Chartering a private yacht for a vacation may sound like something only the rich and famous can do, but the truth is that it can be quite affordable, in fact even less expensive than staying in a hotel for a week.
Use any or all of these cost-saving strategies to make the vacation of your dreams come true:
1. Travel with a group of friends/family. It’s always less expensive to share the costs with a group. As an example, I found a crewed sailing yacht in Italy for $9,800/week that sleeps 12 – that breaks down to $816/person. Or how about a skippered boat in the British Virgin Islands for $4,895 that sleeps 6-8? That comes out to $611 – $815/person.
2. Sign up for email alerts and newsletters from charter companies, sailing magazines and other ocean-related publications (such as Islands magazine). Many charter companies and boat owners have lowered their prices as a result of the weakened economy, and this way, you get all the info sent to your inbox, instead of having to spend time searching for it on the web.
3. Ask if the price is negotiable. Most boat owners would rather rent out their boat for slightly less than not at all, so don’t hesitate to ask, even if you are dealing with a charter broker company. Make sure to ask what the “hidden” or extra costs are – and if they can be included in the price listed.
4. If you’re chartering through a company, ask if they have any special discount agreements with airlines flying to their charter base. Many do, and can save you a substantial amount on airfare.
5. Last minute deals. If you’re able to travel on short notice, look for last minute charters. Booking a yacht only 30 days in advance can save you 25% or more. To make sure you hear about the latest deals available, sign up for newsletters from charter companies, and also set up a few Google alerts.
6. Travel a bit off season. Going right before or just after the high season can save you quite a bit, not only on the charter price, but also when it comes to flights, restaurants, etc. And the crowds are much thinner, both in the marinas and onshore. In the Mediterranean, September and October are great choices, and in the Caribbean, try April-June.
7. Early boarding. Typically, you arrive at the charter base the night before the charter start date and have to spend the first night in a hotel. Ask if you can get “early boarding” or “evening boarding”. There might be a small fee for it, but it’ll be less than a hotel room, plus you save yourself the inconvenience of having to unpack and pack things twice.
8. Exchange boats. Swapping homes has been a popular way to vacation for decades now, and this great, affordable way to vacation has caught on in the boating communities around the world. If you don’t own a boat yourself, but if you’re an experienced boater (you’ll need documentation to prove it of course), see if you can do a home/boat swap: your home for someone’s boat for a week (or longer).
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