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Luxury yacht charter, chosen the way you choose a home
A luxury yacht charter is not chosen from photographs: the crew, the condition of the yacht and a contract that says what is included are what count. The same criteria ELRE uses for a villa.
Luxury yacht charter: what you are really renting
A luxury yacht charter is the hire of a vessel with its crew, for an agreed period and itinerary. You step aboard with a suitcase and find the captain, deckhands, chef and stewardess already at work. That is why a luxury yacht charter reads like a residence that moves: what counts is the space, the people who work there and the rules written in the contract.
Elite Luxury Real Estate approaches the subject with the same method it uses for villas. Data first, then people, then real costs. This page explains how a luxury yacht charter works, what makes up the price, when to book and which charter websites we consult.
One clarification. ELRE does not own or operate vessels and it is not a broker. Availability, prices and contract are always confirmed by the operator or broker indicated. The links at the bottom lead to official websites.
What to look at on board before a luxury yacht charter
A luxury yacht charter chosen from a brochure is one thing, and a yacht seen from the quay is another. For this reason the ELRE team filmed vessels moored at the quay. The clips on this page are raw and vertical, with no voice-over: they show proportions, materials and spaces as a guest would see them, and they are not an advertisement for any shipyard.
Four things are worth checking on any yacht before a luxury yacht charter, whatever its size. The first is the stern: the bathing platform, the tender garage and the access to the water are used every day, more than the saloon. The second is the upper deck or flybridge, which in summer becomes the real living area. The third is what a photograph hides: cabin ventilation, noise under way and headroom in the passageways. The fourth is the crew quarters, because a crew that sleeps badly works worse, and guests notice it throughout the week.
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Contact usHow a luxury yacht charter works: broker, owner and contract
In a crewed charter there are three parties: the client, the owner or management company that provides the yacht, and the broker who puts them in touch. Boatbookings, for example, explains in its terms that it acts as a disclosed broker for third-party suppliers: the final contract is between the client and the owner or manager, not with the website.
In the Mediterranean the most widely used contract is the MYBA Charter Agreement, the standard form developed by MYBA, the international yacht brokers’ association. Industry brokers describe it as the benchmark for crewed charters: it sets the rights and duties of charterer and owner, payments, cancellation, liability and the APA.
The path to a luxury yacht charter is simple. You state period, destination, number of guests and budget. The broker proposes a few yachts, you choose, sign the contract and pay the deposit. In WI Yachts’ terms the deposit is 50% at signing, which confirms the booking; the balance, together with APA, taxes and agreed costs, is due one month before departure.
The point to remember about a luxury yacht charter is this: a good broker does not sell the most expensive yacht but the most suitable one, and puts in writing what is included. If a proposal stays vague on crew, expenses or cancellation, the problem is not the price but the contract.
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How much does a luxury yacht charter cost?
The price of a luxury yacht charter cannot be reduced to a single figure, and that is the point that surprises people most. The base rate generally covers the vessel with its crew. On top come the APA, VAT and local taxes, delivery costs, crew tips and insurance. That is why two quotations with the same rate can lead to very different final costs.
The base rate: what a week costs
A useful reference is the weekly averages BOAT International publishes in its listings, reported by the broker Denison Yacht Sales (July 2023): about 40,000 euro under 30 metres, about 71,000 between 30 and 40 metres, about 220,000 between 50 and 60 metres, about 445,000 between 60 and 70 metres and about 1.7 million above 80 metres.
These are averages, not a price list. Denison itself warns that every yacht’s rate depends on many factors. Other operators give different ranges: WI Yachts states that you start from about 50,000 dollars a week for 65 feet and reach a few million for a megayacht. The real figure is known only from the written proposal.
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The APA: the advance for onboard expenses
The APA, Advance Provisioning Allowance, is an advance that funds fuel, ports, food, drinks and special requests. The captain manages it, spends at cost and keeps the receipts. Any unspent part is returned at the end of the charter. For Denison it is usually 30–35% of the fee; WI Yachts mentions 20–30%. It is wise to estimate on the high side.
VAT, taxes and licences
In Europe, chartering a commercial vessel is an economic activity subject to VAT, due in the country where the charter starts. In 2022 WI Yachts published these rates for the Mediterranean: France 20%, Italy 22%, Spain 21%, Croatia 13%, Greece 24% with a reduction that usually brings it to 12%. Boatcrowd today indicates 12% for Greece.
The sources do not agree, and that is no surprise: rules change and have exceptions. WI Yachts also points out that some countries require charter licences and that others apply their own taxes, such as 18% in Turkey or 4% in the Bahamas. The practical conclusion is one: have the broker state in writing the VAT that applies to your itinerary.
Delivery, tips and the all-inclusive formula
If you embark and disembark at different ports, delivery and re-delivery costs may be added. Tipping the crew is customary: WI Yachts indicates 10–15% of the weekly fee in the Mediterranean and 15–20% in the Caribbean. Some Caribbean charters are sold as all-inclusive, with a fixed price and expenses set before departure.
