FAQ

A yacht provides you with unprecedented access to lots of places that are beyond compare, most of which you can only reach by water. Compared to having a holiday onshore, chartering a yacht lets you enjoy lots of different places, all while staying in the same luxurious conditions. You won’t depend on the availability of tourist infrastructure when you depart. Thanks to the increased popularity of special expedition yachts, you can easily reach even the farthest ends of our planet.

In fact, choosing a yacht for a holiday is a difficult and rather crucial decision. No two yachts are alike; each has its own disposition. Use Yacht Hunter’s handy filter and then get in touch with us for a more detailed consultation about the yachts you are interested in. Our consultants keep their eye on the ball when it comes to chartering luxury yachts and are here to help you find the yacht you deserve.

A yacht can only be chartered under a formal contract. Once availability is secured for your preferred dates, Yacht Hunter consultants will issue a Charter Agreement and a deposit request to lock in your booking.

A 50% deposit of the total charter fee is required to secure the yacht. Important: The yacht is only reserved upon receipt of the deposit. The remaining 50%, along with any applicable fees, is due no later than one month before embarkation.

Yacht Hunter’s skillful advisers will be at your service! They will provide you with assistance at each stage of your unforgettable cruise. 

First, fix the dates of your trip, destination, number of guests, and yacht size. Using the handy filter on our website, select your yacht of choice and click on ‘Book’. Your request will be sent to our Yacht Hunter consultants. They will find out if the yacht is available for your dates and ring you back to coordinate the next simple steps.

The yacht charter period depends on the yacht calendar, i.e. on its availability. You won’t be able to hire a yacht for dates when it is already reserved. In most cases, a yacht is reserved for one to two weeks. A yacht may be reserved for a shorter or longer period. Let’s say you want to travel around the world.

You can choose any day to start your charter – provided the yacht is available on your dates. 

Most people charter a yacht for one to two weeks, but that’s by no means a general rule. The key factor is whether the yacht is available on your dates.

If you decide to cancel your charter, a yacht owner may hold the deposit or total cost, depending on the dates for when the cancellation is made. A yacht owner may retain the deposit or total cost of the yacht charter but will reimburse all additional expenses.

You may change the dates only if a yacht is free on the dates you have chosen. Our Yacht Hunter consultants will make every effort to change the dates of a yacht charter at no additional expense.

1. Decide where you want to go, when and with who. The number of guests is very important as it will impact the number of cabins required on the yacht. Also, think about the type of vacation you are looking to enjoy, any activities you would like to do while on board and if there are specific amenities you are looking for on a yacht.
2. Our team will provide you with a selection of first-class yachts with highly professional crew, that will best fit your needs, based on the requirements and criteria.
3. Select your yacht, sign the Charter Agreement, secure a 50% deposit and finalise your booking. The balance will be due 4 weeks prior to embarkation.
4. Share your itinerary, travel, food and beverages preferences with your Charter consultant. Your preferences will be forwarded to the crew so that they are aware of your interests and requirements. The more details you can provide in advance, the better the crew will be prepared for your arrival.
5. A pre-boarding information will be sent before your arrival. Pack your bags and your yacht will await for you on the other side.

A stakeholder is an entity that holds the funds until the charter commences. The stakeholder has an escrow or dedicated client account established by the central agent for holding the funds on behalf of the client until the consummation or termination of a transaction. 

The rate is estimated on a week-by-week basis. The total cost of chartering a yacht for a week shall be divided by seven and multiplied by the number of the charter days if a yacht is booked for longer than a week.

If your charter is for shorter than a week, the total cost of the charter shall be divided by six and multiplied by the number of charter days. 

Charter begins at 12:00 pm on the first day and ends at 12:00 pm on the last day.

The charter of most yachts is estimated using the high rate, which covers the period most popular for yacht chartering. This means that the low rate covers the remaining period. The busy and low seasons are also called summer and winter and are marked with the corresponding signs.

The charter rate includes payment for the yacht charter, crew’s services, and equipment. 

This rate does not include VAT, the cost of fuel, supplies and communication means, port dues and other charges, or taxes. To board a yacht and/or disembark from a yacht at any port other than its registration port, we charge for delivery/return of the yacht.

If you decide to cancel your charter, a yacht owner may hold the deposit or total cost, depending on the dates for when the cancellation is made. A yacht owner may retain the deposit or total cost of the yacht charter but will reimburse all additional expenses.

