Question 1

What does 'plus APA' mean — and what does it actually cost?

Accepted Answer

APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It's a deposit — typically 30 to 35% of the base charter fee — paid upfront to cover the vessel's running expenses during your charter: fuel, food and beverages, dockage fees, port taxes, and crew gratuity. At the end of the charter, your captain provides a full accounting of what was spent. If the APA wasn't fully used, you get the balance back. If the trip ran over, you settle the difference. On a $95,000/week charter with 35% APA, that's roughly $33,250 additional. Budget for it as part of the total trip cost, not as a surprise at the end.

Question 2

What's included in the charter fee — and what isn't?

Accepted Answer

The base charter fee covers the vessel, crew salaries, and standard onboard equipment — water toys, snorkeling gear, kayaks, tenders, navigation equipment. What it does NOT cover (comes out of your APA): fuel, food and beverages, dockage and marina fees, port taxes and cruising permits, crew gratuity (15–20% of base fee is industry standard), communications packages, and any watersports or excursion fees ashore. One thing to ask specifically: is the vessel on a MYBA or AYCA contract? The contract type determines exactly how expenses are handled.

Question 3

How much should I tip the crew?

Accepted Answer

Industry standard is 15–20% of the base charter fee for an excellent crew. On a $95,000/week charter, that's $14,250–$19,000, typically split among 4–6 crew members. It's not mandatory, but it's expected — charter crews work 16-hour days, provision the boat to your preferences, cook every meal, and maintain constant professional service. The gratuity is how you acknowledge that. Pay cash at the end of the charter, directly to the captain, who distributes it among the crew.

Question 4

How far in advance do I need to book?

Accepted Answer

For peak season — Caribbean December through April, Mediterranean June through September — six months to a year in advance for the best selection. The finest vessels book out fast. For shoulder season or less competitive destinations, three to four months is usually sufficient. Last-minute charters exist and can offer significant savings — owners who have an open week would rather charter at a discount than sit at the dock. If your dates are flexible, we can work that angle. The Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale is generally more flexible — good options even 60–90 days out.

Question 5

How does payment work? When is money due?

Accepted Answer

Standard structure: 50% of the base charter fee is due when you sign the charter agreement to secure the vessel. The remaining 50% plus the full APA is due 30 days before the charter start date. Wire transfer is standard. Credit cards occasionally accepted but usually carry a 2–3% processing fee. On cancellations: the closer to the departure date, the more you forfeit. We'll walk you through the specific cancellation schedule clearly before you commit.

Question 6

Do I need charter insurance? What does it cover?

Accepted Answer

You don't need it — but you should strongly consider it. Charter insurance protects your deposit and APA if you cancel for a covered reason: illness, injury, family emergency, or sometimes work obligations depending on the policy. Without it, if you cancel 30 days out, you could forfeit 50–100% of your charter fee. A decent policy typically runs 5–8% of the total trip cost. For most charter clients, it's the right call. We can connect you with marine insurance specialists who work specifically with charter clients.

Question 7

Motor yacht or sailing yacht — how do I choose?

Accepted Answer

Motor yachts cover more ground faster, offer larger interior volumes, and don't heel underway — which matters if guests get seasick or aren't comfortable on a boat. A 100ft motor yacht feels like a floating hotel. Sailing yachts offer a different experience: wind in the rigging, a sense of moving through the ocean, and often lower fuel costs. Catamarans offer exceptional stability, vast deck space, and shallow draft ideal for Bahamas and Caribbean cruising. Our honest take: if your group has first-timers or non-sailors, start with a motor yacht. If everyone is comfortable on the water and wants the sailing experience, a catamaran is hard to beat.

Question 8

What size vessel do I need for my group?

