Yacht Charter Guide

Yacht Charter Guide

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

Have you ever wished that you could design your own dreams? That’s what our yacht charter specialist will do for you. As soon as you decide to go on a crewed yacht charter vacation, all you need to do is contact our yacht charter specialist, or simply pay us a visit at our main office in D Marin Dalmacija, Sukosan, Croatia.

Our yacht charter specialist will guide you through entire planning and preparation process in order to create your own, individualized yacht charter vacation, making it an inspiring and fun experience.

Take a look at the selection of yachts and choose which one suits your taste and needs. If none of these take your fancy, or you wish to take a crewed sailing yacht charter that is not listed here, do not hesitate to get in contact with us as we will find a suitable vessel for you.

Our yacht charter specialist will work closely with you in order to design the best itinerary for your yacht vacation. This is the fun part of the preparations - choosing the islands to visit, the restaurants to try out, the parties to attend - if you don't have the time or any idea about the Adriatic, let our yacht charter specialist provide you with suggested yacht charter itineraries. Do not hesitate to ask for more and choose what you want - it is, after all, your dream vacation and it should be all about you, your friends and family having the time of your lives.

Finally, we will introduce you to the Captain and crew, and organize your embarkation. Once on board, the Captain and crew will be ready and able to take care of all your needs, but your charter yacht specialist is always available should you have any questions.

How to charter a yacht with crew?

Explore our yacht fleet available for charter and consider:
- What are the dates/period of time planned for your cruise?
- Are you cruising with your family or friends?
- How many guests will be on board?
- How many cabins do you require?
- Do you have preferences regarding the type and size of yacht?
- Do you want a full crew on board, or just a skipper?

Our charter yacht specialist will help you pick the perfect yacht for your holiday and suggest ideal destinations to add to the itinerary. When you reach a decision, a written proposal, outlining the Charter Agreement, will be sent to you. The Charter Agreement defines the terms and conditions, and the obligations and rights of each party.

What does the charter fee include, and how are other expenses handled on a crewed yacht charter?

When looking at the price of a crewed yacht charter, it's important to know that the amount you see online usually refers to the base charter fee only. This covers the hire of the yacht, the crew’s services, and the owner’s insurance.

However, the total cost of your charter can vary a lot depending on the yacht’s size and luxury level, your travel dates, and the destination. In most cases, you should plan to add about 40–60% extra for running expenses, which are paid separately by the charterer.

These extra costs are covered through an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA). Depending on the location, VAT, local taxes, and possible delivery or re-delivery fees may also apply. Our charter specialists will guide you through all expected costs to ensure full clarity before booking.

What is APA?

Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is an advance payment for the running costs (the fuel for the yacht, tenders and water toys, berth fees, dock water and energy, and food and beverage for the charterer’s party and crew) incurred during the charter period.

APA is due at the time of the final charter payment. This allows the Captain and Crew to plan and personalize your charter before you arrive.

APA is calculated as 25%-40% of the charter fee, which should be sufficient to run a charter vacation. However, depending on the fuel consumed or the Champagne chosen, the captain may ask you to re-provision the APA, in order to continue the charter.

Before you disembark, the Captain will present you with the final expense report, accompanied with the receipts available, and return the remaining APA funds, or inform you of the outstanding balance that will have to be paid in cash.

What type of contract is used for crewed yacht charters?

The most prevalent contract utilized for crewed charters on a global scale, particularly within the Mediterranean region, is the MYBA contract. It's crafted by the Mediterranean Yacht Broker Association (MYBA) and is essentially the gold standard for luxury charters, outlining the rights and obligations of both the Yacht Owner and Charterer.

As an accredited broker, YACHT IN works under MYBA terms, and all luxury yacht charters with crew are booked using the MYBA contract. Our charter specialists will be happy to explain the details and provisions of the contract to ensure you fully understand everything before confirming your booking.

How do payments work for a luxury yacht charter?