If you have to cancel your trip, please get in touch with your Yacht Hunter consultant. We will do our best to minimize your losses, for instance, book the charter for different dates.

In most countries a VAT rate will be added on top of the charter fee. For EU member states, the VAT is due in the country where the charter begins, although there are exceptions to the rule. For charters commencing in a non-EU country, but passing-by or ending in an EU country, VAT will be applicable only for the number of days spent in the EU country’s territorial waters.

VAT Overview - 2024:

Montenegro - 0%
Turkey - 0-20% (depends on the yacht's flag)
Greece - 5-13%
Croatia - 13%
France and Monaco - 20%
Spain - 21%
Italy - 22%
Maldives - 12%
Bahamas - 14%

Please make sure to discuss with your Yacht Hunter Charter Consultant as exceptions apply and rates are subject to change.

Due to European Union tax legislation, Value Added Tax (such as French TVA and Italian IVA, etc.) applies to the gross charter fee for charters taking place within European Union, as well as in Turkish, waters. The VAT varies from 5% to 21% and specific rules apply to different locations, depending on the country and its legal terms. The VAT charges vary from vessel to vessel and depend on the size of the boat, the location to start the charter, and the area of chartering. Your Charter Broker will confirm to you the VAT applicable on every charter, and any alternative options available, at the time of inquiry.     
 

APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) consists of operational expenses including fuel, supplies, communication means, and stops at ports. This shall be submitted to the captain as a deposit before the cruise starts. As a rule, APA accounts for 30% of the hiring cost and its expenses depend solely on guests’ preferences. 

The captain uses the deposit during the charter (strictly recording expenses), and returns the balance at the end. At the captain’s discretion, he may inform you of the expenses incurred and the remaining deposit balance on a daily basis. This way, the lessee can have a relaxing holiday while keeping an eye on his expenses.

Generally, a deposit of 50% of the total charter fee is payable by bank transfer on the signature of the Charter Agreement. This confirms the booking.
The remaining 50%, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance, together with any taxes, delivery/redelivery fees, and any additionally agreed charges, is payable by bank transfer one month before the charter commences. 

The number of guests on board is regulated by the yacht’s size and safety regulations. To take the sea, no more than 12 guests are allowed. On board a moored yacht more guests are allowed. If you expect more guests onboard, contact your Yacht Hunter consultant and we will choose a suitable yacht for you.

A few weeks before you start your trip, we will ask you to fill in a detailed form answering questions about your preferences and requirements: health conditions, entertainment, preferred types of sport and rest, meals, etc. Yacht Hunter consultants will consider every last detail to ensure that your stay on a yacht is unforgettable!

You may use all the facilities on board and enjoy the yacht as if it were your own.

In most countries you require a license to use water equipment. To dive you require a PADI license or similar. Moreover, there are age limits in force. Our Yacht Hunter consultants will advise you on whether you can use water equipment during your trip.

Most yachts are non-smoking. You can smoke on yachts only on open decks or in dedicated areas.

Safety regulations strictly prohibit smoking in cabins and any other areas on all yachts without exception.

However, such regulations may differ from yacht to yacht. Our Yacht Hunter consultants will inform you in advance of all specific regulations in force on your chosen yacht.

Let one of our Yacht Hunter consultants know what you want and we will arrange any additional leisure activities during your trip. In case you think of an idea while you are on board the yacht, feel free to address your request to the captain or call your consultant.

Yacht guests may come ashore any time they want, provided the shore is close enough and weather conditions are favorable for a safe landing.

However, for some locations, there may be restrictions for coming ashore, for instance, if you travel along regions with protected shores.
 
In any case, just inform the crew of your plans in advance to allow them to get a cutter ready for you.

On board the yacht you will find all of the water entertainment listed in its description. However, the equipment for entertaining on board is often changed and renewed. So, if you need a specific item, please inform your Yacht Hunter consultant and we will make every effort to get it on board for you.

The charter crew are industry professionals who have been personally chosen by the owner of the yacht. The number of crew members varies depending on the size of the yacht. Small vessels do a great job with a captain and chief on board, while mega yachts can have up to 50 crew members. The popular medium charter range (30 to 60 meters) boasts 6 to 15 crew members. 

Captain. During a yacht charter, the Captain is the highest ranking authoritative figure on board and is responsible for the yacht.