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Seasons and destinations for a luxury yacht charter
The season changes the price and availability of every luxury yacht charter. WI Yachts notes that rates rise in high season, July and August in the Mediterranean, Christmas, New Year and February in the Caribbean, and during events such as carnivals and festivals. Boatcrowd gives May to October for the Mediterranean and December to April for the Caribbean.
Mediterranean
It is the leading Northern Hemisphere destination in summer. Between the French Riviera, Corsica, the Balearics, Sardinia, the Greek islands and Croatia the fleet is very large, which is why prices are more competitive than elsewhere. Croatia counts more than 1,200 islands, islets and reefs, according to data from the Croatian Hydrographic Institute cited by the Ministry of Tourism.
Caribbean
In winter the season moves to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, when the Mediterranean closes. For the busiest periods, such as Christmas, New Year and Easter, WI Yachts advises booking 10–12 months ahead. It is the sea of many of the residences we follow, such as those in the Dominican Republic.
Indian and Pacific Oceans
The Seychelles, the Maldives and Zanzibar offer some of the clearest waters, with more complex logistics. For French Polynesia and Fiji WI Yachts advises booking 24–36 months ahead, because few vessels are available. For the Mediterranean it suggests 6–10 months.
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Choosing the right luxury yacht charter
The type of vessel matters as much as its length. A motor yacht favours speed, interior space and stability; a sailing yacht seeks the sailing and a more direct relationship with the sea; a catamaran offers generous shared areas and shallow draught, useful for bays. For a luxury yacht charter the choice depends on how you want to live the week, not on which is the largest.
In a luxury yacht charter the crew makes the difference. Ask for the captain’s experience, verifiable references and languages spoken. On board the crew is at the guests’ service for most of the day: a good chef or stewardess is worth more than one more swimming pool.
Then there are the people travelling on a luxury yacht charter. WI Yachts states there is no minimum age for children, but that the yacht does not replace parents’ supervision. Pets are allowed on some yachts and not on others. Saying so at the first request lets the broker choose the right vessel.
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Crewed or bareboat: which luxury yacht charter to choose
A crewed charter is the one described on this page: you hire the vessel together with the captain and the onboard staff. Bareboat is something else: you hire the boat alone and sail it yourself, with a qualification and suitable experience. That is why it falls outside the scope of a luxury yacht charter, where service is part of the product.
There are intermediate formulas, such as skipper-only hire, common on smaller boats. Platforms such as Click&Boat state that they offer boats with or without a skipper. It is a sensible solution for a short outing, less so for a week when you want to delegate everything.
Life on board: food, preferences and the rhythm of the day
Before departure guests usually fill in a food preference sheet: likes, dislikes, allergies and habits. WI Yachts explains that the chef and stewardess buy provisions according to that sheet, using the APA. It is the reason to complete it carefully: that is where the service becomes tailor-made.
The same applies to activities. In the all-inclusive formulas WI Yachts describes, equipment, water toys, the tender for outings up to four hours a day and fuel for the agreed cruising are included. It changes from yacht to yacht: ask for the list of equipment and do not assume it is included.
Finally the rhythm. The crew works in shifts but is at the guests’ disposal for most of the day. A well-run luxury yacht charter leaves room to breathe: ports, bay stops and dinner are agreed each evening with the captain, according to weather and wishes.
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Contract, payments and insurance
In a luxury yacht charter the contract is the part nobody reads and it decides everything. In a luxury yacht charter with crew it should state the fee, the period, embarkation and disembarkation ports, the number of guests, the APA amount, the cancellation rules, the owner’s and captain’s liability and, where relevant, taxes. If one of these items is missing, ask for it in writing.
As for insurance, WI Yachts explains that during the charter you are insured on board, but strongly recommends a cancellation policy, because unforeseen events may prevent or reduce the charter. The broker can help arrange cover the basic contract does not provide. For remote destinations also consider medical cover with possible evacuation.
In Italy, recreational navigation also includes navigation carried out for commercial purposes, as Article 1 of the Code of Recreational Navigation establishes. Charter has rules of its own: one more reason to work with licensed operators and not with occasional intermediaries.
What to ask before signing a luxury yacht charter
Before a luxury yacht charter, a good habit is to put six questions in writing. Who is the owner or management company, and who answers for the contract? Which crew is assigned, with what experience? When and how are deposit and balance paid? What is the estimated APA and how is it accounted for? Which VAT applies to the itinerary? What happens if the charter is cancelled?
Add two practical checks. Which equipment and water toys are included in the price, and which cost extra. And whether the yacht holds every licence required in the country where the charter starts: WI Yachts recalls, for example, that Greece requires a charter licence and that in Spain the vessel must be EU-flagged and hold the local licence.
