How to charter a boat or yacht? by Charter Dock A
How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht? We have all seen photos of sunglasses and bikinied celebrities lounging on sun pads or sipping Champagne in the on-deck hot tub of a large white yacht anchored somewhere in the Mediterranean.
That said, we don’t usually see the photos of the same celebrities racing on Jet Skis, burrowing underwater on SeaBobs, snorkeling coral reefs, or stand-up paddle-boarding. Whether they’re making the most of their time on the sea or just sunbathing for Instagram we may never know—but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the ocean adventure of your dreams. There is a charter-yacht vacation that is right for everyone; whether you’re looking for something glamourous, adventurous, wellness-focused, or just plain fun, it’s all within easy reach. It all starts with a yacht charter, and if you’ve never done it, rest assured that it’s not nearly as difficult as you might think. Let us walk you through the need-to-know details of how to charter a yacht. Whether you want to go straight for the best charter yachts on the sea today or something more conservative, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing Your Charter
The first step is to determine how you would like to contract for a charter: Would you like the help of a reputable charter broker? The charter broker will go over all of your options with you and can steer you toward crews that may be better with families, or know how to throw the best beach bash or costume party, or the chef who specializes in your favorite fare. Brokers are good with the personal touch.
Have a Plan
Part of the destination question is what you’ll be doing. Do you picture yourself doing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, or water-skiing behind a jet tender, or maybe traveling in a sub to the depths of the ocean looking for signs of life? Most yachts carry the basic water toys and tenders for being towed and simple snorkeling exploration. However, others scuba gear, and inflatable slides. Depending on the destination and time of year, different yachts may offer different amenities.
Either chartering a Super yacht Astondoa, Princess Yacht, Ferretti or Leopard Power Catamaran
If you want to keep your yacht on the move, exploring each little island along the coast, the yacht’s speed, size, and draft depth will determine how many stops you can make and where.
How long do you intend to charter? Do you want two weeks: one week for friends and one week for a family? Will one week onboard be perfect?
Once you know when and where you’re headed, how many people will you be traveling with? Most charter yachts are certified to carry 12 guests plus crew. Many yachts have cabins designed for kids bunking together with either twin beds or actual bunk beds, or they may feature a Pullman bed in addition to the regular berth if you want to sleep three people together. Don’t forget to include in your count any personal assistants, babysitters, or other security guards. Charter brokers can also help you choose a yacht based on the number and type of crew. Some crew members can teach yoga, give massages, and style your hair, while others may make the meanest cocktails on the water right after they teach you how to sail. The level and type of service you are looking for vary with each yacht.
Another question in terms of the type of yacht is whether you go sailing yacht or motor yacht? Do you want a quiet, smooth sail with maybe not as much deck space but the quintessential romance of the sea? Or do you want to go fast while sipping a cocktail in your on-deck Jacuzzi? Everyone has something in mind when they picture “yacht.” Does your image have sails or engines? Does it have more intimate spaces or room for all 12 guests to spread out?
Related to the number of guests and type of yacht are mobility accommodations. Does someone in your party have limited mobility? Is an elevator needed? It’s worth looking into before you’re dead-set on a particular yacht.
When to Book – How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
So now you have destination, activities, time of year, length of charter, number of guests, and type of yacht, how far in advance do you need to book? You’ve spoken to your reliable charter broker or swiped and starred any number of yachts; what’s the best window for getting your first choice? Keep in mind that, like any other vacation, chartering over the holidays, spring break, and other events such as Chinese New Year makes for the high-demand season. If the timing and the yacht are both important, book a year in advance. If you are flexible with both dates and the yacht, Charter Dock A brokers can find a yacht for you.
Is There Wireless?
These days, you don’t have to leave your email, Netflix, Facebook, and favorite online gaming behind. If you or your travel partners are inclined to remain plugged in, most yachts feature high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing you to keep in touch as much or as little as you would like.
Privacy – How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
Depending on how high- or low-profile you and your guests like to live, privacy should not be of concern. The entire yachting industry is built on privacy. For example, builders usually don’t share who the owner of a yacht is, nor do the brokers or crew. This can extend to those chartering as well. Discretion is key to the charter business,
Personalize your experience: Be sure to give dietary restrictions and preferences.
Personalization – How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
Once you have decided which yacht you would like to charter when, your Chareter Dock A will ask about all of your group’s preferences, such as special dietary needs, favorite foods, drinks to have on hand, what you like to snack on, and so on. It is also the time to nail down some of the activities you all would like to take part in. Do you want to stop in all the ports for shopping the local artisan goods, sightseeing or even take a cooking class? Or would you rather stay in one cove and dive and fish all day? Costume party? Beach party? Wine tasting? Paddle-board race? The choice is completely yours, but you do need to give the crew a heads-up so they know what to be prepared for.
Contracts and Cost – How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
The contract is the next step.
All of these choices and decisions lead down to the bottom line: How much does it cost? The overall price varies with fuel consumption (staying in port or cruising), location (Phang Nga Bay, Phi Phi Islands, Racha Islands), the number of people you are traveling with, food and drink, as well as activities. Adding in food and drink; expenses for docking, fuel, and other fees; and tips will tack roughly 30 to 50 percent of the charter rate to your trip.
The standard procedure is to leave the gratuity with the captain at the end of your stay so he or she may divvy among the various crew members you may or may not have seen, based on their duties. Charter Dock A Phuket suggests five to 15 percent as customary. And, of course, whatever you feel is reasonable. 1000THB per crew member
And that’s all there is to it. Ready to climb on board?
Pro-Tip – How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
When it comes to chartering a yacht, I can safely say that working with a true professional should be your priority. Making a booking on your own, to avoid what might originally seem like unnecessary costs, might be tempting but it will expose you to risks and leave you unprotected. That is why you should choose a charter broker who is experienced, accountable, and knowledgeable. They should also possess an excellent track record as far as professional rules and ethical standards are concerned, and they need to be driven by a desire for excellence.
Choosing Charter Dock A is about placing your trust in a leading yachting professional who has the expertise and resources to ensure that you are expertly advised and well protected. Your charter vacation should be about relaxation and spending quality time with loved ones, creating memories with beautiful destinations as a backdrop, and not about being distracted or stressed by minutiae and problems.
A charter vacation should be customized to your requirements, personality, and wishes, and such expert guidance is stock-in-trade for the experienced broker. The global fleet is a large one, it is growing fast, and selecting the right yacht for your vacation is a trick for the amateur. It is never only about the vessel; the human factor is of equal if not greater importance. Charter brokers invest a lot of their time attending charter shows where they appraise the finest yachts available for charter. They spend time on board with the captain and crew to form a first-hand opinion about their compatibility with clients and the level of service provided. Simply said, qualified charter brokers are in a position to guide you towards the yacht that is best suited to you. That is but the first yet important step.
They also know the well-kept secrets of charter destinations and how to plan the perfect itinerary. This comes not only from their years of brokerage experience and relations with the industry’s charter captains, but also from attending destination seminars and traveling extensively on yachts themselves, either on familiarization trips or as a personal vacation choice. Charterers are venturing further afield these days and thus, so are brokers. Having a professional on hand who has personal experience and access to an information network that spans the globe is priceless.
However, despite the best preparation and foresight, things can go wrong with a charter and that is when you do need a seasoned broker by your side. There is immense value to be found in their expertise and reactivity in dealing with unpleasant situations. On-call 24/7, they will work swiftly to resolve any issue that arises using every resource
How to charter the Best Boat or Yacht?
If you are considering chartering a yacht, my advice would be to place your trust in a seasoned professional and work closely with them to arrange an unforgettable, trouble-free experience.
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