Multi-family charters of a crewed catamaran cost about the same as a week on a cruise ship—and provide a lot more personalized attention.

These yachts are considered entry-level in the world of yacht charter. They do not have weekly base rates in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many high-quality, crewed catamarans in the BVI have weekly base rates that range from $8,000 to $14,000 depending on the size of the yacht and the number of crew. Even if you add an estimated 15 percent for additional expenses such as food, alcohol, and crew gratuity, the weekly base rates still only range from $9,200 to $16,100.

Two or three couples who are friends and decide to charter together can split these rates equally. Three couples aboard a $12,000-a-week charter yacht, then, are each paying just $4,000. That’s $2,000 per person, all inclusive—meaning all the snorkeling you want, all the sailing you want, and all the food cooked precisely as you personally like it. The per-person price for a multi-family charter is well in line with a high-quality cruise ship or even an inclusive resort that caters to guests seeking a luxury experience.
The only difference is not price; it’s personalization. With yacht charter, it’s just you and your friends on the yacht. You’re not surrounded by thousands of strangers the way you would be aboard a cruise ship or at a resort. And you’re not paying a nickel extra for that privacy.

Even better, with sailing catamarans, you’re almost always receiving an equal experience, too. While some larger yachts have a superior master suite and then other, smaller cabins, many sailing catamarans in the BVI have cabins that are equal or very similar in size and amenities. Nobody will feel as though they got a “lesser” experience for the same vacation investment.

Charter brokers can work with groups of any sizes to book charter yachts in this multi-family way. The split pricing can be written directly into the contract, or a single person can be designated the “lead charterer” and do the organization of funds on your end instead. As with so many things about yacht charter, the preference is yours.

Charter brokers also can talk to you about the cabin arrangements on various boats—say, if one couple is bringing children and another couple is not. Some BVI charter yachts are laid out specifically for these types of groups, allowing the adults some extra privacy and the kids a space that’s sized more for them.

No matter your personal needs, a multi-family charter can be a terrific way to try yacht charter at an affordable price. Just beware: You’re going to see some bigger, fancier boats while you’re there. You just may get hooked and want to charter one of those next.

Expedition charter yachts (especially ice breakers) look more rugged than yachts designed to stay within range of civilization.

And then there are the charter yachts conceived for people who want to venture farther afield. Few memories compare with the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that an adventure yacht charter can offer.

Yachts built to cruise well beyond popular marinas are called expedition yachts. As with Hummers on land, these yachts can look downright militaristic compared with their everyday sisterships. Ice-breaking hulls, for instance, can give expedition yachts terrific power and safety ratings, but steel shaped to crack through frozen slabs will cut a far different profile than a composite hull that never touches water cooler than 60 degrees. The same is true for enclosed aft decks, which can be heated in colder climates for guest comfort. They look a lot bulkier than the more common, wide-open decks.

Expedition guests are encouraged to get out and enjoy their remote surroundings.

These types of rugged features serve several purposes. Functionality is of course the big one, but in addition, stronger-looking yachts can be a safety feature unto themselves. When you charter in far-flung locations, especially those well beyond the range of fast emergency response, it’s often better to have locals think you’re aboard a vessel that is far more than a luxury yacht.

Crew also need special training for expedition yacht charters. Most crew who join such yachts are adventurous by nature; for starters, they’re willing to commit to leaving home for at least a year, which is how long it can take for some yachts to get to and from the most remote locations.

Helicopters offer access to even the most remote mountain tops and fjords.

Crew on expedition yachts are often hired because they have special skills, too. In addition to knowing how to run the yacht and provide top-notch service, they may be master scuba divers, have offshore fishing experience, know advanced first aid, hold a helicopter or pilot’s license, or have other unique training. Such skill sets aren’t usually necessary for traditional yacht charter near tiki bars and calm beaches, but they are extremely important if you’re onboard a charter yacht offering, say, heli-skiing off the coast of Chile.

Thus, when selecting an adventure yacht charter vacation, it’s important to ask questions not just about the destination, but also about the yacht itself and the crew onboard. Determine what kinds of medical services will be available (some charter yachts carry defibrillators and subscribe to satellite-based systems that connect to doctors onshore). Find out what contingency plans are in place should you need to depart ahead of schedule (some expedition yachts carry high-speed tenders or helicopters). Ask what supplies the yacht has onboard for inclement weather (umbrellas are standard, but you may need survival suits in super-cold waters). The yacht’s captain should be able to answer all these questions, long before you arrive in a remote location.

Specialized adventures will vary depending on to the location you choose—including excellent fishing.