Once you sign the charter contract, a 50% deposit of the charter fee is usually required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance, along with the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), VAT and delivery/re-delivery fee (if any) is typically due about four weeks before your charter begins.

What are delivery fees and how are they calculated?

Delivery fees may apply if you require your charter to start/end in a port other than the homeport of the chosen yacht. You will be charged for the fuel used to relocate the yacht to the port of your choice. In some cases, the owner may charge you “empty run” days for the distance and time required to deliver the yacht, to compensate for revenue lost due to delivery.

How long can I charter a yacht for?

The standard charter period is typically one week, and all prices are usually quoted based on this duration. While short-term charters are possible, especially during off-peak seasons, the minimum duration during high season months is generally 5 days. For most charters, the typical duration is 7 days, but 10 to 14-day charters are also quite common, offering more flexibility and time to explore various destinations.

Do we have to follow a fixed itinerary?

Not at all! When you book a private yacht charter, you have the flexibility to create your own itinerary based on what you want to do and see. 

Our charter specialists and captain will work with you to customize your trip. They know the best spots to visit, the local rules, where to dock or anchor overnight, and how long it takes to sail between destinations. This helps you make the most of your time on board.

Simply share your preferred destinations and activities with them, and they’ll suggest options that fit your style. Together, you’ll plan a personalized journey that suits your interests and ensures a smooth, enjoyable experience.

How much should I tip the crew?

Crew gratuities are not obligatory, but it’s customary to leave 10% to 15% of the Charter Fee.

Do I need insurance while on board?

We strongly recommend that charterers take out Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance to protect their investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent or curtail their charter. Additionally, all members of the charter party should be covered by Personal Accident and Medical Insurance, and their personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage. Other forms of insurance, such as Charterer's Liability may also be prudent. Yacht IN will be pleased to assist with arranging any policy not covered by the basic Charter Agreement.

Can I specify the food and wine to be served aboard the yacht?

To enable us to give you a perfect boating experience, you will be asked to fill in a Preference Sheet 1 month before the charter. Let us know about any dietary requirements, food allergies, and food and beverage preferences, so your crew can make all the necessary preparations for an ideal yachting vacation. We are happy to assist you with the preference list or choice of food and drinks.

Can I smoke on board the yacht?

For security reasons smoking is not permitted inside the yacht. You will be held responsible for any damage caused by a smoker, and the captain is entitled to use APA funds to repair or replace the damaged items. Smoking is usually allowed on the outside deck.

Are we allowed to use the water toys, and is there any extra cost?

Yes, you are welcome to use all the yacht’s available water toys! This often includes equipment such as jet skis, seabobs, paddleboards, water skis, wakeboards, and inflatables.

However, please note:

  • Fuel costs for operating motorised toys (like jet skis or tenders) are charged separately from the charter fee and covered via the APA.

  • Some toys (e.g., jet skis) may require a license to operate. If no one in your group holds the required license, the crew may be able to assist or offer supervised use where legally allowed.

  • The availability of certain toys may depend on local regulations or weather conditions.

Are pets allowed on board?

More yachts are now welcoming pets on board, ask our charter specialist for pet-friendly options.

How far ahead should I book a yacht charter vacation?

We can arrange a charter for you tomorrow, but in order to secure a particular yacht or specific dates for your holiday, you should book as soon as you can and we will do our best to make it happen.

When is the best time to visit Croatia / the Adriatic Sea?

The high season months (July and August) are the most popular for cruising the Adriatic. They are in high demand, so plan early and budget accordingly.
Finding a berth or a restaurant table may be challenging during the high season, due to the rising popularity of the Croatian coast but you should not worry about this as our concierge service is here to arrange all for you.

If you want more from your Adriatic experience and more for your money (discounts up to 15%) consider the months of June or September, as the weather is still great and the popular locations are much less crowded. The Croatian yachting seasons starts as early as May, and can sometimes extend well into October.

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