| We're all trying to cut costs these days, and | | | | through a company, ask them if they offer airfare |
| "staycations" have become all the rage. But | | | | discounts. Many of the larger charter companies can |
| sometimes you need to get away from it all and just | | | | negotiate lower prices on airlines flying to their |
| relax and rejuvenate. A yacht charter may sound like | | | | charter base than what you are able to find online. |
| an extravagant vacation that only a privileged few | | | | 5. Last minute deals. If you're able to travel on short |
| can afford. But it doesn't have to cost a fortune - it | | | | notice, look for last minute charters. Booking a yacht |
| can actually be less expensive than spending a week | | | | only 30 days in advance can save you 25% or more. |
| at a hotel. | | | | To make sure you hear about the latest deals |
| Here are 8 ways that can help you save a bit of | | | | available, sign up for newsletters from charter |
| money and still have that perfect vacation: | | | | companies, and also set up a few Google alerts. |
| 1. Travel with a group of friends/family. It's always | | | | 6. Go slightly off-season when the weather is still nice |
| less expensive to share the costs with a group. As | | | | but the crowds are lighter and there are more deals |
| an example, I found a crewed sailing yacht in Italy | | | | available. Late September/early October in the |
| for $9,800/week that sleeps 12 - that breaks down | | | | Mediterranean and April-June in the Caribbean are |
| to $816/person. Or how about a skippered boat in | | | | good times to go. |
| the British Virgin Islands for $4,895 that sleeps 6-8? | | | | 7. Early boarding. Avoid spending the first night in a |
| That comes out to $611 - $815/person. | | | | hotel - instead ask for an "evening boarding" or "early |
| 2. Take advantage of the weak economy. Many boat | | | | boarding", which allows to you spend the night |
| owners and charter companies are faced with fewer | | | | before your charter start date on the yacht. There is |
| bookings and are consequently cutting rates and | | | | sometimes a fee associated with this, but it's usually |
| running specials. One way to stay up to date with | | | | less than a hotel room, and you only have to unpack |
| the latest offerings is to sign up for newsletters | | | | once. |
| from charter companies, magazines and other | | | | 8. Exchange boats. Swapping homes has been a |
| publications from the part of the world you are | | | | popular way to vacation for decades now, and this |
| interested in. | | | | great, affordable way to vacation has caught on in |
| 3. Ask if the price is negotiable. Most boat owners | | | | the boating communities around the world. If you |
| would rather rent out their boat for slightly less than | | | | don't own a boat yourself, but if you're an |
| not at all, so don't hesitate to ask, even if you are | | | | experienced boater (you'll need documentation to |
| dealing with a charter broker company. Make sure to | | | | prove it of course), see if you can do a home/boat |
| ask what the "hidden" or extra costs are - and if | | | | swap: your home for someone's boat for a week (or |
| they can be included in the price listed. | | | | longer). |
| 4. Getting to your destination. If you're chartering | | | | |