How much does it cost to charter a yacht?

For the ultimate in freedom, nothing beats a luxury yacht charter, but how much does it cost to charter a yacht? Although there are many variables involved, the good news is, it might not be as expensive as you think.

So how much does it cost to charter a yacht?

Clearly the amount you spend will depend on the size and style of yacht, your destination and the length and dates of charter. The advertised yacht price generally refers to the cheapest charter period, with charters in high season adding up to an extra 10-15% percent on the advertised price for some yachts. If you want the best charter price, flexibility around dates and preferred yacht can help.

Other factors involved in working out what is the price of a yacht charter include how far you wish to travel while on board, crew gratuity, insurance, and Advance Provisioning Allowance.

How will my itinerary affect the price of the yacht charter?

Your yacht charter itinerary will naturally impact on the final charter price, with longer cruising between destinations resulting in higher fuel consumption and therefore costing more. Berth fees can also add to the final cost, especially if you opt to berth at popular ports in the height of season. Choosing to anchor at sea however would help to lower your charter cost.

How much is insurance cover?

Your broker will recommend cover for charter cancellation at the very least, which is typically charged at a small percentage of the base cost.  Some packages may include deposit insurance, accident insurance and foreign travel health insurance, too.

Should we tip the crew?

While tipping the crew isn’t mandatory, it is strongly suggested, and the recommended amount for crew gratuity is around 15-20% of your base charter rate.

What is the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)?

The Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA, is a lump sum to be paid one month in advance to cover any additional fees, including local taxes, food and drink consumption, fuel and dockage and internet fees. Typically this will add around 30% to the base price of your chosen yacht.

Should the APA run out before the end of the charter, the captain will request a top up, while any money left over will be returned to you.

What is the price of a yacht charter? Some examples

To learn more about how much it costs to charter a yacht, the following examples are for budgets of up to €50,000, €250,000 or €500,000 to spend on a week’s charter.

Budget: Up to €50,000

• The 27-metre Coco VI has a modern and fresh interior, and will take six guests around the West Mediterranean. Charter cost from €30,000 per week.
• For a luxury south-east Asia charter around Phuket, Langkawi or Myanmar, the 31-metre Silver Lining sleeps eight guests. Charter cost from €35,000 per week.
• The sleek 28.7-metre Olga 1 motor yacht offers refined elegance at sea. She offers charter experiences in the West Mediterranean and can accommodate up to 10 guests. Charter cost from €43,000 per week.

Selection of yachts for charter from €50,000 per week:

Budget: Up to €200,000

• The 43.6-metre motor yacht Latiko is an exquisite vessel available for charter experiences in the Mediterranean. She can sleep up to 11 guests across five chic staterooms. With an abundance of amenities, including a plethora of toys and tenders, she offers limitless levels of luxury. Charter cost from €165,800 per week.
• Enjoy an incredible vacation experience in the Bahamas on the 52.4-metre Big Eagle. Her many features include a hot tub, sports bar, spacious al fresco dining area, and plenty of toys for fun on the water. Charter cost from €135,800 per week.
• Hoist up the sails and enjoy a week aboard Marie, an exquisite sailing yacht with room for up to eight guests. Her sophisticated interior includes a baby grand piano, for anyone who fancies tickling the ivories while at sea. Charter cost from €167,100

Selection of yachts for charter from €200,000 per week:

Budget: Up to €500,000

• The 59.9-metre Formosa yacht offers limitless luxury at sea. She can comfortably accommodate up to 13 guests for summer charters in the Mediterranean. Her many features include a cinema room, private observation deck, and plenty of water toys. Charter cost from €391,000 per week.
• Enjoy a summer vacation in the Mediterranean or a winter getaway in the Bahamas aboard 56-metre motor yacht Baba’s. This luxury yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests and comes with sumptuous onboard amenities. Charter cost from €288,100 per week.
• The 56.96-metre yacht Liberty is luxury personified, and is perfect for snowbirds who want to enjoy a sun-drenched winter vacation in the Caribbean. She can sleep up to 12 guests and offers an impressive array of leisure and entertainment facilities. Charter cost from €242,900 per week.

Selection of yachts for charter from €500,000 per week:

To answer the question, how much does it cost to charter a yacht, it’s worth remembering that the costs will probably be shared between all guests, and food, drink and entertainment are largely included. So, for a luxury yacht charter around the Mediterrenan on the 27-metre yacht Coco VI, a party of six guests can expect to pay around €5,000 each for the base price, which is superb value when you compare the cost of holidaying in a luxury hotel and the additional advantages you have to staying on your own private yacht.

So, for the ultimate holiday experience, that may not be as expensive as you first think, consider a yacht charter.