HOW TO CHARTER GUIDE

Price

The majority of yachts quote their pricing on a weekly “plus expenses” basis which includes the hire of the yacht, the crew, and the yacht’s insurance. Some yachts will consider less than a full week of charter. Please keep in mind that each yacht is privately owned and negotiations and availability may vary from Owner to Owner.

ADVANCED PROVISIONING ALLOWANCE (APA)

The APA, or “plus expenses” is estimated to be approximately 35% of the charter rate; however, this can vary depending on your preferences. The APA is used to pay for items including, but not limited to, food and beverages, fuel, dockage, communications, pilot fees, etc. The Captain will keep a detailed report of the expenditures and receipts, which can be shown to you at any time during the charter. The Captain will present the final report together with the receipts on the last day of the charter. Any remaining funds will be returned, if the APA does not cover the expenditures, you are responsible for fulfilling the outstanding payment prior to departure.

Sales Tax

Yachts may be subject to sales tax or VAT (Value Added Tax) in certain countries where the yacht is chartering. Your Charter Specialist will advise if this applies to your charter. Rates vary from 7% in Alaska to almost 22% in certain countries in the Mediterranean.

Delivery

Occasionally a preferred yacht may need to reposition in order to cruise your chosen destination. This fee will be advised and agreed upon before the signing of any contracts and shown on the contract as a delivery fee.

How To Charter Guide

A crew gratuity may be offered at the sole discretion of the Charterer. We usually recommend a gratuity between 10% – 20% of the base charter rate depending on your satisfaction received with the service on board. Typically, a gratuity is distributed by the Captain equally among the crew unless otherwise specified.

Charter Agreement

Many yachts chartering within international waters now operate under a standardized agreement sponsored by the Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association (MYBA). Other standard agreements include the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and the International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA). These charter agreements protect and clearly define the rights and obligations of each party.

CANCELLATION & REFUND

There are times when a trip may need to be cancelled due to unforseen circumstances. Most charter contracts do not provide a refund for cancellation, therefore we would recommend securing Trip Cancellation Insurance as an added security in the event you may need to cancel your trip. We would be pleased to refer you to an Insurance Specialist who can assist you with arranging a policy not covered by the basic Charter Agreement.

Sale Of A Yacht

Many yachts are available for both sale and for charter. Please know that if a yacht sells prior to your charter, it is our responsibility at Worth Avenue Yachts to find you a comparable yacht to fulfill your yachting vacation.

How To Charter Guide

The Process

Once you have selected the perfect yacht for your trip, your Charter Specialist will send you charter agreements for your review. A 50% deposit is required upon signature of the agreement to secure the yacht for your preferred dates. The yacht will not be held for you until the signed contracts and first payment have been received, so it is essential once a decision has been made to move swiftly.

The remaining balance of the charter fee, together with the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), taxes (if applicable), and delivery fee (if applicable) will be required at least 30 days before the start of your vacation.

Your Charter Specialist will send Preference Sheets approximately 6 weeks prior to your charter to discuss your dietary requirements, any food allergies and menu preferences in order for the chef to begin creating menus and provisioning for your trip.

A meeting with the Captain may be scheduled approximately 4 weeks prior to your charter to discuss the itinerary, activities, and desired charter experience. The Captain can provide first-hand knowledge of the area and will learn about how you would prefer to spend your time.

During your trip, the Captain will be able to arrange daily activities on and off the yacht. We recommend talking to the Captain every evening to discuss current weather conditions and possible activities for the following day and outline any changes to the itinerary that you may have.