A crewed yacht charter is much like staying at an exclusive resort villa. A staff that works tirelessly to meet your every need pampers you. You are in a beautiful location, and there are plenty of activities to choose from, or if you so choose, you can just relax. The main difference between a resort and a charter yacht is that a charter yacht moves daily or multiple times daily depending on your desires. Secondly, unlike a resort, you are on your own. No crowds of people on the beach, or waiting for meals. You will experience pristine bays and secluded beaches, and have the total attention of the crew aboard your own private yacht. For the newcomer to this vacation alternative, it can be a bit overwhelming at first. So, what can you expect of a crewed charter?

Coming Aboard
Broadly speaking, the degree of formality on board a yacht is dictated by the size of the yacht. On a very large motor vessel, there will be little communication with the crew except through the captain and stewards. Most charters though, are aboard smaller yachts. Due to the intimacy of the surroundings, a more casual attitude works better. The boat will probably be less than 70 feet long, with a crew of two to four people and occasionally more. The more crew the better. You will get more individual attention and usually have more options for activities.

Due to the laid back atmosphere on board most yachts, after spending a week with the crew you will become friends and in some cases feel like part of the family. That is the point of a crewed charter vacation. It can easily become the most relaxing and enjoyable trip you have ever experienced.

What can you expect to find on board?
The charter agreement, which you signed when you booked the yacht, pretty well spells out everything. The yacht is required to be clean and in proper condition for putting out to sea. All of the advertised toys and amenities should be available. This is rarely if ever a problem, as the crews take great pride in their yachts and the services they provide.

Most charter rates include all food consumed on board, and most also include liquor. In all reasonableness, though, you cannot expect to have champagne with breakfast and caviar with tea, even if the rate is all-inclusive. The crew will do their utmost to provide the highest quality food.

Should you have any special requirements in food and liquor you should indicate them on the special “preference” form provided by your broker. This is a most important communication between you and the crew before your arrival.

The information the crew is looking for is not necessarily whether you prefer crunchy or smooth peanut butter (an important choice), but whether anyone has any special dietary requirements for medical reasons or has any allergies. Also valuable is a list of preferred brands of liquors with alternatives, as a search of two or three islands may be necessary before they can be found. Incidentally, the ages of the party members, especially children, can help the skipper plan the cruise and the cook design a menu.

So what will you do for a week on board your private yacht?
Again the “preference sheet” provided by your broker will give you an idea of the available activities and is a good starting point for you and the captain to plan the trip. It is a good idea to sit down with the captain soon after you get on board, go over the charts and the various places you wish to visit and the activities in which you wish to indulge. Itineraries are usually very flexible. Depending on activities and weather, plans change.

Depending on the type of agreement, the charterer becomes a surrogate owner of the yacht. Therefore, the vessel is his to do with more or less as he pleases, within the bounds of that agreement and the requirements of safe management of the vessel. The captain, however, is the one with ultimate responsibility concerning the safety of the yacht and those on board, and his judgment is paramount. He will use his knowledge of the waters, and his familiarity with the yacht and her abilities, to decide whether a request you make about a route or destination can be met.

Going Ashore
Just as you do not live in your hotel room ashore, you do not have to spend your entire holiday on board the yacht, (although once on board you may want to). In addition to the activities on board your yacht; swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving (offered on select yachts), relaxing, reading, water sports, etc., there are many other activities either available or that can be arranged. These may include; deep-sea fishing, hiking, biking, para-sailing, tennis, beach volleyball, shopping excursions, and island tours. Ask your captain; you may be overwhelmed by the options. You will wish you had planned a longer stay!

Unless the skipper has made a special arrangement, or planned his budget accordingly, he will not provide any meals ashore for his guests. Normally, any such expense is your responsibility. Most clients choose to eat one dinner ashore to try the local cuisine of the island (though it is not likely to rival your meals aboard your private yacht).
Most of the islands have some type of nighttime entertainment. You can enjoy dancing to the driving Caribbean beat of a local band, or the sound of the steel pan band, or just party with other people enjoying their holiday. Others may prefer to stay on board their yacht, have an after dinner drink and gaze at the stars. There is something for everyone.

Tipping
When you stay in a hotel or eat in a restaurant, you tip as a matter of course. Very often a service charge is also applied, which you pay regardless of whether the service was worth it or not. As a rule, the service you receive on a chartered yacht is excellent, but for some reason there is little or no discussion between the charterer and broker about whether gratuities are expected, or even acceptable.

From the point of view of the average charter yacht crew, a tip is definitely acceptable, and indicates to them that their efforts have been appreciated. Considering the hours the crew put in, and the variety of activities in which they helped you indulge, 15 to 20 percent of the charter fee divided between the crew members would seem to be a good basis on which to work. Adjustments can be made up or down, according to how well you thought you were treated. Owner-operators should not be considered exempt from receiving gratuities.

General Safety on Board
A yacht is a powerful machine, and it is important that you keep clear of any moving parts of the machine, such as running rigging, sheet winches and anchor handling equipment. If you are a sailor and familiar with the gear and its operation, the skipper will be pleased to supervise should you wish to handle it. If you are a stranger to boats, but wish to learn, he will be pleased to instruct.
Charter yachts are very safe for children of all ages. The crew will usually have had experience with children on board, and will take care of them very well, allowing you more time to relax or play.

When you board the yacht, the skipper will introduce you to the principal features of the rig and accommodations, and give you instructions on operating any special equipment, like the toilet. He will advise you on general matters of safety and normal conduct, from getting in and out of the dinghy to keeping sand and salt water in their proper place and not introducing them below decks. Salt has serious effects on furnishings and wood finishes, while sand, when it eventually gets there, can cause serious harm to such vital equipment as the bilge pump.

Concerns Outside the Yacht
Your only concern while in the West Indies is too much sun! The sun is the cause of more distress than anything else in these tropical isles. Consequently, no matter how accustomed you think you are to the sun, you must take great care to avoid painful burning.
Save your sunbathing for brief spells in early morning and late afternoon. Wear a shirt when snorkeling - the fish don’t care how you look. The rest of the time, stay under the awnings or keep well covered up. If the skipper suggests you put on a shirt, do so.

The Crew

West Indian Pace
For many visitors to the Antilles, the hardest task is getting used to the pace, or lack thereof! The only time a West Indian ever seems to be in a hurry is when driving a car. He does not recognize a need to do anything else any faster - and in his country, there is no need for any more hurry. Life in the West Indies is not that structured, which is one of the reasons it is so refreshing. Because you are visiting his land, it is best that you adjust to his speed, and relax. A vacation aboard a private charter yacht is truly an amazing experience in a truly beautiful location.