A holiday at sea is the dream for many people, and if a cruise ship isn’t for you, then you might be interested in chartering a private yacht. Not only is it a far more personal experience, but you also have an almost endless amount of options. Here is everything you need to know about chartering a yacht.
Budget
The first thing you need to consider is your budget. While yacht holidays are certainly not the cheapest, there are far more options than you may think. Yacht size, type, extras, and the number of guests you have will all change how much you will need to spend.
What are Your Needs?
After you have figured out your budget, you will need to decide on what the yacht needs to do for you. Consider the mattress sizes in the cabins, does it have a kitchen or not, how many bathrooms, is there space for unexpected guests?
If you are going to be at sea, you need to consider the fact that you won’t have access to “mainland extras.” Therefore, make a list and consider what you can and can’t do without for the duration of your trip.
Guests
If you are going to have guests, this will clearly change the size of the yacht you will need. Typically, many are similar to large RVs; they will have one or two beds but will also have couches that can be turned into beds.
Because of this, don’t just look at yachts that have the right amount of beds; also look at ones that have furniture that can double as beds.
Traditional or Modern?
Once you get around to choosing a yacht, the two biggest choices you will have is, are you going to go modern or more traditional? A modern yacht tends to be fitted with most of the amenities and extras you would want, as well as much more technology and creature comforts. However, they can be more expensive.
On the other hand, traditional yachts will be more affordable, but you will struggle to find ones that are within your budget, and still have all the modern extras you want.
Food & Drinks
Once you are on the yacht, the next big thing you need to consider is food and drink. Many charter services will have packages that include food and drink; however, once again, this will come at an additional cost.
You can opt to bring your own food and drinks onboard, which is typically a great idea for longer holidays. There is also not much need for a large stockpile if you have regular access to a port, as you can stock up almost whenever you want to.
Crew
Unless you are a seasoned sailor and have the knowledge and skills needed to operate a vessel, you will need a crew. Once again, a crew is typically included in the cost of the yacht, but the size and type of yacht will determine how many members need to be onboard.
On the plus side, a crew can give you the type of holiday the rich and famous enjoy; freshly cooked gourmet meals, sunset drinks, and assistance if there are any issues.
Watersport Options
If you are out at sea, there is a very good chance you won’t want to spend all your time onboard, especially if you have children or a few guests who want to enjoy the water. Because of this, you will need to consider which watersport options are available to you.
Some yachts will have water slides, while others will have space for a jet ski or two. All of this will depend on the type of yacht you choose, as well as if it is on the more upmarket end of the spectrum or not.
Bigger isn’t Always Better
Another aspect to consider is the fact that the bigger the yacht gets, the more expensive it will become and the more crew and upkeep you will need. While this is all relatively obvious, it still something to think about.
If you are going for a romantic week or weekend away, for example, having access to a fully loaded kitchen or jet skis might not be necessary, with a simpler, smaller yacht being more than enough.
Are You Going Out to Sea?
Another factor to consider is if you will be going out to sea or not. While there are safety concerns surrounding the latter, it is very possible to have a highly enjoyable and fulfilling yacht holiday while only being a hundred or two meters from the shore.
By doing this, you also open yourself up to having a more “hybrid” holiday; you can sleep, and have breakfast on the boat, and then spend the day exploring the surrounding port and city or town.
As you can see, a yacht holiday can not only have everything you will want out of a holiday, but so much more more. Yacht holidays also offer a very unique experience, as well as experiences you wouldn’t be able to enjoy at a hotel or while camping.
