Crewed Yacht Charter: How It Works

A crewed charter is the closest thing to a private floating villa with a personal team. You arrive, unpack once, and someone else handles the navigation, the cooking, the dishes, the fuel, and the marina paperwork — for a full week.

Below is exactly what to expect, from the moment you sign the contract to the morning you step off the gangway.

Who's onboard

Crew size depends on the size of the yacht:

• Sailing yacht / catamaran up to 50 ft — most commonly captain only. A hostess or hostess-cook can often be added depending on guest preferences and budget.
• Catamaran / motor yacht 50–70 ft — captain, hostess-cook, sometimes a deckhand.
• Luxury yacht 70 ft+ — captain, chef, chief stewardess, deckhands, sometimes an engineer. Crew of 3–8.
• Gulet (traditional Turkish yacht) — captain, cook, 1–2 sailors. Full board is included.

Cabin arrangements

The crew has their own quarters — usually in the bow (forward) or in a separate crew mess. Professional crew are trained to provide attentive service while respecting guest privacy. Depending on yacht layout, guests may see crew throughout the day, but crew quarters remain separate from guest areas.

Crew do not eat with guests unless invited. They eat earlier, separately, in their own area.

Menu planning & provisioning

About two weeks before the charter, the hostess or chef sends a preference sheet. You tell them:

• allergies and dietary restrictions,
• favourite foods and dishes,
• preferred wines, spirits, soft drinks,
• coffee, tea and breakfast preferences,
• special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries) during the week.

The crew then plans menus and provisions accordingly. On luxury yachts, provisioning is paid via APA (see below); on standard crewed charters and gulets, it is usually included or quoted as half-board / full-board.

What's APA?

APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is a running expense fund — typically 25–35% of the charter price — paid before the trip. From it, the captain covers:

• fuel for engines and generator,
• food and drinks onboard,
• marina fees and harbour taxes,
• laundry and special requests.

At the end of the charter, the captain provides a full account and refunds anything unspent — or asks for a top-up if the budget ran short.

APA is primarily used on luxury crewed yachts and larger motor yachts. Many smaller crewed catamarans and sailing yachts operate with fixed meal packages, half-board or full-board arrangements instead of APA.

A typical day onboard

Every crewed charter is different. The daily schedule is entirely flexible and depends on guest preferences, weather conditions and cruising plans. The rhythm below is simply a common example of how a relaxed day at anchor unfolds.

• 08:00–10:00 — slow breakfast on deck, fresh coffee, fruit, pastries, eggs to order.
• 10:00–13:00 — short sail or motor to the next bay; swimming, paddleboard, snorkelling.
• 13:00–15:00 — lunch onboard at anchor — salads, grilled fish, local specialties.
• 15:00–18:00 — siesta, second swim, slow cruise toward the evening destination.
• 18:00–20:00 — sunset drinks, shower, change.
• 20:00 onwards — dinner onboard or ashore in a marina restaurant (the captain books).

Tipping the crew

Tipping is customary but never mandatory. The widely accepted standard:

• Mediterranean & standard crewed yachts — 5–10% of the charter price.
• Caribbean & luxury yachts — 10–15% (MYBA standard).
• Gulets — 5–10%, distributed by the captain.

Cash in an envelope at the end of the charter, handed to the captain to share with the crew, is the cleanest way.

Is a crewed charter right for you?

A crewed charter is particularly well suited for:

• Families with children.
• First-time yacht guests.
• Groups celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions.
• Guests who prefer comfort over handling the yacht themselves.
• Destinations where local knowledge significantly enhances the experience — such as the Seychelles, the Caribbean, the Cyclades and remote cruising grounds.

Typical budget guide

Typical weekly budgets vary significantly depending on destination, season, yacht size and crew configuration. As a general guideline:

• Crewed sailing yacht (2–6 guests) — from €5,000–15,000 per week.
• Crewed catamaran (6–10 guests) — from €8,000–25,000+ per week.
• Luxury sailing yacht — from €15,000–50,000+ per week.
• Luxury motor yacht — from €20,000 per week to several hundred thousand euros.

Every charter is unique. We provide a detailed written quotation before any booking is confirmed.

Etiquette — a few quiet rules

• The captain has the final word on weather, route and safety — always.
• Shoes off when boarding (unless the captain says otherwise).
• Don't enter the crew area uninvited.
• Let the hostess clear plates — it is her job and her pride.
• Music and noise wind down after midnight at anchor — voices travel on water.

A crewed charter is the easiest way to experience a yacht holiday — no license, no cooking, no dishes, no marina stress. Just show up and live well.