Yacht charter bookings.

Crew coaching & consulting.

Yacht ownership consulting.

Any call or consultation to book a yacht charter with us is completely free. We facilitate the complete process with no cost to you.

Crew coaching and yacht ownership consulting are booked and charged at a hourly fee. 

Yacht Charter Agents work with clients to ensure they understand how customizable yacht charter vacations can be. Once we clarify your vision and expectations, we help you narrow your options. Then YCA gets to work negotiating with the yacht managers to place a hold on your desired dates while you make your final decisions. You confirm your reservation with a signed agreement and a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the charter. Once the agreement is signed, your dates and rates are confirmed, and not subject to change. 

Timing is important to consider. End of the year holidays and school holidays often book one year or more in advance. The most sought after yachts and crew also book early. The earlier you can plan, the better. Remember we know the crew and boats personally, so we will work with you to find the best alternatives if your top choices are unavailable. 

Gratuities of 15% – 20% of the charter fee are the expected norm in this industry. This may seem like a significant amount on top of the charter cost. Keep in mind, it is a major part of a crew’s income and it reflects a job well done or very well done. 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 gourmet chef, diving instructor, island guide, story teller, friend and when you sleep, they mostly are up cleaning and preparing the yacht or meals for you. Most crew accept gratuities in cash, traveler’s checks or personal checks, however, it is best to inquire upon booking.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 before your departure from the yacht. 

A letter to them with a personal note is more than welcome and appreciated.

We hope nothing gets in the way of your vacation. The reality is, sometimes things happen that are beyond anyone’s control. Travel insurance may cover cancellation due to extreme weather, acts of God, flight delays, emergency medical expenses, operator financial default, lost baggage, etc., though policies do vary. Blu Charters recommends Travel Guard’s “Vacation Protection Plan Deluxe” as it is customized for yacht charter guests and offers a range of additional travel support and services. You can generate and compare insurance coverage from a range of providers like: Access America, CSA Travel Protection or HTH Worldwide.

If you decide to cancel your reservation all payments are forfeited. You are typically entitled to a partial 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. In the unlikely event that the yacht cancels due to unforeseen circumstances we will strive to find a suitable replacement that meets your approval, or you will be refunded in full. If the captain or owner must cancel the charter due to Force Majeure no funds will be refunded to the charterer. Trip insurance should enable you to claim from your insurer. Full terms and conditions can be found in our charter agreement contract. We can help you with trip cancellation insurance which, depending on the circumstance, would cover penalties. 

Passports are required for all visitors in the Caribbean. The United States Government will require a valid passport to regain entry into the US. Please remember to bring passports for each member of your group.

British Virgin Islands: US Citizens can enter the British Virgin Islands with a valid passport – no visa is required.

Non-US Citizens may require a visa to enter the US and / or British Virgin Islands. For a list of countries that qualify for the US visa waiver program please see: US Visa Requirements. For more information on Visa requirements for the British Virgin Islands please see: BVI Visa Requirements. Many other Caribbean nations offer tourist visas, some of which must be applied for in advance. Contact us if you have any questions.

All Inclusive Catamarans and Yachts:

Most crewed yachts offer all-inclusive charter rates. The charter fee typically includes the Captain & Chef/Hostess, three meals aboard each day with wine, snacks, full ships bar (including cocktails, beer, wine and sodas), water toys, cruising permits, fuel and all on-deck amenities. Insurance for the yacht for marine risk and third party claims and the crew for employer’s liability insurance is also typically  included.

Additional charges for all-inclusive yachts can include optional communications, optional marina berthing, crew gratuities, activities and any meals taken ashore, optional hire costs of special equipment and activities such as scuba diving.

½ Board Catamarans and Yachts:

Some crew offer what’s referred to as a “½ Board” option. This option allows more time to explore the islands and invest in local economies and culture. It can also free up more time for activities, as the crew will spend less time on food and beverage service. If you choose this option, be sure to negotiate which meals will be offered on board and ashore before finalizing the contract, as it varies according to crew and time aboard. 

Plus Expenses for Power & Mega 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. 

All vessels have VHF radios and cell phones. You can access cellular reception in some areas. Please check with your provider regarding roaming charges in the area you are exploring. Many yachts have wireless internet available on-board for guests’ use. It is best to confirm whether boats have wifi access prior to booking.

Mid-December through April is “high season” in the Caribbean as wise travelers escape from the northern chill and take advantage of the endless Caribbean summer. For the peak periods of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and the Spring Break months of March and April, be sure to reserve your yacht charter as far in advance as possible. December through May is the typical dry season. June through November is typically more humid. The weather is unpredictable, especially during El Niño years. Come prepared with a raincoat and plenty of biodegradable sunscreen. Rain passes quickly, often leaving rainbows in its wake. The sun shines most days of the year. Average air temperatures in coastal areas range from 72º to 86º F. The warm coastal water temperatures range between 68º and 80º F. The northern summer is usually low(er) season in the Caribbean, however, more and more people are catching on to the benefits of traveling in off peak months. May, June, early July and late November are great times to visit the islands, offering discounted travel rates and less tourists to share paradise with. Atlantic Hurricanes can occur any time from August through October. You can purchase travel insurance to cover force majeure once you confirm your travel plans.Travel Protection or HTH Worldwide.

This depends entirely on your preferences. Some yachts offer sleep-aboard options the night before or after charter for a surcharge. Many guests enjoy a night or a few on land before and or after their charter. Others have time constraints, or simply want to maximise their time on the water. We have suggestions for lodging that accommodates all budgets. As part of our integrative travel planning process, we are delighted to assist you selecting the best accommodations for your group.  

Anything and everything. Most chefs are happy to customize menus for each group. However, each Chef has a unique style, training and experience level. The more information the Chef has regarding your groups’ preferences, the more likely your group is to be satisfied on board. Sample menus are available for most boats, and most chefs will work with guests ahead of time to create their ideal experience. Some chefs are even willing to prepare experiences like picnics, separate meals for children, and to accommodate special dietary restrictions. It is important to keep in mind that food and beverage varieties can be limited in the islands. For those with allergies and adhering to specific food plans, it is wise to consult the chef to ensure supplies are available and that everyone stays healthy and well on board.  

This varies from yacht to yacht. Some boats are equipped with SCUBA equipment and a dive master or dive instructor as part of the crew. Others only accommodate rendezvous diving (where a local dive shop’s dive boat will meet you at a specified dive site). Please contact us for your preferred yacht’s dive policies. 

Storage space is sometimes limited on yachts. SOFT COLLAPSIBLE LUGGAGE is preferred, best without wheels and hard bottoms. Suitcases cannot always be stored!

 At the end of charters we hear our sailing guests telling us, that they packed twice as much as they needed and that next time they will know better! We recommend 2-3 swimsuits and 2 pairs of shorts, 3-4 T-shirts, as you probably will buy some in the local art craft shops.

 Bring a 30-45 SPF sunscreen, higher SPF for children, NO spray types please, as the deck can get very slippery with it when wet.

 No tanning oil, PABA or Bronzers at all as they stain the white fiberglass of the yachts.

If we have not addressed any of your questions, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you further.