FAQ

As the Athenian based yacht managers like to say:”Crete is off the map.” Especially for 1 week charters. The distances are so considerable. Once you break down the fuel costs – imagine .7EUR/liter x 500liters/hour x 260 nautical miles both ways / (24 kn)…
Let’s actually make it a document Athens to Crete “hypothetical” fuel cost….
Nevertheless, there are Crete based yachts.
Please inquire specifically for Crete (ideally #of guests, budget, dates, type of boat), and we’ll send the best options for you.

Some yacht do include VAT in base price, other’s don’t. The main reason is that some boats travel around and are subject to different VAT levels. VAT is sometimes (often) included with yachts that stay in 1 country.

Many guests take advantage of the lower VAT for yachts beginning in Italy, but leaving for Sardinia or even Sicily (and Aeolian Islands). The base VAT of  22% is lowered to 11%. Our brokers will be able to find you the most reasonable solution. There are multiple ways to minimise unnecessary expenses.

That might depend on the boat and location. In general, the high season is June – August in the Med. It would be best to inquire for a specific boat and we’d check with the boat, as the season break might be different for each boat. Some boats might consider US holiday weekends high season.

The high season in Croatia are especially the summer months, when European kids have school vacation- July,August. Different providers start their high season in late May/June and the season ends in September. Sailing is possible as soon as March/April and as late as October/November.

Clients looking to avoid the crowds start as early as April, although it is colder and the availability of yachts is smaller than in high season. The water is still a bit cold.
The main season spans from May- September, with a peak over the summer months of July August. There is a strong Meltemi wind in August and September, affecting mainly the Cyclades. Some clients come specifically for this wind, others avoid it. October- fewer people but colder. There have been some November charters, especially last minute if the weather allows (usually Saronic gulf)…

Awesome, you want to see Santorini!
We’re here to make it happen. Cyclades are wonderful, Santorini is an unforgettable place. In 2019, the number of crew ships during the summer are limited to 4, so it should be more enjoyable than before. Nevertheless, Santorini is not known as a boat friendly place…
Before we book, please do consider the strong Meltemi wind that can be blowing in the area at the time. Never heard of it? Here, take a look on youtube, there is plenty of videos. Now, the fishermen can know pretty early in the year when to expect Meltemi. There are sailors among us (if you are one, you are in the right place), that go to the Cyclades precisely because of the Meltemi wind. Nevertheless, we take our families to other locations for a quiet and peaceful family vacation, such as the Ionian (caves, Zakynthos),the  Saronic (pirate Island of Hydra, Poros), or the Sporades (Mamma Mia, for larger boats).
Still want to go to the Cyclades- absolutely, you’re making an educated decision now. Please inquire, we can match you with boats (not all boats fare in the Meltemi equally) and crews that will make your destination a pleasurable one. There are things that can be done (rotating the locations clockwise or counterclockwise, traveling at night) that will make it possible even in some strong winds.
One thing to remember- the ultimate authority in the Aegean Sea is Poseidon. If he says nobody is going out today (storm), then nobody is going out (port authorities might even close the port for motor yachts). All itineraries are “ideal” itineraries. We often offer “Plan B” itineraries. If changes are needed, they are always communicated between the client (you) and the captain during the charter.
As you can see, getting to Santorini can be a matter of luck. It is possible to start in Mykonos (some yachts are there in your dates) or ask for a Santorini delivery. Consider that!
 

On a case by case basis, we are currently negotiating a “Coronavirus Clause.” Please inquire and our brokers will consult your case and recommend boats that offer the clause and special conditions you might need.

Quite simple – Fraud.

The amounts moved around are significant. That’s why we (and everyone else) needs to be sure that once the money arrives, it can’t be pulled back.

You’d think that with credit/debit cards that would not be the case, right? Nope, the bank freezes the money on our account and reverse them to the sender (months after the card payment!). So guests can come back from the vacation and just get their money back. Then we get to sue them, which is not how we want to spend our time. There is plenty of stories online, like this one.

PayPal has issues with the big amounts and frequently freezes accounts for “security checks.” For weeks/months, crippling businesses in the process, more here and elsewhere.

Another issue is credit card fraud. The client books a charter (from a stolen card), then cancels and asks for the money to be returned to another account. If we start advertising credit/debit card payments, these people will start swarming like vultures.

There are dozens of stories. First hand, other brokers stories…

The bottom line is that we do accept bank transfers only. We’ll gladly explain to you why that is, share the experience. If a client tells us he/she will pay only with a credit card, we’ll consider that client a potential fraud case. Same goes for you. If a company asks you to pay with a credit card, please check them thoroughly. There are sad cases where non-existent companies “book” the charter and when the guests turn up…

Please do understand us. We want your business, but we’re not going to risk losing our livelihood to get it.

Hope that makes sense!

Absolutely. Most do randevous diving, but many do have qualification and equipment to performs diving on their own.

