How Much Does it Cost to Charter a Yacht? A Guide on Average Prices
When was the last time you went on a truly relaxing vacation? If you’re like most people, it’s been a while – or maybe even never!
A recent study found that 21% of adults in the U.S. felt stressed while taking time off from work. Another 28% worked more than they wanted to while on vacation. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to plan a real vacation.
Want to disconnect from the stress back home wholly? Some time on a yacht could be the perfect solution.
How much does it cost to charter a yacht? Can you afford it?
Keep reading to find out!
How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht? 6 Factors That Determine Your Price
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that many factors determine yacht charter prices. You can’t quickly answer the question “how much does a yacht charter cost?” anymore than you could answer the question “How much does a car cost.”
Here are some of the most important factors determining how much you’ll pay for your dream vacation at sea.
1. Type of Charter
First, the type of charter you book will significantly impact the cost. For example, most yacht trips are either “all-inclusive” or “plus expenses.”
As the name implies, an all-inclusive charter covers everything for one price. This includes:
- The yacht, captain, and crew
- Meals, snacks, and standard open bar
- The use of all onboard watersports equipment
- Cruising taxes and port fees
You’ll likely find all-inclusive pricing on catamarans, sailing yachts smaller than 80 feet, and some motor yachts.
“Plus expenses” yacht charters usually include the cost of the yacht, the crew, and any necessary insurance. After that, you’ll pay separately for expenses, including:
- Fuel for the boat
- Food and beverages
- Consumables
- Tinders and watercraft
- Dockage, port fees, and cruising taxes
- Laundry services
- Communications
- Shoreside water and electricity
- Port agent fees (if applicable)
Note that these expenses are passed onto you “at cost” with no markup.
In most cases, these charges will add another 30 to 35 percent to the base price. This pricing structure is commonly found with superyachts, motor yachts, and high-end sailing yachts.
The reason for this is simple. A yacht charting experience varies wildly from person to person. Each primary charter guest has unique requests, including the type of food and beverages they want, where they want to go, and so on.
By pricing the charter “plus expenses,” each charter guest can create the exact experience they want and pay for the cost of their requests. That being said, the things you ask for will significantly impact the cost of your yacht rental.
2. Age and Size of the Yacht
The next significant factor in determining yacht rental prices is the size and age of the yacht you charter. There are several categories of boats; some aren’t as expensive as you think. Here are some of the most common.
Catamarans and Sailing Yachts Less Than 70 Feet
Chartering a small luxury catamaran in specific locations with all food and open bar included can cost as little as $2,500 per person per week. A 62′ catamaran will likely run closer to $4,500 a week.
Motor Yachts
Motor yachts tend to be more expensive. The starting cost is usually at least $3,000 to $4,000 per person per week, plus expenses.
Superyachts
Superyachts are categorized as motorized yachts that are 80′ or larger. These rates vary widely. Expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $50,000 per person, per week – plus expenses.
Other factors that will influence the cost of your charter include the types of luxury amenities on board, the number of decks, how experienced the crew and chef are, and how many toys and other entertainment options are available.
3. Length of Your Trip
The average yacht vacation is seven days. However, it’s common for charter guests to plan a two-week vacation or stay as few as five days. You can also often save money by planning your trip during the week instead of over a weekend.
4. Destination and Season
Where you decide to go and when can also significantly impact your price. If you live in the U.S., taking a yacht to the Caribbean will likely be pretty friendly to your budget. A trip to Thailand, Tahiti, or the Mediterranean is on the higher cost spectrum.
If you’re trying to save money, consider booking a charter in the off-season. Doing this makes you far more likely to find special offers that can save you significant money.
If you look for memorable moments, Long Beach Sailing is probably one of the best places in California.
5. Provisioning
When you charter a yacht, one of the best things about the experience is being able to have it stocked with all of the food and beverages you like. If you want champagne and caviar, it will cost more than a BBQ. Your provisioning cost will also vary depending on whether you plan to eat every meal onboard or if you’ll enjoy some meals while exploring the local cities.
6. Don’t Forget the Tip!
While there’s no requirement to tip the captain and crew, failing to do so is in bad taste. It’s equivalent to going to a fancy restaurant, enjoying a 12-course meal, and then leaving nothing. Could you not do it?
The standard tip for a yacht charter is 5 to 15 percent of the gross contracted price. Make sure you add this to your budget before you book your yacht vacation.
Get Ready to Live Your Best Life!
Now that you know the answer to the question “how much does it cost to charter a yacht?” you’re ready to start planning the ultimate relaxing vacation.
Want even more tips for living your best life? Could you keep browsing our blog? We’ve got the best advice for entertainment, lifestyle, finances, and more.
With over 20+ years of experience in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments, Diana has developed a great understanding of Marketing Strategy, Brand Development, Customer Success, Public Relations and Management. Her internal drive for developing others and external brands, has allowed her to work in some of the largest cities in the world including Milan, Paris, NY, Mexico, and the Middle East. This experience has been fundamental to Diana’s success and ability to communicate cross-culturally.
