Handbook

Simple e-handbook

1. Why rent a yacht?

You wake up, the gentle rays of the sun caress your face. You leisurely get up, put on a soft bathrobe, go out onto the deck, settle in your favourite armchair. Waiting for breakfast, you casually gather the images from last night’s wonderful dinner. In a couple of moments the pleasant aroma of your first morning coffee, which is served together with freshly-baked croissant and freshly-squeezed orange juice tickles your nose, and all of this is served on a table decorated with your favourite flowers. You think, have I gone to heaven, but quickly you come back to reality aware that you’re on a luxury yacht that you have hired for cruising the Adriatic coast. Enjoying the morning at the aft deck with a view of the secluded beautiful cove with its sandy beach and crystal clear water in which you swam last night before dinner, you indulge in imagining what the day ahead of you holds.

The possibilities are many, all you need to do is decide…

You have a mass of yacht toys at your disposal, toys for adults and children from diving equipment, waterskiing, jet skis, fishing to a mini submarine, it’s all here, you choose. If you are not familiar with waterskiing or diving the trained members of the crew will teach you.

Maybe after breakfast and a morning swim you’d like the boat to leave the beautiful beach and head to a nearby harbour? You could enjoy a walk through a little Mediterranean town, enjoy the beautiful architecture and historical sights, and when you get tired return to the boat to be greeted with a chilled drink and a gourmet lunch which wouldn’t look out of place in some of the best restaurants in the world prepared for you by the boat’s chef.

Dinner? Of course only the best for you, fish specialities combined with fine wines, a lovely summer’s evening with a refreshing summer breeze will remain in your memory forever. Enjoying the utmost privacy you can decide to end the evening under the starry sky in a Jacuzzi on the top deck sipping a glass of fine champagne.

Few things in life can be compared to a holiday on a yacht, the absolute privacy and freedom, with everything organised for you and to your wishes. It is exactly this view of a holiday or escape from everyday life that the most high profile people in the world take.

Before such a holiday was reserved solely for the owners of yachts, however these days you too can afford it. Today most people do not want to buy a yacht that costs ten’s of millions of Euros and the ownership that requires high maintenance costs and the organisation just to use it for merely two weeks a year. Today the majority of yachts are rented and so a holiday can be taken that combines privacy, freedom and luxury, and that is just what a charter yacht offers.

A yacht is special, because unlike a hotel or luxury resort, which are always located in the same place, it is always on the move, enabling you to have the most beautiful view which at that very moment is yours alone. The possibilities are varied so you can spend the day in peaceful solitude, and in the evening you can experience the nightlife in a famous club. The experienced and professional crew are there to satisfy your every wish with complete discretion and professionalism.

2. How to choose charter yacht?

With so many yachts on the market the search for the right one for you can be daunting. A charter broker is the right choice for you, but first you have to define the important things in order that your discussion with the broker will be more productive. Where do you want to go for your holiday? (the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Asia). Do you want a sail yacht or motor yacht? , Do you want a modern yacht or a traditional yacht? How many people will go onboard? How many children will be on the yacht? What is your budget? Is it for family, friends or business partners? What kind of facilities do you want on the yacht? Try to define as many of your wishes before talking to the agent. The information which the agent receives from you will enable him to make the best choice of yachts that will be suitable for your dream holiday. It can be said that there are many professionals amongst charter brokers today so you can leave it entirely up to them to advise you in choosing your yacht.

3. Costs of hiring a yacht?

What is the cost of hiring a charter yacht? What are the total costs? Are there additional expenses? Upon choosing a yacht the deciding factor is often its rental price so you should be well informed about all the expenses which await you in addition to the basic price. It often happens that yachts of the same length and performance and in the same period have different prices, and that may depend on many factors for example:

A yacht with a famous name
A yacht with an important history
A yacht on which important world figures have stayed
A new yacht built by a famous shipbuilder or designed by a famous designer

