Yacht Charter Etiquette

One of the great pleasures of a private yacht charter is the personalised service provided by your captain and crew.

Unlike a hotel, a yacht is both your accommodation and the crew’s workplace. Understanding a few simple expectations helps create a comfortable atmosphere for everyone and allows the crew to deliver the best possible experience.

Relax and Enjoy Yourself

The crew’s primary role is to look after you. They’re there to prepare meals, maintain the yacht, navigate safely, organise activities and help you make the most of your holiday. You don’t need to know anything about operating the yacht—simply relax and enjoy the experience.

Respect the Crew’s Workspace

While the yacht is your home during the charter, some areas are reserved for crew operations. Unless invited, avoid entering:

• The galley while meals are being prepared
• Crew cabins
• The bridge during busy manoeuvres
• Engineering spaces

Giving the crew room to work safely helps everything run smoothly.

Communicate Your Preferences

The more the crew knows about your preferences, the better they can tailor the experience. Don’t hesitate to let them know about:

• Dietary requirements
• Activity preferences
• Special celebrations
• Daily schedules
• Comfort preferences

Clear communication early in the charter often leads to a better overall experience.

Flexibility Is Part of Chartering

Weather, sea conditions and local regulations sometimes require changes to an itinerary. These decisions are made with guest safety and enjoyment in mind. Remaining flexible allows the captain to recommend the best alternatives while maintaining a safe and enjoyable trip.

Caring for the Yacht

A charter yacht is both a luxury home and a sophisticated vessel. Simple habits help keep it in excellent condition:

• Follow any footwear guidance from the crew.
• Handle equipment with care.
• Supervise young children where appropriate.
• Report any accidental damage promptly.

The crew is there to help—never hesitate to ask questions.

Privacy and Respect

Professional crews are experienced at balancing attentive service with guest privacy. Treating everyone on board with courtesy and respect helps create a relaxed environment throughout the charter. Likewise, many guests appreciate the crew respecting their own private moments, making open communication important for both sides.

Tipping the Crew

Your crew plays an important role in making your charter memorable, from the captain planning and navigating your itinerary to the chef and other crew members looking after your comfort, safety and experiences onboard. Exceptional service deserves generous recognition.

At Yacht Charter Agents, we recommend budgeting 20% of the base charter fee for crew gratuities. This recommendation excludes APA (where applicable), taxes and other separately charged expenses.

Gratuities remain discretionary, and the final amount should reflect the service you receive and any applicable charter agreement terms. Customs vary by destination, region and charter arrangement. Your broker can explain the practices relevant to your chosen destination so you can plan appropriately.

We encourage guests to include gratuities in their charter budget from the beginning rather than treating them as an unexpected expense at the end of their holiday.

Enjoy the Experience

A yacht charter is designed to be relaxing. The crew wants you to enjoy your holiday, ask questions and make the most of every destination. Good communication, mutual respect and realistic expectations help create an unforgettable experience for everyone on board.