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Once we have discussed the various possibilities in terms of the right yacht, crew and location, we are then ready to proceed with the booking of the yacht. This occurs in stages and is a very easy process as follows:
Agreement & payment
We will prepare and send you a MYBA Charter Agreement (Mediteranean Yacht Broker Association) detailing the yacht, the agreed dates, location, cruising area and cost. Upon signing this Agreement the first payment, normally 50%, is due to the account shown on the Agreement.
The Agreement is then sent to the Owner for their counter signature and a fully signed copy is returned to you for your retention. I there is no interim payment, the balance plus other specific amounts is normally due one month prior to the charter commencing.
Advance Provisioning (APA)
The majority of yachts works on an exclusive charter rate basis. The "charter fee" includes the charter of the vessel, crew, including their food and the vessel's insurance. Other expenses such as yacht and tenders fuel, your food and wines, port fees, communications, etc. are to be met by you, as Charterer, and are requested by us under the expression "APA". Such expenditure is estimated at an additional 20-30% of the charter fee and this sum is payable at the same time as payment of the Charter fee.
During the cruise, the Captain will carefully account for all expenses and, at the end of the charter, will present you with a detailed statement of accounts and receipts. Any unused APA funds shall be immediately returned to you, and likewise, any shortfall shall immediately be payable by you to the Captain.
Gratuities
It is the general European understanding that gratuities are a discretionary payment reflecting the service you have received. It is worth remembering that crew often work far longer hours than you may imagine (although you might be the last to go to sleep, the crew have to be on duty before the first guest wakes) and that some of the crew may be working virtually unseen in the engine room or the Laundry. Crew do expect a gratuity and the best guidance we can offer is that a sum equivalent to 10% of the charter fee is considered fair. However, if you really had a fantastic time, do not feel restricted by this.
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