Crewed Yacht Charter Frequently Asked Questions

This can vary enormously depending on the group and your desires. We have a yacht to fit every budget. From €3,500/week for a bareboat, anywhere up to €500,000+ for a luxury crewed yacht. For a 7-night luxury crewed charter in Europe, most first-time clients spend between €35,000 and €100,000 all in, depending on yacht size, crew, and preferences. You can find out more on our detailed article on yacht charter costs

Yes, although they are discretionary and not obligatory. Industry standard, set by MYBA is 5-15% of the charter fee, paid in cash at the end of your charter. This rewards exceptional service and is anticipated by crew as significant income supplement. Your broker confirms local customs for your specific destination.

• Rental of the yacht and crew (if specified) for the contracted period.
• Yacht equipment.
• Any extras you have added.
• Dinghy, GPS and nautical charts, stereo and cockpit speakers, safety equipment to meet the requirements of the flag-state, bedding and towels will be provided but sometimes there is a local charge for this, this will be clear in your charter offer/ contract.
• First and last night in the yacht’s home marina.

• A crewed charter is a luxurious escape, akin to a 5 star hotel but with a different view every day.
• A professional captain and crew will pamper you and provide a seamless experience throughout.
• Your on-board chef will prepare gourmet cuisine, and the crew can assist with reservations at the best onshore restaurants.
• You will find an amazing selection of facilities, activities and equipment.
• The experience is uniquely tailored to all of your personal preferences.
• To find your perfect escape, browse our Crewed Yachts.

• Consider your group size, the make up of the group, and the number of bedrooms/ bathrooms you require.
• Age of the yacht – newer yachts are more modern and fresher looking. This does not mean older yachts are not worth considering. We only chose yachts that are in excellent condition, and have been looked after meticulously.
• Level of comfort – tell us the level of comfort you are used to or are looking for and we can make suitable suggestions. Your budget is also an important factor.
• The activities you would like to do during the week play an important role, as some yachts are much better suited than others for certain activities.
• Use your charter experts – we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.

• Use our Experience Builder, and let us make suggestions based on your answers.
• Consider your group requirements, whether you are looking for lively towns, quiet bays or a mixture of both.
• What’s the best time of year to go? For the most stable weather, go to the Mediterranean between June and September, and look further afield to the Caribbean and Thailand from November to May.
• We offer yachts on a global scale, from Greece to Indonesia or Croatia to Mauritius, we will be able to find you your perfect where ever you wish to explore.

• Travel documents. As you will be traveling abroad please make sure you have the correct documents for the country you are visiting, a valid passport, and visa if required. If you are not sure please ask your charter expert, who will be able to advise you on the relevant documents.
• Soft-sided luggage. Much more practical on-board to stow then hard cases.
• Shoes - boat, street, and water. On-board you will need to wear bare feet, or soft, white soled clean shoes that aren’t going to mark the boats teak or decks. You should bring a different pair of shoes for exploring the towns, and going out in the evening in. A pair or water shoes (reef shoes) are also a good idea for exploring in the water or round the rocks.
• Swimwear. This is the most important item of clothing; you will find you end up living in it!
• Fins, mask and snorkel. These are often supplied so check with your charter expert, but if you're planning to spend a lot of time in the water it is generally more comfortable to take you own gear.
• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Polarised sunglasses are by far the best on the water, please make sure you don’t have oil-based sunscreen as this can stain the teak and sun cushions, you should use at least 30+ as people tend to burn more on the water.
• Sweater or fleece. Particularly if you’re going early or late in the season, the nights can get cool.
• Beach towels. These will sometimes be supplied, so please check with your charter expert.
• Book. There’s nothing like relaxing in the sun with a good book.
• Electronics. Most modern yachts have advanced sound systems that you can connect your smartphone to. You should take a 12v charger for your essential appliances, unless you are on a larger boat with a generator. Be sure to remember your camera!
• Waterproofs. Even in summer, a windy afternoon can be cool, a waterproof jacket can make a passage much more enjoyable.
• Medications. Please make sure you bring your prescription medications with you, foreign scripts are not honoured in Greek Pharmacies.
• Ear Plugs. If you are a light sleeper a pair of earplugs can be a saviour, particularly in Greece and Turkey where you will spend a lot of nights on town quays.
• In General. Most people going on yachting holidays pack a lot more than they require, you will find you spend most time on board just in your swimwear and a t-shirt, so a few pairs along with some shore gear are all that you require.

