A Modern Way to Enjoy Your Vacation with a Yacht Charter
- 4 hours ago
- 11 min read
Written by Eldin Basic, Yacht Charter Manager
Eldin is a well-known yacht charter broker, arranging private yachts for sailing holidays in all the main sailing destinations, with a specific expertise in long-term yacht charters and luxury yacht charters in particular.
A growing number of discerning guests are discovering a more elevated, distinctly private, and in many ways deeply personal way to explore the world: yacht charter. That said, the vast majority of holidaymakers still spend their yearly vacation in hotels, villas, caravans, and more recently in glamping venues or increasingly on cruises. For all those travellers, the word holiday still evokes images of structured travel, recognisable hotels, crowded resorts, overcrowded cruise liners, all packaged and protected as managed tours. And there is certainly nothing wrong with the traditional way of travelling, relaxing, and managing or even protecting your budget in that way. Yacht charter, however, is a game-changer for many. Far from being simply a boat rental, yacht chartering is a highly bespoke lifestyle experience. It blends distinctive travel, a carefully chosen type of hospitality, unique adventure, and high exclusivity, all into a single seamless journey.
Following a few distinctive presentations, in this month’s article I invite you to explore with me what yacht charter truly entails, how it differs from traditional holidays, the various types of charters available, and when, where, and for whom this extraordinary mode of travel makes sense. A2A Yachting focuses on bareboat and luxury charters, with SuperSailYachts.com focusing on superyacht and mega yacht charters.
What is a yacht charter?
In its simplest form, a yacht charter is the rental or hire of a suitable yacht, sailing or motor, without crew, or a luxury yacht or superyacht, which come complete with a professional crew dedicated to delivering a personalised experience. Unlike cruise ships or resorts, a charter yacht is a private, mobile sanctuary, without any other guests on board. The boat is yours for the duration of the booking, and she moves with you, adapts to your preferences, and offers complete control over your itinerary. The captains are always first and foremost focused on safety, but other than this major consideration, any of your wishes and desires are adhered to, provided legal issues, weather conditions, and safety are not compromised.
A booked charter typically includes:
Private yacht based on your budget, location, and required amenities
Unless qualified and experienced, the yacht can come with a skipper, general crew, usually captain and hostess, or as a fully crewed vessel with captain, chef, stewardesses, deckhands, etc.
Total freedom of itinerary or a carefully tailored itinerary based on your interests
Private cooking as per availability of local produce or your shopping list, or on crewed yachts with a chef, bespoke dining prepared according to your preferences
Included or optional water toys and onboard entertainment
Access to secluded bays, islands, and destinations, usually unreachable by land and reserved for yachting enthusiasts, think unique beaches, snorkelling spots, or secluded anchorages
Your booked charter yacht is, in essence, a floating boutique hotel, except the entire hotel is yours, with or without staff.
How yacht charter differs from other types of holidays
Yacht charter is a very unique type of holiday. Every yacht charter is usually unique, and it rarely turns out the same, even if you book the same boat in the same location year after year. The main differences of a yacht charter vacation are:
Total privacy
While you may encounter crowds during embarkation, there are usually few or no crowds, no shared spaces, and most of all no fixed schedules. You choose who joins you, where you go, and how you spend each day. You can be on your own on a boat, with your loved ones, with best friends, or only with a crew on a luxury charter.
Personalisation at every level
If you are experienced and qualified, you do what your heart desires. On a crewed charter, there are more considerations to make, yet you remain the focus of the crew and your word is usually final. From menus to activities to anchorages, everything is customised to your heart’s desire. In other words, a booked yacht charter is not a package. Even airport transfers must be arranged separately, and the booked yacht is just that, a blank canvas.
The rest has to be planned and organised, either by yourself on a bareboat charter, by the crew on a luxury charter, or by everyone involved on a superyacht charter. Your broker is involved in the whole process, from choosing a yacht, handling the booking process and payments, arranging airport transfers and itineraries, to the choice of menus, disembarkation ports if there is a one-way yacht charter to consider, or even provisioning, especially in the case of cross-country sailing and longer-term sabbatical charters that may last from two up to eighteen months.
