7 Valuable Tips for a Successful First-Time Crewed Yacht Charter

First Time Yacht Charter Tips

Anyone about to set sail for the first-time on a Crewed Yacht Charter will soon understand why this is such a fantastic way to get away from it all. Chartering a yacht for the first time, however, may not necessarily be the most intuitive experience or a situation where common sense can always help you. The following yachting tips will help ensure that your first crewed sailing vacation turns out to be a fun and enjoyable experience.

Build a Strong Relationship with Your Yacht Broker

Establishing a trustful relationship with your yacht broker will greatly improve your overall experience as they will more likely be open to giving you free advice based on their experience in the field.

  • Charter brokers can save you time by doing all the research to find the perfect yacht for your group,

  • A charter broker can get you the best value for your first yacht charter as they have insight into the numerous yacht options, their current condition and special offers that may be available to you and,

  • Virgin Island Sailing® provides complimentary planning materials, cruising guidebooks, and issue resolution assistance if you have any issues during your vacation which are not being resolved to your satisfaction. It’s like having an extra person on your side!

    It is in the broker’s best interest to assist you again in following years so it will not be very hard to build a partner-like relationship with them. Whenever you decide to go on a yacht vacation they will be insistent on getting you the best offer possible and making sure that your first experience is pleasant.

Communicate with the Captain

There is no one more knowledgeable or informed than the captain themselves when it comes to going on a yacht trip.

It is common to have an introductory call with the captain before your vacation and it’s imperative to communicate with the crew throughout your sailing trip as they could give you great advice and suggestions about hot spots or interesting places to visit that your travel itinerary may not include. The captains are always looking forward to making their passengers happy and give them an unforgettable experience.

You may also want to talk to the captain if you encounter any problems during the sail or when you have any questions while on board. The captain will do their best to solve any problems you may encounter.

Let the Staff Get to Know You

Most yacht charters have a “preference form” where you will be asked to detail personal preferences and information the crew needs to know to deliver on your expectations.

You will need to provide details in advance for your food preferences in advance, how active or inactive you plan to be during your sail, your desire for privacy, or even what places you prefer to anchor to at night. The smallest details like how you like your coffee or your favorite wine brands are very important.

You’ll also be asked to provide specific information such as whether anyone on the board has any food allergies or other medical conditions to the crew so that the crew can prepare correspondingly.

When the broker does give you such a preference form, make sure to fill it out completely because the more information, the better.

Overall, this will help them better understand how to please you and you will have a much better experience.

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Be Respectful to the Crew

It’s not news that you should treat everyone with respect, however, keep in mind that the crew is not your personal servant. They are hosts trying to do their very best to ensure that you have an enjoyable vacation and to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

Don’t forget that they have a lot of other responsibilities that may not be obvious (it’s their goal to make it appear seamless) and understand that they will have to spend time attending to those responsibilities as well.

That being said, make sure to always show respect and be courteous towards the staff during your trip. A few compliments here and there can go a long way and can make the experience a pleasant one for both of you.

Allow Your Itinerary to Change

A good piece of advice any experienced seafarer would agree on is to be flexible with your travel itinerary. Some factors such as inclement weather, periodic restrictions and others will require you to make occasional changes to your plan.

It is impractical to stick to a hard and fast plan, and really one of the attractive qualities of a sailing vacation is not to have a schedule. Things can happen that are beyond your control so be willing to make the necessary adjustments to your itinerary if necessary.

If your captain suggests a change it’s probably because they have assessed the situation and believes another option is more appropriate. Usually, they will have other great alternatives for you so be open-minded and flexible if it the circumstances call for it.

First Time Yacht Charter

Follow the Safety Rules of the Captain and Crew

It goes without saying that putting the staff in a difficult position of compromised safety is not a good idea for them nor for you. Follow all the rules, requirements, and safety regulations even if some of them go against your preferences. Be careful to not get too comfortable and indifferent.

Although the crew and captain will endeavor to make you feel at home and like friends, keep in mind that they ultimately have a responsibility to keep your group and the yacht safe at all times. If they recommend against a certain destination or activity due to inclement weather, you should follow their advice and keep everyone out of any difficulties. They are the professionals.

Settle into ‘Island Time

A mistake many first-timers make is trying to do as much during their trip as possible, following a to-do list just for the sake of it and ending up tired and frustrated as a result of unrealistic expectations. Keep in mind that going a yacht trip is all about having fun, relaxing and enjoying family and friends.

As soon as you let go of any preconceived expectations you may find that all of the most memorable experiences will come unexpectedly and that you don’t necessarily need to follow a certain plan to have a good time. If you’re finding pleasure in a particular place or activity, you can just spend more time enjoying it. Try not spend all your time being in a hurry to get to the next location. Enjoy the present as much as possible.

Keep these yacht tips in mind and you will have the sailing vacation of a lifetime and remember, your captain and mate may be a married couple or working partners. They may own the yacht or operate it for someone else. In either case, you are guests in their “home”.

You’ll value your own “quiet time” staring up at the starry night sky or reading a good book. The crew will appreciate being allowed such times, too – after all, they will probably be the first ones up in the morning and the last ones to bed at night, working hard to please you.

First-Time Sailing Vacation

And when it comes to tipping it may seem awkward at the charter’s end, but tips do make up a good part of their income. So, if you’ve enjoyed the crew’s efforts, they’ll appreciate your letting them know so in this way. Most passengers are comfortable providing a gratuity of 15 to 20 percent of the charter fee, even more if the service was exceptional, but the decision is totally up to you.

Oh, one more thing, if you’re still wondering “Where are the best places to go for a first-time yacht charter?”, then our Top 10 charter destinations, is the answer you’ve been looking for! Check out our most popular destination here and let’s start planning… VirginIslandSailing.com/destinations/

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