One last piece of advice: ask the broker to show you the vessel on video before you confirm. A photograph shows how the yacht would like to appear, a video how it really is.
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From charter to buying a yacht
Those who have taken a luxury yacht charter for several seasons sometimes consider buying. In that case the transaction goes through a licensed broker and an independent technical survey before the contract. Our role is to help ask the right questions: annual running and crew costs, berth, flag, resale market.
A luxury yacht charter is also a less committing way to find out whether the experience suits you, before taking on a purchase. Brokers such as WI Yachts also deal in sales and management: ask which services are included in annual management.
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Luxury yacht charter websites we consult
This is an editorial selection of luxury yacht charter websites, updated October 2026. ELRE is not a party to the contract: the links lead to official websites, where prices, availability and conditions are confirmed by the operator concerned. Compare several luxury yacht charter proposals before you decide.
Boatbookings: broker with offices in Fort Lauderdale and London
Boatbookings is run by enitiative.biz Limited, a company registered in London since 2005 (number 05326363). In its terms it describes itself as a disclosed broker for third-party suppliers. The site offers bareboat, catamarans and crewed yachts and is available in English only.
WI Yachts: charter, sales and management from the French Riviera
WI Yachts Yachting & Travel SAS is based on the French Riviera and says it was founded in 1998 in the Caribbean as one of the first to develop websites dedicated to charter. It deals in charter, sales and management of vessels. The site is available in several languages and publishes detailed guides on costs and contracts.
Boatcrowd: crewed yachts and a site in several languages
Boatcrowd Pte. Ltd. is based in Singapore and declares more than two thousand verified yachts in 72 countries, with concierge support. The site publishes median weekly rates by destination: 65,000 euro for Italy, 48,000 for Greece, 42,500 for Croatia. They are the platform’s own data, before APA and VAT.
Click&Boat: more accessible boats, with or without a skipper
Click&Boat is a French platform for hire between private owners and professionals: it declares more than 55,000 boats and more than 4,000 destinations in over 100 countries, with sailing boats, motor boats, catamarans and yachts, with or without a skipper. It is not a superyacht service but a solution for simpler outings.
Transparency: what Elite Luxury Real Estate does and does not do
Elite Luxury Real Estate is an editorial and real estate advisory platform for high-end clients. It does not own vessels, it is not a broker and it does not collect charter requests on this page. We do not add mark-ups to operators’ prices.
Links to operators’ websites are simple links, opened in a new tab. If in future a link entitles ELRE to a commission, we will say so here clearly. The luxury yacht charter selection follows editorial criteria: an identifiable company, readable terms, and a local language when possible.
The complete journey: yacht, jet and car
A luxury yacht charter begins before you step aboard. WI Yachts notes that private aviation packages are available to reach the vessel, avoiding crowded airports. That is why the three Luxury Living pages on movement are best read together.
If you need to reach the harbour by air, the page on private jet charter explains how air charter works, which certificates to ask for and which airports to use. For the last stretch by road, the page on private luxury mobility covers chauffeurs, prestige car rental and transfers.
An example: landing at Olbia, a transfer to the harbour, boarding for a week along the Costa Smeralda. Three services, three operators, one itinerary. Our pages help you reach the quotations with the right questions.
Luxury yacht charter: frequently asked questions
How much does a week of luxury yacht charter really cost?
On top of the base rate come the APA, VAT depending on the starting country, tips and delivery. BOAT International averages reported by Denison run from about 40,000 euro under 30 metres to about 1.7 million above 80 metres. The total is known only from the written proposal.
How far ahead should I book a luxury yacht charter?
WI Yachts advises 6–10 months for the Mediterranean, 10–12 months for Christmas, New Year and Easter in the Caribbean, and 24–36 months for French Polynesia and Fiji. The most requested yachts are booked first.
Can we take children on a luxury yacht charter?
Yes, there is no minimum age. Say so when you enquire, so a yacht with suitable crew and equipment is chosen. Children must still be supervised by parents.
Which insurance do I need for a luxury yacht charter?
During the charter you are insured on board, but WI Yachts recommends a cancellation policy. For remote destinations also consider medical cover with evacuation.
What is the APA and is it refunded?
It is an advance for fuel, ports, food and drinks managed by the captain. Expenses are at cost, with receipts, and any unspent part is returned at the end of the charter.
Can I charter a yacht with my pet on a luxury yacht charter?
It depends on the yacht: some accept pets, others do not. If it matters, tell the broker straight away.
From the yacht to an architecture studio
Those who choose a luxury yacht charter often also look for a place to come back to. Federico Cappellina’s studio designs contemporary villas in north-east Italy and Lombardy, with the same attention to light, space and future maintenance.
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Explore the contemporary villas designed by Federico Cappellina’s studio.
Discover the whole UHNW lifestyle
Luxury Living has several sections: private jets and cars with a driver complete the journey, from the runway to the quay.