What's involved in chartering a gigayacht (90 metres and above)?
Gigayacht charters follow the same core process as any crewed charter — a MYBA or CYBA agreement, APA, a broker managing details — but with a larger crew, often 20 or more, more elaborate provisioning, and sometimes port restrictions on where a vessel that size can berth. Planning lead times tend to be longer given the scale of coordination.
Key facts
- Gigayacht charters (90 metres and above) run on the same MYBA/CYBA agreement and APA structure as any crewed charter.
- Crews of 20 or more are typical, scaling up the logistics behind provisioning and service.
- Some ports and marinas can't accommodate a vessel of this size, which shapes the itinerary.
- Planning lead times tend to run longer than for a standard-size charter given the scale of coordination.
What actually scales up
The most visible difference is crew size — often 20 or more aboard a gigayacht — which brings a fuller, more elaborate level of service but also more logistics behind the scenes: provisioning for a larger crew and guest list, and coordinating schedules across a much bigger operation.
Berthing is the other major factor. Draft and length mean not every port or marina can take a vessel this size, so the itinerary is shaped from the outset around where the yacht can actually go, rather than fitted to the destination afterward.
What stays the same
The contractual backbone doesn't change — you're still working with a MYBA or CYBA charter agreement, an APA to cover running costs, and a broker managing the details, just applied to a much larger vessel and operation.
What does change is timing: given the scale of crew, provisioning and berthing coordination involved, planning lead times for a gigayacht charter tend to run longer than for a standard-size yacht, so booking well ahead matters more.
Common questions
How far in advance should I book a gigayacht charter?
Further ahead than a standard charter — the scale of crew, provisioning and berthing coordination means popular gigayachts and dates get locked in early.
Are gigayachts limited to certain destinations?
To some extent, yes — draft and berth availability mean not every port or marina can accommodate a vessel this size, so your broker factors that into the itinerary from the start.
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