There is something luxurious about spending the weekend chartering a yacht like Simpson Yacht Charter, whether for a family getaway or a party with your friends. Being away from land provides a new feeling of isolation, privacy, and disconnection from the world’s noise.
What’s better about this is that you don’t have to spend millions to get the extraordinary vacation you’ve wanted for so long. You can make unforgettable memories on a beautiful boat that would be worth all the cost.
If you are a first-timer and have no idea what to do about yacht chartering, these are the things that you can do:
1. Identify Your Needs
The first thing that you should know when planning to charter a yacht is that there are many different types, features, and amenities they include. These factors would influence your overall experience and the cost of your chartering.
That is why it is recommended that you make a list. This includes:
- The number of passengers: Maritime law limits this number to 12, excluding the crew. However, some yachts can be an exception to this rule.
- The number of cabins you’ll need: you can find yachts with optimized and spacious cabins. Those with more luxurious cabins would likely cost more, usually if it includes en suite bathrooms, a dressing room, twin cabins for children, and more.
- Type of trip: It would be best to consider if the trip would be with family, friends, couples, or business.
- Dates of stay: Consider the days you plan to stay on board so you can make better plans.
- Port of embarkation
- Possibility of transfer from the airport
Most charter yachts also include experienced crews and professionals on board in case of an emergency. Some of the people that you can expect on luxury charter yachts are:
- Nurses
- Security service
- Personal assistance
- Babysitting service for intergenerational travel
- Masseur
- Additional hostesses
- Chef
Remember that these additional crew members are not always automatically included in the service, but you can always ask for their availability if you need them on board.
2. Contact A Yacht Charter Specialist
Hiring specialists can make your life easier when chartering a yacht. There are many frauds, and you don’t always know everything you must consider before choosing one.
Specialists are mostly market experts and can guarantee the quality of your stay on board. They will inspect and control all of the necessary measures before each charter.
Aside from that, they can also work as your travel consultant. You can rely on them to be attentive to your needs and incorporate your preferences and habits to make the most out of your yacht experience. They will be the ones to build your crew, up to the assignment of the caption and chef.
Most specialists can advise you on the best itineraries you can take in the area, as well as hidden jewels that are yet to be discovered by the world.
3. Check Your MYBA Contract
You should carefully read every contract before signing it to ensure you are not being misled. Be sure to review your MYBA contract constantly, and it should contain the following details:
- Four parties: owner, charterer, broker, stakeholder
- Unique serial number
- Dates of rental
- Name of the yacht
- Cruising area
- Port of embarkation and disembarkation
- Detailed cost
- Terms of payment
Note that the payment term may involve 50% of the fee during the contract signing and the other 50% a month before chartering the yacht. You should also check if the VAT is included in the cost. Usually, these are the charges not initially included in the price when chartering:
- Food and drinks
- Fuel (may be an additional 40% to 50% of the initial price)
- Local tax
- Crew’s tip (estimated at 10% of the charter fee)
- Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
- Cost of repositioning the boat at your requested port
4. Provide Detailed Preferences
The main goal of having a luxurious getaway is to do everything you want and providing such details to your charter manager can help make that happen. Usually, they will provide a questionnaire after identifying your needs.
It would include your travel habits (relaxing, adventure, sporty, etc.), current health status, constraints (allergies, etc.), and dietary preferences.
You can also specify if a special event will be celebrated or if you have a particular itinerary in mind. In some cases, it can even go beyond the usual questions and include your choices of wine and other leisure. These are meant to enhance your experience.
5. Plan Your Outfit
Indeed, one of the things you will be looking forward to when chartering are your pictures during the vacation, so it would be nice to plan your outfits. Doing this can also significantly help with your suitcase because you will be bringing the things you will surely use instead of packing too much.
Opt for light and loose clothing if the trip would be light and comfortable. If you do business transactions, pack formal attire that you can use.
It is always up to you if you want to bring a lot. Just look for your belongings so they will not get lost during your happy getaway.
6. Enjoy The Experience
Organizing itineraries, contracts, and preferences can be stressful. Once that is done, you should take advantage of the experience and enjoy your time on board.
It is not every day that you will get to experience such luxury. As much as you can, enjoy the blazing sun, walk through beautiful beaches in Australia, discover new places, and build memories with your loved ones.
Never hesitate to talk with your crew and express your needs to them to get the whole experience of chartering a yacht.
