How Crewed Yacht Charters Work: A Complete Guide

A crewed yacht charter is one of the most immersive and personalised travel experiences available. Unlike a hotel or cruise ship, a crewed charter places a private vessel — and its entire professional crew — entirely at your disposal for the duration of your holiday.

What is a Crewed Charter?

When you charter a crewed yacht, you are hiring both the yacht and its crew for an agreed period, typically one week. The crew — which typically includes a captain, chef, and one or more deckhands — live aboard and are dedicated exclusively to you and your guests throughout the charter.

The Charter Fee

The charter fee is the base cost of hiring the yacht and crew for the agreed period. It covers the yacht itself, the crew's salaries, and the yacht's insurance. It does not typically cover fuel, food and beverages, marina fees, or other running costs — these are covered by the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), which is typically 25–30% of the charter fee.

The APA

The APA is a pre-paid fund that the captain manages on your behalf to cover all running expenses during the charter. At the end of the charter, the captain provides a full accounting of all expenditure, and any unspent funds are returned to you.

The Itinerary

One of the greatest pleasures of a crewed charter is the freedom to create your own itinerary. Before departure, your broker will work with you to plan a route that suits your interests, whether that means exploring ancient ruins, seeking out the best restaurants, or finding the most secluded anchorages.

What to Expect

A typical day on a crewed charter begins with breakfast served on deck as the yacht lies at anchor in a secluded bay. After breakfast, the captain will brief you on the day's plan. You might spend the morning snorkelling, kayaking, or simply swimming from the yacht's platform. Lunch is served on board — freshly prepared by your chef from local produce.