• Can we arrange flights? Generally, we feel it is better value if you supply your own flights – we are experts with boats, not planes.
• Can we arrange transfers to the yacht? Yes, it’s as simple as selecting this on your yacht booking page.
• How do I find my yacht? We will provide you with full arrival information three weeks before your charter with all the information you need. This will include: the name of your yacht, the address of the marina and where your yacht will be within it, local contact details, details of your transfers, suggested itineraries and a number to ring should you have any problems.
• If I arrive early can I leave my luggage at the base so I can explore? This is generally not a problem, but some bases are tight on space. Please let us know in advance so that we can find out if there will be luggage space for you.
• What time can I pick up the boat? Depending on the yacht and the destination, usually 12:00 on the first day of your charter
• What time do I have to disembark? Generally, the disembark time is 12:00, and in some cases you may be required to come back to the marina the evening before you disembark.

• How do I reserve my yacht? Once you have selected your preferred yacht, contact your HELM expert who will assist you, or simply follow the instructions through your online portal. For confirmation we will require a deposit, which is between 30% - 50% of the charter fee.
• Is paying HELM online safe? Yes! We trust all of our online payments to NUVEI who are a secure online payment specialist company. By entrusting the payments to NUVEI we can be sure that the latest encryption software is used. NUVEI is a validated Level 1 PCI DSS Compliant Service Provider and on Visa's Global Compliant Provider List and MasterCard's SDP list
• Please note that payments for fully crewed charters need to be by bank transfer, your HELM charter expert will advise on this.
• Balance payments are usually 6 weeks before the charter.

This is entirely yours to define. Some families prefer meals together with conversation flowing naturally, while others value privacy during dining. Your broker discusses these preferences beforehand, ensuring the crew's service style matches your expectations. The crew generally maintains separate quarters and respects your space while remaining immediately available when needed.

• A yacht charter is a unique kind of holiday, that gives you the flexibility to really experience a destination and see a completely different view to the majority of land based tourists.
• A yacht charter is not all about the sailing and often you will only actually sail for 1-3 hours a day, perhaps broken up by a special and secluded lunchtime swimming spot. A typical day will include lots of swimming, sunbathing, and exploring unique destinations.
• To see what a typical week on-board can look like please browse one of our case study pages, like the Landmark BVI Birthday case study

• Can I play Music? All yachts have the facility to play your own music. Just make sure you bring an AUX cable (headphone to headphone) to plug in your mp3 player/iPod/phone.
• Is there a first aid kit? Yes, all yachts come with a fully stocked first aid kit.
• Will the yacht have an electric supply? Yes, when you are plugged into the mains at a harbour, or if your yacht has a generator. Otherwise you will be able to use the yachts batteries, just like in a car - in this case you should bring 12 v chargers for your appliances, or a 12v inverter.
• How much room is there for luggage? This depends on the size of your yacht could and could be limited on a smaller yacht compared to a larger crewed yacht. Tip – bring folding bags that can be stowed easily.
• Will there be Wi-Fi? Most yachts have on board Wi-Fi available. Ask your charter expert if your yacht has this option.
• Can I pre-order provisions on board? Yes, we can supply you with a provisioning list, or if you have hired crew, a preference form so that your yacht can be stocked before your arrival.
• Will I get Seasick? As our destinations are all in protected waters, it is unlikely that you would get seasick. If you often suffer from motion sickness, it is advisable to see your pharmacist to get some sea sickness tablets that you can take at the start of the charter, until you get used to the motion of the boat. You will normally only do relatively short passages each day, then be in sheltered bays, or in marinas.
• Can I cook on-board? Yes, your boat will come with a fully equipped galley with a gas cooker/ oven, fridge and everything on board you will need such as cutlery, glasses, plates, and saucepans.