5 Considerations Before You Book a Yacht Charter
So you’ve decided to charter a yacht and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Congratulations! It’s truly a unique experience that allows you to indulge in nature’s finest offerings. Much like booking a hotel or resort, you need to consider a couple of things when booking a yacht charter.
To ensure your vacation as enjoyable as possible, here are sailboat on the mediterranean sea coast
1. Type of yacht
One of the main considerations in a yacht charter is the type of vessel you’re going to use. You want to pick a yacht that can comfortably accommodate you and your guests to allow for greater space when conducting activities.
The size of the vessel will also play a role in how much your vacation will cost. Different yachts come with different features ranging from wakeboards and scuba diving to water slides and sea-doos.
Here are the four most common types of yachts that people charter for their vacation:
So, what kind of yachts are available for charter? There are four main types.
- Megayacht – Megayachts are the largest vessels you can charter. These yachts exceed lengths of more than 30 metres and are the size of a small cruise ship. A mega yacht features a full crew and a plethora of options for water toys. Because of these, mega yachts are the most luxurious and expensive of all charter vessels.
- Motor yacht – Motor yachts are popular charter vessels thanks to their balance of cost and performance. They’re smaller than mega yachts at less than 30m in length, allowing you to sail into private coves and relish in the shores of deserted islands and village ports. This type of vessel can traverse waters quickly which is perfect if you plan on visiting multiple islands.
- Catamaran – Catamarans feature a large deck with two hulls housing a spacious cabin. This type of vessel is ideal for hosting activities with groups of people who love hanging out together. A catamaran is also more stable than the aforementioned vessels thanks to the two-hull design which is great for people who are prone to getting seasick.
- Sailboat – Sailboats are for the purists who want the “boat-life” experience during their vacation. Nothing beats hearing the sound of the water and the calm breeze as your vessel catches the wind. The intimate and romantic ambience is best suited to those celebrating their wedding anniversary or honeymoon in a truly unique way.
2. Destination
Now that you’ve picked the right yacht, the next step is to plan your destination. it’s time to decide where you want to go. If you’re in a group, having a discussion is key to planning the best destination that everyone agrees with.
Depending on the season, your chosen destination may be packed with other tourists or just you and your group. If you prefer a peaceful and more relaxing vacation, a good strategy is to book a yacht charter near the end or beginning of the season. If you don’t mind the crowds, then you can confidently book at any time.
3. Itinerary
The great thing about chartered yacht cruises is the fact that everything is flexible, even your itinerary. You can conduct your activities and do what you want at any time in the day. There will be instances where the captain will recommend going to another destination or taking an alternate route depending on the weather conditions.
They can also recommend hidden gems and islands that are rarely visited. If you want to explore untouched islets or peninsulas, ask your captain and they’ll be more than happy to direct the crew.
4. Menu
Aside from all the luxury and breathtaking scenery, your yacht charter also includes a personal chef. When matched with the perfect crew, your chef can create menus that appeal to your taste buds while offering exciting flavours for you to discover.
It’s a good idea to discuss the menu with your broker regarding any dietary considerations you may have. You can also request special dishes that you want to be included in the menu. If you plan on catching big fish, the chef will be more than happy to cook it for you.
5. Packing
There’s just something comforting about booking a yacht charter knowing that the whole crew takes care of just about everything you need. However, you still need to come prepared and pack the essentials you need like your travel documents, boat shoes, bathing suits, fins, masks, and more.
A soft-sided luggage bag or backpack is ideal because hard luggage can be difficult to fit in cabinets and closets. Leave the expensive jewellery at home and most importantly, drop the worries behind and indulge fully in your unique escapade.
