What Is APA in a Yacht Charter?
By Maréa Yachts · Reviewed 13 July 2026
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a working fund — usually a percentage of the base charter fee — paid before a crewed charter to cover the yacht's variable running costs. The captain spends from it on your behalf, keeps account of it, and returns any unused balance at the end.
What APA typically covers
- Fuel for the yacht and its tenders
- Food and drinks (provisioning)
- Berthing and harbour fees
- Other day-to-day running costs during the charter
How it works in practice
You pay the APA in advance, alongside the base fee. During the charter, the captain manages spending and keeps receipts. At the end you receive an account: if money is left, it is returned; if the fund runs low mid-trip — heavy fuel use, for example — the captain will ask to top it up.
Why it exists
Variable costs are genuinely hard to fix in advance. Fuel depends on how far and fast you travel; provisioning depends on your tastes; berthing depends on where you stop. APA lets these flex with your actual trip instead of being guessed into a fixed price.
What affects the amount
- How much cruising (and therefore fuel) you plan
- How often you take marina berths versus anchoring
- Provisioning preferences and special requests
How much is APA, usually?
It is normally quoted as a percentage of the base charter fee. The figure varies by yacht and itinerary — always confirm it for the specific yacht.
Is APA the same as a gratuity?
No. APA funds running costs and is reconciled. A crew gratuity is a separate, discretionary tip for good service.
Do I get unused APA back?
Yes — any balance is returned at the end of the charter.
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