Crewed Yacht Charters - The Ultimate Guide
Crewed yacht charters allow you to explore much more than you would on land, with five-star service every step of the way. Here's our guide on what to expect when you step on board.
Updated February 18, 2025
Nothing compares to the exquisite freedom of travelling by luxury yacht. Crewed yacht charters allow you to explore a lot more of a country than you would on land, enjoying sunset cocktails and starlight swims, with five-star service every step of the way.
Whether you're seeking a romantic haven or a family adventure, they are the ultimate escape in unparalleled luxury.
You can island-hop your way to a different sensational destination every day, from the British Virgin Islands to the French Riviera, Balearic islands and even South Pacific. Experienced sailors may be able to skipper a yacht themselves, but the luxury of hiring a professional crew makes the trip all the more special.
There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy yourself, but if you’re not sure how it works, read on for everything you can expect from a crewed charter.
What is a crewed yacht charter?
Well, essentially it is a luxurious escape, akin to a 5-star hotel or luxury villa, but with a private chef, an endlessly shifting view, and more to explore every day.
When you charter a crewed private yacht, you will have a professional captain and crew who will work tirelessly to ensure you have everything you need (as well as do all the housework!).
What’s the difference between bareboat charter, skippered yacht charter and crewed yacht charter?
As mentioned above, a bareboat yacht is one that you skipper yourself, although you will need sailing experience and a licence. A skippered yacht comes with a professional captain who will take care of all the sailing and the boat for you, but no cooking or hostess duties.
For the ultimate holiday, you can hire a crewed yacht, which usually comes with a crew including Captain, chef and at least one deckhand and steward(ess).
Discreet and professional, your crew will provide an unobtrusive and top-quality service throughout your holiday.
Typically, the crew will consist of at least a skipper and hostess. On larger yachts also with chef, deckhand, stewards and more.
If the yacht has space you can even hire extra staff members such as a nanny, personal trainer or diving instructor.
What Should I Expect?
A crewed charter is an all-inclusive luxury holiday that blends the comfort of luxury with the spirit of adventure travel and where service is uniquely tailored to all of your personal requirements.
From the moment you step on board and are greeted with a glass of champagne, you need do nothing for the duration of your holiday than sit back and relax.
As well as taking you and your group to your preferred destination each day, the crew will ensure that the boats are kept immaculate, that everything is in good working order and can assist with arranging any activities you might want to try, such as water skiing, jet skiing, or diving.
Where can I go on a crewed yacht charter?
One of the many great things about a crewed yacht charter is the ability to choose from a selection of incredibly well-equipped yachts that are able to roam freely across some of the world's most glorious yachting destinations, from romantic Greece to the laid-back Caribbean.
Set sail from Tortola aboard a Lagoon 77 and enjoy a BVI crewed catamaran charter, weaving effortlessly between island paradises while your crew create an unforgettable experience, full of joy, fresh grilled lobster and thrilling water toys.
Enjoy Italy's endless culinary delights as you cruise the Amalfi Coast, sampling dishes like Caprese salad, seafood, limoncello liqueur and roasted pork.
Opt for Greece for a more classical setting, and navigate from Athens into the charming Saronic Gulf, or sail to iconic, sugar cube Cyclades villages and the wilder excess of Mykonos.
Top Crewed Yacht Charter Destinations
How does it work?
Each crew member will be there to cater to your every need but will always be professional and respect your privacy. They can give you as much or as little space as you wish, and staff quarters are separate from the guest bedrooms and living spaces.
The crew will take care of sailing, maintenance, cooking and cleaning. The shopping is usually done before you set off - simply fill out the preferences form, and the crew will stock the yacht with any food or drinks you would like on board.
All charter guest food and drink costs are covered by the Advanced Provisioning Allowance, or APA, a fee payable alongside your final charter balance. Any amount left in this 'kitty' at the end of your luxury charter will be returned to you.
Charter yacht chefs can provide breakfast, lunch and dinner, or just an evening meal if you want to explore on land during the day and sample the local food
Advantages of a crewed yacht
Comfort
Luxury crewed yachts are always a fabulous place to spend a vacation, whether mega yacht, motor yacht or sailing yacht.
It doesn’t get more luxurious than relaxing on your own private yacht charter with a dedicated crew making sure everything is just right.
From chef-cooked meals to champagne on ice, the crew can arrange almost anything you need.