Of course in addition to that there are two basic differences and they relate to the rental period because the charter season is divided into high and low season so this difference can be 10-20%. Therefore be careful when choosing a period because sometimes the difference of just one week can mean a much higher rental price. So it is essential to have a good charter broker who will explain everything to you and guide you to the best choice. Considering that we are oriented to the Mediterranean market we will keep the costs that are customary for the Mediterranean. The rental agreement in general is made according to the rules of the MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) which is also probably the most common. Therefore according to the rules of the MYBA the relation of costs is next and the charterer pays the following:

The payment of the basic hiring of the yacht covers all expenses including the costs of the insurance of the crew and passengers (this is usually very solid and quality insurance) besides those included in the APA
payment of food and drink – APA
payment for fuel – APA
payment for all port costs and fees – APA
payment of electricity whilst the yacht is berthed – APA
costs of visits to national parks and protected ecological reserves – APA

All points marked with APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) signify expenses which are paid in addition to the basic cost of the hire of the yacht. And in practice it functions so that on top of the basic price of the hire of the yacht the APA is paid to the amount of approximately 20-25% of the basic price of the rental and which is defined in the agreement and for the period of cruising all costs are paid from it. The captain of the yacht keeps a record of all expenses and at the end of the cruise he makes a calculation, and he gives a report with the presentation of all the bills to the charterer. If there remains any unspent money he also returns it to the charterer It is possible that due to higher expenses during the trip which primarily depend on the requirements of the charterer, if he has specific, expensive wishes (special wines, champagne, caviar etc.) it happens that the amount paid for the APA is spent before the end of the trip so at that time the captain will timely inform the charterer about the state of the budget, and will either use the funds of the hirer or the charterer can implement a supplement to the budget by the APA, although this all depends on the agreement and in principle such situations are solved along the way. In any case all the incurred expenses will be presented to the charterer and for any greater expense which occurs you will be informed so that you can rest assured. The expenses which are covered by the APA are not always those which we have specified, but then it will be clearly noted what is covered by the basic price of the hire and what goes through the APA. During the meeting with the charter broker he will give you an approximate estimate of the expenses so that you will not have any unwelcome surprises, which is in nobody’s interest. It is in the interest of every agency that you come back to their yacht the following year and that you become a permanent client and you be assured of a fair business relationship. Although sometimes it seems that the expenses that are covered from the APA are just a method that your cost of cruising is burdened it is not so but with such a model is it completely clear how much expense you incur on the yacht. With such a model you know exactly in cents and Euros how much something costs during the cruise. This method of calculation is regulated by the rules of MYBA and as such is applied in 99.99% of cases. Valued added tax is charged if the yacht is under a European flag or has a permit for charter in European waters or it will be clearly noted in the basic price of the hire of the boat itself. The level of tax depends on the flag of the country of which the yacht is under or on special provisions for the charter of the vessel if the yacht is under the flag on a non-European country.

4. Charter contract

The signing of the charter contract provides security for the charterer as well as for the owner of the yacht.

In recent times there are no more complicated and unclear contracts considering that now in effect is one standard that is divided into two basic types of contracts:

Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA)

MYBA conditions can be best described with “plus all expenses” on the basic rental price. Included in the basic rental price are all the expenses of yacht toys, the crew’s salary and their food, laundry, the cleaning and maintenance of the boat, supplies, plus crew and passenger insurance. All other costs will be charged from the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) and is the actual price paid without margins.

Charter contracts according to MYBA rules have proved to be the fairest for the owner and for the hirer so as a result of that the majority of yacht owners apply them throughout the world.

Caribbean Terms Inclusive (CTI)

Caribbean Terms Inclusive are also sometimes known as Standard Caribbean Terms (SCT) and we can best describe them as “generally all-inclusive packages.” CTI rules are three meals a day for the charter guests plus fuel for four hours sailing per day. Sometimes there is a difference regarding the question of drinks because in individual cases basic drinks in a reasonable quantity are included in the price whilst sometimes drinks are excluded from the price of the basic hire price. CTI conditions in the Caribbean are common for smaller yachts however for larger yachts MYBA rules apply.

