Can I bring my own wine onboard, and is there a corkage fee?
Most crews are happy for you to bring your own wine or spirits aboard, particularly bottles with sentimental or collector value, and there is generally no corkage fee on a private charter the way there would be at a restaurant. Mention it in advance so the crew can plan storage and glassware, and let them know if you'd like it served on a particular evening.
Key facts
- Bringing your own wine or spirits aboard is generally welcomed by crew, especially for special bottles.
- A private charter is not a restaurant, so corkage fees typically don't apply.
- Telling the crew in advance lets them plan proper storage, chilling and glassware for your bottles.
- You can request a specific bottle be served on a particular evening or occasion during the trip.
Why it works differently from a restaurant
A crewed yacht charter is a private booking, not a commercial dining venue, so the corkage arrangements that apply at restaurants generally don't carry over. The crew works for you for the week, and bringing along a bottle you've been saving — a wedding-anniversary vintage, something from a collection, a bottle picked up on a previous trip — is a normal request rather than an exception.
That said, it's still worth asking your broker or the crew ahead of time rather than assuming. Some yachts have their own wine programme or a sommelier-trained chief stewardess who likes advance notice, and a handful of destinations have local rules around alcohol brought aboard that are worth checking before you travel.
What to tell the crew in advance
Let the crew know roughly how many bottles you're bringing, whether they need particular storage (temperature-sensitive reds, chilled whites or champagne) and whether you have your own preferred glassware or decanting requirements. This is also the moment to flag a bottle earmarked for a specific dinner or celebration, so it's ready and served at the right point in the week.
If you're not sure whether a bottle needs special handling, just describe it to the crew — chief stewardesses handle this regularly and can advise on storage even for something unusual. It's a small detail, but flagging it early avoids a rushed conversation once you're already aboard.
Common questions
Should I bring wine through customs or have it delivered to the yacht instead?
Either can work — ask your broker which is simpler for your itinerary, since some destinations have import rules that make delivering to the yacht in advance the easier route.
Will the crew still recommend or provision other wines if I bring my own?
Yes — bringing a few personal bottles doesn't replace the yacht's own wine list or the chef's pairing suggestions, so you'll typically have both available across the week.
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