What is the food like on a yacht charter?
On a crewed yacht charter a private chef cooks every meal on board, tailored to your tastes via a preference sheet you complete beforehand. Expect fresh, restaurant-quality food — from relaxed deck breakfasts to multi-course dinners — with all dietary needs catered for. The chef and cooking are included; the food and drink itself is paid through the APA.
Key facts
- A private chef prepares all meals on board, to your preferences.
- You complete a preference sheet beforehand — likes, dislikes, allergies, diets.
- Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies and children's meals are all standard.
- The chef and cooking are included; the food and drink cost comes from the APA.
- You can dine on board or ashore — the crew books restaurants if you prefer.
Your own private chef
Every crewed yacht of any size carries a chef whose job is to feed you brilliantly all week. Meals range from a relaxed breakfast on deck and a light lunch at anchor to a proper multi-course dinner under the stars — as casual or as refined as you like.
Because it's cooked for just your group, the food is fresh, local and made exactly to your taste, without the constraints of a restaurant menu.
The preference sheet
Before the charter you complete a preference sheet covering favourite dishes, things you dislike, allergies and dietary needs, drink preferences and any celebrations. The chef provisions and plans the week around it, so everything is ready when you arrive.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, allergy-safe and children's menus are all routine — just say so on the sheet.
How dining is paid for
The chef and the cooking are part of the crewed service and included in the charter fee. The cost of the ingredients and drinks is drawn from the APA, so you effectively pay for what you eat and drink at cost, with the captain accounting for it.
Prefer a night ashore? The crew will recommend and book restaurants, and dining out simply reduces what's spent from the APA on board.
Common questions
Can the chef cater to allergies and special diets?
Yes — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies and children's meals are all standard. You note everything on the preference sheet before the charter and the chef plans around it.
Do you have to eat every meal on the yacht?
Not at all. Many charterers mix chef-cooked meals on board with dinners ashore. The crew happily recommends and books restaurants, and eating out just reduces the food spend from your APA.
Ready to plan yours?
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