What Is Included in a Crewed Yacht Charter?
By Maréa Yachts · Reviewed 15 July 2026
On most crewed charters the base fee buys the yacht and her crew — nothing more. Almost everything consumable — fuel, food, drinks, berthing — is paid from the APA, a separate working fund, while taxes and gratuity sit outside both. The split varies between yachts and operators, so always confirm what a specific quote includes.
The base fee: the yacht and the people who run her
When a charter is quoted at a weekly figure, that figure is the base fee. It gives you exclusive use of the yacht for the period, together with her professional crew — captain, deckhands, engineer, chef, stewardess, depending on size. Their wages, their accommodation aboard and the yacht's own insurance are the owner's responsibility, already priced into the fee. What the base fee does not do is feed you, fuel the yacht or pay for the berth you tie up to.
This is the single most common misunderstanding in charter. The base fee is not a holiday package price. It is closer to renting a house with staff, where the groceries, the electricity and the parking are still yours to settle.
Who pays for what
| Item | Usually covered by |
|---|---|
| The yacht itself — exclusive use for the charter period | Base fee |
| Professional crew and their wages | Base fee |
| Insurance of the vessel | Base fee |
| Standard water toys already aboard | Base fee — but confirm; some are charged extra |
| Fuel for the yacht and tender | APA |
| Food and drinks (provisioning) | APA |
| Berthing and harbour fees | APA |
| Port and cruising taxes, formalities | APA — varies by area |
| Laundry and sundries | APA |
| VAT and local taxes | Separate — varies by itinerary and flag |
| Crew gratuity | Separate — discretionary |
| Special requests — premium wines, jet ski hire, instructors, helicopter transfers | Usually extra |
Why so much runs through APA
The costs in the APA column share one quality: they depend on you. Fuel depends on how far and how fast you cruise. Provisioning depends on your tastes. Berthing depends on whether you want a marina in town or a quiet anchorage. Rather than guess these into a fixed price — and inevitably guess high — the APA lets them follow your actual trip, with the captain spending on your behalf, keeping receipts and returning any unused balance at the end. Our guide to APA covers the mechanics in more detail.
Some operators do quote all-inclusive or semi-inclusive terms, particularly on smaller yachts and in certain regions. These exist and can be perfectly sensible — but they are the exception rather than the rule, and an all-inclusive figure is not comparable to a base fee without doing the arithmetic first.
What to confirm in writing before you book
Almost every unpleasant surprise in charter comes from an assumption that was never written down. Before signing, ask for these in the contract or a written summary:
- The toy list. Exactly which toys are aboard, which are included, which carry a charge, and whether any require a licence or an instructor. A jet ski that needs a licence you do not hold is a jet ski you will look at.
- The APA percentage. It should be stated as a figure, not implied. If it is absent from the quote, ask.
- Whether VAT applies, and whether the quoted price is gross or net. This changes with itinerary and flag, so a yacht that looks cheaper may not be.
- The cruising area allowed. Contracts define where the yacht may go. Crossing a border, or simply going further than expected, may not be permitted.
- Embarkation and disembarkation times. A "week" is rarely seven full days aboard, and the difference matters when you are booking flights.
- What happens in bad weather. The captain has final authority over safety and routing. Ask how an itinerary change is handled, and whether it affects anything you have paid for.
The preference sheet
Once the yacht is booked, you will be sent a preference sheet — a questionnaire covering food, drinks, allergies and dietary requirements, along with the pace and shape of the trip you have in mind. It is not a formality. It is how the chef plans provisioning and how the crew calibrates the week to you. Fill it in properly and with detail; it does more for the quality of a charter than almost anything else you can influence.
Does the charter fee include food and drinks?
Usually not. On most crewed charters the base fee covers the yacht and crew, while food and drinks are provisioned from the APA and accounted for against actual spending. A few operators quote all-inclusive terms instead — confirm which model applies to your quote.
Are water toys included?
Toys already aboard are generally included in the base fee, but this varies. Some yachts treat jet skis, diving equipment or e-foils as chargeable extras, and some require a licence or an instructor. Ask for the toy list in writing.
Is VAT included in the charter fee?
Not usually. VAT and local taxes are typically shown separately, and the treatment depends on the itinerary and the yacht's flag and registration. Ask whether the quoted figure is gross or net of tax before comparing yachts.
Is a crew gratuity included?
No. A gratuity is separate from both the base fee and the APA, and it is discretionary — offered at the end of the charter to reflect the service you received.
Related reading: Yacht charter in Türkiye · What is APA? · How much does a charter cost in Türkiye?