Chef. An experienced on board Chef can often be the most important crew member to a charter party and some charter Chefs have been awarded with Michelin stars

Interior and Deck Crew.  The deck crew, often referred to as deck hands, are primarily responsible for maintaining the operation of the yacht itself, though they can also assist with any water sports and activities.The interior crew are essentially responsible for refreshing the cabins and are usually who to approach should you require an additional towel or pillow. For any special requests such as a wake-up call for instance, ensure to inform the Stewardess.

Engineers. Although often out of sight, the engineers of a yacht charter are responsible for ensuring the yacht is running smoothly, which includes making sure the engines are running as they should. They predominantly spend most of their time below deck and may assist with tenders and water toys as needed.

If you would like to complete the crew with a professional massage therapist, coach, nanny or diving instructor, this can be easily arranged.

Most charter yachts accommodate a wide range of water entertainment, from water scooters to huge bouncy slides. Cut through the water’s surface, hover over the waves with a jet pack or enjoy the composure and serenity of slowly gliding on a kayak along picturesque shores. In addition, diving and fishing are popular pursuits among guests.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose a yacht with a cinema, jacuzzi, sauna, workout room and spa/beauty salon on board. Contact our Yacht Hunter consultants and we can provide you with an on-board massage therapist, yoga instructor, holiday host, baby sitter or tutor. You can choose any specialist for your free time or entertainment – it’s up to you.

Our Yacht Hunter consultants will help you to decide on your route and will recommend the best locations in your preferred destination. For inspiration, please visit the ‘Destinations’ section of our website. 

Your trip’s final route and the number of port calls during your route will depend upon the yacht speed, weather conditions, vacant mooring berths and permits allowing the yacht to pass through certain waters.

Please make sure that you have the visas of the states you intend to visit during your trip!

Yes, of course. Please note that to board or disembark a yacht at any port other than its registration port we charge for the yacht delivery/return.

Yes, of course. Your route and the number of the countries on the itinerary will depend upon the yacht speed, weather conditions, vacant mooring berths and permits for a yacht to pass through certain waters. Some countries may close their ports to yachts under certain state flags. 

Please make sure that you have the visas of the states you intend to visit during your cruise!

Remunerating the crew is not obligatory but generally, depending on the extent to which you are happy with the service provided, this amounts to between 10% and 20% of the charter cost. Hand your tips to the yacht captain or your Yacht Hunter consultant. They will then divide the amount among the crew members.

A yacht may not be allowed to cruise if it is not safe or has not been approved for chartering. The spectrum of safety regulations and instructions for yachts is rather strict. Captains must provide all relevant certificates and be highly qualified in order to sail a chartered yacht. The same applies to the crew members: all of them must be qualified in order to ensure the safety of the yacht and passengers under any circumstances. For this reason, they undergo regular training and briefings.

Please note: the size of a yacht has nothing to do with its safety.  Some small vessels get through a rough sea better than some large liners since most accidents on water are a result of human error.

APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) consists of operational expenses including fuel, supplies, communication means, and stops at ports. This shall be submitted to the captain as a deposit before the cruise starts. As a rule, APA accounts for 30% of the hiring cost and its expenses depend solely on guests’ preferences. 

The captain uses the deposit during the charter (strictly recording expenses), and returns the balance at the end. At the captain’s discretion, he may inform you of the expenses incurred and the remaining deposit balance on a daily basis. This way, the lessee can have a relaxing holiday while keeping an eye on his expenses.

CA is the abbreviation for ‘Central Agent’ or ‘Central Agency’. 
The CA is the company that handles all bookings, inquiries, charter contracts, and payments related to the charter. It is the intermediate between the owning company, the yacht, and the client regarding all charter-related issues. 

The Charter Manager is the representative of the Central Agent, assigned to one or more specific yachts under Charter Management. 
Their role is to ensure a smooth process in handling the charter inquiries and contracts, liaise with a crew, captain, and owners, in order to provide the best service. The Charter Manager will receive direct inquiries from fellow brokers or direct clients for his assigned vessel and see them through until the signature of the contract, payments and follow-up after the charter has finished. 
     
 

A Charter Broker is handling all incoming inquiries from direct clients. They ensure the thorough research of possible vessels for the inquiries, liaises with Charter Managers and colleagues for availabilities, and negotiation of charter rates, terms, and conditions. 
The Charter Broker follows through a direct inquiry from the first correspondence until the final signature of the charter contract, payment, and organization of the charter itself. 
This is relevant for yachts that are not under the companies’ central agency. In case of proposing the companies’ own central agency vessels, the Charter Broker will refer back to the respective Charter Manager.