Private Yacht Charter Terms 

Western Mediterranean Terms. (WMT) – aka “Plus All” or “Plus Expenses”

The private yacht charter fee includes the use of the yacht and equipment, the crew’s food, wages and insurance.  The charterer will be charged at cost for all other expenses including fuel, food and beverages for the charter party, berthing charges and port taxes, charges for water and electricity taken from shore, laundry, telephone and SatCom costs.  A number of large yachts use WMT while operating in the Adriatic, Aegean and Caribbean.

Eastern Mediterranean Terms. (EMT)

The private yacht charter fee includes the use of the yacht and equipment, crew’s wages and food, insurance, breakfast and lunch and fuel for a specified number of hours cruising per day, averaged throughout the charter. Usually, berthing dues and harbor charges also are included.  The charterer will be charged for fuel for the tenders, dinner on board, beverages, laundry and telephone

Standard Caribbean Terms. (SCT) – aka “All Inclusive”

The private charter fee includes all items included under WMT and EMT plus three meals a day.  Any specialty items, such as cavier or foie gras would be at an additional cost.  This is sometimes called and “All Inclusive” fee.  Most all inclusive yachts also include wine and beer, excluding vintage or premium wines and champagne.  This is more common on sailing yachts but will occasionally be offered on a power yacht as well.

 

Greek Terms. (GT)  

The private yacht charter rate includes use of yacht, insurance, crew’s wages and food, harbor dues within Greek waters, water and ship’s laundry.  The charterer will be charged additionally for fuel, meals, drinks, telephone and taxes.

Operating expenses

These vary depending on the area you cruise and the private yacht you choose.  If fuel economy is important, discuss this with your broker at the beginning of your selection process.  There also may be some harbor fees and positioning (delivery) charges if your charter involves meeting or leaving the yacht in a place other than it’s home port.

VAT – Value Added Tax

VAT is a major expense especially when cruising in the Mediterranean.  VAT can be an additional 12% to 24% of the base charter rate depending upon the country of embarkation and cruising area.  Be sure to ask if there is VAT on your charter fee.

APA – Advanced Provisioning Allowance

APA is the Advanced Provisioning Allowance for the expenses of your charter.  Most yachts request a 30% – 35% APA with your final deposit.  This money is used to provision the yacht with things you have requested: drinks, food, cars, tours, diving, dockage, fuel etc.  Any money not used is returned to you at the end of your charter.

 

Harbor Fees

Often called dues in Europe, these vary from port to port.  Normally this is a small item in the charter budget, especially in the Caribbean or Pacific Northwest.

Gratuities

Tipping yacht crews is both customary and discretionary.  The standard practice is to award 10 – 20% of the charter fee, based on you level of satisfaction, at the close of the charter.  It is customary for the charter party to leave the entire gratuity with the captain with suggestion as to how the gratuity should be distributed among the crew.

Deposits

Once you select a yacht, dates and location, your broker will provide you with a charter contract.  When you approve the contract, you will be asked to provide a deposit – usually 50% of the charter fee.  The balance of the charter fee along with any taxes and provisioning fees are usually due 30 in advance of the charter.