Travel Agent Guide to Yacht Charter Costs

A private yacht charter can cost anywhere from $2,500 per person per week to $100,000 per person per week. It can be as affordable or as ultra-luxe as your client chooses.

Sailing Catamaran Charter Pricing: 

All-inclusive catamaran charter pricing on a luxury cat like Nutmeg costs about $2,500 pp/week in the Virgin Islands. Spending $2,900 pp/week gets you onboard something like this 52’ cat, Rumba.  Step aboard the 56’ Playtime for $3500/pp/week. 

If your clients are Ritz or Silverseas types of clients, then the luxury of Twin Flame at $4,250 pp/week or the ultra-luxury Tellstar at $7,400 pp/week are good choices.

Power Catamaran Charter Rates: 

The starting price points of power cats are more expensive than sailing cats- around $4,000 pp/week for a 63’ foot cat like Ultra up to $8,750 pp/week for Sea Glass.

 Motor Yacht and Superyacht Charter Pricing:

Motor yachts are definitely our most expensive price category and rates can range anywhere from $5,000 pp/week plus expenses for Quintessa in the Bahamas to $20,000/pp/week or more for a 162’ super yacht like Remember When. 

What Does the Yacht Charter Rate Include

Yacht charter rate Inclusions vary according to the size of the yacht as well as the area of the world in which it operates. The most common rate structures are listed below.

All-inclusive Caribbean Yacht Charter Rates:  These rates include the hire of the yacht and crew, all meals, snacks, open bar (champagnes, vintage wines, extraordinary brands, and excessive consumption are additional), the use and instruction of all onboard watersports equipment, cruising taxes, and port fees. Some yachts charge extra for cruising fees, and this will be specified in the information that we send you. The majority of catamarans and sailing yachts in the Caribbean as well as some smaller motor yachts operate under these terms. 

MYBA Terms or Plus Expenses: This yacht charter rate includes the hire of the yacht, the crew, and the yacht's insurance. The Charterer pays for all of the running expenses of the yacht "at cost". These expenses include the Charterer's food and beverage; consumables; fuel for the yacht, tenders and watercraft; dockage; port fees; cruising taxes; communications; personal laundry; shoreside water and electricity; port agent fees, if required; etc. Typically, these additional costs add approximately 35% to the yacht charter rate on a motor yacht and about 20-25% on a sailing yacht or catamaran. The majority of power yachts (as well as sailing yachts and catamarans based outside of the Caribbean) operate under these terms. 

Advanced Provisioning Allowance" (APA): This is the amount that you pay to cover the "plus expenses" costs. The APA is collected with the final Charter Payment. During the charter, the Captain will account for all expenses and will present the Charterer with a detailed statement. Any unused APA monies will immediately be refunded to the Charterer and, conversely, any shortfall will be payable by the Charterer to the Captain.

Additional Costs: Under all of the above terms, airfare, ground transfers, shoreside activities, and crew gratuity are additional. Depending upon location, a 10-20% gratuity is at your client’s discretion.

Short-term charters: Our published rates are based upon 7 nights; most yachts will charter for 4 nights or more,  For six night charters, divide the weekly rate by 7 and multiply by 6.  For less than 6 nights, divide the weekly rate by 6, and multiply be the number of nights.  A 6-night charter is ideal for a client that wants to save money as there is no surcharge.  If the weekly rate of a yacht is over their budget, suggest that they just do 6 nights.

Long-term charters:  Many yachts will offer special rates for charters that are over two weeks; many clients who want to use a yacht for a month or two, or even a year, find that it is both less expensive and less of a hassle to charter than to buy a yacht; inquire for details.

Cancellation Terms: If a client cancels, they forfeit their deposit unless the yacht is rebooked. If the yacht is rebooked, a 20% cancellation fee applies.  We strongly recommend that you protect your clients by recommending travel insurance.