Mobility and freedom
This is the most important aspect of any yacht charter. You are bound to wake up in a new location every morning without packing a suitcase. The view is always different, and the sea breeze changes both mood and mental wellbeing. This is what usually makes yacht charter the best holiday on the planet. Any constraints of bespoke travel, additional arrangements, uncertainty about boat pick-up, meeting a new crew, or planning a careful exit to the next anchorage on a bareboat charter without crew disappear once you experience the freedom. The yacht becomes your passport to hidden coves, remote beaches, and iconic coastlines. If you have not experienced this feeling, you must book a yacht charter very soon.
Elevated service
On board luxury and crewed yachts, you are offered customised service levels. On superyachts above 80ft, service is comparable to five-star hotels, and in most cases on those above 125ft, often exceeding them. The crew learns your preferences, anticipates your needs, tends to your requirements, and ensures you are well taken care of. On board mega yachts from around 200ft and above, and on board giga yachts, you will find a factual resort where absolutely everything can be found on board, and which can cost from around 1 million Euros per week.
Exclusivity and security
For high-profile guests, families, or entrepreneurs, a yacht provides a controlled, discreet environment. You can also hire bodyguards, nannies, and other types of supernumeraries who take a cabin and provide service to you and your family during your vacation. On board superyachts there is usually office space so that you can continue to work uninterrupted while travelling and while your family enjoys themselves.
Types of yacht charters
There are many types of yacht charter, with bareboat, crewed, luxury, and superyacht charters being the most common.
Bareboat yacht charter
This is the so-called independent way of sailing. There is nobody on board other than those you decide to travel with. You must be experienced and qualified to navigate the boat on your own. The boats in this category are usually between 25 and 50ft, although we can arrange bareboat charters on sailing yachts up to 70ft, motor yachts up to 65ft, and sailing or power catamarans up to 60ft. This is common in Mediterranean sailing destinations like Croatia or Greece, but nowadays qualified skippers cross oceans and charter in most major sailing destinations worldwide, including the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Northern Europe, and other parts of the world.
Skippered or crewed yacht charter
Very similar to bareboat yacht charter, with the main difference being that you hire a skipper and in some cases a hostess or deckhand. The skipper navigates the boat and ensures the safety of the boat and guests, while the hostess or deckhand assists the skipper when required and serves buffet breakfasts or carries out general cleaning daily. On request, tasks can also include preparation of light lunches or cleaning of cabins. A third crew member, a dedicated chef, could also prepare dinners, although in most cases you are invited to dine in local restaurants and support the local economy and populace who live off tourists and seasonal turnarounds.
Regardless of whether it is skippered or crewed, this type of charter is standard for many clients who do not have the necessary experience or who simply wish to relax a little more, allowing the crew to take care of the boat and mundane tasks while they concentrate on privacy and mobility. This ensures a worry-free, stress-free experience. You can charter such yachts across the world, and in some locations you must take a skipper, such as in the Galapagos or in most cases the Arctic Circle, as insurance requirements or local conditions may not allow even an experienced sailor to navigate independently.
Luxury yacht charter
This is the most popular category for discerning clientele who are looking for an exclusive experience and who wish to sail on very modern motor yachts or elegant sailing yachts, usually between 60 and 78ft. In most cases, such yachts offer:
Stylish and modern interiors
Professional crew of at least four, including a chef and a dedicated engineer or deckhand
A good choice of water toys such as jet skis, seabobs, and paddleboards
High-end dining with a professional chef
Luxury yacht charter is ideal for families, couples looking for honeymoons or special service, or small groups seeking comfort and privacy. The birthplace of luxury yacht charter is probably the South of France, although this type of charter is now common across the world and present in the majority of sailing grounds worldwide.
