Reserve Your Charter Yacht - Frequently Asked Questions

The Reservation amount is 5% of the total estimated Charter Fee as calculated on our website, not including APA, taxes, or other additional fees. The minimum required authorisation amount is €2,500.

Your credit or debit card will only be charged upon the acceptance of your reservation by the yacht owner and the signing of the Charter Agreement. If your request is not accepted or the contract not signed for any reason, no charges will be incurred.

You may cancel your reservation at any time before signing the Charter Agreement; simply notify your charter consultant in writing. The amount that has been authorized on your card will be released.

To cancel your reservation, notify your charter consultant in writing. Our team will take the necessary steps to ensure the authorized amount on your credit card is released as soon as possible.

You will receive an email confirmation that your reservation has been canceled and that we have instructed for the authorized amount on your card to be released. 

The number of business days for your authorization to be released depends on the issuing bank or credit card provider.

Upon completion of the online Reservation process, you will receive a confirmation email. 

In the case that you do not receive an email confirmation within 24 hours please contact [email protected].

The completion of the booking process typically takes up to seven business days but this may vary. The first step for your reservation to advance is for the yacht owner to accept the Reservation request, which typically takes up to 48 hours. Your Charter Consultant will provide an initial confirmation that your reservation is okay to progress and will work with you to complete the booking process. If the Owner does not accept your Reservation request your authorization will be released, but you can work with your Charter Consultant to find different yacht options that fit your requirements.

1. Talk with your Charter Consultant to confirm Charter Details: A Charter Consultant will contact you, using the details you provided when submitting your reservation request, to discuss the particulars of your charter, including itinerary and any special requests or inquiries that you may have.
2. Owner Acceptance: We will coordinate with the Yacht Owner regarding your reservation, confirming all charter details. Once the Owner has agreed to the charter, we will provide you with a reservation acceptance and the final cost information, based on your itinerary and preferences, to proceed with the booking.
3. KYC: IYC will request specific documentation, including proof of identity and address, to conduct the necessary Know Your Client (KYC) checks as required by regulatory authorities and financial institutions before the conclusion and execution of the Charter Agreement.
4. The Charter Agreement: Once the KYC process is complete, you will receive a Charter Agreement that specifies the terms and conditions, rights and obligations of each party.
5. Charter Deposit: Upon signing the Charter Agreement, a deposit of 50% of the total confirmed charter fee is required to confirm the booking. The Reservation amount will be charged to the credit card provided, and the remaining amount up to the 50% deposit will be due for payment. The remaining 50% of the charter fee, Advance Provisioning Allowance, delivery/redelivery fees, VAT taxes, and any other agreed charges must be paid four weeks prior to the commencement of the charter.

Your Reservation is contingent upon the Yacht Owner's approval of the charter. If the Reservation for the specified yacht cannot be fulfilled, we will  cancel your reservation and the authorised amount will be released from your card. However, your assigned Charter Consultant can work closely with you to find another yacht that could suit your needs. 

You have the option to reserve more than one yacht online; simply visit the yacht's page on IYC’s website and complete the reservation process for each yacht that you are interested in. 

You can use a Mastercard or Visa credit / debit card to complete your Reserve transaction.

You can pay the remaining deposit fee via wire transfer. 

No. An online Reservation will place a booking request / hold on the yacht’s calendar and prioritize your request for the specific dates. The Reservation will turn into a confirmed booking once the Owner has accepted the charter request, the Charter Agreement has been signed and the full charter deposit has been paid. 

It is customary to rent a yacht for a full week, but it is not mandatory. You can choose to rent the yacht for a period of less than a week or more.

Yes, you have the option to choose the date your charter will begin, depending always on the yacht’s availability.

Charter rates are quoted per week. Charters, spanning for more than a week are divided by seven and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters spanning for less than a week are divided by six and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters commence from noon onwards on the first day and terminate by noon on the last day. Some yachts have high season rates that apply to the most popular charter periods and low season rates that apply to all other periods.

The yacht with crew service, plus all the necessary equipment, is included in the charter rate and is insured for marine risks. Rates do not include VAT, provisioning, fuel, electronic communications, canal fees, harbor dues, local taxes, specific marina fees, delivery/return fees, or any expenses related to embarkation/disembarkation at a different location from the yacht's home port.

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. 

Crew gratuities are not obligatory, but it’s customary to leave 10% to 20% of the total charter fee, upon discretion and based on satisfaction. The best way to make sure that all crew members are recognized equally is to entrust the distribution of gratuities to the captain or your charter consultant.

The capacity of each yacht is usually determined by its size and the amount of staterooms it has. On most yachts the legal limit for the amount of overnight guests permitted to stay on a yacht is 12. If you require a yacht that can accommodate a larger party, our consultants will make sure to find you a selection of yachts that are appropriately registered with a larger guest capacity. The maximum amount of people who can go on a cruise will depend on the size of the yacht and the safety regulations in place. You can talk to your charter consultant about this.