The captain is solely responsible for the navigation of the boat. On a captain only charter, most tasks including meals preparation, are left with the guests. A crewed charter will include at least 1 stewardess/chef. With crewed charters, being a guest is a hands-off experience and it’s a huge step up in comfort. Always choose a crewed charter, if within your budget. If not, consult with our broker, perhaps you’d consider another location.

Yes, we have professional insurance up to EUR 500,000 with ITIC.

Our service is free to you.

That differs based on contract and boat. The purchase of trip, health, accident, baggage and cancellation insurance is highly recommended and will be offered by a senior broker with a specific boat.

Yes. We specialize in charters, but the charters intersect with rentals at about 2-3 days, as larger boats are rented with a crew. We’ve organized multiday events and one-day events such as weddings, or lunches. Our brokers can assist/are connected to local organizers and transportation providers (private plane, helicopter, land transport). What do you have in mind?

A great question.
There is no industry standard, each yacht has it’s own seasons.
Please inquire with a specific yacht do get season ranges and dates.

There are 2 main considerations- the yacht itself and the area.

There are some areas that are rougher than others – the Cyclades, Antigua, Malta.

When selecting your charter itinerary, ask about the different areas that are available for your destination.

Greece- opt for Saronic Gulf, Ionian Sea or the Sporades

Antigua – get a bigger boat or look at Grenadines direct (some charters start at Union). There is always the BVI that is quite comfy.

Malta- no alternative areas, Malta is pretty rough, not ideal for first time charterers.

Selecting your yacht- there are things to look at. The primary concern is the length, the longer the boat, the more wavelengths it covers and the more comfortable. When considering multiple yachts, ask for advice. The shape of the hull and the weight of the boat might point to this or that boats. Are brokers will be able to help.

As for a family vacation, consider a big catamaran, ideally a motor yacht; or a motor sailer if in the Med (gulet and gulet-like boats). There are some wonderful high end motor sailors like Iraklis L. In the Caribbean, there are some wonderful big yachts, both motor and sail.

Zero speed stabilizers- some boats offer zero speed stabilization. If you want to be sure that the nights are comfortable, choose a boat with zero speed stabilization. Check out the video if the concept of zero speed stabilization is new.

First, we see a lot of guests, often first time charterers, applying the concepts from vacation/villa rentals to yacht charters.

Waiting for the last minute deal is not a good idea (the chance you’ll get the type of boat, port, and budget on your dates is minimal).

Yacht charters are a seller’s market. The best yachts are usually booked 6 months+ in advance.

1 year ahead makes it possible to select from almost all yachts available (there are charters for Summer/Winter 2020 being signed late 2018).

With 1 year ahead, there is plenty of time to make a decision. With 3 months ahead, there are often situations, where the group communicates about a particular yacht or multiple yachts for a few days. Finally, when ready to place an option, the yacht is no longer available (placing an option is usually for the purpose of signing the contract, not making a decision).

Ideally, you’d book the flight tickets AFTER the charter agreement has been signed.

The reason is simple- it’s much easier to reschedule a flight for 12 people (even individually) than to get the boat you want, from the port you need, on the dates you have.

Flexibility with dates/locations can offer significant price savings compared to variants where boats have to be delivered.

The least favorable combination is last minute charters (1-4 months before the charter) with fixed dates, where the number of available boats is limited and the dates might not fit individual boat’s schedule (not all charters are Saturday – Saturday).

The questionaire enables your crew to understand your dietary and medical needs. For crewed yachts, this will include the food supplies and activities.

BVI is all year round destination with the only “not recommended” season during the hurricane season, which is late June – early November.

There are more things to consider. If you plan to be diving, consider decreased visibility in the Summer.

There are some specific weeks that might have a special price (higher than the high season price), such as New Year’s week, the Thanksgiving week and others, at the discretion of the boat managers.

The best (and only) way to get a reliable quote is via a broker – inquire via chat or form. All other information is indicative and is not considered an offer by the boat managers.

Typically 25% is due if booking more than 6 months out, a further 25% due 6 months out and the balance due 60 days in advance.

A charter yacht captain will always try to comply with your wishes, but his primary responsibility is to the safety of the yacht and passengers. Should an scenario arise where a request conflicts with this responsibility, your captain will discuss all possible alternatives with you. However, when relating to the yacht and safety of those onboard, the captain’s decision is final.

No.

If you see the likelihood of making the charter 50% and higher, it’s actually the right time.

An experienced broker will be able to discuss/suggest the areas and will know where the yachts are located in your dates, which is especially useful if you’re planning locations outside of the primary charter bases.

The balance of your payment is normally due 60 days prior to the charter. You will also be asked to send funds to cover the APA, if that is the terms of your agreement. All charter costs must be reconciled before you disembark from the vessel.

The prices on the site are the base prices. For crewed yachts, there is a 20%-30% APA (advance provisioning allowance) added on top – specifically to cover food and fees. If applicable, VAT is added on top as well.

