Why book through a Charter Broker like Sailing Directions?

Choosing the right charter yacht and crew is vital in ensuring that you get the most out of your charter vacation. When you use a charter agent that knows the boats and the crews personally you can get accurate and un-biased information on all the options that are available to you.

When you book through Sailing Directions the charter cost is the same as when you deal directly with the yacht owner, but you get a great deal more peace of mind- for example:

• Our information is current, accurate and unbiased.
• You have the protection of the standard CYBA charter agreement and your deposit is held in an independent and safe escrow account until just a few days before your charter begins.
• We will always be here to help and advise you on your best options - and if you are new to chartering we provide a wealth of information and support. We can also provide additional travel products and services that you may need to make the most of your charter experience.
• We offer you extensive and ongoing after-sales support, assisting in all aspects of your vacation preparation and managing your relationship with your crew.
• If, at the last-minute, the yacht has any problem and is unable to take your charter we will be here to assist you. We can move fast to find you the very best resolution to the problem (or refund you in full) - another piece of mind when you book your Caribbean yacht charter through Sailing Directions.

How do I reserve a yacht and what are the payment terms?

After working with your agent to find the perfect yacht at the right time for your vacation we will supply you with a charter contract. Once you are completely happy with the charter agreement a 50% deposit is required to reserve the yacht, unless your vacation dates are more than 6 months from the contract signing, in which case 25% deposit is due at the time of signing and another 25% deposit is due 6 months in advance of the vacation dates.

The balance is due 60 days prior to the beginning date. top

What's included in the Charter Fee?

All Inclusive Yachts:
The Charter Fee includes Captain, Chef / Hostess, three meals aboard each day with wine, snacks, full ships bar (including cocktails, beer, wine and sodas), water toys, cruising permits and all on deck amenities. Insurance of the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer's liability insurance. The charter fee also includes fuel for a specified number of hours per day, as averaged throughout the cruise, berthing dues and most other harbor charges, including water and/or electricity taken from the shore.

Extra charges will include communications, marina berthing, crew gratuities, activities and any meals taken ashore, hire costs of special equipment and activities; such as scuba diving.

Plus Expenses Yachts / Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA):
The larger power yachts are plus expenses (we will notify you if the yacht is plus expenses in our quote). This means that addition to the charter fee you will also be asked to pay an Advance Provisioning Allowance of 25-30% of the charter fee. This is given to the yacht in cash prior to your charter to allow the Captain to buy fuel and provision the yacht with food and drinks per your preferences. At the end of the charter, the captain will produce full accounts of all expenditure. You will either be refunded excess money not used or asked to pay any additional costs which exceeded the Advance Provisioning Allowance.

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Cancellation Terms

If you need to cancel your reservation all payments are forfeited. However you are entitled to a refund if the yacht you reserved is re-hired for the same term; or a pro rata refund if re-hired for part of the same term.

If the yacht owner must cancel, the owner shall refund you all of your payments. 

If the captain or owner must cancel the charter due to Force Majeure no funds will be refunded to charterer.

Full terms and conditions can be found in our charter agreement contract.

We can help you with trip cancellation insurance; which, depending on circumstance, would take care of any penalties. top

What time of year is best to travel to the Caribbean?

Mid-December through to the end of April is the "high season" in the Caribbean as travelers flee cold northern climates to bask in the tropical sunshine. For the peak periods of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and the Spring Break months of March and April, charter yachts should be reserved well in advance.

The summer period is considered to be low season, however summer is still a great time to visit the islands too; charter rates are lower and the beaches, roads and restaurants are rarely crowded.

December through May is considered the dry season while June through November is generally the more humid season. However, in our experience, rain or clear skies can occur at any time during the year. Rainstorms often pass quickly and there is sunshine on most days during the year. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 72º to 86º F. The warm coastal water temperatures stay between 68º and 74º F.

Hurricanes may occur any time from August through October and, historically, the most likely time is during early September. Every year brings more sophisticated storm warning systems. It is unusual for any one island to be severely affected more than once or twice every 10 years and your actual odds of experiencing a hurricane are very low. Travelers can purchase travel insurance as soon as they confirm their travel plans. top

Do I need Insurance?

Sailing Directions urges you to insure your upcoming trip. We are pleased to offer coverage from CSA Travel Protection and Travel Guard International. While we hope that your trip is relaxing and worry-free, we remind you that situations may arise before departure or during your trip over which you have no control. Having travel insurance can be a valuable asset.

Travel insurance will cover charter cancellation due to extreme weather or act of God, flight delays, emergency medical expenses, lost baggage and more.

For further information or to purchase your travel insurance plan, simply click on the links below for a quote:

CSA Travel Protection

Travel Guard

Note: in order for us to receive your insurance details please only purchase your insurance using the above links.
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How can I be reached in an emergency?

All vessels have VHF radios and many areas have marine telephone operators that can contact you through your VHF. You can of course bring along your own cell phone and the vessel you are on may have a satellite phone. top

Is scuba diving equipment and air included in the charter fee?

This can vary from yacht to yacht. Some yachts are fully dive-equipped while others will only allow rendezvous diving (where a dive boat is arranged to meet your yacht at a specified dive site). We can provide you details on individual yacht's policies. top

Should we bring the kids?

Kids are seldom bored on charter. They really get into the sailing and particularly the snorkeling and playing on the beach. The yacht's crew is employed to maximize the enjoyment and safety of your vacation but they cannot be expected to take responsibility for over-seeing the welfare of children. Children under the age of fourteen must be under the direct supervision of a parent, child-minder or other appointed adult at all times. top

How do I figure costs and expenses?

Charter costs range widely depending on the yacht, location, season, number of guests, distance cruised, days spent in ports, and the level of luxury provided.

Rates will be quoted either as "all-inclusive" or "plus expenses."

Most of our sailing yachts, and some of our power yachts, are all-inclusive. This means that the charter rate includes your Captain, Chef / Hostess, three meals aboard each day with wine, snacks, full ships bar (including cocktails, beer, wine and sodas), water toys, cruising permits and all on deck amenities. The only additional expense for you are if you would like vintage wines, champagne, optional dockage and communication (using the yacht's cell or satellite phone). Crew gratuity is also additional (customary 15%).

The larger power yachts are plus expenses (we will notify you if the yacht is plus expenses in our quote). This means that addition to the charter fee you will also be asked to pay an Advance Provisioning Allowance of 25-30% of the charter fee. This is given to the yacht in cash prior to your charter to allow the Captain to buy fuel and provision the yacht with food and drinks per your preferences. At the end of the charter, the captain will produce full accounts of all expenditure. You will either be refunded excess money not used or asked to pay any additional costs which exceeded the Advance Provisioning Allowance.

Crew Gratuities:

Gratuities of 10% - 20% of the charter fee are the norm when the service merits it. Please remember that your crew work hard to ensure your vacation is a great one, that will be remembered for many years to come. They are your chef, bartender, waiter, tour guide..

Your crew is happy to accept gratuities cash, traveler's checks or personal checks.

The best way to handle the gratuity is to place the amount into an envelope addressed to the crew and either hand it to the captain or leave it on the saloon table on your departure from the yacht. top

Who do I contact if I can't find the answer to my question?
If we have not addressed any of your questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help you further!  top