If you are new to booking a yacht charter, it can be complicated without understanding the details of the charter contract, ensuring your preference sheet is complete, and planning an itinerary in a foreign country. Here are the key steps to follow when booking your first yacht charter to avoid common mistakes.
1. Determine budget and preferences
Determine your overall budget: some yacht charters really are less expensive than others depending on the size and type of yacht, the length of time of the charter, the charter season and the cruising area.
Our advice: take advantage of early booking discounts and last-minute offers, which offer a similar quality of service to regular bookings.
2. Contact an experienced charter broker
Choose a good quality yacht charter company and remember that size isn’t everything.
Research several companies and read customer reviews from previous clients.
Word-of-mouth recommendations are also worth their weight in gold.
3. Choose a match between the perfect yacht and the crew
The yachts are different in size and style, so select the one which will suit your needs and preferences. Consider everything from the number of guests, amenities – fleet of water toys, stabilisers etc., chef’s specialities, general layout, crew reputation, to whether you like sailboat or motor yacht.
Remi van der Deure, Charter Broker with Charterminute, observes: “Don’t be too yacht-focused; a friendly, professional, experienced crew is 50% of a successful charter.”
5. Read, understand, and sign the charter contract
Your yacht charter company will prepare a contract (MYBA terms, ECPY contrat de transport…) with all of the charter details, including the price, payment schedule, cancellation policy, and any other important information.
Study it carefully and do not sign it until you are clear on everything it says.
Our advice is never to be afraid of asking your charter broker to explain some yachting terminology which may be quite not clear to you.
Discuss your special needs with your charter broker: mobility, transfer, cancellation insurance, diet.
6. Provide payment
Most of yacht charter companies require downpayment deposit – 50% for MYBA charter agreement – in order to confirm the booking in case the charter is booked some months in advance. Balance usually has to be paid one month prior to charter date.
As a bonus, Remi van der Deure, Charter Broker says, “If your payment is in different countries, it could be worth using a financial service in that they will reduce your foreign exchange fees and make the wiring easier. Some charter companies are starting to accept crypto payments“.
Once you have completed these steps (choice of yacht, signature of the rental agreement, preference sheet, and itinerary details), you are ready to embark on your yacht charter adventure!
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About the author: Remi van der Deure – French Riviera Charter broker.
Hello,
I am the senior Yacht Charter Broker at Charterminute, a well-known yacht charter boutique in Antibes.
I have served in the yacht charter industry for over 15 years and have gained a strong reputation among my clients, as evidenced by consistent 5-star ratings on Google Reviews and TripAdvisor.
My specialty is organizing corporate yacht charters for startups and large companies during popular events like the Cannes Lions Festival, MIPIM, TFWA, and MIPCOM.
I am also proud to be a member of esteemed yacht broker associations, e-MYBA and ECPY, demonstrating my unwavering commitment to providing exceptional yacht charter services and memorable experiences in the French Riviera.
You can contact me directly at +33 (0)662.465.991 or remi@charterminute.com.
