It's a Tuesday evening, and you're settled on your couch, scrolling through your group chat. Everyone is sharing dreamy ideas of sun, sea, and adventure, envisioning a yacht charter where you can almost feel the salty breeze. But as usual, the conversation drifts into idle chatter. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a thread of great ideas with no clear direction, this article is for you.
It takes guts and good communication to organize a trip with a group. Often, one type-A friend assumes the role of the self-appointed cruise director. This is usually followed by an intense Google search for terms like "yacht vacation," "book a yacht vacation," and "best places to take a yacht vacation." Google churns out links and articles from various cruise and hotel companies.
Here is the real guide with step-by-step tasks on how to turn that family trip, girls’ getaway, couples retreat, or corporate team-building exercise into a reality—from idea to “Hello, Captain!”
1 Year in Advance:
Imagine this: one year from today, you’re lounging on the deck of a luxury yacht, cocktail in hand, laughter filling the air across the open sea. By booking a year in advance with just a 25% down payment, you secure the best choice of yachts and dates. It’s a proactive step that offers more options.
6 Months or Less:
Now picture yourself six months out. The excitement is building, and the anticipation is palpable. A 50% down payment ensures you get a yacht that still meets your needs, even with the clock ticking. This option is ideal for planners who enjoy a little thrill, savouring the countdown almost as much as the adventure itself.
Within 45 Days:
Fast forward to just before your departure—the thrill-seekers' paradise. With full payment required, spontaneity is your captain. The seas are calling, and you’re ready to jump aboard, dive headfirst into fun, and embrace the unexpected. The selection of yachts will be smaller, but making it happen is still a possibility.
1. Timing: When do you want to go? If you plan a year in advance, we can work with a specific month. Provide us with a month, along with the following information, and we can build you a list to narrow down your options.
2. Party Size: In yachting, “PAX” refers to “passengers”—the number of individuals aboard a vessel. Whether you’re looking to book a yacht for 4 or 6 passengers, we need to know the group size to recommend the appropriate yachts.
3. Location: Where do you want to go? What do you seek from the trip? If you’re set on a specific cruising ground, your broker can start searching for yachts based there. However, if you want to swim with dolphins in February, we can recommend the best spots for that as well.
4. Budget: Chartering a crewed yacht has a large price range based on your preferences. A comfortable 50' yacht with 3 cabins can range from $20,000 to $30,000. Check out our other articles and YouTube videos on Full-Board vs. Half-Board options.
Once a yacht has been selected, Austen and I will draft an official contract that you, the chartering company, and the yacht owner will sign. Depending on your timeline, a deposit or full payment will be wired to an escrow account.
After completing the paperwork, your vacation will be locked in! You will then receive a preference sheet that will be sent to the yacht's crew, allowing them to create the bespoke vacation of your dreams. Finally, any remaining payments will be settled, and before you know it, you’ll be on the vacation of a lifetime.
Working with a yacht broker, like Austen and me at Anderson Yacht Charters, means your money is held in an escrow account. This ensures that a stranger on the internet cannot simply walk away with your funds without you getting to take your trip.
In case the yacht breaks down before your charter—something that can happen—your broker will work tirelessly to find another yacht that meets your needs, allowing you to continue planning your adventure without worries.