charter Costs Based on Seasons, Yacht Style, and Destination

Costs based on Summer/Low and Winter/High Seasons

Crewed yachts in the BVI and Caribbean have different rates for winter and summer seasons. Generally, the summer season runs from May 1 through December 14, and the winter season runs from December 15 through April 30. Some yachts start their winter season as early as November 1 to align with the typical start of the season in the BVI and Caribbean.

While yachts traditionally offered lower prices during the summer months, many now operate on a year-round rate, with rate increases often occurring with the change of seasons

Charter Costs Based on Yacht Style

 Charter costs vary based on the type of yacht you choose.

• Sailing Catamarans: The most abundant style in the BVI and Caribbean, covering all price points and sizes. They offer charters in the more affordable $20,000 to $35,000 range as well as higher-end ranges.
• Power Catamarans: These generally start in the mid-range price point of $35,000 to $50,000. They tend to be more expensive than many sailing catamarans due to being newer and having higher fuel costs.
• Traditional Motor Yachts: A higher-end option, with all yacht options starting above $50,000.

Charter Costs Based on Destination

The BVI is our most affordable destination, offering the widest array of affordable yacht options. This destination has an abundance of all-inclusive yacht charter options at every price point. Its excellent anchorages and shoreside services make it a favorite for most owners and crews.

Caribbean charters outside of the BVI, such as in St. Maarten, St. Barts, and the Grenadines, tend to be more expensive. Smaller, more affordable yachts typically do not operate outside the BVI. Additionally, cruising taxes, permits, and delivery fees often add to the charter cost in these areas.

Charters in the Bahamas are the most expensive due to the 4% Bahamas tax and 10% VAT on top of all charter rates. As a result, many yachts that were traditionally based in the Bahamas have moved to the BVI in recent seasons.

For further details regarding all inclusive charter costs, visit our Crewed Yacht Charter Costs Page or Contact Carefree Yacht Charters today!