Charter FAQs

To get started, one of our brokers will ask you questions, like how many people you want to bring aboard, whether you know where you want to go and what you want to do. From sailing to motor, catamaran to explorer – we’ll shortlist yachts of a style, size and capability that match your preferences and suggest bucket-list cruising grounds.  

Selecting your destination depends on what time of year you plan on going. Most yachts are in the Mediterranean during summer and the Caribbean/Bahamas over winter, but your broker knows about yachts cruising all over the world, from the waters of Northern Europe, North America, through Central and South America to Antarctica, the Indian Ocean, Asia, to the Pacific Islands, including the Galapagos Islands.  

In some places, such as Spain and Greece, yachts need charter licences to cruise and if that’s where you decide you want to go, we’ll only shortlist yachts that have or can obtain those licences. Also, while some yachts can charter in the US, others do not meet America’s fiscal requirements and so can’t charter there. Again, we’ll only suggest yachts that can cruise where you want to go.   

Absolutely. Once we know what you love to do, we can make some itinerary suggestions and once you have booked we will start working with the captain on the finer details. 

The majority of yachts can cruise with 8-12 guests, depending on their length. For bigger parties, some yachts built to the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) can carry up to 36 guests – these yachts are usually above 80m (260ft) long. For events, yachts can have more people on board provided they stay in port.   

Not at all. We can get you on board any yacht in the global charter fleet. If you have seen a yacht you like on a different website we should be able to send you information about it.  

Planning the perfect charter requires specialist knowledge, trusted contacts on board and on the ground, as well as first-hand knowledge of yachts, crews and locations, as well as legal contracts and local regulations to build an experience that suits you perfectly. Another reason to choose a broker is that sometimes there can be unforeseen issues with yachts or destinations and having an experienced broker to protect your interests and build a plan B is hugely reassuring. 

Creating the unforgettable is what we do at Burgess. It’s what our knowledge, experience and passion are all about. We take all the hassle out of the planning so you can just turn up and have the best holiday ever. 

Charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht. Charters over seven days are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate divided by seven and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters of fewer than seven days usually attract a premium, calculated as the weekly rate divided by six, multiplied by the number of days.  

High season rates usually apply to the most popular charter periods, i.e. July and August, Christmas and New Year, and are also normally applicable to all major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. Low season rates apply to all other periods. Low and high season periods may differ for certain locations.  

Most charter rates are based on MYBA (The Worldwide Yachting Association) terms, which include the hire of the yacht and her crew. All additional expenses are for the charterer’s account. These contracts ensure that the yacht you have chartered will be in full working order when you arrive, with all the equipment and facilities we’ve confirmed it has.  

When you sign the MYBA charter agreement, you pay a deposit of 50 percent of the total charter fee by bank transfer. The remaining 50 percent, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), any taxes, delivery or redelivery fees and any other agreed charges, is payable by bank transfer five weeks before the charter starts. 

Along with your final charter payment, you send in your Advance Provisioning Allowance which covers all operating expenses whilst you are on board including, but not limited to food and drinks for the charter party, trips ashore, fuel for the yacht and tender(s) and any port fees. As a guide, it’s usually between 30-40 percent of the yacht’s weekly rate. 

If you want to join the yacht somewhere other than where it is, there may be a fee to cover the fuel costs of the delivery, there may be VAT charges depending on where you want to cruise, and some charters will need a security deposit.

To keep an eye on your expenditure, you can ask for an up-to-date summary of your account whenever you like during your charter, and at the end of the charter the captain will give you a full set of accounts. If, during the charter, expenditure goes over the APA figure, you’ll need to top up.  

Some yachts will have a minimum number of days for a charter, which your broker can confirm.  

MYBA, The Worldwide Yachting Association, is an international professional organisation. MYBA was founded in 1984 to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct and to set a standard for charter agreements. A MYBA contract clearly sets out terms and conditions to protect both the owner and charterer. Only established yachting companies can use MYBA contracts, so it’s your assurance that you’ll get what you pay for.  

A few weeks before your charter starts, we’ll send you a detailed questionnaire that lets us know the preferences and special requirements of everyone in your party. It will cover dietary and medical requirements, allergies and any special requests, birthdays or entertainment, for instance. This helps us and the crew of your yacht make sure your charter will be everything you hope it will be.  

The list of recreation equipment on board is believed to be accurate but it can change at short notice so it’s not guaranteed. If there are changes, the yacht’s owner will do all they can to replace the equipment with something similar. In some places local laws can restrict the use of personal watercraft (jetskis, waverunners etc), again our brokers will know, and, if your chosen yacht is not designated as an RYA training centre, guests will also need the relevant operating licence. We’ll cover all this during the planning stage. 

We always recommend Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance to protect your investment if, for whatever reason, your charter doesn’t happen or is cut short. We also recommend every one in your party should be covered by Personal Accident and Medical Insurance, and personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage. 

You may also want other forms of insurance, such as Charterer’s Liability, and our brokers can outline what the options are and why you might need them. 

There is standard Wi-Fi on most yachts, although in some areas coverage may be limited and is not guaranteed. If you plan to be online a lot during your charter, or you need large bandwidths, please let your broker know beforehand. We can check which upgrades are available and what charges are involved.   

For safety reasons, smoking inside is not allowed on any yachts. You can smoke outside on deck, and sometimes in designated areas only. If you have smokers in your party, please let us know and we’ll factor that into our shortlist.  

Crew tips are discretionary but customary for a charterer who has enjoyed the crew’s service. Tips are usually 10-15 percent of the charter fee, but can be more or less depending on how much you enjoyed the service. On reviewing your end of charter APA accounts give your instructions about the tip to the captain and he/she will make sure everyone’s efforts are recognised, including the crew you don’t see day to day. If you need guidance, please ask your broker for advice. 

Many yachts won’t accept pets and those that do will often hold a security deposit. Some welcome pets so if you want to bring yours, just let us know and we’ll find the most suitable option for you.   

Most guests are happy to go barefoot on board, which is the tradition, to protect the teak deck. The yacht may offer slippers for use indoors. If you need to wear shoes on board, let us know and we can find out which shoes the yacht accepts. You may also want to bring water shoes if you want to explore the coastal rocks.