How Charter Works

How Yacht Charter Works: From First Enquiry to Final Farewell

A private yacht charter is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the sea. Yet for first-time charterers, the process can seem opaque. This guide walks you through every stage — from the moment you reach out to a broker to the morning you step ashore for the last time — so you know exactly what to expect.

The Enquiry and Yacht Selection

Every charter begins with a conversation. When you contact Aris Drivas Yachting, your broker will ask about your preferred dates, the number of guests, your destination ideas, and any particular interests — whether that is diving, fine dining, or simply anchoring in quiet bays with your family. There is no commitment at this stage; the goal is to understand what kind of experience you are looking for.

Based on your brief, your broker will present a curated shortlist of available yachts. Each suggestion comes with full specifications, crew profiles, interior photography, and a transparent cost breakdown. You are welcome to request alternatives, adjust dates, or explore different destinations until the right match emerges.

The Charter Agreement

Once you have chosen a yacht, a formal charter agreement is drawn up. This contract — governed by established maritime conventions — sets out the terms, the itinerary framework, and the financial arrangements. Your broker will walk you through every clause. Payment terms are flexible and will be agreed between you and the yacht; there is no rigid formula.

At this point you will also discuss the Advance Provisioning Allowance, commonly called the APA. This is a fund held by the captain to cover running expenses during the charter: fuel, marina fees, food, beverages, and any special requests. The APA amount is yacht-specific and subject to your itinerary. At the end of the voyage, the captain provides a full accounting; any unspent balance is returned to you.

Pre-Charter Planning

In the weeks before departure, your broker and the yacht’s crew work together to tailor the experience. You will be asked to complete a preference sheet covering:

• Dietary requirements and favourite cuisines
• Beverage preferences — wines, spirits, soft drinks
• Activities you would like to try — water sports, shore excursions, cultural visits
• Any health considerations or mobility requirements
• Celebrations or special occasions during the trip

The chef will plan menus around your tastes. The captain will refine the itinerary to balance your interests with weather and sea conditions. Nothing is fixed in stone — flexibility is one of the great advantages of a private charter.

Embarkation Day

A standard charter week runs noon to noon: you board at midday on your first day and disembark at midday seven days later, giving you seven days and six nights aboard. Your broker will arrange transfers from the airport or hotel to the marina. The captain and crew will greet you at the passerelle, show you to your cabin, and conduct a safety briefing.

Lunch is typically served shortly after departure — your first taste of what the onboard chef has prepared. By early afternoon, the yacht is underway to your first anchorage.

Life on Board: The Crew

The crew is the backbone of every charter. Depending on the size of the yacht, you may have a team ranging from a captain and a single stewardess to a full complement of fifteen or more. Key roles include:

• Captain — responsible for navigation, safety, and overall management of the voyage. The captain adjusts the itinerary day by day based on weather and your wishes.
• Chef — prepares all meals on board, from casual lunches on the swim platform to formal multi-course dinners. Most charter chefs hold professional culinary credentials.
• Chief Stewardess — manages interior service, housekeeping, table settings, and ensures your comfort throughout the day.
• Deckhands and Bosun — handle anchoring, tender operations, and water-sport equipment. They are also your guides for activities like snorkelling, wakeboarding, and kayaking.
• Engineer — on larger yachts, a dedicated engineer keeps all mechanical and electrical systems running smoothly behind the scenes.

The crew’s aim is to be attentive without being intrusive. You set the tone — tell them you want a quiet morning reading on the foredeck, and they will ensure you are undisturbed. Ask for a beach barbecue at sunset, and they will make it happen.

The Itinerary: Structure and Freedom

Your broker will help you draft a preliminary route before the charter, but the daily plan remains flexible. If you discover a cove you love, stay an extra night. If the wind picks up, the captain will suggest a sheltered alternative. This adaptability is what distinguishes a yacht charter from any other form of holiday.

Most days follow a natural rhythm: a morning swim or water-sport session, lunch at anchor, a leisurely cruise to the next destination in the afternoon, and an evening ashore or a dinner under the stars on the aft deck. But there are no rules — sleep in, skip a stop, change course entirely. It is your voyage.

Disembarkation

On the final morning, the crew will serve breakfast and help you pack. The captain will present the APA reconciliation — a line-by-line account of all expenditures — and return any surplus. Gratuity for the crew is customary and left at your discretion; guidance on appropriate amounts is covered in our cost guide.

Your broker will arrange onward transfers, and the crew will see you off at the dock. Many clients find that the hardest part of a charter is leaving.

Why Use a Broker

A charter broker acts as your advocate throughout the process. The broker’s fee is included in the listing price — there is no additional cost to you for using our services. What you gain is access to market-wide availability, vetted recommendations, contract expertise, and a single point of contact who knows the yacht, the crew, and the waters. Aris Drivas Yachting has been arranging charters since 1972, and that experience translates directly into a smoother, better-matched voyage for every client.