In any case both MYBA and CTI behave very protectively towards clients regarding their privacy and discretion so don’t be surprised if in the contract you have a section in which the owner of the yacht / charter broker and crew are obliged to maintain your privacy and discretion regardless of whether you are a famous person or not. “Everything that happens on the yacht stays on the yacht.”

5. Importance of the crew

The crew of a yacht is a very important thing and they make the difference between a good charter yacht and an excellent charter yacht. Yacht owners who care about the quality of service during the charter at the same time want their yachts to be in impeccable condition, so extending the life of their use in the chartering business. They employ crews who are highly educated, reliable and discreet and these are the qualities that a crew must have on a luxury charter yacht. The number of crew varies, but we can say that it ranges from 6 to 15 members for yachts of 30 – 50 m in length.

The captain is responsible for the entire yacht and in maritime law his word is final. He has the legal right to discharge anyone who endangers the safety of the yacht or commits serious violations which lead to danger for all the people on the boat regardless of whether they are guests or staff. However you can be sure that the captain will do absolutely everything in order that your stay on the yacht will be a pleasant and unforgettable memory. It is a very good idea to consult with the captain before some of your decisions because he will certainly help you to bring your ideas and wishes to reality with his vast experience. In any case you must know that in certain moments he must turn down some of your wishes, but be assured that it is the right decision (e.g. sailing out into a storm or anchoring in an unsafe and shallow cove). The captain will often help you to choose some lovely cove for swimming or watching the wonderful sunset. If you already have a planned travel itinerary which you have prepared yourself be sure to pass it onto the captain and he will advise you of the best destinations.

The deck crew includes staff from first officers to sailors and their number depends on the size of the yacht. The first officer is responsible to carry out the instructions of the captain, to control the functionality of all the systems on the yacht, and to supervise the rest of the crew. On smaller yachts the first officer often works with the sailors when the work requires emergency attention and so on. Sometimes a part of the deck crew will step into help during serving so do not hesitate to call any of them for help if you need anything because they are all connected via walkie-talkie. The sailors generally have duties that include cleaning the entire exterior of the yacht, assisting during mooring or similar jobs for which they are responsible.

Interior crew – as a rule their duties are serving food and drinks and also maintaining the cleanliness of the cabins and the whole of the interior. As the main person we have the chief stewardess / steward with whom you will communicate the most, she / he is in theory the heart of the charter boat who together with the crew ensure that you spend unforgettable moments on the yacht. This same person will leave a chocolate on your pillow before bedtime and will bring you a delicious warm croissant in the morning, iron your evening dress and make any small repairs to your clothes. The chief stewardesses speak at least 2-3 languages, they are very well versed in the rules of serving, behaviour and communication, they are very discreet, not intrusive, you will never see them, but they are always there when you lift your head. Without them the yacht would simply not be able to function.

The chef is a very important part of the crew on a yacht. They are often chefs who are rarely seen in restaurants because they have great knowledge and an excellent chef is often a factor that you will want to return to the same yacht the following season. Upon signing the yacht hire contract you will also complete a preference list where you will specify what kind of cuisine and drinks you prefer so that before your come to the yacht all the ingredients will be ready. Pay special attention to the menu so that there will not be anything which you are allergic to or simply do not like. If you have any special wishes he will of course do everything to fulfil your refined taste.

Engineers are crew members who like good spirits we nearly never see but they are continually on watch so that all the systems work flawlessly. From the engine, generator and watermarker everything needs to work 0-24 non-stop, and without excellent maintenance this is not possible.

In any case all the members of the crew on the yacht are at your service and will do everything in order that you have a pleasant time respecting your privacy and discretion. If they sometimes make a mistake or there is a misunderstanding do not criticise them because they are working hard to satisfy your wishes.

6. Advice about tipping

It is customary that at the end of a cruise the crew receive a tip, the amount of which the guest is free to estimate. At the end of the trip the tip is given to the captain, and he will then share it amongst the crew. Before tips of all kinds were made, however the MYBA has jumped in here again and has set guidelines in the range of 5-15 % so that the charterer knows in advance in what kind of range the tip begins. In any case during the determination of the amount of the tip please keep in mind that the crew work a minimum of 16-18 hours a day in order to ensure you a carefree cruise, but of course also take into consideration the quality of the service which was provided to you.