Once you’ve done your homework and selected an adventure charter, get out there and enjoy. Few memories compare with the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that an adventure yacht charter can offer. You may get to swim with humpback whales, or land a 200-pound marlin, or take a helicopter from the yacht’s sundeck to the top of a glacier for a picnic lunch. You may get to dance with natives in grass huts, or enter a shark cave 80 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, or sip cocktails from a glass chilled with chips of ancient glacial ice. With expedition yacht charter, the world becomes your playground. And if you enter that playground with the right equipment, you can have a heck of a lot of fun.

Photos courtesy Edmiston and Company.

The new Vision Hybrid allows silent cruising for family and friends along the gorgeous waterways of Europe.

One way to experience all this is to charter a crewed canal boat or barge – and from the reports we hear, in these adventures the chef is just as important as the captain (if they’re not one in the same). The other way is to bareboat (or “self-drive” as they say in Europe).

Le Boat, a leading bareboat company with over 1000 cruising vessels available for European waterway charters, has just announced some major fleet refurbishments for 2012, including the addition of hybrid versions of their Vision cruisers, which use powerful battery banks in combination with solar panels and plug-in power to reduce engine-running time and allow significant amounts of all-electric propulsion.

Two Vision models are available with slightly different accommodation arrangements, and with either hybrid or all-diesel power. Here’s a YouTube video of the Vision Hybrid in action.

From July through September 2012, and only on the Canal du Midi in southern France, charterers will be able to book a Vision with a captain and chef.

Le Boat, established 40 years ago, operates in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, England, Scotland, and Ireland. For more information on destinations, other vessels in the fleet, training and orientation, rates, and special offers, visit Le Boat.

For more information, read Le Boat Canal Cruisers: Smart, Sexy and Green

Sherakhan has separate belowdecks rooms for manicures, pedicures, and massages.

A handful of charter yachts have been offering onboard massages for quite some time. Since about 2008, though, in-the-know charter clients who are comparing yachts before booking them have begun to ask for spa services right along with snorkeling gear, surround-sound theater systems, and zero-speed stabilizers. Massages, manicures, pedicures, and even hair styling have fast become a standard amenity that top-tier charter yachts must offer to remain competitive in the global charter marketplace. This is especially true aboard megayachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, but the idea is also trickling down to smaller charter yachts everywhere from New England to the Virgin Islands.

The biggest luxury yachts are now being built with spas right onboard. The 228-foot motoryacht Sherakhan, which is part of the YCO charter fleet, has separate belowdecks rooms for manicures, pedicures, and massages, much like an onshore luxury spa would offer. The 196-foot Benetti motoryacht St. Ekaterina, which is part of the Camper and Nicholsons International charter fleet, has a bridge-deck level spa whose offerings and appointment schedules are available to charter guests via the television systems in their staterooms. The 207-foot Royal Denship motoryacht Force Blue, which is part of the Fraser Yachts charter fleet, has a spa and sauna area separate from the onboard gymnasium, again rivaling the spaciousness and amenities that clients could expect ashore at a luxury facility. Charter guests can also enjoy separate workout and massage rooms aboard the 204-foot Proteksan-Turquoise motoryacht Yogi, which is part of the Burgess Yachts charter fleet.

The 121-foot Crescent motoryacht Olga has more than one crew member trained in massagge.

Smaller luxury yachts are incorporating spa services—massages, in particular—by setting up professional massage tables inside gymnasiums and sky lounges at client request, during times of the day when those spaces typically are not used. The 131-foot Amels motoryacht Monte Carlo, part of the Camper and Nicholsons charter fleet, always has at least one stewardess in the crew who is trained in massage. The same is true aboard the 121-foot Crescent motoryacht Olga, which is part of the Churchill Yacht Partners charter fleet. Usually, Olga has more than one crew member who is trained in massage, so at least one masseuse can leave the yacht and set up the professional massage table on a secluded beach that guests visit via the yacht’s tender.

Even smaller crewed charter yachts have realized the business draw that spa services can be. Some, like the 72-foot sailing yacht Three Moons in the Virgin Islands, offer manicures and pedicures onboard, right in the open-air cockpit with a view of the surroundings. Others, including the 44-foot sailing catamaran Blue Bayou in the Virgin Islands, offer package deals that include romantic picnic lunches and spa services with partners ashore, promoted regularly through management company Regency Yacht Vacations.

Che also has an interior décor designed to mimic a spa environment.

