Crewed yachts can either be a) ‘all inclusive’ or b) ‘plus expenses’.
a) All-Inclusive:
‘All Inclusive’ means the charter rate includes the use of the yacht, the crew (a Captain and at least one crew member), and all of the running expenses of the yacht, including the use of all the water toys as well as food and beverage. The food and beverage will be determined through the submittal of your guest preference sheet. Most yachts will have a standard ’ship’s bar’ that will include premium spirits, but ultra-premium spirits and select wines may be available but at an additional cost. This will all be discussed during your call with the crew to review your guest preference sheet.
What isn’t included?
Pretty much everything consumed onboard…food, drinks and fuel…are included. Each yacht may have a different list of exclusions. Common items not included would be satellite phone usage, shore excursions, diving or fishing off the yacht, taxi/rental car, marina dockage, meals ashore and crew gratuities.
b) Plus Expenses:
Plus expenses mean that the client will pay a base rental fee for the yacht and then an APA on top of that. An APA is an abbreviation for Advanced Provisioning Allowance. This fee is normally 20-30% of the charter fee.
The APA is sent to the crew prior to their arrival. The crew will take note of their preferences and stock up on all the food and beverages requested. The APA is also used to cover fuel any taxes or customs fees incurred during the charter. The client will be presented with an invoice and receipts at the end of the charter and any unspent funds will be returned and any over spend can be settled up at that point.
Plus Expenses is this type of pricing, the basic charter fee covers the yacht (equipment and amenities), its crew (plus their meals), and insurance coverage for the aforementioned. Additional costs will include the running expenses for the yacht during the charter which will include fuel (for the yacht, generators, tenders, water toys), dockage, port fees, and all other consumables like food and drinks. These are all considered charter expenses. These other costs incurred are charged “at cost” with no markups. This provides fair pricing for all clients. A charter where the charterer wishes to cover large distances and wants to consume the very finest wines will obviously incur higher expense costs than a charterer who travels short distances and has more modest tastes in food and wine. It is hard to predict such expenses in advance so this system has proven very popular for the majority of the larger yachts. The charterers themselves control the costs, and the captain updates them as frequently as desired during the charter. A typical rule of thumb is to add approximately 25-30% of the charter fee.
NB: Crew Gratuities
The crew gratuity is another additional expense to consider when booking a crewed yacht charter. The standard charter fee never includes the gratuity. If you’ve enjoyed the service of your crew and would like to extend a gratuity, you can either deduce the tip from the balance of the APA or - if there is little or no APA left - give an envelope to the Captain before disembarking from the vessel. The gratuity is left at the Charterer’s discretion but usually represents between 5 and 15% of the charter fee.
While moored at a port and connected to the power grid, you can use a normal socket to power your phone and electric devices. However, during navigation, the availability of 220V electricity depends on the boat's setup; some boats may not have it unless there's a generator or inverter onboard. In such cases, it's advisable to bring USB connectors for charging with 12V and avoid using large electric devices.
Many boats offer Wi-Fi systems for internet access, and while cruising near the coast, you can easily connect via your smartphone's data connection. However, please note that internet availability may be limited in open seas. Nonetheless, this presents an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the sailing experience and nature. Before booking and during your trip, it's wise to communicate your needs and inquire about available amenities with the charter operator and skipper.
