What is included in a yacht charter?
A crewed yacht charter includes the yacht itself, its professional crew (captain, chef and service staff), and use of the onboard equipment and water toys. Extra, paid through the APA, are the running costs — fuel, food, drinks and berthing — plus local taxes and an optional crew gratuity.
Key facts
- Included in the base fee: the yacht, the full crew, and use of tenders and water toys.
- Extra via the APA (~25–35%): fuel, all food and drink, port and marina fees.
- Also extra: local taxes/VAT and a customary 5–15% crew gratuity.
- Crew wages and yacht insurance are inside the base fee, not the APA.
What the base charter fee covers
The headline weekly fee buys you the whole yacht and its professional crew — captain, chef and, on larger yachts, deckhands and stewardesses. Their wages and the yacht's insurance are included.
You also get use of everything on board: the tenders, snorkelling gear, paddleboards and other water toys, plus the yacht's amenities. Bath and beach towels and bed linen are provided.
What do you pay on top?
Running costs are paid separately through the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), a float of roughly 25–35% of the fee that the captain spends on fuel, food, drinks, and port and marina fees, accounting for every euro.
Local charter tax or VAT is added and varies by country, and a crew gratuity of around 5–15% is customary for good service, though always discretionary.
The simple way to think about it
Budget the base fee, add roughly a third for APA, then allow for local tax and a tip. Your broker gives you an itemised estimate up front so there are no surprises, and the captain returns any unspent APA at the end.
Common questions
Is food included in a yacht charter?
The chef and cooking are included, but the cost of the food and drink itself is paid through the APA. You tell the chef your preferences and the crew provisions accordingly.
Are water toys included in a charter?
Yes — use of the yacht's tenders, snorkelling gear and water toys is included in the charter fee. Only the fuel for powered toys is drawn from the APA.
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