When is the final payment due, and how does the APA work in the BVI?

John Boullin
Yacht charter broker, DMA Yachting

The balance of your charter fee, plus the APA if your yacht uses one, is due about six weeks before the charter starts; your agreement shows the exact date.

In the BVI many crewed catamarans skip the APA entirely and run all-inclusive: food, standard bar, fuel, and mooring fees inside one price. Larger motor yachts more often use the classic APA model, an onboard budget of 25 to 35% of the fee, reconciled by the captain before you disembark, with the unspent balance refunded.

Either way we check the numbers with you: on APA boats we review the captain’s accounts, and on all-inclusive boats we confirm up front exactly what sits outside the price, usually premium alcohol and shore dining. Details: What Is Included in a Crewed BVI Yacht Charter?