In the future, charter clients can expect not only more charter yachts to offer spa services, but also those spa services to increase in scope. A handful of yachts are now incorporating pilates and yoga instruction into their daily offerings, with classes led on deck by crew members just after sunrise. Others are forgoing the decadent culinary offerings for which luxury yachts have so long been known, and instead offering clients a healthier approach. The 114-foot sailing catamaran Che, for instance, is part of the Sunreef Yachts charter fleet and employs a chef who is trained in macrobiotic cuisine. Che also has an interior décor designed specifically to mimic a spa environment, with natural bamboo woods and lightweight, minimalist fabrics throughout the guest areas.

If you are interested in booking a charter yacht that does not advertise spa services, a reputable charter broker can often help you arrange to have them added to the yacht’s program. Sometimes, crew quarters are available for a masseuse of your choice to stay onboard throughout the entire charter and provide spa services upon request. Other times, a broker can work with the yacht’s captain to arrange an itinerary that includes ports of call where luxury spas are close to marinas.

In fact, following the trend being seen aboard the yachts themselves, a number of marinas that cater to top-dollar yachts are now building luxury spas right into their facilities. The idea is for guests to step off the boat and walk only a few steps to a whole new style of relaxation as part of the luxury yacht charter experience.

Event charters are held dockside and are usually based around shoreside events or holidays.

Annual gatherings worldwide are home to the most popular event yacht charters each year. They include the MIPIM real-estate conference in France each March; the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix, both held in May; the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held in November; and New Year’s Eve parties at the dock in Gustavia Harbour, St. Barth’s.

During some years, additional event charters take place at sporting matches such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics, depending on their proximity to marinas. While these types of event charters aren’t always quite as close to the action as the traditional annual events, they are still an excellent opportunity for a great party onboard a charter yacht at the dock.

For all event charters, yachts that are able to accommodate the largest groups tend to book early, sometimes as much as a year in advance. Charter yachts are regularly advertised for a maximum number of 12 guests, which is usually the legal limit for cruising under maritime law. For event charters at the dock, however, many of those same yachts are legally able to welcome aboard dozens or even more than a hundred guests. It’s important to ask your charter broker for both numbers if you are planning to hold large parties by day with just a handful of people sleeping onboard at night.

Event charters can usually accommodate larger numbers of guests than offshore charters; ask your broker for specifics.

Also important to discuss in advance are any extra fees that will be incurred for an event charter. Marina berths, for instance, are rarely included in the yacht’s weekly base rate. At events such as the Monaco and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a single berth can add as much as €30,000 to the yacht’s advertised base rate—and that cost is in addition to regular, extra expenses such as food, liquor, and crew gratuity.

Other extras that are likely to come up include tent rentals (if you want them on the dock or on the sundeck in case of weather); temporary, protective carpeting (which the yacht’s owner may insist upon); and food services. Charter yachts that regularly book for events may have a chef and crew who are experienced at serving larger crowds, but other yachts may require you to bring in additional catering and staff for parties.

Luxury charter yachts are almost always advertised at weekly base rates, but for event charters, shorter bookings are possible. Most clients book for three to five days surrounding an event, and some yacht owners insist upon such time periods to ensure that the crew have enough time to coordinate any large parties onboard. Don’t necessarily expect a discount on charters of less than a week, though. For prime events, rates often go up instead of down, even if guests spend less than a standard week onboard.

Motoryachts are generally the favored style of yacht for event charters, since they have greater interior volume than sailing yachts and can accommodate more people. Some smart motoryacht amenities to seek out include large sundecks, where there may be space for flexible seating as well as a band with a dancing area. Easy traffic flow is also an important amenity for an event charter. Some motoryachts have staircases in spots that make guest movement from the bottom to top decks easier than others. Great sound systems, too, can be key. Some yachts even have built-in discotheques pre-wired to disc-jockey equipment and light shows.

Beyond helping you to book the right yacht for an event, some charter brokers are also experienced at helping to plan onboard parties. They can assist with everything from transportation for party guests to red carpets that lead them down the dock. If there is a particular event for which you hope to charter, then seek out a broker who has booked charters at that same event in the past. That broker should have strong local knowledge of everything from florists to local marina regulations.

Jupju, a Sunseeker Manhattan 70 like the one shown here, is based in Malta, with cruising grounds in Sicily and Sardinia.

The smallest yacht in the Sunseeker lineup is the Portofino 48, a slick-looking $1.15 million “sporty family dayboat” that was queen of the last New York Boat Show, with a “sold” sign on it by the time the doors of the Javits Center were fully open, having already been a centerpiece of the London International Boat Show.

The range goes up from there – into the stratosphere where the biggest Sunseeker, a 40-meter tri-decker, lives in extremely rarefied air.

