8 Cost-Cutting Tips For An Affordable Yacht Charter Vacation
Who hasn’t dreamed of vacationing on a yacht? Spending lazy days cruising between islands, swimming in warm, turquoise water, and having your every need catered to. It doesn’t have to be just a dream – there are ways to make it a quite affordable reality.
Here are 8 ways that can help you save a bit of money and still have that perfect vacation:
1. Travel with friends. Getting a bunch of people together to share the costs is always a great strategy for keeping expenses down, whether you rent a villa or charter a yacht. I recently found a luxury catamaran (bareboat) in the Seychelles that sleeps 12 for $4,825/week – that’s $402/person!
2. Discounts and rebates. Thanks to the current economic situation, many charter companies and boat owners have lowered their rates, and new discounts are being offered all the time. To stay on top of the latest deals, sign up for newsletters and email alerts from yachting magazines, charter companies and yachting websites.
3. Ask if the price is negotiable. Most boat owners would rather rent out their boat for slightly less than not at all, so don’t hesitate to ask, even if you are dealing with a charter broker company. Make sure to ask what the “hidden” or extra costs are – and if they can be included in the price listed.
4. Save on airfare. Many charter companies have special deals with airlines flying to their charter base – make sure to ask before booking anything.
5. Last minute deals. If you’re able to travel on short notice, look for last minute charters. Booking a yacht only 30 days in advance can save you 25% or more. To make sure you hear about the latest deals available, sign up for newsletters from charter companies, and also set up a few Google alerts.
6. Travel a bit off season. Going right before or just after the high season can save you quite a bit, not only on the charter price, but also when it comes to flights, restaurants, etc. And the crowds are much thinner, both in the marinas and onshore. In the Mediterranean, September and October are great choices, and in the Caribbean, try April-June.
7. Sleep on board the night before your start date. Instead of spending the first night in a hotel on or close to the charter base, ask if “early boarding” or “evening boarding” is available. Sometimes you will have to pay a fee for this, but it’s less than a hotel, and it saves you the hassle of having to move your stuff from the hotel to the yacht.
8. If you own a boat yourself, check out “boat swapping”. This fairly new way of vacationing is like a home exchange but with boats – a great affordable way to see faraway oceans while not spending a fortune. If you don’t own a boat but are an experienced sailor (you’ll need documents to prove it), see if you can swap your home for someone’s boat.
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