At IYC we believe that each yacht has its own personality; our team of renowned charter consultants will work closely with you to help you find the one that best fits yours. Browse our carefully selected fleet of top echelon yachts from around the world to discover the possibilities available for you and your family to enjoy. You can also contact one of our Charter Yacht Consultants who will help you select the ideal yacht for you. Our team travels the world to inspect the premier luxury yachts on the market; their first hand experience gives them in-depth knowledge and enables them to provide personalized recommendations based on your needs and taste.

Our team of professional charter consultants are available to help you select the right yacht, plan your itinerary and help arrange all logistics before, during and after your trip. Send an inquiry about the yacht that you are interested in through our online form or contact one of our Charter Yacht consultants directly.

All charters are subject to a fully executed contract. Once the availability of your chosen yacht has been verified, you will receive a Charter Agreement, with a request for a deposit to secure the booking. The Charter Agreement defines the terms and conditions, obligations and rights of each party.

A deposit of 50% of the total charter fee is required upon signature of the Charter Agreement in order to confirm your booking. The remaining 50%, plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), together with any VAT taxes, delivery/redelivery fees and any additionally agreed charges, is due one month before the charter commences.

As per the MYBA contract, if you decide to cancel your charter the owner may retain your deposit or the entire charter fee; this depends on the timing you will communicate your cancelation. If you cancel after you have submitted your deposit but before the final installment is due, the owner is entitled to retain your deposit. If you have already paid the entire charter fee, the owner is entitled to retain the full amount but will return the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA). Should you decide to cancel your charter, make sure to talk to your IYC Consultant as we can help liaise with the owner to find an alternative date for your charter. Also, keep in mind that different contracts have different cancelation policies.

Yes. In accordance to international regulations, it is necessary for the company to perform specific checks for the purpose of satisfying the anti-money laundering rules and compliance with any applicable sanctions. IYC is bound by these rules, and must comply with global processes.

Know Your Client (KYC) set of standards is the due diligence process required by the regulatory authorities and financial institutions to verify a Client’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. The company strives to complete this process with the minimum possible inconvenience for our clients and will perform all necessary checks in an efficient manner. All reports will be made available to the client. Information and/or documents provided shall be maintained by IYC’s Legal Department, in accordance with applicable laws, in strict confidence and with restricted access.

The documentation requested depends on whether the contract is with an individual or legal entity (company).

• Individuals are required to provide 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).

Where the client/engaging party will be a legal entity the following would be required:

• 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).

On a case by case basis, the company may be legally required to ask for additional information and/or documentation.

Let your Charter Consultant know the destinations that you would like to visit.

Yachts are usually located at a specific location, but most of them are available for charter in the wider area. The speed of your yacht, weather conditions and availability in a particular marina are all factors that will determine the exact locations and number of ports that you can visit during your trip. Entering certain countries may be restricted by the yacht’s flag. Also, make sure that you have the appropriate visa permits to enter the countries you intend to visit. You should also keep in mind that if embarkation and/or disembarkation take place away from the yacht's home port, delivery/return fees and expenses will also be charged.

Yes, you are allowed to use all amenities on the yacht and enjoy it as if it was your own.

In most countries a license is necessary in order to use certain water toys (e.g. jet skis, wave runners and other mechanically propelled watercraft) and there may be an age limit. Certain areas prohibit the use of motorized water toys altogether. To use the yacht’s SCUBA diving equipment, if available, a certified PADI license or equivalent is necessary. If you do not have the required certificates, our team can usually arrange for an instructor to come onboard the yacht during your charter.

Every detail counts. Several weeks before your charter begins, your IYC Charter Consultant will reach out to you and ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire including all preferences and special requirements for members of your party. This sheet will cover dietary preferences, medical requirements, details on any allergies, favorite activities, sporting and entertainment requests. Knowing your preferences will enable us and the crew to make sure that you have everything that you need on board and that you have an unforgettable experience.

Just let your Charter Consultant know and we will work with the Captain and crew to have any arrangements taken care of.

Smoking is prohibited on board most yachts, however as policies tend to vary from yacht to yacht, please check with your Charter Consultant. As per safety regulations, smoking in cabins is prohibited on all yachts.

Accidents may happen when it’s least expected so it’s always best to be prepared. The Charter Liability insurance provides cover for situations where guests are liable for damage caused to their charter yacht – including the hull, tenders/toys, interior furnishings and other equipment – or to third parties. While as charterers and / or guests you may be covered under the yacht owner's liability policy, this extra cover allows you to completely relax and enjoy your holiday, knowing you are fully protected when chartering an expensive yacht.Your Charter Broker will put you in touch with IYC’s expert insurance team, who will create a policy to suit your exact needs.

Despite our best intentions, sometimes life gets in the way and we need to cancel our holiday plans. Trip Cancellation Insurance helps to protect a charter travel investment from the unexpected, with affordable premiums and minimal paperwork. As a charterer and/or guest you may cancel your booked trip for any reason and may be reimbursed for part of your pre-paid fee. Your Charter Broker will put you in touch with IYC’s expert insurance team, who will create a policy to suit your exact needs based on your charter plans.