FAQs
Will I have to share a yacht with another group or people
I don’t know?
No. True private yachts cannot be booked by the cabin.
You hire the whole yacht and decide who comes on board
with you for the trip.
A private yacht vacation sounds expensive. How can I
afford it?
In fact, a family of four might actually pay less for
a yacht charter than for a vacation on a cruise ship,
and couples who travel on high-end cruise ships can
often find bargains on private yachts when travelling
with friends.
Will I need to know anything about driving a boat?
No. Although you can learn if you like, and you can
be captain if you wish to be, most private yacht charters
provide a licensed captain and many come with a full
crew to fulfil your every need.
Are smaller yachts as safe as big cruise ships?
In fact, private yachts are safer, for many reasons.
Large cruise ships usually cruise from big tourist ports
which attract pickpockets. On a private yacht the only
people on board are your private crew (usually the owner’s
own crew), you and your invited guests. Unlike big cruise
ships, private yachts rarely travel where pirates do,
and private yacht crews are trained to top international
standards to deal with any (rare) emergency on board.
It is also true that smaller yachts, with less people
on board, are less prone to disease than larger ships.
Finally, there is a lot less damage to the environment
by a smaller yacht than by a large cruise ship.
If private yacht charter is so good, why does my travel
agent not promote them?
It’s because a travel agent makes money from selling
cruise ship vacations. Yacht charter is a specialised
part of the travel industry, requiring expert knowledge,
and travel agents cannot compete with professional brokers.
To get the best from chartering a yacht, you need to
go through a top professional broker like Royalty Yachts.
Saint Tropez, France
What about children on the yacht?
You should note that you are responsible for the safety and behaviour of children. The captain and crew on board have responsibility for the yacht and navigation, but cannot be held responsible for children on board the yacht.
Pets are not allowed on board yachts. Crews have a duty to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. Pets can be even more sensitive than humans and longer cruises can be very uncomfortable for pets.
What do we do about passports and visas?
Passports must be taken, and visas, if applicable, must be secured in advance of the charter.
A food preference list (Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA)) will be sent to you before the charter sails. This will enable you to familiarise the crew with your favourite foods and drinks. Chefs for the yachts will do their very best to satisfy your requirements.
What about a special menu or food requirement?
It is important that the crew know in advance of any allergies or serious food aversions. This should be specified in the preference list.
Seasickness is a possibility. If you are worried about it, please check with your pharmacist for recommended medication prior to departure. If it is your first time on board a yacht, tell us and the crew and they will try to make your cruising route as comfortable as they possibly can, by looking for recommended routes in protected waters and away from bad weather.
Some areas allow smoking, but it is specifically strictly forbidden in cabins or state rooms. Most yachts do allow smoking on deck. If any of your guests are smokers, please advise Royalty Yachts and we will tell the crew and do our best to accommodate your wishes.
Are there any laundry facilities on board?
Yes, most large yachts are equipped with laundry facilities. These will be able to handle crew uniforms and the large amount of linen on board, but are not generally meant for passenger use. However, the crew will be happy to assist you in taking your laundry to a professional service on shore.
What communications are available?
Most yachts are now equipped with the most up to date communications technology, which includes cellular telephone service, global satellite telecommunications, enabling Internet access, e-mail and fax services. It means that you are within reach of anyone you need to be, wherever your yacht is located.
We have the most carefully selected crew who are experienced in entertaining celebrities and high-level statesmen. All our crew are professionals with absolute discretion, so that you can be certain that your privacy is guaranteed. See Privacy Policy.
Tips for the crew are entirely at your discretion. If you are completely satisfied with the level of service provided to you, then a usual gratuity can range between five and 15 per cent of the charter fee. We recommend that you hand such a tip to the captain for fair distribution among all crew members, not all of whom have a high profile, but all of whom contribute to the success of your trip. Ultimately, however, it is up to you.
The MYBA contract will tell you what is insured. The owner insures the yacht for the duration of the charter, but it is recommended in some instances that you buy your own liability insurance cover to protect you and your guests as well as your personal effects against any unforeseen circumstances.
What are the charter costs, terms and conditions?
The charter agreement will tell you the terms for
a refund in case of cancellation.
The charter fee covers all operational expenses, including
the crew’s wages and provisions. It also includes insurance
as specified and harbour charges and water and electricity
used from shore. The charges also include onboard facilities
such as leisure equipment, water skis, windsurfing,
snorkelling and fishing equipment, a dinghy with outboard
motor, and facilities such as TV, video and stereo.
Many other items make up the complete yacht inventory,
but as each one will vary it is not possible to list
everything.
There will be extra charges for other operating expenses
while on board, such as VAT, fuel, food for passengers,
wine, liquors, personal laundry and marina fees.
Royalty Yachts will help you to analyse your cruise
parameters, and you can consult with the captain to
get an estimate of these charges in advance of your
trip. The charges do not include crew tips which are
discussed elsewhere and are discretionary.
Can we create our own itinerary?
The captain and crew on your yacht will give every assistance to help you choose where to go and where to stay from a selection of locations and islands etc. However, you should note that four hours cruising time per day is the recommended maximum.
You are advised to bring rubber-soled shoes to prevent you from slipping on the wet wooden decks, and to prevent foot injuries. Such shoes also help protect the surfaces of the yacht.