Accepted Answer

2–4 guests: 50–65ft — intimate, easy to crew, often better value. 6–8 guests: 65–90ft — the sweet spot for most charter groups. 10–12 guests: 90–120ft — you need this size for 10 guests to live comfortably for a week. 12+ guests: 120ft+ — superyacht territory. Don't try to squeeze 10 people onto a 70ft yacht for seven nights. It's survivable for a day charter, not for a week. Note: USCG regulations limit vessels to 6 paying passengers unless they hold a passenger vessel certificate — this affects some vessels in US waters.

Question 9

Can I drive the yacht myself, or does it come with a captain?

Accepted Answer

All crewed charter yachts come with a full professional crew — captain, first mate, chef, and additional crew depending on vessel size. You don't drive. You don't navigate. The captain makes all navigation and safety decisions. You tell them where you want to go, when you want to eat, and what you want to do — they handle everything else. If you're a licensed captain wanting a bareboat charter where you take the helm yourself, that's a different product with different insurance requirements. Most of our clients are looking for crewed charters.

Question 10

What does 'never chartered' mean for our featured vessel — and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Most charter yachts have been chartered extensively — hundreds of guests, significant wear on upholstery, engines, and galley equipment. Our featured vessel has never been chartered. Delivered new in February 2020 and in private use since. Her engines have 2,380 hours — low for a 2019 vessel. Her interiors are original and immaculate. She also completed full RINA and Cayman 5-year surveys in January 2024, so her systems have been thoroughly inspected and certified recently. Charter guests will be the first people to use her as a charter vessel.

Question 11

How does a Bahamas charter actually work — is it a long trip from Fort Lauderdale?

Accepted Answer

Nassau is roughly 185 nautical miles from Fort Lauderdale — about a 12–14 hour passage at cruising speed. Most crews depart in the evening and arrive the following morning, so your charter days in the Bahamas aren't eaten by transit. The Gulf Stream crossing requires attention — it runs between Florida and the Bahamas and creates challenging seas when wind opposes the current. Your captain plans the crossing around weather windows. The Exumas require shallow draft — 4'6" or less for many anchorages. We match vessel draft to your itinerary.

Question 12

When is the best time to charter in the Caribbean vs. the Mediterranean?

Accepted Answer

Caribbean: December through April is peak season — reliable trade winds, low humidity, minimal hurricane risk. December is festive (St. Barts at Christmas is an experience). January through March is the heart of the season. Mediterranean: June through September is peak, with July and August at maximum intensity and price. June and September offer the best compromise — excellent weather, fewer boats, 10–20% below July/August rates. Turkey in May–June and September–October offers exceptional value — the same quality vessels at meaningfully lower rates than comparable Greek island itineraries.

Question 13

Do I need a passport for a Bahamas charter?

Accepted Answer

US citizens do not need a passport for the Bahamas — a government-issued photo ID and birth certificate are technically sufficient for entry by sea. However, we strongly recommend bringing a passport. If there's a medical emergency requiring a flight, you'll need it. Non-US citizens will need their passport and may require a visa depending on nationality. For Caribbean destinations beyond the Bahamas — USVI, BVI, St. Barts, Martinique — a passport is required for all guests. The captain handles customs and immigration paperwork as part of their role.

Question 14

How many crew will be on the boat — and where do they sleep?

Accepted Answer

Crew scales with vessel length: 50–70ft: captain + chef/mate (2 crew). 70–90ft: captain + mate + chef (3 crew). 90–120ft: captain + mate + chef + steward/ess (4 crew). 120ft+: 5–6+ crew. Our featured vessel at 112ft carries 6 crew for 10 guests — an exceptional ratio. Crew quarters are separate from guest accommodations with their own entry, heads, and mess. Professional crew are trained in maintaining complete separation from guest spaces unless actively working.

Question 15

How does provisioning work — can I request specific food and wine?

Accepted Answer

Before your charter, your captain or chef sends a preference sheet covering dietary restrictions, allergies, favorite cuisines, preferred spirits and wines, and anything you want or want to avoid. You fill it out, they source it, the boat is provisioned before you board. Charter chefs typically have professional culinary training. Specific wine requests, local specialties, dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher) — all manageable with advance notice. High-quality provisioning on a 10-guest week typically runs $3,000–$8,000 depending on wine and spirits selections. This comes out of your APA.