If Sunseeker ownership seems out of reach, as it surely does for the majority of us, hope springs eternal: There are Sunseekers for charter (with adaptable and attentive crews) in some of the world’s most fascinating places. Kim Kavin’s glowing article at Boats.com explains all, and if it doesn’t set up a temptation to gather friends and family on board, nothing will. It’s still expensive, but what a vacation…

The charter crew on Tempest awaits the start of the 2005 Transatlantic Race.

Bucket Regattas

If you’re interested in low-key racing, the Bucket Regattas offer three days of regatta fun for owners and crew. Newport, RI and St. Barth’s each host an annual event during their seasons, and when owners can’t make it, they often charter to well-qualified clients. Yachts available for these regattas are typically the higher performance sailing yachts such as SOJANA, WINDROSE, and VIRAGO.

Make sure any charter yacht has a current rating certificate and insurance that covers racing charters (which will probably include special riders for sails and spars). You should also expect at least one dedicated suit of racing sails and a racing-oriented captain and crew. There will often be a surcharge above the usual charter fee, to cover the use of racing sails and additional insurance. You’ll also be responsible for all entry fees, dockage, and any other regatta expenses, just as an owner would, but these costs are usually spelled out in advance.

Offshore Charters

Ranger was chartered for the 2004 Newport Bucket Regatta.

Chartering for a bluewater classic like the Transatlantic Race or the Bermuda Race can be a bit more complicated. “We have to organize safety inspections, haul-outs and crew safety training,” Sandy explains. Since her company is based in Newport, where both of these classic races originate, she is well-positioned to understand the challenges. And since boat owners won’t send their boats offshore in unqualified hands, often the biggest challenge is getting enough insurance to cover the charterer and crew. “Each of the crew needs a solid sailing resume, and it’s preferable if they have a history of sailing together.”

And Sandy adds one additional warning: “Keep in mind that you may also be responsible for the costs to re-position the yacht after the race.” A good thing to know before you step off the boat in a distant port.

Motherships

Chartering a mothership is a great way to involve non-racing guests in an event. Motherships are like floating B&B’s, a way to house and feed sailors for an entire regatta. They also provide a moving platform for guests to follow a race to the next port at a dry and comfortable speed. “I once chartered the Nantucket Light Ship to a client as a mother ship for a New York Yacht Club cruise,” Sandy says. “That’s where the fun really begins!”

For more information or to book a regatta charter, visit Sanderson Yachting LLC.

The yacht Super is now available for charter out of Puerto Los Cabos.

Now Puerto Los Cabos owner Eduardo Sanchez Navarro is offering a new way to explore the Sea of Cortez: Super is a 100 ft Jumbo built by Azimut, and she’s available for charter by the hour, day or weekend. With a cruising speed of 12 knots, up to ten guests will looked after by a captain and crew of four. Super offers all the amenities you’d expect, including a Jacuzzi on the flybridge, satellite TV, and a collection of toys varied enough to please everyone on your guest list.

“The Super is simply the best way to experience the magic of the Sea of Cortez,” said the ship’s captain, Edgar Ulloa. “This state-of-the-art vessel provides passengers with the ultimate charter experience. And along with some of the finest amenities of any charter in Baja, the crew provides a seamless and personalized experience for guests.”

Charter rates include fuel, snacks, and “national drinks.” For more information, visit the Yacht Super web page.

Ipharra and Che spar in tropical waters.

Launched in July 2010, Che is now sailing the Caribbean and will go back to the Mediterranean for charters this summer. After her worldwide premiere at the Cannes International Boat Show 2011, she will sail off to Venice.

For more information, contact Sunreef Yachts Charter.

Shanti is one example of a luxury gulet.

Turkish gulets (gooh-LET) are traditional Turkish Mediterranean-designed broad-beamed wooden coastal sailing vessels that originated as a design that would keep cargo safe and dry at sea year-round. The vessel’s broad beam provides expansive decks and spacious cabins below. Some are extremely large and luxurious, others much more modest.

Today’s two-masted yachts use that stability to keep guests comfortable; many charter guests comment on how surprisingly stable gulets feel, an experience similar to that of cruising on a trawler yacht. People prone to seasickness often find gulets to be more comfortable than other styles of yacht, too.

Gulets are traditionally built of wood. A gulet owner who invests in proper maintenance can keep a charter yacht looking and operating beautifully for many years, but it is not uncommon in Turkey to find gulets that are rotting from the inside out. For this reason, it is important to book a gulet charter through a broker who has stepped aboard the actual boat within the past 12 months.

For more on the affordable charter vacation in the islands of the Aegean, read my story “Turkish Gulets — Best Charter Value.” To read more on the gulet design and experience, visit our YachtWorldCharters.com page on Gulet Charters.