The prices of the yachts do not include VAT (Value Added Tax) and APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance). This is because the amounts differ from yacht to yacht, and might even be different for an individual yacht within the season. Please inquire and we will provide specific details of the yacht and dates. As a guide, the VAT is usually 12%.

Advance Provisioning Allowance – called the APA is calculated as a percentage of the charter fee and varies per yacht type, itinerary and possible charter requests and requirements.

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is designed to cover the operating expenses of a yacht charter. These expenses may include fuel (for the main engines of the yacht, the generators, her tenders and motorized water toys), food, drinks, land services, electronic communications, canal fees, harbor dues, local taxes and marina fees. Depending on the number of guests, type of yacht and duration of the charter, the APA will vary.

A 20% to 35% down payment of the total of the APA is prepaid by the charterer. Your yacht will be fully fueled and provisioned according to your preferences when you step on board. An up-to-date summary of accounts is available on request during your charter. The Captain will notify you if you are close to surpassing the pre-paid APA funds during your charter. In this case, additional funds are required. At the end of your charter, your Captain will present a full set of accounts for your review.

Please carefully review the statement before signing off on it.

All outstanding bills are settled in cash before final disembarkation. Of course, any remaining credit at the end of your charter will be reimbursed to you in full. If there are any bank charges, these are deducted from the APA.

Sure. We can assist with your bareboat requests as well. Just tell us what you’re looking for – type of yacht, budget, number of guests, and we’ll provide the best options for your dates!

Sometimes, they are. Depending on the availability and the season, the yacht managers might consider a discount. Especially with the super yachts out of the main season, the discounts are not unseen.

Please check with your broker. The way to go is making an offer. Your broker will know the yacht management and suggest the best approach (or if it is even advisable). Some managers have a no discount policy, others are more motivated to close.

One crucial thing- if you do make an offer, it’s considered binding, be prepared to close quickly. Shopping around is frowned upon and will not be supported by any industry-recognized broker.

Our brokers will confirm the availability of the boat for you and provide a price quote (as price of boats can change throghout the year). We’ll also look at deals of boat similar to the one you have selected.

The more guests on 1 boat, the higher the price. Exponentially higher.

The price for 2 boats is usually lower by20%-50% for a high number of guests, compared to using a single boat.

Why is using 1 yacht more expensive- the yacht size needs to drastically increase to host a large number of guests.

Note- we’re talking about weekly/multiday charters. If you’re considering a day charter, a whole new set of conditions apply, with the same premise – the higher number of guests on one yacht – the higher price per guest. There are exceptions, please inquire and we’ll find what you’re looking for (closest options within budget).

This is particularly true for weddings and corporate events on yachts.

The primary limitation is boat location.

Most crewed yachts start from their homeport, but might move depending on the season or specific one way charter requests.

Apart from that limitation, there are other limitations (can the yacht get to the marina – draft), that can be dealt with.

If you have specific request, it is always best to be as specific as possible when inquiring.

A flotilla charter is a yacht charter of a larger group on more than 2 boats (2 boats would be a tandem charter).

The boats usually stay close together and one of the captains is selected as the “main” captain.

Well, yes and no. Let’s start with a boring BVI precipitation table…Now, the weather in the Caribbean is not the same as the weather in the US. When it’s raining, it’s raining it’s raining for short periods of time. Intensely. It’s not unusual to have a sunny morning, then the clouds come in an there is some INTENSE rain at lunchtime, only to have more sun in the afternoon. Of course, there are exceptions.

BVI Seasons – sunshine & rain

As a general rule, you want to be careful the hurricane season, which is June-November. It is a brilliant idea to arrange your charter insurance, especially September and October (few charters are booked, many boats leave). Nevertheless, those boats that stay do tend to offer interesting low season rates.

There are 2 numbers that regulate the number of people onboard. The number of guests for daily charters and the number of guests for overnight charters. We have seen some flexibility for kids under 12 months. Nevertheless, there are serious bureaucratic, legal and insurance limitations and the yacht managers definitely are on the safe side.

Usually, the issue is resolved by getting a boat with more sleeping space (similar boat with Pulman beds), getting a bigger boat, getting 2 boats or adjusting the number of guests.

A tandem charter is a type of charter where the guests are divided between 2 boats.

Usually, one of the captains is the “main captain.”

The boats usually stick together, or at least monitor each other’s whereabouts with the goal of synchronizing selected experiences. That means that the kids can go for water sports, while the adults go to see a relaxing bay, and they meet in port for dinner.

Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance is available to protect your investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent or cut short your charter.

It might look more complicated then it really is, but in case you have any questions about it, please just ask your broker.

Yes, captain and crew do stay aboard. If you are looking at the cabins and number of guests in a crewed yacht, the crew quarters are usually left out (of the number of cabins). For bareboat/captain only, the crew- captain/stewardess will need somewhere to stay. With captain only- the captain can sometimes (often) sleep in the saloon. Inquire about a specific yacht and we can provide details on the arrangements.