Question 16

How do I know the crew is good?

Accepted Answer

All charter crews hold mandatory professional certifications — STCW, appropriate captain's licenses, first aid and safety certifications. Beyond credentials, crew quality shows in the small things: vessel maintenance, meal timing, how preferences are remembered, how problems are handled. An experienced charter captain has seen everything and handles it without involving you. When we send a shortlist, we include notes on crew charter experience — seasons worked, repeat clients, and any feedback we have. Repeat charter clients are the gold standard indicator of crew quality.

Question 17

What happens if I need to cancel — what do I lose?

Accepted Answer

Standard MYBA charter contract cancellation schedule: 180+ days before charter: deposit refunded minus administrative fees. 90–180 days: 25–50% of total charter fee forfeited. 30–90 days: 50–75% forfeited. Under 30 days: 100% forfeited. This is exactly why charter insurance exists. A policy covering cancellation for illness or family emergency protects the full amount for 5–8% of the trip cost. For any charter over $30,000, we recommend it without hesitation. If you cancel and the owner re-charters those dates, some contracts provide a partial refund. We track this and follow up on your behalf.

Question 18

What if something goes wrong on the boat during the charter?

Accepted Answer

Minor issues — air conditioning in one cabin, a tender engine, galley equipment — are addressed by the crew. Charter vessels carry spare parts specifically for this. A good captain solves problems before you know they existed. Major mechanical issues that affect the charter trigger the owner's obligation to either repair the vessel promptly or provide a comparable substitute. The charter contract specifies these obligations. Charter brokers serve as your advocate in these situations. If an owner isn't responding appropriately to a serious issue, we get involved immediately.

Question 19

How much flexibility do I have in the itinerary once we're underway?

Accepted Answer

A lot. A crewed charter is not a cruise ship — you don't have a fixed route. The itinerary is built around your preferences and adjusted daily based on weather, wind, and what your group wants. Want to spend an extra day at that anchorage? Done. Skip the planned port and stay at sea? Done. Find a restaurant ashore you want to try? The captain navigates there. The only real constraints are distance and time — you can't add a 400nm detour on day 5 if it can't be done safely. The captain will be honest with you about what's feasible.

Question 20

Can two people charter a large yacht — or is there a minimum guest requirement?

Accepted Answer

No minimum guest requirement. Two people can absolutely charter a 112ft yacht. Some couples specifically seek larger vessels for the volume — a full-beam master suite, multiple decks to spread out on, a flybridge spa pool, and 5-star crew service for two. It's one of the most indulgent vacation experiences available. Pricing is set by the vessel, not headcount. The APA will be lower with fewer guests (less provisioning, less fuel), but the base rate is fixed. If budget is a consideration, a couple on a 65–70ft yacht is an exceptional experience at a fraction of the cost.

Question 21

Can we bring children? What should we know?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Charter yachts with children are common and crew is experienced with young guests. Safety: life jackets in children's sizes need to be confirmed with the captain before departure. Verify sizes match your children. Vessel layout: some vessels are better suited for children than others. Wide side decks, low freeboard, steep steps, and open railings can all be factors. Tell us children's ages and we'll match the vessel accordingly. Seasickness is more common in children than adults. Consult your pediatrician about preventative medication for longer passages.

Question 22

Can we bring our dog?

Accepted Answer

Some owners allow pets, some don't. It's always disclosed upfront and sometimes requires an additional security deposit. The bigger consideration is destination: the Bahamas has strict biosecurity rules about animals entering the country. Dogs require a health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, proof of rabies vaccination, and advance approval. For Florida coastal charters or day trips, pets are much more manageable. Tell us upfront if you're bringing a dog. We'll filter to pet-friendly vessels and brief you on any destination-specific requirements.

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Featured Charter Vessel — 112ft Sanlorenzo SD112

2019 Sanlorenzo SD112

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