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1-800-824-1331 ~ FAX 1-770-992-0276
3883 Andrews Crossing, Roswell, GA 30075 ~ In Georgia call 1-770-641-9640
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LET US MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE
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Sail the azure blue waters of the Caribbean aboard the yacht you 've always dreamed about. We
represent the finest fleet of private charter yachts in the world. Your luxury resort afloat can come complete with captain, mate, gourmet chef and steward all ready to cater to your every whim.
Your yacht can come equipped with all the toys - windsurfer, hot tub, water-ski boat, underwater camera, VCR, TV.
Whether you are looking for a yacht to accommodate a
family of 14, a dive charter with a noted divemaster, a sales seminar, incentive program, or the most special honeymoon -
WE KNOW THE PERFECT YACHT! We also have the finest bareboat fleet in the Virgins. CALL ELAINE and see how easy and economical it can be.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A CREWED CHARTER. ADJUST TO THE PACE & RELAX!
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Many people are chartering to expand their cruising experience. For the newcomer to this vacation alternative, there are some nagging thoughts which can become quite
serious worries as the departure date draws near. What can you expect of a crewed charter? How do you handle the crew? How will they handle you? How much say do you have in the running of things?
Here are some answers:
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CHARTER COSTS, CONTRACTS & CUSTOMS HOW TO BOOK A YACHT FOR THE ULTIMATE VACATION
If you're ready to take the most carefree, personal¬ized vacation of your life, the first step is to contact a professional charter broker. Your broker has the skills and
experience to help you select the perfect yacht and destination to suit your needs and desires, and will handle the charter contract. As your broker will tell you, there are many factors to consider in
planning a charter vacation, including budget, length of cruise, type of yacht, number of traveling companions, itinerary and activities. By
considering these details and estab¬lishing your priorities in advance, you can work efficiently with your broker to book the optimum vacation. Here's a guide to get you started:
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• Length of charter
- The base charter rates quoted in this book are for the use of the yacht for one week. You can book multiple weeks, however - charters lasting a fortnight are not uncommon. Many yachts are also available at daily rates. Booking a yacht for a long weekend is a great way to "test the waters" and determine if a longer charter is for you. Some yachts even offer special rates for three-night-minimum getaways.
• Dates of charter
- It's best to plan ahead and have several dates in mind. Be aware that holidays and special events are in high demand and are often booked more than a season in advance.
• Number in your party - This is a key variable in selecting a yacht. Be sure to let your broker know if you have a nanny or other personal staff you wish to take along.
• Number of separate cabins required
- Most yacht staterooms have en suite heads to ensure privacy. Many yachts offer cabins with beds that convert from doubles to singles or have an extra Pullman berth.
• Destinations
- There is a huge variety of cruising areas to choose from, depending on the season. A prearranged but flexible itinerary will allow for weather surprises. Be aware that the number of ports you can visit may be affected by the yacht's speed. Whether or not you can enter certain ports also may be dictated by the size of the yacht or its flag.
• Type of yacht - Do you prefer to sail or cruise under power? Do you want a classic or contemporary yacht?
• Communications - Will you need Internet
access and SatCom communications to stay in touch with shore? Do you plan to hold a business meeting while on board? Do you or your children have entertainment preferences, such as video
games? Many yachts have extensive video and music libraries, but will stock favorites if requested in advance.
*Activities - Do you snorkel or scuba dive? Are you an avid
fisherman? Do you like to kayak or water ski? Different yachts specialize in different pastimes.
• Privacy - The charter industry has long
experience in catering to celebrities. Its brokers and crews are noted for their discretion. If you prefer, you can discuss a nondisclosure contract with your broker.
• Special accommodations - Make your broker aware of any physical limitations you or your guests may have.
• Special dietary needs - Having a chef on
board is one of the perks of a charter vacation. Ask about the chef's areas of expertise before you begin menu-planning. Most chefs can accommodate most diets and taste preferences.
South Beach? Kosher? Vegetarian? Local cuisine? Surprise us? It's up to you.
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• The Charter Contract
- The majority of yachts now operate under a standardized agreement sponsored by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association and adopted by the American Yacht Charter Association, although some yachts use slight variations. Although at first you may be surprised by the contract's length, it makes sense once you consider that you are being given the keys to some¬one's multimillion-dollar investment. The charter contract protects and clearly defines the rights and obligations of each party.
• Budget - How much will you spend, including gratuities? Charter costs range widely depending on the yacht, location, number of guests in your party, distance cruised,
days spent in port, food and activities. You can assume that provisioning expenses and gratuities will add approximately 25 to 50 percent of the base charter rate to the cost of the
vacation. Here are some guidelines to help you estimate your budget:
Some yachts - generally smaller ones and sailboats - quote charter rates that are "inclusive,"
meaning the rate includes the use of the yacht, crew, food, basic bar and fuel. Some expenses such as dockage, communications charges and local cruising taxes are additional.
The rates for larger luxury yachts are generally quoted as "exclusive" or "plus expenses," due to the customized nature of the services they
offer. The base charter rate covers the use of the yacht and the salary of the crew for the duration of the charter. Food, bar, fuel and other consumables, dockage and communications
charges are billed to you at cost. These charges are deducted as they occur from an account that is opened with the captain called an Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). The APA
usually amounts to 25 to 30 percent of the charter fee. When you charter on a plus-expenses basis, the captain will give you financial updates during your charter and a
detailed accounting at the end of the cruise. Once you accept a charter contract, you will be asked to provide a deposit, which is usually 50
percent of the charter fee. This is separate from the APA, which generally is due a minimum of two weeks prior to boarding, so the crew can stock and provision the yacht according to your
preferences. The balance of the charter fee itself is due prior to departure.
• Tipping - It is customary for the charter party
to leave a gratuity, usually 10 to 20 percent of the charter fee, with the captain at the end of the charter. The captain should be made aware of
any special services provided to you or your party by members of the crew. However, even crewmembers you've rarely seen - engineers, deckhands, a laundress - have contributed to
the success of your vacation. The captain is best qualified to determine how your tip should be distributed.
Now that you have read the fine print, it's time
to get out on the water and enjoy all a charter yacht vacation has to offer.
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