Superyacht charter
Superyachts, usually from 80ft to 125ft, represent the high end of luxury travel. On board these yachts, you can expect:
Multiple decks
In most cases, a Jacuzzi, bar, and fast tender suitable for water skiing
High-end cuisine
At least five and up to ten crew, including a dedicated stewardess and chef
A unique feature of a kind, for example, a private owner’s quarters and a larger master suite
The absolute prime location for superyacht charters is the South of France and the Mediterranean in general, with the East Caribbean being the prime destination in the winter months between December and March each year.
Mega yacht charter
These yachts are usually longer than 200ft and are seen as special superyachts with floating resorts, ideal for milestone celebrations, corporate retreats, or multi-family holidays. They can cost from around 300,000 Euros per week and include at least ten and up to thirty crew. They are usually exquisite motor yachts from major shipyards such as Heesen, Sanlorenzo, or Mangusta, but can also be sailing yachts such as Perini Navi or special custom-built superyachts.
Giga yacht charters
We define these as ultra-luxury mega yachts that are usually at least 70 metres in length and that cost from at least 1 million Euros per week. There are no limits on yachts such as these, and a dedicated 24-hour concierge is allocated for every booking. As there are very few such boats around, it is worth noting that the most exclusive ones are currently the 122-metre KISMET by Lürssen, which costs 3 million Euros per week plus local VAT and expenses, or the latest addition, the 118.8-metre BREAKTHROUGH by Feadship, which costs from 3.5 million Euros per week plus VAT and APA expenses.
Booking of these yachts is rare and often completed only by celebrities and high-profile businesspeople, CEOs, or family offices. Most of these yachts cruise the Mediterranean in summer and the East Caribbean in winter, although on occasion they may head to other locations if the owners decide to undertake a circumnavigation and allow bookings in more exclusive tropical destinations around the world.
When should you consider a yacht charter?
A yacht charter is ideal when you want:
A private, secure environment for family or friends in all major sailing destinations worldwide, as far south as the Whitsundays in Australia or the North Pacific around Alaska
A special celebration such as a wedding, anniversary, or birthday. We can create a bespoke solution both in terms of the choice of boat and location
A corporate incentive or executive retreat, ideal in locations such as the South of France during major events, for example the Cannes Film Festival or the Abu Dhabi and Monaco F1 Grand Prix
A multi-destination holiday without the hassle of transfers. This is where we excel and have arranged many long-term charters that last up to 18 months and may include both transatlantic and even transpacific crossings
A luxury experience tailored entirely to your preferences. This can be as unique as you dare to dream
A unique adventure such as diving, island hopping, or cultural exploration. We have, for example, arranged scientific projects, private diving or kite-surfing charters, or unique cycling tours that follow a specific itinerary
It is also perfect for travellers who have “done it all” and want something more meaningful, immersive, and exclusive, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for example.
Where to charter: The world’s best destinations
Mediterranean (May-October):
Adriatic (Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Slovenia, Italy, Albania)
Greece including Sporades, Cyclades, North Aegean, and Ionian
Italy (Amalfi, Sardinia, Sicily)
France (Côte d’Azur)
Spain (Balearics and Costa del Sol)
Caribbean (December-April):
Virgin Islands
St. Barths and St Martin or St Maarten
Antigua, St. Kitts
Grenadines
Windward Islands
Bahamas
Exotic destinations:
Red Sea
Maldives
Seychelles
Thailand
Fiji
Galápagos
Each region offers a different flavour, cultural immersion, nightlife, tranquillity, or adventure.
Most recently, you can also sail the Arctic Circle and Northern European destinations, the Baltic Sea, and both the South and North Pacific, with one-way yacht charters available in most of these destinations. Split to Dubrovnik, St Tropez to Portofino, Corsica to Sardinia, and Athens to Santorini are among the most popular routes. Unique itineraries such as Panama to the Panama Canal to Galapagos, Cabo San Lucas to the Marquesas Islands, or cross-country sailing from Spain to Greece or from Croatia to Italy are always possible with A2A Yachting.
