What a Yacht Charter Costs
Rates, allowances, taxes — in plain numbers
Charter Costs
The rate is only the beginning of the number
Most people who inquire about a charter ask the same question first: what will it actually cost? The honest answer is that the published weekly rate covers the yacht and its crew, and three further figures sit beside it — a provisioning allowance, VAT where it applies, and a discretionary gratuity.
Below is how each part works, the bands published rates typically fall into by yacht size and season, and a worked example so the total is clear before you ever speak to us. Nothing here is a quotation: every charter is priced against a specific yacht, a specific week and a specific cruising area, and we set that out in writing.
The four parts of a charter price
01 — The charter rate
The published weekly price of the yacht. It includes the vessel, its crew, insurance and the equipment on board — the toys, tenders and water sports. It is quoted per week, not per person, and the yacht is yours for the whole period.
02 — The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)
A float, usually 25–35% of the charter rate, paid before you board and held by the captain. Fuel, food and drink, berthing, port fees and anything you request on board are paid from it. Receipts are presented at the end of the charter and whatever is unspent is returned to you.
03 — VAT and local taxes
Charter is a taxable supply in most of the Mediterranean, at rates that vary by country and sometimes by the itinerary — commonly between 5% and 13% of the charter rate. The Caribbean generally carries no VAT on charter.
04 — Crew gratuity
Customary but entirely discretionary, normally 5–10% of the charter rate, given to the captain at the end for distribution among the crew. It is not included in any quotation and no one will ask you for it.
Worked example
Charter rate — 1 week, 28 m motor yacht
The vessel and its crew
€60,000
APA — provisioning allowance at 30%
Fuel, food, drink, berthing, port fees; unspent balance refunded
€18,000
VAT on the charter rate (where applicable)
12% shown as an illustration; the rate depends on the cruising area
€7,200
Crew gratuity at 5–10%
Discretionary, paid at the end of the charter
€3,000 – €6,000
Total payable
€88,200 – €91,200
Illustrative only. The APA is settled against actual receipts at the end of the charter, so most clients recover part of it. Your quotation will set out the exact figures for the yacht, dates and cruising area you choose.
Indicative weekly charter rates
Fully crewed yachts, Mediterranean, rate only — before APA, VAT and gratuity. A yacht that charters at €60,000 a week in July will often be available for closer to €45,000 in late May.
| Yacht | Guests | Low season / week | High season / week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sailing yacht, 15–20 m | 4–6 | €15,000 – €30,000 | €25,000 – €45,000 |
| Sailing yacht, 20–30 m | 6–10 | €30,000 – €60,000 | €45,000 – €85,000 |
| Motor yacht, 20–24 m | 6–8 | €35,000 – €70,000 | €50,000 – €100,000 |
| Motor yacht, 24–30 m | 8–10 | €60,000 – €110,000 | €90,000 – €170,000 |
| Motor yacht, 30–40 m | 10–12 | €110,000 – €220,000 | €160,000 – €320,000 |
| Motor yacht, 40 m and over | 12+ | From €220,000 | From €300,000 |
Indicative published rate bands for fully crewed yachts in the Mediterranean, in euros per week, before APA, VAT and gratuity. Caribbean yachts are usually quoted in US dollars and are generally not subject to VAT. Individual yachts vary widely with age, crew and specification — these bands are for orientation, not a quotation.
Crewed or bareboat?
The single biggest factor in what you pay is whether a crew comes with the yacht. Crewed charter is the mainstream; bareboat is cheaper by a wide margin and asks more of you.
| Crewed charter | Bareboat charter | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs the yacht | A professional captain and crew of two to twelve, employed by the owner. | You do. An ICC or RYA Day Skipper level certificate is normally required, with a sailing CV for larger yachts. |
| What the weekly rate covers | Vessel, crew wages, insurance, standard onboard equipment and watersports toys. | Vessel, insurance, dinghy and standard equipment. Fuel, water and gas are extra. |
| Running costs on top | APA of 25–35% of the rate, covering fuel, food, drink, berthing and port fees. | Fuel and water at the end of the charter, plus marina fees, food and drink bought yourself. |
| Taxes | VAT of 5–13% on the rate in most Mediterranean countries; generally none in the Caribbean. | Local cruising tax or permit, usually a small fixed charge per person or per week. |
| Deposit | No security deposit; APA is paid in advance and reconciled afterwards. | Refundable security deposit, typically €2,500–€8,000 depending on the yacht. |
| Indicative weekly cost | From around €15,000 for a small crewed sailing yacht to well over €300,000 for a large superyacht. | Around €3,500–€8,000 for a 12–15 m monohull and €6,000–€15,000 for a catamaran in the Mediterranean. |
| Best suited to | Guests who want to be looked after, larger groups, families with children, and anyone chartering for the first time. | Experienced sailors who want independence and a hands-on voyage, usually in flotilla or coastal waters. |
A third route sits between the two: a crewed yacht booked by the cabin, where you pay per person rather than for the whole vessel. It is the cheapest way aboard and the least private.
