Charter FAQs. Your questions answered.

Charter FAQs

Allowing the experts at Burgess to perfect every detail of your charter takes all the worry away. Start with this website. It is a general introduction to just some of the many superb yachts available for charter. More detailed information on these and other yachts in our charter portfolio are available on request. If you are uncertain about your charter requirements, our brokers will be delighted to advise you. Similarly, if you wish to check the availability of any given vessel, please contact us. Our specialist brokers are readily on hand to provide every guidance as well as a wealth of discerning expertise.

The charter agreement

After the availability of your chosen yacht has been verified, you will receive a standard MYBA Charter Agreement for signature. If your chosen cruising itenerary necessitates embarking or disembarking from a point other than your yacht’s home port, positioning charges (delivery/ redelivery fees) may be required. These charges, if applicable, will be confirmed in advance and affirmed in the Charter Agreement, together with any taxes that may apply.

Payment terms

A deposit of 50 per cent of the total charter fee is payable by bank transfer immediately on signature of the MYBA Charter Agreement. The remaining 50 per cent, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance, together with any taxes, delivery/redelivery fees and any additionally agreed charges, is payable by bank transfer five weeks before the commencement of the charter.

Operating expenses

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is due at the time of the final charter payment. Under MYBA terms, this sum is usually equivalent to 30 per cent of the total charter fee, but may be up to 40 per cent in some cases.

Intended to cover the operating expenses of a charter as explained under Charter Terms, such as fuel, food, drinks, port fees and ad hoc incidentals, the APA will be given to the captain before the start of your charter. The Captain will ensure that the yacht is fully fuelled and provisioned when you step on board. While an up-to-date summary of accounts can be requested at any time during your charter, a full set of accounts will normally be submitted by your captain at the end of the cruise. If, during the charter, the expenditure exceeds the sum already paid, additional cash funds will be required at once.

All outstanding bills from the yacht charter should be settled in cash or by bank transfer before your final disembarkation. Of course, any remaining credit at the end of your charter will be reimbursed to you in full. On request, transfer arrangements to and from the yacht can be made by Burgess or by the yacht’s captain, payment for which will be deducted from your APA.

Every detail counts

Several weeks before you board your yacht, Burgess will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire describing the preferences and special needs of all the members of your party, such as dietary or medial requirements, details of any allergies, and your sporting or entertainment requests. This will enable Burgess and the crew of your chosen charter yacht to ensure that everything possible is done to make your charter a fabulous experience.

Satellite television systems

Where these are provided please note that service cannot always be guaranteed due to differing signal strengths across the world and satellite receivers vary in capability from one yacht to another. If satellite television is important during your charter, please check with your broker to avoid any disappointment.

Internet access

There is standard wireless access provided throughout most yachts although in certain areas the service can be limited and cannot be guaranteed. If you anticipate regular use of the internet or require large bandwidths during your charter, please let Burgess know before you board as upgrades may be subject to availability and there is likely to be a charge made to your account according to your requirements.

Smoking on board

Smoking is only allowed outside on deck and in the case of some yachts in dedicated outside areas only. Please consult Burgess for verification. For safety reasons, smoking in cabins and staterooms is prohibited on all yachts.

Crew gratuities

Crew gratuities are discretionary, although it is customary for a charterer who has enjoyed the kind and attentive service of an obliging crew to extend a gratuity. Crew gratuities are normally approximately 10 per cent of the charter fee, but can be adjusted up or down according to your level of satisfaction.

The best way to ensure that all crew members receive equal recognition is to entrust the distribution of gratuities to the captain. In this way, inconspicuous crew members such as engineers and culinary staff, who make an important contribution to your enjoyment, will not be overlooked.

Recreation equipment

The recreation equipment listed for the yachts is believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed as they are liable to change at short notice. Should changes become necessary, the owner of the yacht will make every effort possible to comparably replace the equipment. Personal watercraft (jetskis, waverunners etc) may be restricted in certain cruising areas and guests will also require an appropriate operating licence. Please check with Burgess first for any guidelines or if you have any specific requirements in this regard.

Insurance

Burgess strongly recommends charterers take out Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance to protect their investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent or curtail their charter. Additionally, all members of the charter party should be covered by Personal Accident and Medical Insurance, and their personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage.

Other forms of insurance, such as Charterer’s Liability may also be prudent. Our brokers will be pleased to assist you with additional advice in this matter.

Expert guidance

Burgess brokers have extensive experience and an unrivalled reputation in chartering yachts of 30 metre (100ft) and above. No other business has the same degree of specialist knowledge or professional commitment. While every effort has been made to present the varied and constantly evolving facets of chartering as simply as possible in this publication, the charter team will be pleased to offer any further clarification if required.

Charter rates

Charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht. Charters over seven days are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate divided by seven and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters less than seven days usually attract a premium, calculated as the weekly rate divided by six, multiplied by the number of days. Certain yachts will apply a minimum amount of days charter which can be confirmed by the broker.

High season rates usually apply to the most popular charter periods, i.e. July/August and Christmas/New Year, and are also normally applicable to all major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. Low season rates apply to all other periods (please note low and high season periods may differ for certain locations).

Please note that charter rates shown on the website are believed to be correct but may be subject to change.

Charter terms

Most charter rates that appear in this publication are based on MYBA Terms, which imply that the yacht will be provided to the charterer in full commission and with all necessary equipment, properly insured for marine risks and managed by a crew, whose wages, food and clothing are for the owner’s account.

All other operating expenses are payable by the charterer and comprise (but are not restricted to) the following items: fuel and lubricating oils for the yacht and her tenders; local taxes; pilotage; port, harbour and marina dues; customs clearance; water and electricity; personal laundry; all provisions, wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks and consumables for the charterer’s party; shoreside excursions, telecommunication and internet costs. Please note that, occasionally, a yacht may offer a variation on the terms described above. Our brokers will provide full details of any charter terms that vary from standard MYBA Terms when presenting the relevant yachts. Whilst some yachts are legally permitted to charter in the US, others do not meet with American fiscal requirements and so are not available for charter whilst in US waters. Please enquire for further information on specific yachts.

VAT

Please note that due to European Union tax legislation, Value Added Tax may be charged on the gross Charter Fee and delivery costs for charters taking place in European Union Waters. Local taxes may also apply in other countries and our brokers will provide any prevailing rates according to your chosen cruising destination and itinerary.

Yacht charter destinations

Mediterranean

A yacht charter to the Mediterranean is anything you want it to be. From the Michelin stared restaurants of Naples, to the chic beach clubs, and luxury brands of Monaco and the French Riviera to the laid-back lifestyle, ancient ruins and deserted beaches of Mykonos and Santorini in the Greek islands, you can do it all.

Charter FAQs

Yacht charter destinations

Mediterranean

Greece

Caribbean

French Riviera

Croatia & Montenegro

Mallorca

Italy

Turkey

Bahamas

Corsica & Sardinia

Thailand

Fiji

Corfu

British Virgin Islands

Alaska

US Virgin Islands

Maldives

Galapagos

South East Asia

Mykonos

Australia

Indonesia

Caribbean - Leeward Islands

New England

Tahiti

Red Sea

Indian Ocean

Ibiza

Phuket

French Polynesia

The Balearics

Scotland

Caribbean - Windward Islands

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