Guests can enjoy water sports, excursions and pristine beaches in the daytime, followed by a sumptuous tasting menu and a go in the hot tub before you turn in and head to your opulent master cabin for the night.
Perfect for a honeymoon or a special trip away, chartered crew yachts have it all.
Relaxation
Unplug, unwind, rejuvenate - most people would list relaxation as the number one reason for going on holiday, and that’s taken to another level if you have a crew to help.
No cooking or washing up to worry about like in a self-catered villa, and a chef to cook exactly what you like - bliss!
Cuisine
Hungry? No problem. The on-board chef will prepare gourmet cuisine and the crew can also assist with reservations at the best onshore restaurants. Also, if you have certain dietary requirements, just let us know beforehand and Chef will adapt the menu accordingly, and if you pick up some delicious local produce from the port market, Chef can work that into the evening meal.
And if you’re interested in taking part in some activity onshore, such as hiking, horse riding or mountain biking, the crew will also be able to arrange this as well. The crew will always have expert knowledge of the area where you are sailing, so don’t hesitate to ask for tips on places to visit and things to do
Water Toys
A luxury yacht charter can have space for all sorts of extras, depending on the size.
A crew member can assist you with watersports from jet skiing to snorkelling or water skiing, and they can be on hand to give you insider tips on the local area.
Water sports are among the highlights of any crewed charter. Set off on jet skis or kayaks and make the ocean your very own playground as you create memories that last a lifetime!
Tailor-made itinerary
Your broker will be able to advise you on some must-sees before you go, and your charter crew will be experts in the area you will be navigating.
So you can expect tons of insider knowledge about activities, local customs and the best hidden coves and pristine beaches that will be unknown to most tourists.
See how to craft your ideal itinerary in our handy guide.
What's included?
What is and isn't included in a crewed charter fee depends slightly on whether your charter is all-inclusive (common in the Caribbean) or plus expenses (more usual in Mediterranean). We explain the differences in our article breaking down crewed charter costs
Here is a quick checklist of what’s typically included in a crewed yacht charter:
- All crew
- All meals, hors d’oeuvres, snacks and beverages (or as part of a provisioning allowance)
- Fully stocked premium bar (or as part of a provisioning allowance)
- Master, VIP, Double and Twin cabins with en-suite bathrooms
- Housekeeping services
- Air conditioning
- An excellent selection of water toys, such as: Paddle boards, Kayaks, Wake boarding, Water skiing, water floats and much more
What's not included?
- Crew Gratuities - Tipping is discretionary, and we usually recommend 10-20% of the charter fee for excellent service
- Taxes - VAT and any cruising taxes are seperate expenses. VAT varies but is often around 20% of the charter fee
What type of boat should I charter?
Your HELM charter broker will be able to help you pick the right option to create your dream yacht charter. Crewed yacht charters are available on a selection of vessels, from luxury motor yachts to smaller motor boat and beamy catamaran options with plenty of outdoor space.
A luxury motor yacht affords you the greatest space, alongside the ability to cover large distances with a larger group, and more crew support.
You can also charter a sailing boat over 50ft if you're after a sailing holiday with all the trimmings of a charter vacation.
How do I choose the right yacht?
We're here to help you every step of the way and make sure you have the perfect yacht for your needs.
You just need to consider your group size, how many people will be travelling and how many bedrooms/bathrooms you need and you can leave the rest to us.
As a basic guide, small sailing yachts and motor yachts are great for a couple, small family or group, while a catamaran works well for a larger group. Or go all out for a mega yacht or a gulet, which can handle a party of 16.
The larger the yacht, the more amenities and more crew it will have, which allows for a higher service level.
Get Started
Now you know the ins and outs of a luxury yacht charter, you can start planning your next trip, whether exploring the Indian Ocean by motor boat or island-hopping through the Greek islands on a luxury sailing yacht. You're almost ready to live the yachting life, one wave at a time.
Want to know more?
Take a look at this blog on what it’s like to cruise the British Virgin Islands on a luxury crewed catamaran or read about a week of family luxury on the Croatian Coast.
Read our article to find out more information on crewed yacht charter costs, including APA expenses, tips and more.
And if you are ready to start creating your dream yacht charter, simply use the button below, or contact your personal Helm charter broker on (+44) 0207 632 7567 or [email protected]
Need some help?
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.