Bahamas Luxury Yacht & Boat Charters-How to Rent a Yacht in the Bahamas
Steps in Reserving a Luxury Yacht in the Bahamas or Caribbean
Reserving or chartering a professionally crewed luxury yacht allows you the freedom of choosing your own destinations and custom itineraries that can be adjusted according to your wishes at almost any time. The process is simple and can be very enjoyable if you are working with an experienced & knowledgeable team.
The following is an explanation and breakdown of the yacht booking process; a Miami Luxury Yacht Charter Specialist is always standing by to assist you.
Step 1- Choose a Yacht
Search through our Bahamas & Caribbean Featured Vessels Listings and our complete listings of all available luxury yacht charters available in region using our Bahamas Yacht Search Tool. Once you have made your choice or list of choices, contact us online or call our office directly at (305) 223-3488 or toll-free 1-866-978-5450. Once you are satisfied with your selection, our Charter Specialist will place a hold on the yacht of your choice for the preferred dates of private charter. The hold is a courtesy hold and allows us a short time to collect & turn in completed contracts and deposits to secure charter dates & yacht of choice. (48 hours)
Step 2- Contracts
Once we have placed hold on select vessel our office will send you the yacht charter contracts which explain all cost related to charter as well as agreed terms. The contract is simple and easy to understand but if you have any questions an agent will gladly assist you.
Step 3- Collecting Contracts & Deposits
Completed contracts will be reviewed by an agent before processing and at this time the initial deposit of 50% of the yacht charter fee is required to secure vessel. The remaining balance and APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is due 45 days prior to your charter commencement date. If charter commencement date is within 30 days, payment in full is required.
Step 4- Personalizing Your Charter Experience
With contracts and deposits collected and processed your dates are secured for your Bahamas or Caribbean Luxury yacht Charter. Our office will email you a Charter Questionnaire for you to complete with your preferences for food and beverages, activities and other particular information that will assist the crew in making your cruising experience very personalized.
Step 5- Meet Your Crew
Once we have received and forwarded your Charter Questionnaire to your crew, we will arrange for you the charterer to communicate with your crew or yacht management office and discuss any and all details pertaining to the charter. Our professional crews and yacht managers are eager to assist you in making all your vacation dreams a reality.
Final Step- Final Balance Payment & APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
The final payment on the balance and the APA is due 45 days prior to the beginning of your charter date. The crew or yacht manager has already reviewed your meal selections as well as itineraries and has calculated a fair APA estimate (usually 30% of the Charter Rate). All- inclusive yacht charter rates will not require an APA deposit.
* Explanation of the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
A 30% of the yacht charter rate is forwarded ahead of time to your crew in order to secure payment of running expenses. All running expenses are the responsibility of the Charterer and include food, beverages, fuel consumed, dockage fees, port fees and custom fees if applicable, etc. At the end of the charter the Captain will sit down with you and present a full accounting of all your expenses. Unused balance will be refunded and in the case charter went over the estimated APA allowance; the Charterer is responsible for securing payment before disembarking from vessel.
Taxes
Depending on your port of embarkation and or home port of vessel, all charter fees are subject to a State of Florida Sales Tax of 7% or Bahamas Sales Tax of 4%.
Crew Gratuities
Crew Gratuity is at your discretion and not mandatory but the custom in the industry is to leave a 10-15% of the charter rate with Captain at the end of the charter which will be equally distributed to the crew.
Payment Policies
A 50% deposit of final charter rate is required to reserve the yacht of your choice. Final balance and APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is due 45 days prior to departure. All payments must be done by bank wire transfer and are held in escrow by the yacht manager or agent until the commencement of the charter. Major Credit Cards are not an acceptable form of payment unless yacht manager approves the use of and the card provider is aware the final payment may be subject to a processing fee.
Cancellation Policies
All payments are final and non-refundable.
