| Whether you are considering your first yacht charter | | | | there are some vital differences; the cost of a yacht |
| vacation or simply looking to live the experience again | | | | and any parts of the yacht can be very pricey. The |
| there is a lot of vital information you need before | | | | charterer is responsible for loss or damage to any of |
| planning and embarking on your voyage. Firstly, you | | | | these parts. While many charter companies offer |
| need to consider the type of yacht charter that is | | | | insurance that will cover a certain amount of damage, |
| suitable for you. There are crewed or unscrewed | | | | you should consider taking extra Charterer's liability |
| yacht charters, bareboat or even a motorised yacht. | | | | insurance, usually costing approximately $250 for $1m |
| Each have their advantages and personal preference | | | | cover. This figure can change depending on the |
| will dictate the chosen charter for you. | | | | terms of the agreement and the time of year you |
| One thing for certain, though, whatever type of | | | | intend to charter the boat. |
| vessel you go on, there are many destinations to | | | | Additional health insurance is advised but not |
| choose from each of them offering beautiful islands | | | | essential, although you should especially consider this |
| and shimmering seas by day and exciting or romantic | | | | for foreign travel of any kind not just charter |
| night life. As with any vacation you need to plan | | | | vacations. |
| carefully, but when chartering a yacht it is absolutely | | | | Another good idea is to take cancellation or |
| imperative that you take the essentials and spares. | | | | curtailment insurance because many charter |
| Once you're out to sea there will be few | | | | companies require a deposit of up to 50%. If you |
| opportunities to stock up and an emergency is much | | | | any of your party cancel or need to finish the |
| of an emergency when you're hundreds of miles | | | | vacation early, this insurance will become invaluable. |
| from the nearest chemist or shop. | | | | Charter vacation destinations. |
| Many who are chartering for the first time do so for | | | | But where should you go? There are many places |
| a little quality time with family, friends and loved one | | | | you can charter a yacht, so you should consider |
| because chartering a yacht is one of the most | | | | exactly what you are looking for in your vacation. |
| tranquil and peaceful vacations you can decide on. | | | | The Galapagos is an archipelago that consists of 13 |
| What experience is required for charters. | | | | volcanic islands as well as 40 small islands. It is a |
| The experience you need is dependant on the type | | | | haven of beautiful plants and exotic animals including |
| of charter you are looking for. A bareboat charter | | | | marine iguanas and sea lions, the weather is very |
| means you and a group of family or friends charter | | | | good, and there are many coves and incredibly |
| the boat with no crew to assist. For a bareboat | | | | picturesque beaches to relax on and around. |
| charter, you are always required to have some | | | | The Bahamas is a popular destination consisting of |
| former sailing experience and usually need to submit | | | | more than 700 islands. There are countless cays and |
| a sailing resume to the charter company. Many will | | | | beaches to explore as well as some incredible nightlife |
| require that you have experience on a similar sized | | | | and beautiful settings. The reef and shallow waters |
| boat and with similar displacement and rig. A number | | | | make this a safe place for families to charter a yacht. |
| of chartering companies may request that you go on | | | | And then there's the Greek Islands. One of the |
| a short sail around the harbour to make sure that | | | | world's most enchanting cruising grounds, with ancient |
| your actual skills match your resume. | | | | history and culture at every turn. Islands such as |
| If you or a member of your group does not have | | | | Lesvos, Mykonos and Paros offer a combination of |
| this experience then you should consider chartering a | | | | breathtaking scenery and history. |
| crewed yacht. Chartering a boat and crew requires | | | | Still in the Mediterranean - at the western end - there |
| little or no experience. You may decide that your | | | | are the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain. There's |
| sailing skills are a little rusty, in which case you can | | | | Majorca, it's smaller sibling Menorca, and the hedonistic |
| take a captain or small crew for the first few hours | | | | playground of Ibiza. You'll find it a little busier than the |
| of your trip to help you get your 'sea legs' back. | | | | Greek islands, but on the plus side the back up and |
| Alternatively, if you have no experience whatsoever | | | | support is first class. |
| with yachting then you can take an entire crew and | | | | On to the Caribbean: It has it all. Many different |
| spend your vacation safe in the knowledge that your | | | | cultures and nationalities, hundreds and hundreds of |
| boat and your vacation are in safe hands. | | | | islands to explore, and clear blue waters. Yachting at |
| What insurance do I require, and what is available? | | | | it's best. |
| As well as the usual travel insurance, you may want | | | | The choice of destinations is amazing, and the beauty |
| to consider further insurance for your yacht charter | | | | of chartering a yacht is that you are free to explore |
| vacation. In fact, some charter companies will | | | | at your own pace. Alternatively, drop anchor, pour a |
| demand it. Accidents happen in everyday life and this | | | | stiff drink and soak up the sun! |
| is no different when chartering a yacht, however, | | | | |