How Much Does a Private Yacht Charter Cost?

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Just the sound of the word yacht charter conjures up images of the rich and famous. However, most people are surprised that there are private yachts available for the average traveler.

So how much does a private yacht charter cost? That is like asking, “How much is a bottle of wine?” A private yacht charter can cost anywhere from $2,500 per person per week to $150,000 per person per week.

What Determines Yacht Charter Cost?

Age of the yacht, how much the yacht cost to build, date of recent refit, season, size, number of decks, level of luxury, experience of the crew and chef, and onboard toy and amenity inventory.

Sailing Catamaran Yacht Charter

All-inclusive catamaran charter pricing for a 50’ luxury catamaran for 8 guests starts at $2,500 pp/week in the Virgin Islands. Spending $2,900 pp/week gets you onboard a 52’ catamaran for 10 guests. Or step aboard a top-of-the-line 56’ catamaran for 8 guests at $3500 pp/week.

This is considerably less than what most people expect to pay and the rates compete with the cost of a high-end cruise ship or luxury resort. If you are a Ritz Carleton or Four Seasons kind of traveler, then you will be comfortable on a 62’ catamaran that charters for $4,000-$4,500 pp/week.

Motor Yachts

Motor yachts tend to be more expensive than sailing catamarans for two reasons. They are typically more expensive to purchase, and fuel adds to the charter cost. A 62' power catamaran starts at around $4,000 pp/week all-inclusive in the British Virgin Islands.

Superyachts

At 90’ or larger, superyachts can cost from $4,500 pp/week to $150,000 pp/week plus expenses. Again, the rate varies widely according to the newness of the yacht, technology, artwork and design, and the toy inventory.

What Does the Yacht Charter Rate Include?

Yacht charter rate inclusions vary according to the size of the yacht and the area of the world in which it operates. The most common rate structures are all-inclusive and plus expenses.

All-Inclusive Yacht Charters

These rates include the hire of the yacht and crew, all meals, snacks, open standard bar (champagnes, vintage wines, extraordinary brands, and excessive consumption are additional), the use and instruction of all onboard watersports equipment, cruising taxes, and port fees. You will find this type of rate structure on most catamarans and sailing yachts under 80’ in the Caribbean. A handful of small motor yachts also operate at an all-inclusive rate.

Plus Expenses Yacht Charters

This rate includes the hire of the yacht, the crew, and the yacht's insurance. Then you pay for the operating expenses of the yacht "at cost." These expenses include your food and beverage, consumables, fuel, tenders, dockage, port fees, cruising taxes, communications, personal laundry, etc. Typically, these additional costs add 30-35% to the yacht charter fee. The majority of yachts based outside of the Caribbean operate under these terms.

The Plus Expenses rate structure allows you to only pay for what you consume. The cost of additional expenses varies widely from one person to the next, according to the itinerary, amount of fuel used, the types of food and beverage you order, parties, and whether you dock each night or anchor out.

Private Yacht Chef

A yacht charter can be as affordable or as ultra-luxe as you choose. We will be honored to help you find a private yacht charter for your next family vacation or social-distanced vacation.