The first step of how to charter a yacht is to consider when you want to plan your trip. Do you have a specific window for your charter, or are you open to different dates depending on what is available? As you may imagine, being flexible gives you many more options.

How far in advance should you arrange your charter?

The process of preparing to charter a yacht can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. You ideally want to leave as much time as you can for planning, as this will allow you to think properly about your holiday and design it exactly the way you want. This will also mean that you can have your pick of a wider choice of available yachts. However, yacht charter brokers are known for pulling off miracles and are able to organise charters in very limited time frames if required. 

Before you approach a broker, you will likely already have an idea of what you want out of your yachting holiday and what your budget is. You may have decided on a region you want to cruise in (e.g the West Med or the Bahamas), the type and size of vessel you would like (e.g motor yacht or sailing yacht), and the amenities you want onboard (e.g a Jacuzzi, a cinema room or an array of water toys).

Start by considering your preferred yacht for charter and decide whether you are happy with its cruising region, or pick your preferred cruising region and browse the charter yachts that are available in that yachting destination. Remember that charter yachts typically have different summer and winter cruising destinations, so it will not always be possible to find your ideal yacht in your preferred destination for your dates. However, MD YACHT can match you to charter yachts that are not listed on our website, so don’t be put off if you can’t find what you are looking for at first glance.

Once you have your preferred yacht or destination, the next step in our yacht charter guide is to get a bit more specific with your research. Would you like to visit a certain city or landmark on your charter, or experience something special, such as wine tasting or diving? You could also explore the unexplored and venture to some of the top off-the-beaten track yacht charter destinations.

Or perhaps you would simply like to spend your time onboard your charter yacht relaxing, in which case you may want to pick a yacht with a great array of water toys, or arrange some lessons in watersports, cooking, or fitness classes such as yoga. Remember, it’s your holiday and your yacht broker will do everything in their power to make your dreams come true, so don’t assume anything is impossible.

You now have a clearer vision of what you want from your trip; Contact a yacht charter expert who will guide you on how to charter a yacht. Then the real fun begins; You discuss the options for your holiday with a dedicated expert. Having visited many yachts in person, your broker will be able to tell you exactly the experience you can have on a particular yacht and find a luxury yacht charter option that perfectly meets your needs. This includes making sure the crew is a good fit for your charter party, whether you’re looking for a young, enthusiastic crew or a highly experienced five-star crew. 

Once you have agreed on your yacht and a rough itinerary, the next step in our yacht charter guide is the preparation of the contract; All you have to do is read and sign the contract. Many reputable yacht brokers will use TURSAB contracts, which are industry standard and can give you extra peace of mind when signing. All charter contracts are made between the customer and the yacht owner, but if a problem arises your broker will help you find a solution.

As your holiday approaches, your yacht charter agent will plan all the details, from creating your personalized itinerary to sending your preferences to the yacht, so the Captain knows what to purchase to make the most of your time on board. They will also be interested in planning your Advanced Provisioning Allowance, or EMA, which you will pay before you set off and usually covers your fuel, docking costs, food and beverages, and any other daily expenses they expect you to pay.
(Important points to consider when making a contract: Services Included in the Price and Services Excluded)
We meet on the ship.

Your broker will ensure that whichever payment method you choose, your transaction is completely secure.

The last step of renting a yacht is to enjoy your holiday! Yacht chartering is a luxury holiday like no other, giving you the opportunity to explore new Regions & Countries and cultures from your own floating private yacht. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime..