What is a yacht charter?

Answer

A yacht charter is a private holiday aboard a yacht that is hired for an agreed period, usually with a professional captain and crew. Unlike a cruise ship, a charter yacht is generally reserved exclusively for your group, allowing you to determine where you go, how you spend your time and how you use the yacht.

Depending on the yacht, charterers can swim from the yacht, explore beaches and islands, enjoy watersports, dine aboard or ashore, and move between destinations at their own pace.

Charters range from relatively simple sailing holidays to fully crewed luxury experiences aboard large motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans and superyachts.

The cost depends on the yacht, destination, season, duration, crew, operating expenses and the terms of the charter agreement.

Options

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Bareboat charter — generally for appropriately qualified and experienced sailors. –

Skippered charter — a professional skipper operates the yacht. –

Fully crewed charter — captain and crew provide navigation, service and hospitality. –

Luxury/superyacht charter — typically combines professional crew, extensive facilities and highly personalised service.

Analysis

“Yacht charter” covers a very broad spectrum. The biggest distinction for luxury charterers is that they are not simply hiring transportation; they are hiring a private hospitality experience built around a yacht.

Human broker comment

For a first charter, the easiest way to start is not by choosing a yacht. Tell your broker who is travelling, what you want to do and where you would like to go. The yacht can then be selected around the experience.

Related connectors

Yacht charter · Superyacht charter · Motor yacht · Sailing yacht · Catamaran · Crewed charter · Charter cost

Next questions

→ How much does it cost to charter a yacht? → What is included in a yacht charter? → How do I choose the right charter yacht?