7. Corporate charter

In recent times increasingly popular are corporate charters which are recognised by many companies who regularly hire yachts for various organised events. The yachts are very suitable for organised business meetings at the highest level where leading managements will be able to make the right decisions for their company in beautifully surroundings. They can also be used for the presentation of new products or even or as holiday rewards for the best employees who have achieved excellent results.

The advantages of yacht hire for corporate needs in relation to various resorts and so on is that in addition to the beautiful surroundings a yacht also has a complete communications’ infrastructure, which enables the undisturbed maintenance of all kinds of business and entertainment facilities, and again in special surroundings. If a multinational company hires a yacht sometimes the decision to hold a meeting on a yacht on neutral ground is a wise choice because it doesn’t pander to one participant, because they all have the same status and no one is located on home ground and so the deliberation over certain favoured locations is avoided. This kind of yacht hire can also be used for team building and for that purpose various social events and competitions can be organised during which the characteristics of employees, which may have been hidden for years inevitably come to light and which may be important information for the owner of the company.

Of course after business the guests can enjoy all the comforts that the yacht offers from waterskiing, diving, culinary delicacies along with superb quality drinks which are standard on yachts. Often business people come with their families or entourage so all together in addition to a successful business meeting it can also be a wonderful holiday.

When fresh business ideas or creative thinking are needed, a yacht is an ideal place. The only limit on a yacht is your imagination and so the best business ideas and decisions can be born right here.

We don’t even have to mention that the discretion and absolute respect for privacy of the participants is guaranteed.

When choosing a yacht for a corporate charter it is necessary to give the charter broker detailed information of your wishes in order that he is able to offer you the best solution because they have experience in that and they have already done it many times for similar clients.

8. Family charter

Often in brochures and adverts for yacht chartering we get the impression that this is a dream holiday for adults which is often accompanied by photographs of couples who drink champagne or of romantic dinners for two. However this is the wrong perception because a yacht can also be a suitable place for a quality and exciting holiday for the whole family when children as well as the adults can have fun.

To provide entertainment for the whole family most important is the yacht’s crew who will take special care that the children on the yacht have more fun than at Disney World or at an aqua park. Many yachts are specially equipped with toys suited for children so alongside jet skis, diving and surfing at your disposal you also have toys such trampolines, slides and so on. The crew will also frequently organise other interesting games for the children, such as a pirate’s treasure hunt, so the children will “accidently” find / catch a glimpse of a bottle in the sea which holds a message with the position of a hidden treasure chest and this will be the beginning of an exciting hunt, which will continue on a nearby island or in a nearby cove, of course, the treasure will be found right in that spot because a member of the crew had previously hidden it there. It is an interesting game it which the whole family can participate, and it also has an educational element because by playing the children and adults can learn many things about life in the sea and the area where they are, but also about other interesting themes which they encounter during the game.

On the other hand if parents want to spend a quiet evening together or go on land to a nearby restaurant or club the crew (chief stewardess) will happily look after and entertain the children even if it’s not in their job description, but a solution can always be found.

9. Guide for behaviour on a charter yacht

Upon your first yacht hire you should bear in mind that the crew will do everything in order that your cruise goes well, however, you must also comply to some rules of behaviour on the yacht so here are some guidelines which you should nevertheless respect.

Considering that yachts are expensive toys for adults and the interiors are often made from luxurious materials it is nevertheless necessary to be careful not to cause damage by being negligent or ignorant therefore please listen to the well-intentioned advice of the captain or first officer.

– The crew: Please respect the crew because they are only there for you and they often work hard to satisfy all your requirements. If some small mistake happens, and you should realise that they would not do it intentionally, please do not criticise them because they too are people, aren’t they?

