What is included in an all-inclusive crewed yacht charter?
Reviewed by Captain Ronald RolleAll-inclusive crewed charters typically include your private yacht with air-conditioned cabins, professional captain and chef, three gourmet meals daily tailored to your preferences, all beverages including house wines and spirits, water sports equipment, fuel, and Wi-Fi. The main exclusion is crew gratuity, typically 15 to 20 percent.
Understanding what your charter fee covers helps you budget accurately and set expectations for your sailing vacation. Most crewed catamaran charters in the Caribbean and Bahamas operate on an all-inclusive model that covers nearly everything you need aboard.
Your professional crew is the heart of the experience. A captain and chef handle all sailing, navigation, provisioning, meal preparation, and yacht maintenance. On larger vessels, additional crew members such as a hostess or deckhand provide enhanced service for water sports and hospitality.
Gourmet food is fully included, featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared fresh each day by your private chef. Before your trip, you complete a preference sheet detailing favorite foods, dietary restrictions, allergies, and special requests. The chef provisions accordingly and creates customized menus throughout your voyage.
Beverages are comprehensively stocked, including coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks, bottled water, house wines, beer, and standard spirits for cocktails. Premium alcohol brands or fine wines may be available at additional cost if requested.
Water sports equipment comes standard on most crewed charters. Expect snorkeling gear, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, floats, and inflatable water toys. Some yachts offer additional equipment like wakeboarding, fishing gear, or diving equipment.
Operational costs are built into your charter fee. Fuel for the yacht and dinghy, mooring ball fees, and standard consumables are covered. Wi-Fi is increasingly standard on charter yachts in popular destinations.
Gratuity for the crew is the primary cost not included, traditionally calculated at 15 to 20 percent of the charter fee and given directly to the captain at voyage end for distribution to the crew.
Key points
- Professional captain and chef included with all meals prepared to your preferences
- Full beverage package including house wines, beer, and standard spirits
- Water sports equipment like kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear
- Fuel, mooring fees, and Wi-Fi typically covered
- Crew gratuity of 15-20% is the main additional cost
Related questions
- Can I request special dietary meals on a crewed charter?
- Absolutely. Yacht chefs accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto, and allergen-free diets. You communicate your needs on a preference sheet before your trip, allowing the chef to provision appropriately.
- Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?
- Most charters provide snorkeling fins but recommend guests bring their own mask and snorkel for hygiene and proper fit. Check with your charter company about specific equipment included.
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