When you charter changes the price
Late June to early September
High season in the Mediterranean. Peak rates, and the best yachts are usually committed a year ahead.
May, June, September and early October
Shoulder season. Rates are typically 15–30% below high season, the weather is still warm and anchorages are quieter.
December to March
High season in the Caribbean, when European owners move their yachts across for the winter. Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks of the year.
Late April to June in the Caribbean
Late season. Rates soften and availability improves, though the trade winds are lighter.
Six ways to bring the cost down
- Charter in the shoulder season rather than the peak of July and August.
- Book early — yachts that are already booked do not discount, and early commitment often secures a better weekly rate.
- Avoid repositioning: a one-way charter between two distant bases carries a delivery fee, sometimes several thousand euros.
- Choose a slightly older yacht with a strong recent refit rather than a brand-new one of the same size.
- Charter for two weeks — the second week is sometimes priced lower and the fixed costs are spread further.
- Keep the APA realistic. It is a float against real spending, so a modest brief on food and wine leaves more of it returned to you.
Want a real number, for a real yacht?
Tell us your dates, your group and where you would like to sail, and we will send a written quotation setting out the rate, the APA, the applicable VAT and everything each of them covers.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
We curate charter experiences across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, East Coast USA, South East Asia, Indian Ocean, and more. Each destination offers unique experiences, from pristine beaches to historic sailing grounds.
Charter rates typically include the vessel, professional crew, and basic provisioning. Additional services such as watersports equipment, gourmet catering, and special experiences can be arranged for an additional fee (APA).
Luxury yacht charters are priced per yacht per week, not per person, so the rate depends on length, age, crew numbers and season rather than on how many guests travel. Mediterranean high season runs late June to early September and Caribbean high season from December to March, when rates are at their highest. Every yacht on our charter fleet shows its current weekly rate, and our charter pricing page sets out the weekly rate bands by yacht size.
The Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA, is an advance paid on top of the base charter rate, typically 25 to 35 per cent of it. It covers fuel, food and beverages, berthing and port fees, and any watersports or excursions you request. Your captain accounts for it against receipts during the charter, unused funds are refunded at the end, and any overspend is invoiced.
No. Charter rates are normally quoted excluding VAT, which depends on where you embark and cruise, and excluding the crew gratuity. Gratuity is discretionary and typically five to ten per cent of the base charter fee, given at the end of the charter and shared across the crew.
Most crewed luxury charter yachts carry six to twelve guests in three to six cabins, and larger yachts in the fleet carry more. Commercially coded yachts are limited to twelve guests for charter regardless of cabin count, which is why the guest figure on each listing is the number to plan around.
Peak season (summer in the Mediterranean, winter in the Caribbean) fills quickly, so we recommend booking 6-12 months in advance. However, last-minute availability can often be arranged.
Yes. We arrange walkthroughs or virtual tours for charter clients. Our brokers will explain the yacht's layout, amenities, and crew to ensure it's the right fit for your group.
Cancellation terms are set out in your charter agreement and vary by yacht and timing. We always recommend travel insurance. Our team will work with you to reschedule where possible and minimise any costs involved.
Yes. Charter clients return to us for repeat bookings and new destinations year after year. We're always on hand to help plan your next voyage.
Charter planning assistance at Nicholson Yachting covers the whole charter, not just the booking: brief, destination and dates, yacht shortlist, contract, crew preference sheets, itinerary and daily logistics. Brokers in London, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale have planned crewed charters since 1949, working from roughly 1,700 charter yachts and 85 destination guides. The sequence runs: agree the brief covering guest numbers and ages, dates, cruising area, budget and must-haves; choose area and season, since Mediterranean high season is late June to early September and Caribbean high season runs December to March; shortlist yachts that fit the party, crew ratio and budget; place a hold and sign the MYBA charter agreement with deposit and an Advance Provisioning Allowance of 25-35%; return the crew preference sheet covering dietary needs, allergies, activities and children; confirm the itinerary and berth bookings for busy weeks; then hold a pre-charter briefing before joining. Charter enquiries: mike@nicholsonyachting.com, +44 7815 137 135.
Still have questions?
Contact our team directly