– Clothes: What clothes and footwear to bring is the eternal question, isn’t it? In general don’t over do it, because you will spend most of the days having fun at sea. Whilst for evenings out you can wear casual elegance. As for shoes this differs from yacht to yacht but in principle we should say that high heels are unacceptable for walking on teak decks because you could cause damage. Therefore it is appropriate to bring shoes with soft soles and shoes that do not leave black marks on teak decks. Usually yachts have a special cabinet for shoes at the entrance of the yacht so if you go out at night in high heels you can store them in the cabinet where your slippers are also waiting or you can simply go barefoot onto the upper deck and enjoy a Jacuzzi and champagne which will await your return from a night out. (just my suggestion)

– Smoking: Smoking in enclosed areas on the yacht in most cases is forbidden, but it will always be allowed in the open areas. In any case you can enjoy your cigar after dinner at the stern part of the yacht where as soon as you have dined along with a fine cognac you can relax with the scents of your favourite cigar.

– Movement around the yacht:

The greatest part of a yacht is intended for guests however there is plenty of space in which you are not allowed to go without accompaniment or the approval of the captain, because there is for example the engine room, which is not intended for an unaccompanied visit, mainly due to safety, but also because of the many sensitive systems. Areas in which the crew stay (cabins) are also out of bounds without special reason. The kitchen area is the kingdom of the boat’s chef and often he won’t even let the rest of crew enter. Upon arrival to the yacht you will be familiarised with the complete layout on the yacht so that there should be no problem with orientation.

– Children: These days most yachts are well stocked with yacht toys for all ages of children, however you must bear in mind that members of the crew cannot be babysitters for your children all the time. Members of the crew will be happy to step in and watch over your children, but this cannot be the rule because they are already quite busy with their own obligations. In most cases when a family has small children a babysitter usually comes with them who can be accommodated in a special cabin so in that case if you want you can relax without worry.

– Your relationship with the crew: On American charter yachts there is often a little more informality between the crew and guests whilst on European yachts this is not the case. European yachts prefer that the crew are almost invisible and they are trained so that you don’t see them and that you enjoy the company of your family or friends, however they are always nearby and will react to your every signal. If you want a member of the crew to join you in order to help you orientate yourself if you wish to go on land to a nearby little town he will certainly help.

Safety: The captain is responsible for the yacht, the crew and guests and therefore there exist safety rules which you will be familiarised with upon arrival on the yacht. You will be shown where the lifebelts and rafts are located and what you should in the case of an accident. This will be carried out in the form of a short briefing as is also regulated by maritime law.

– Problems: If you have comments of any kind it is best that you solve everything with the captain and he will then resolve the situation further for which he is also in charge of through command responsibility.

– Illegal actions or illicit activities: In such cases there is no tolerance and the captain will act in accordance with his authority and report to the relevant authorities everything if there is justification for it.

Maritime law and the majority of the relevant laws or laws of the countries in which the yacht finds itself are very restrictive, so for any kind of illicit / illegal acts there exists the possibility of astronomical fines and even the seizure of the yacht depending on the extent of the illicit / illegal activities.

People with special needs: Considering that a yacht of whatever size, may often not be adapted for the longer stay of people with special needs it is necessary that during the yacht selection process to highlight to the charter broker all the particularities in order that he can advise you which yachts are equipped and adapted for people with special needs. In most cases this will not be a problem, but unfortunately not all yachts are adapted, for example the passage of invalid wheelchairs because some spaces are simply too narrow or maybe the stairs are very steep. The entrance to a yacht over the gangway is also often problematic. Therefore it is obligatory that you consult with the charter broker in advance to define the quality of equipment of the yacht in relation to the level of the special needs which are required.

– Urgent medical cases and illnesses: The yachts are very well-equipped with medicines and equipment for urgent medical cases. The first officer on the yacht is in charge of emergency medical help for which he also has special authorisation. All the other crew members have, as part of their education, passed basic medical care so that the unfortunate person will be adequately cared for if an undesirable situation should arise. If an accident occurs on a larger scale then also at hand is support from the land that works very well, so if there exists the need a call can be made for a medical helicopter or a speedboat which will in a timely manner come to the place of the incident. In modern times technology has greatly advanced so an unfortunate person can be followed online by a doctor on the land as the helicopter or speedboat is coming for evacuation.