Yacht Charter Guides

Everything you need to know about chartering a luxury yacht in the Caribbean

FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about chartering a luxury yacht in the Caribbean

Unforgettable Multi-Island Itineraries

Great ideas for your yacht charter vacation

Yacht Charter Guides

How to charter a Luxury Yacht in the Caribbean

Step By Step Guides, Frequently Asked Questions, The Best Multi-Island Charters, Latest News & Special Offers ….. you’ll find everything you need to know about chartering a luxury yacht in the Caribbean in this section. If you don’t – get in touch. Or better still – fill out our Charter Inquiry Form.

“How to Charter A Luxury Crewed Yacht”

Download our free Step by Step guide to chartering a crewed luxury yacht. Written for anyone who is thinking of chartering a luxury crewed yacht for the first time, your free guide explains each important step in simple, clear language with information on everything from choosing the right yacht & crew to typical costs, contracts and gratuities.

Click here to download

How To Charter A Luxury Crewed Yacht - FREE Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crewed charter?

Crewed yachts provide a captain, chef, and any number of crew depending on the size of the yacht.

You decide the itinerary with your professional captain, and discuss the menu with the chef.

You can take the wheel if you like, or just sit back and relax.

There is no provisioning, cleaning or cooking to worry about.

The cost per person can be close to or less than the cost on a crowded cruise ship.

Matching your party to a suitable crew is an important part of our service.

What is a bareboat charter?

You sail the boat yourself.

The principal charterer needs to have skippering experience on a yacht close to the size you are chartering.

Equipment standards and reliability can vary considerably – we recommend yachts offering best value for money.

You can also hire a bareboat with a captain, ask our experts for more details.

Why book with Independent Yacht Charter?

Experience: We have many years of first hand experience sailing throughout the world, and chartering luxury yachts for discerning clients – we know what makes the perfect sailing holiday.

Expertise: We know the yachts, crew and best cruising grounds.

Choice: We offer a wide selection of personally selected quality charter yachts with or without crew.

Independent Yacht Charter offers expert advice with a prompt and friendly service. We combine accurate first hand experience and extensive local knowledge to ensure no unexpected surprises await you!

We supply our service at no cost to the customer.

How do I book & what are the payment terms?

Once the scheduling is negotiated with the yacht, we will draw up the contract for you to sign. Typically, upon signature a 25% deposit is taken, another 25% due six months prior to the charter and the balance ten days prior to embarkation. If you are booking with six months of the charter start date a 50% deposit will be required.

The yacht is paid a deposit ten days before the charter, and the balance on the first working day of the charter.

Your deposit is held in an independent and safe escrow account until just a few days before your charter begins.

Passport & Visa requirements?

All guests must carry valid passports for customs and immigration in the various ports of call. Visas, if applicable, are the responsibility of the charterer and must be secured in advance when you charter a luxury yacht.

If you have any questions, we can direct you to the proper authorities.

What happens if the yacht breaks down?

If for any reason the yacht has a problem and is unable to take your charter we will be there to assist you.

We will move fast to find you the very best resolution to the problem – either another yacht or a refund in full.

What if I have to cancel?

If you decide to cancel all payments are forfeited.

However you are entitled to a refund if the yacht is re-hired for the same period; or a pro-rated refund if it is re-hired for part of the time.

Trip cancellation insurance, depending on circumstances, will take care of any penalties.

Full terms and conditions can be found in our charter agreement contract.

What if I have special dietary requirements?

The beauty of a “crewed yacht” charter is that you have your own private chef.

By the necessity of adapting to new locations and ingredient availability, yacht chefs are skilled at a wide variety of cuisine and can please even the most discriminating eater.

It is important to take the time to have each member of your party complete the preference form in advance, giving details of any allergies or serious aversions.

How will I be able to stay in touch with the office?

Many of the modern motor and sailing yachts for charter are equipped with communications equipment, including cellular service, Wi-Fi, personal computers and global satellite telecommunications.

Communications will generally be charged for at the end of the charter, ask our experts for the appropriate costs.

Should we bring the kids?

There is plenty for the kids to do on charter – from playing on the beach, kayaking & snorkelling to learning to water-ski – there is plenty to keep them occupied and many new learning experiences too.

Many of our yachts have scuba diving instructors who can run courses during your trip, and the crew will certainly get involved and help to entertain the kids.

However, although the crew are employed to maximise the overall enjoyment and safety of your trip, they cannot take full responsibility of your children.

Children under the age of 14 must be under the direct supervision of a parent or child minder. Some yachts have a minimum age requirement.

How much luggage can we bring?

Stowage space is often limited on private yachts, so it is best to pack light.

We recommend soft luggage if possible for ease of stowage.

Some yachts will be able to store your empty luggage elsewhere once you have unpacked – but on other yachts you will have to keep your cases in your cabin.

What is included in the bar?

Our all inclusive yachts will provide a bar of house spirits, beers and wines tailored to your requests from your preferences.

Top shelf liquors, vintage wines and champagne will be additional.

Can we smoke onboard?

Smoking is rarely permitted inside the yachts; however, the vast majority of yachts available for charter will allow you to smoke on the outside deck areas.

Will I be met at the airport?

We can arrange for transport to the yacht and/or a member of crew to meet you and take you to the yacht

Will we be able to help sail the yacht?

As the yachts are fully crewed you can sit back and relax while the crew do the work, however if you are keen to take the helm most crews will be happy to involve you.

Let us know if this is important and we will select the appropriate crew.

How can we find out about the crew?

We will send you a profile of the crew which will tell you about their background & experience and include photos.

How much is appropriate to tip the crew?

It is customary to give 10-20% of the charter fee, depending on the level of service, to the captain to distribute among the crew. Crew work extremely hard to make a success of a charter and tipping is an appropriate way to show appreciation.

Private Villas

If you are considering a private villa rental before or after your yacht charter – we can help. We know the Caribbean inside out and can recommend beautiful private villas that are often unavailable elsewhere. Let us know what you’re looking for and leave the rest to us.

Where might you like to go?

From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean there is a variety of cruising grounds to suit all interests. We are here to offer advice on the most suitable destination according to your preferences. We can then offer a tailored itinerary as a starting point for your cruise. The Mediterranean is perfect during the months of June – September, and the Caribbean offers year round cruising – the peak months being between November and April.

Special Interest Charters

Interested in a unique adventure? Perhaps one of the ways to experience the diversity of the Caribbean is to take an island hoping golf vacation! Scuba-diving, learn to sail, tennis, horse-riding. speak to one of our experts who will assist in planning a dream vacation.

More Caribbean Yacht Charter Destinations

 

Hint – If you’re finding it hard to decide on a single destination why not enjoy a multi-island cruise ? Get in touch and we’ll help you plan your perfect itinerary…

LUXURY CREWED YACHT CHARTERS IN THE CARIBBEAN

“I just wanted to thank you for the greatest trip of a life time!!

This trip out did our greatest expectations! The crew was amazing, tailoring to our every wish. The food was above 5 star and it was incredible to us how this could be accomplished with such a small kitchen. Each day was better than the next and we have never been more relaxed in our lives. If anyone ever needs a reference please do not hesitate to have them call us. I hope one day we can take this trip again.

The Haltmans

Let Us Arrange the Yacht Charter Vacation of a Lifetime

Charter with confidence – Independent Yacht Charter is a member of the Charter Yacht Broker Association.