What’s Included in a Crewed Yacht Charter — and What Isn’t

If you’ve never been on a crewed yacht charter before, you might be wondering what’s actually included. The short answer? Almost everything.

A crewed charter is one of the most effortless vacations you can take, your floating boutique hotel moves with you, the meals are personalized, and every day brings a new view. But because each yacht operates a little differently, it’s important to understand how pricing works and what’s covered.

At Sail Play Dine Yacht Charters, transparency matters. Here’s exactly what’s included and what’s not, so you can plan your trip with confidence.

‍

💡 What’s Always Included

1. Your Private Yacht‍

You’re chartering the entire yacht, not just a cabin, which means complete privacy and flexibility. Each yacht comes fully equipped with everything you’ll need for life at sea: linens, towels, beach toys, snorkel gear, paddleboards, and more.

‍

2. A Professional Crew‍

Every crewed charter includes a captain and chef, and on larger yachts, sometimes an additional stewardess or dive instructor. Your captain handles the sailing, navigation, and itinerary, while your chef prepares beautiful meals tailored to your preferences.

‍

3. All Meals and Beverages On Board

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are all included and customized to your tastes. You’ll complete a Preference Sheet before your trip so your chef can plan the menu, whether that means fresh seafood, gourmet plant-based cuisine, or anything in between.

Most yachts also include an open bar stocked with your favorite drinks.‍

‍

4. Water Toys and Onboard Activities

Many catamarans are equipped with paddleboards, snorkel gear, floating mats, and kayaks- all included for your use. Some offer extras like wakeboards or underwater scooters.‍

‍

5. Fuel, Water, and Dock Fees‍

For “all-inclusive” charters, these costs are built into your rate. There’s no need to budget separately for fuel, as the captain plans routes accordingly.

‍

6. Your Personalized Itinerary

Whether you dream of exploring quiet anchorages or lively beach bars, your captain customizes the route based on your preferences and weather conditions, ensuring a seamless experience start to finish.‍

‍

💬 What’s Not Typically Included

While most essentials are covered, there are a few things that are not included in your charter rate:

‍

1. Gratuity for the Crew‍

Crew gratuities are customary in the charter industry and typically range from 15–20% of the charter rate, based on the level of service you receive. Tips are given at the end of the charter and shared among the crew.

‍

2. Local Taxes and Port Fees

‍Depending on your itinerary, there may be additional charges such as BVI cruising permits, national park fees, or customs fees. We’ll always outline these clearly when we provide your quote so there are no surprises.

‍

3. Optional Dining Ashore

Most guests enjoy a few meals ashore during their week, whether it’s lobster on Anegada or cocktails at Saba Rock. Those meals are at your own expense, but we’re happy to make reservations or recommendations.

‍

4. Special Requests or Premium Alcohol

If you’d like specific wines, top-shelf liquors, or celebratory champagne, your crew can source them in advance, these are charged at cost.

‍

🌺 A Few Different Charter Styles

Most of the yachts we book are all-inclusive, which means the rate covers everything listed above. However, some luxury or Mediterranean-style yachts operate on a “plus expenses” basis, where food, fuel, and bar costs are billed separately (typically through an Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA).

We’ll always clarify which structure applies when presenting options.

‍

✨ The Beauty of Simplicity

One of the greatest joys of a crewed charter is how effortless it is. Once you step aboard, everything is taken care of, from your morning coffee to the sunset cocktails and every breathtaking view in between.

Our role is to make sure you know exactly what to expect, so your only job is to relax, unwind, and enjoy the journey.

‍

📩 Ready to start planning your crewed yacht charter?

We’ll help you find the perfect yacht and crew for your next Caribbean escape. Get in touch to begin.

‍