New to Chartering? 5 Things You Need to Know
If you are new to chartering, you may not know what to expect, which is entirely normal. We understand that yacht chartering can seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, but worry not, you’re in award-winning hands with Navigare Yachting.
Our team of experts is here to make it easy by walking you through the planning process and giving you all the inside information about yacht chartering. Let your exotic sailing vacation be the easiest getaway you’ve ever experienced, and likely the best!
Last week as part of our mini-series of blog posts for those who have never chartered a yacht before, we shared everything you need to know about skippered yacht charters, so check it out in case you missed that article.
For this week’s discussion, we’ll focus on the top 5 things you should know about planning a sailing yacht charter with Navigare Yachting. Let’s dive in.
1. Our Expert Charter Team Is Here to Assist
You won’t need to do anything by yourself, just consider us your vacation-planning concierge! Our team of knowledgeable charter agents is always ready to assist you from booking to boarding and beyond. They can offer insight on choosing the right boat for you and your group, answer any questions you may have about the sailing itinerary, what to pack, travel tips, where to stay before or after your charter and so much more.
Of course, they’ll also assist you with every step of the booking process including adding a skipper, crew, and other extras to your booking. All you need to do is fill out the charter contact form on our website or reach out to us through our online chat and you’ll be immediately connected with one of our charter agents.
2. You Don’t Need Sailing Experience
If you rent a private sailing yacht, it makes sense to think that you or someone in your group would need to know how to sail, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, more and more of our guests each year do not have prior sailing experience.
This is possible thanks to our professional skippers, who sail and navigate the boats for our charter guests, allowing for maximum sailing enjoyment and “Pure Sailing Bliss”. A skipper is technically an optional add-on service, but you’ll be required to add a skipper to your booking if nobody in your group has sufficient sailing experience.
There are plenty of benefits to having a professional skipper onboard – this is something that even our most experienced charter guests have discovered. When you sail with a skipper, you never have to worry about the safety of your group and your vessel, so you can sit back, relax, and get the most out of your vacation. Our skippers have long experience and plenty of training behind them so we can guarantee that you will be in competent hands if you choose this add-on service.
Not only do they take you safely to your desired destinations, but they are also excellent local guides and can give you itinerary recommendations and guide you to local restaurants, hidden pristine beaches, the best snorkeling spots, and things to do based on your preferences.
New for 2024: Navigare Yachting now offers instructional skippers in the British Virgin Islands, perfect for anyone looking to learn how to sail, and soak in the Caribbean beauty, as part of the same award-winning experience.
3. Additional Crew Members Are Available For Hire
Are you looking for a completely hands-off experience? In addition to a private skipper, we’re pleased to offer complimentary crew services such as our popular hostess or chef service. The host/hostess typically prepares breakfast and lunch, while the chef will prepare 3 meals per day and snacks in between. Most guests choose either a host or a chef as their services overlap, but it’s possible to have both if you want the ultimate luxury crewed experience.
The hostess is a great addition to your skipper service with a half-board approach if you wish to try local restaurants as well as enjoy delicious local cuisine on the boat. With the chef, you get an added layer of luxury and service and the convenience of never having to worry about the next meal.
Whether you choose a host or a chef, they will assist with provisioning, meaning they will help you with the grocery shopping before departure and load all provisions onto the boat. Sometimes the chef will handle the provisioning on their own, for example, if groceries are ordered online. Others will plan to join the charter guest(s) at the local grocery store before departure. The crew members are also responsible for keeping the galley clean during the charter, alleviating the mundane need to wash dirty dishes and tidy up the kitchen while on vacation.
Having a chef or hostess onboard guarantees an incredibly relaxing experience where you and your group are completely free to enjoy your time off, while your hospitality needs are tended to. Whether you sit back in the cockpit with a drink and some newly prepared refreshments or enjoy a delicious dinner onboard at the end of an activity-filled day, our award-winning, service-minded crew members go above and beyond to take your vacation experience to a whole new level of luxury.
Our cherished guests have been known to comment that the food they’ve enjoyed onboard was much better than what they’ve experienced in restaurants! That’s not just the Merlot and exotic ambiance talking either, our local chefs bring versatility and authenticity to every meal they prepare.
The high standards of our crew members are clearly articulated in the consistent reviews we’ve received from our charter guests as well as the online accolades earned by our TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award wins, 4 years in a row (including three destinations awarded in 2023 for the BVI, Bahamas, and Greece).
Even with this added white-glove service, you’re still always free to explore the islands and enjoy a meal out whenever you like.
Pro Tip: Please keep in mind that you’ll need to provide food for your crew members when planning for provisioning.
4. Itinerary Flexibility and Customized Route Planning
Unlike a traditional cruise with a rigid cookie-cutter itinerary, a private yacht charter with Navigare allows for a customized route, with the chance to explore more exclusive local treasures that your skipper or our base manager can recommend. If you have a skipper onboard, you’ll have a chance to discuss the itinerary on the first day. They always do their best to accommodate all of your wishes and to bring you safely to the places you want to go, as long as the distance is not too great relative to the length of your charter and the weather permits.
Thankfully, a luxury sailing yacht charter is a flexible type of vacation in terms of itinerary, so if you change your mind during your trip you can easily change course. For example, if you plan on going snorkeling on a particular day, but when that day comes around, decide that you’d rather go hiking, you can certainly do that instead. No yacht charter schedule and itinerary is ever set in stone. The weather may also influence your choice of activity, and thankfully you’ll have plenty of options aboard our well-equipped yachts.
5. Much More Exclusive Than a Traditional Cruise
If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you know that it’s not exactly a personal experience. The travel products offered by cruise ship companies are general and ubiquitous to satisfy the masses. They’re not interested in your personal preferences and wishes.
Navigare tailors your vacation on a private yacht charter to satisfy only you and your group. Instead of spending your vacation on a crowded cruise ship, you get to spend time with only your loved ones on a private luxury yacht with crew members hired to serve only you.
Whether you dream of exploring pristine tropical beaches and other hidden natural gems, or maybe a more adventurous trip filled with water sports, hiking, and exploring historical sites, it’s all possible! No matter what your getaway desires are, our private luxury yacht charters will be tailored to you, because you decide on the itinerary along with your skipper. Read this article for a full overview of the differences between a traditional cruise and a private yacht charter.
There’s no denying that chartering a private yacht is way more exclusive than boarding the traditional over-crowded cruise ship with the rest of the herd. It may be eye-opening to some when they realize that booking an exotic luxury yacht charter getaway is not necessarily more expensive, especially if you take advantage of our current booking deals! Here is a breakdown of how much it costs to charter a yacht.
Pro Tip: chartering a private yacht can be less expensive than a traditional cruise, especially if you take advantage of the right seasonal offers
Since 2001, over 350,000+ charter guests have set sail with Navigare - it’s safe to say that your yachting adventure will be in capable hands. With 12 exotic locations worldwide, the possibilities are endless! Whether you're an experienced sailor or a first-time adventurer, Navigare Yachting opens up a world of exploration, discovery, and sailing that comes with complete peace of mind.