Budget: What does a yacht charter cost?
Charter pricing varies widely depending on yacht size, season, and destination.
You must also add around 20 to 40% of the charter price to cover expenses that include fuel, marina fees, food and drink provisions, and crew tips in a crewed or superyacht charter.
As a general guide, you should plan for:
Charter type | Weekly rate (approx.) |
Bareboat Yacht 25-55ft | 2,000-15,000 Eur per week |
Bareboat Yacht 56-65ft | 15,000-30,000 Eur per week |
Luxury Yacht (60-78ft) | 15,000-70,000 Eur per week |
Super Yacht (80-125ft) | 70,000-150,000 Eur per week |
Mega Yacht (up to 200ft ) | 250,000-750,000 Eur per week |
Giga Yachts (70metres+) | 1 million Euro + |
Additional costs include:
APA, Advance Provisioning Allowance, 25-40% of the charter fee
VAT or tax depending on region, in most cases 10-22%
Crew gratuity, customary 10-25%
While these numbers may seem high, a yacht charter often replaces multiple hotel rooms, private dining, excursions, and transfers, making it surprisingly competitive for groups. This is especially the case in bareboat yacht charters or skippered bookings, where the average fee per couple can be lower than a similar hotel booking.
Expert recommendations and insider tips
Book early: Usually, we recommend booking 12 months in advance, as this ensures access to the best yachts and peak-season week choices. The most popular boats are often booked at least 9 to 12 months ahead. This does not mean you cannot book a yacht a few months or even weeks in advance. At times, a very last-minute yacht charter may offer the best value. However, to ensure you get the best yacht in the best location with the best value attached, advance booking is most often the best way forward.
Choose the right broker: A reputable broker protects your interests, negotiates on your behalf, and ensures the yacht and crew match your expectations. A2A Yachting has 23 years of experience in bareboat and luxury charters, with SuperSailYachts.com specialising in superyacht and mega yacht charters since 2012.
Consider shoulder seasons: May and June, September and October in the Mediterranean, or January and April or May in the East Caribbean offer excellent weather and better value compared with high-season periods around major events and school holidays.
Prioritise the crew: A great crew elevates the entire experience. Their chemistry, professionalism, and hospitality matter more than the yacht’s décor. We can often match the crew to your expectations and requirements.
Tailor your itinerary:
Avoid trying to see everything. The magic of chartering lies in slow, immersive exploration. While we can arrange extensive sailing itineraries, it is usually much better to plan to sail one location twice rather than try to visit all major ports in a single holiday.
Communicate preferences early:
On a crewed charter, food, activities, celebrations, and dietary needs are best communicated a few weeks before your arrival. Your crew will personalise everything if they know in advance.
The future of travel is personal, private, and experiential
Yacht chartering is no longer reserved for the ultra-wealthy. It has become a sophisticated, flexible, and increasingly accessible way to travel, one that prioritises privacy, authenticity, and personalisation. Whether you are seeking a family escape, a romantic retreat, or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, a yacht charter offers a level of freedom and luxury unmatched by any other holiday format.
For travellers who value experience over routine and connection over crowds, the sea is calling. We at A2A Yachting and SuperSailYachts.com look forward to hearing from you soon.
Visit my website for more info! Read more from Eldin Basic
Eldin Basic, Yacht Charter Manager
Eldin is the Charter & Sales manager at A2A Yachting (SuperSailYachts.com), where he overseas all aspects of business & marketing operations. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Eldin brings a wealth of expertise and insight to this role.
He holds a degree from the University College Birmingham, supplemented by leadership training from Harvard Business School and ThePowerMBA, giving him a solid foundation in strategic management.
Known for his talent in developing innovative Blue Ocean Strategies, Eldin is also a certified breathwork practitioner & an active supporter of various charitable initiatives. Passionate about helping others, he is committed to turning dreams into reality & inspiring all to live more fulfilling lives.
