All you need to know about Crewed Yacht Charter
Sailing holiday is, for sure, a unique way to spend vacation off the beaten paths. For a week or two a boat will become your home on water: your daily routine will start with waking up in another quiet, seductive bay, continue with exploring the Adriatic in so many different ways gradually adapting to the challenges and beauties of yacht life. But if you take a step further and imagine a floating all inclusive villa booked exclusively for your party, you will find yourself introduced to cruising experience known as crewed yacht charter.
What makes Crewed Yacht Charter different?
Crewed yacht charter offers the most personalized service in the whole yacht charter industry. It is an experience organized to the finest detail by your broker and dedicated crew following your preferences - all you have to do is to get on board end relax. There are many reasons for choosing crewed yacht charter, some of them are listed below and could be of help if you are thinking of exploring this unique way of cruising.
- Yachts equipped up to the highest comfort standard
Regardless the type of the boat (sailing boat, catamaran or a motor yacht) crewed yachts always tend to be larger and more luxurious than bareboats: larger cabins, comfortable spacious saloon, full equipment, wide sun decks for sunbathing and relaxing are just part of the experience that these boats can provide. The boat itself has more equipment, not just for your own personal comfort but for your leisure activities as well – tender, kayaks, stand up paddles, snorkelling equipment, windsurfs are just some of the water toys that are at your disposal all the time. Some even offer scuba diving, jet-skiis or water-skiing. - Your own dedicated crew
The secret of an enjoyable crewed yacht charter is essentially the crew, not only the boat. Of course, the boat has to be adequate, but the crew will make or break your cruise. They welcome you on board and take care of all your wishes during your vacation. The crew is always accommodated in a separate crew area with cabins which helps in creating the atmosphere of privacy, but, on the other hand, are present at all times to cater any of your needs. The number of crew members depends on the size of the boat – there is always the captain of the yacht and the stewardess, but on larger boats, a chef, a deckhand or even a guard are at your disposal. Each crew member has their own duty – captain operates the boat and takes care of navigation issues, the stewardess is in charge of keeping the yacht tidy, the deckhand assists the captain in navigation and takes care of minor maintenance of the boat, while the chef’s duty is cooking and provisioning. All of them are professionals with only one goal – to make your holiday an unforgettable break from everyday life.
You might find that your crew members possess some additional skills as well; this can include beauticians, massage therapists, fitness instructors, etc. the luxury yacht crew dedicates a lot of time in ensuring that the guests have a fantastic experience.
A tip is something you will not find in bold letters in your charter contract: it is customary and expected to tip your crew, as gratuities represent about half of their income. Gratuity amount is usually 5% - 15% of the charter cost when budgeting your holiday make sure that this cost is included in your calculation. Crew members remain ready to help you in every possible way and time during your holiday and do a very hard job. Gratuity is just another way of saying "thank you" for taking good care of you. - Fully flexible and personalized experience
On a crewed yacht, it is entirely up to you to be just a relaxed luxury vacationer or active planner and organizer. If not specified in advance you and your party can choose, with the agreement of the captain, the day's activities and the itinerary, on a day-to-day basis.
You should keep in mind though ultimately, the Captain is in charge, not you. In other words, if he deems that some previously selected destination is no longer suitable (poor weather, rolly anchorage, or any safety reason), he will have the last word and change the plans according to his judgment. A good captain will always be very diplomatic about this and find a nice replacement destination. But he will never compromise safety just to comply with the wishes of guests. - APA
APA stands for advanced provisioning allowance, which is an obligatory cost paid on top of the charter fee. Generally, APA is paid by the guests before they board the yacht and it’s kind of a deposit for all the expenditures that are anticipated during the period of crewed yacht charter.
The deposited amount is then forwarded to the captain of the yacht and the money is used for the preparations necessary before the guests arrive on board. Some everyday expenses included in APA are: - Food, alcohol, beverages for guests and their family members
- Fuel for generators and main engines
- Fuel for water sports equipment and tenders
- Berthing harbour and marina charges
- Shore charges for electricity and water supply etc.
- The captains of the crewed yacht charter present the accounting of the advanced provisioning allowance with the guests on the last day of the charter. One thing that should be taken into consideration is that the unused portion of the advanced provisioning allowance is paid back to the guests.
Some Final Words
Well, after going through the list of points showing why crewed yacht charters are popular, it is clear why this option should be considered by all of those who just want to enjoy and spend some carefree beautiful time with their family and friends. We at Croatia Yachting make sure that our level of service is unmatched and every vacation is unique and memorable. Feel free to contact us by e-mail or phone call, our experience in tailoring sailing vacation to your needs is at your disposal.