How do you charter a crewed yacht, step by step?
To charter a crewed yacht: (1) choose your destination and dates, (2) set your party size and budget, (3) shortlist yachts with a broker, (4) sign a charter agreement and pay the deposit and APA, (5) complete a preference sheet for food, drinks and itinerary, and (6) board on day one and let the crew take over.
Key facts
- A charter broker is free to you — brokers are paid a commission by the yacht, not a fee by the guest.
- A standard charter agreement (often MYBA form) protects both sides.
- A preference sheet lets the chef and crew tailor everything before you arrive.
- Charters typically run Saturday to Saturday but flexible durations are possible.
1–2. Destination, dates, party and budget
Start with where and when: Mediterranean in summer, Caribbean in winter, plus your ideal week. Then fix your party size — allow roughly one cabin per couple — and a working budget, remembering to leave room for APA, taxes and gratuity on top of the base fee.
3. Shortlist with a broker
A charter broker matches yachts to your brief and knows the boats and crews personally. This is where a specialist saves you time: instead of scrolling thousands of listings you get a short, relevant selection with honest guidance. The broker's service is free to you — the yacht pays their commission.
4. Contract, deposit and APA
Once you choose a yacht, you sign a charter agreement (commonly the industry-standard MYBA form) that sets out dates, price, cruising area and terms. You pay the charter fee (often in instalments) plus the APA float, and the dates are yours.
5. Preference sheet
Before the trip you complete a preference sheet: food likes and dislikes, dietary needs, favourite drinks, celebrations, activity levels and any must-see stops. The chef provisions and the captain drafts an itinerary around it, so everything is ready when you step aboard.
6. Embarkation
On day one you board, meet the crew and settle in. From there the captain and chef run the show — you simply enjoy the yacht, the sea and the itinerary you shaped together. At the end you settle the APA reconciliation and, if you wish, leave a gratuity.
Common questions
Do I pay a fee to use a charter broker?
No. A charter broker's service is free to the guest — the broker earns a commission from the yacht owner or central agent. You get expert, unbiased help at no extra cost.
What is a preference sheet?
A short questionnaire you complete before the charter covering food, drink, dietary needs, celebrations and activities, so the chef and crew can tailor the whole experience to you in advance.
Ready to plan yours?
Tell Teresa the region and your dates — a curated shortlist and a real, honestly-priced quote come back within the hour.
Match me with a yacht