1. Select Your Dates & Choose your Destination
When planning your trip, let your charter consultant know the specific dates that you are looking to book your vacation, as well as the locations that you would like to visit.
- What to keep in mind when selecting your dates: We recommend that you make your reservations ahead of time and that you have a few different dates in mind to ensure availability. Please keep in mind that holidays and peak periods may be highly sought after and are typically booked up several months in advance. Typically, yachts require a minimum charter of seven days, while some may require a minimum of ten days during busy seasons.
- What to keep in mind when selecting your destination: The Mediterranean is an established summer destination for yacht vacations, particularly during July and August. Other options for summer excursions include New England, the Bahamas and Alaska. For winter yachting, the Caribbean and Bahamas are popular choices. Factors such as the yacht's speed, weather conditions and availability of marinas should be taken into consideration when planning a trip. Additionally, entry into certain countries may be limited based on the yacht's age or size, and visa requirements should be verified prior to arrival. Delivery/return fees and expenses may be incurred if embarkation and/or disembarkation occur away from the yacht's home port. Please be aware that local taxes and VAT may vary by destination.
2. Choose the Perfect Yacht
The most exciting part about organising a yacht charter is reviewing various yacht options and finding the one that suits you best - the choices are almost endless! IYC has access to over 3000 crewed charter yachts throughout the world. Your charter consultant will undertake a detailed survey to ensure that every important consideration is understood, before matching you with a shortlist of yachts to make your choice from.
- What to keep in mind when choosing your yacht: Selecting the perfect yacht can come down to many factors including your destination of choice, number of guests/cabins and the type or design of yacht you are looking for. For example, many yachts are equipped for specialist dive or fishing charters, others are fast and ensure large distances can be covered at speed, while explorer yachts can take you to all the corners of the world.
3. Complete the KYC (Know Your Client) Process
Know Your Client (KYC) set of standards is the due diligence process required by the regulatory authorities and financial institutions to verify the Charterer's identity. This process must be completed prior to entering any agreement with the company. IYC will request specific documentation to perform all necessary checks and will complete the process in an efficient manner.
The documentation requested depends on whether the contract is with an individual or legal entity (company).
- Documentation needed for Individuals: Proof of identity (certified true copy of the original passport or national ID card) and a proof of address (certified true copy of an original utility bill or original bank statement – both dating up to six months).
- Documentation needed for Legal Entities: Where the client/engaging party will be a legal entity the company would require:
- Legal existence and good standing – an incumbency certificate duly signed by one of the officers of the corporation
- Information regarding the Ultimate Beneficial Owner:
- Group structure of the corporation signed by one of its officers, showing the beneficial owners (i.e. individuals) and any documents to evidence ownership.
- Information concerning the legal entity's beneficial owners, including a proof of identity (certified true copy of the original passport or national ID card) and a proof of address (certified true copy of an original utility bill or original bank statement – both dating up to six months).
4. Secure Your Chosen Yacht
Charters are always subject to a fully executed contract. Once your Charter Consultant has confirmed the availability of your selected yacht and you have completed the KYC process, you will receive a Charter Agreement, with a request to place a deposit in order to secure your booking. The Charter Agreement specifies the terms and conditions, rights and obligations of each party.
- First Deposit: Upon signature of the Charter Agreement a deposit of 50% of the total charter fee is required to confirm your booking.
- Second Deposit: The remaining 50% of the charter fee, plus the (APA) Advance Provisioning Allowance and any delivery/redelivery fees, VAT taxes as well as other agreed charges are due one month (four weeks) before the charter begins.
Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) is the amount to cover any running expenses while on board (e.g. transport, fuel, food, berthing dues, harbor charges, agency fees, equipment requested etc.). The final APA % is determined by the vessel and is usually estimated between 25% - 40% of the Charter Fee. APA is handled by the Captain, who is required to keep an itemized report of all expenses incurred and will present to the client before disembarkation. Any remaining funds will be returned to the charterer either in cash or by bank transfer at the end of the charter.
5. Plan your yacht charter details
Every detail counts. Your Charter Consultant will work closely with you and the yacht's captain to plan every aspect of your trip and guarantee a memorable experience.
- Making sure you have everything that you need on board: Several weeks prior to your yacht charter, we will request that you fill out a comprehensive questionnaire (Preference Sheet). This document will contain information about dietary preferences, medical needs, allergies, preferred activities, and any special requests for entertainment or sports. Completing this form will help us and the crew to ensure that all of your needs are taken care of while you are onboard.
- Planning your itinerary: Your Charter Consultant will provide you with a selection of itinerary options for you to consider, so that you can get an idea of possible destinations and activities. Once the yacht is confirmed, we will discuss the itinerary in more detail and request the captain to suggest an itinerary that best suits your preferences. This could include a mix of towns, remote anchorages, and the amount of time you would like to spend traveling each day. Please note that itineraries are not set in stone, and you can even make changes while on board the yacht - it is a personalized and unique experience. Additionally, we recommend remaining somewhat flexible with the itinerary, as weather and wind patterns may necessitate alterations for your comfort and safety.