How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht?

A charter costs the weekly fee plus several further items that vary by yacht, season, itinerary and contract. The fee is published; the rest is estimated with your broker and confirmed in the contract and the APA account.

Lund does not publish a single multiplier for the total because the honest answer depends on how you use the yacht.

The fee covers use of the yacht, its standard equipment and the crew for the agreed period, under the contract terms. Rates are quoted per week and change with the season. A rate shown as 'from' is the lowest seasonal rate, not the rate for every week.

On a crewed charter the crew's wages are normally included in the fee. Crew food on board is usually also covered by the yacht, though contracts vary. Additional specialist staff, such as an extra chef, a nanny or instructors, may be charged separately.

The captain is part of the crew and included in the fee. The captain is responsible for the safety of the yacht and guests, which means itinerary and weather decisions rest with them.

The chef's work is included; the food is not. Ingredients are paid through the APA, which is why cuisine choices affect the total.

The yacht's hull and liability insurance is normally the owner's cost and included. Guests' own travel, medical and cancellation insurance is separate and worth arranging.

Toys and tenders listed in the specification are usually available without a separate fee, but their fuel is normally charged through the APA. Specialist rentals, such as additional jet skis, seabobs or a dive instructor, may be extra.

The detailed line-by-line split between included and separate items is covered in the What Is Included guide. Always read the contract for the specific yacht.

The APA is an advance paid before the charter to fund variable running costs. The captain keeps an account, and the balance is reconciled at the end.

APA is commonly expressed as a share of the charter fee, and figures in the market are often quoted in a broad range. Treat any percentage as a starting reference only: the right figure depends on the yacht, itinerary and guest preferences, and is set per contract.

Suppose a yacht's agreed APA is a set amount paid with the balance. During the week fuel, food, wine and berths are drawn from it. At the end the captain presents receipts. If spending was lower, the surplus is returned; if higher, you pay the difference. The figure is an advance, not a fee.

Unspent APA is refunded. It is an advance against actual costs, accounted for with receipts.

If spending runs ahead of the advance, the captain may ask for a top-up during the charter. After disembarkation the account is settled either way, under the contract's terms.

Fuel is often the largest variable cost. It depends on hull type, engines, cruising speed, distance and how long the generators run. Lund does not estimate fuel per hour from a yacht's length, because two yachts of the same length can consume very differently.

Food is bought through the APA based on your preference sheet. Simple local cuisine costs less than imported specialities, out-of-season produce or a menu built around premium ingredients.

Beverages can move the APA more than food. Premium wines, champagne and rare bottles are bought at local prices and may need advance ordering. Agree a budget with the captain if you want control.

List allergies and requirements on the preference sheet. Specialist sourcing can cost more and needs time, particularly in remote cruising areas.

Berthing fees depend on the port, the yacht's size and the date. Prime harbours in peak season are expensive and limited. Berths are paid through the APA.

Nights at anchor usually avoid berth fees, though some protected areas charge mooring or buoy fees, and generator use continues.

During major events, such as a Grand Prix or yacht show, berths can carry premium prices or package terms set by the port or event. These are quoted separately for that charter.

Published charter rates are usually shown excluding VAT. Whether VAT or another local tax applies, and at what rate, depends on where the yacht cruises, where the charter starts and the contract. The detailed logic is in the Charter VAT guide.

Different countries apply different rules, and some apply tax based on time spent in their waters. A change of itinerary can therefore change the tax due. Lund does not apply one rate to every charter; your broker confirms the tax in the quote.

If you want to start or finish away from the yacht's base, a delivery or redelivery fee may apply to cover fuel and time. Each yacht and itinerary is quoted individually.

Peak weeks command the highest seasonal rate. Event weeks may carry premium rates or minimum durations. Shoulder seasons can offer better value on the same yacht.

Gratuity is customary and at your discretion. It is not part of the fee or the APA. The Tipping guide explains common practice.

The Yacht Desk and Charter & Brokerage Desk prepare a budget estimate for a shortlisted yacht and itinerary, and explain each line before you commit. Final figures are always those in the contract.