Many of our guests are new to chartering. The more
information we are able to share with you, the more
fun your vacation will be. Choose from the categories
below, for everything from required reading to helpful
hints.
Your No. 1 Decision
- Your Broker Company
The best way to book your charter is with a professional
Charter Yacht Broker. Your first decision is to select
the correct broker to work with.
What is a Yacht Charter?
A yacht charter is basically a short term rental agreement.
If the agreement is for the yacht only, without crew
services or provisioning, it is called a "bareboat"
charter. If the agreement includes the services of a
Captain, chef and perhaps additional crew, it is termed
a "crewed " charter. It also may be called
a "term" charter which refers to a specified
time commitment. While on board, the general activities
and movements of the yacht are at your direction. The
Captain has the last word in all actual decisions. His
first concern will be for the safety and comfort of
all the guests. The Captain's practical knowledge of
your cruising area will help you create an itinerary
unique to your party's needs.Your crew contacts you
well before the charter starts. They discuss your food
preferences, health and activities for your stay aboard.
You'll get to know them even before you arrive and they
are available to answer all your questions.
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How do we book our
charter?
Generally, no matter how you book your charter, you
will find that it requires a deposit. This deposit is
not refundable and can be as high as 50% of the total
fee. This means you should be very sure of your dates
and the number in your party before you sign a contract.The
contract is carefully written to protect all parties.
If the yacht cannot perform, all funds are returned.
If the guests cancel, the deposits are forfeited. If
there is a problem during the charter, the amount would
be prorated in an equitable fashion. When you have signed
and returned the contracts, a confirmation letter would
be sent. Please check the details carefully and advise
of any discrepancies.The final payment for the charter
is due forty five days (45) before embarkation.
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How do we get
there from here?
Motor Yacht Runaway motors the waters of the British
Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands. The British Virgin
islands lie 1100 miles east-southeast of Miami. The
primary airport of the B.V.I. is Beef Island, and the
airport locator for travel planning is EIS. The Beef
Island airport is midsized and does not support non-stop
air service from the U.S. or Europe. Your flights will
use commuter carriers for connections to the Beef Island
destination. The largest of these carriers is American
Eagle, a subsidiary of American Airlines. Cape Air,
Liat and Air Sunshine also provide commuter flights
from various Caribbean destinations. Connecting flights
to the B.V.I are usually routed through San Juan, Puerto
Rico. Many flights are available to San Juan, and the
easiest way may be to use American Airlines and enjoy
the ride. Upon arriving at the airport, take a taxi
to the yacht. Your Captain provides details before your
arrival. In most cases we will arrange for the captain
to meet you at the airport. You can also get to the
BVI by routing through nearby St. Thomas. St. Thomas
has a number of airlines offering direct flights from
many U.S. cities. Once in St. Thomas, you can take a
ferry to nearby Tortola, the main island of the BVI.
From the ferry, take a cab to the yacht.Transfers to
and from the airport/ferry can be prearranged by your
Captain. These transfers are not included in your charter
fees so you should pay & tip your driver accordingly.Because
of the distances traveled and time zones crossed, it
may be difficult to arrive in the BVI early in the day.
Your charter starts at noon and completes at noon one
week later. If your arrival is later than 4 pm, you
might want to consider a night in a hotel prior to your
charter, so you could board promptly at noon on the
next day.
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What do we need
for customs & immigration?
The British Virgin Islands are a sovereign nation with
unique and independent requirements for visitors. You
should be prepared to present a valid passport when
entering and exiting the BVI. There may be small fees
such as departure taxes to be paid. Immigration officials
want to know where you are staying, how long you are
staying, and may ask for proof of a return ticket. These
are not trick questions, but please answer them carefully.
Please do not bring anything illegal such as, guns,
knives, drugs etc. A word to divers, spearguns are not
allowed in the BVI. It is unwise to bring food or commercial
goods with you.Customs officials are generally pleasant
and efficient and are willing to go the distance to
make your entry and departure a pleasant one.
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Tell me about the
crew.
Your crew are professionals dedicated to your perfect
vacation. In the course of the week they wear many hats.
They are there to serve you and guide you safely and
comfortably through your charter. They also can be a
great source of fun. Chartering is an intimate setting
and you would find the crew in tune to your personalities.
If you view your crew as service staff, they do that
masterfully. If you rely on them for guidance and entertainment,
you will have a great time. If you include them in the
personality of your week, you would certainly find new
friends. It's all up to you.
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What about the weather?
It doesn't matter where you're from, the weather in
the Virgin Islands is better. The coolest of winter
days might be in the upper 70's; while the hottest of
summer days would be in the upper eighties. The key
to Virgin Islands' weather is that you're in the tradewinds
and you're surrounded by clear, warm water. The water
temps vary from the upper 70's to mid 80's and temper
all weather in the tropics. Your only likely problem
that is weather related will be sunburn. Squalls when
they occur are soon past. Okay, so much for the chamber
of commerce weather report. Here is the real world:It
can rain, it can be too windy, and yes, there are such
things as hurricanes. Your Captain keeps a constant
watch of developing weather and will alter the itinerary
accordingly. Hurricanes are very rarely an issue. The
yachts do not sail from August 15th thru October 15th.
Historically, 90% of all Caribbean hurricanes occur
in this season. Honestly, it is rare to have the weather
impact your enjoyment of your charter.
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Should we dine out?
Yes! Now don't get suspicious. We aren't cost cutting.
The cuisine on board your yacht is excellent. Your chef
has planned for your every need, your every snack, your
every beverage and certainly, your every meal. The reason
to dine out is to explore and enjoy the unique ambiance
of the islands. If you choose to dine out, yes, you
pay the bill, but it will be worth it. Most guests find
a lunch and a dinner ashore provide a variation to your
week that you will enjoy. The point is that you enjoy
the islands.
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What about shopping?
Shopping can be your whole day or just a diversion.
It's up to you. The treasures ashore run the whole spectrum,
from trinkets and t-shirts to diamonds. So let's get
down to basics. The Virgin Islands use the good old
American dollar as their currency. If your dollars are
running short, credit cards are accepted for almost
everything. If cash is really a problem, a trusty A.T.M.
is never far away. Checks, however, don't work too well.If
you shop a lot, keep your receipts. You will need to
declare values when returning thru U.S. customs. There
are restrictions on the quantities of liquors you can
bring back and don't even think about returning with
Cuban cigars...
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What if there is
an emergency back home?
Your Captain will give all the contact information you
will need for your office, family and friends to find
you in an emergency. You will never be out of contact
during your stay aboard. You may be unavailable but
voicemails and e-mails will be waiting for you when
you get back from scuba diving. The contact numbers
your Captain provides are for true emergencies. If you
need closer contact with friends, office or relatives,
bring your cell phone and set up a personal contact
number for the duration of your stay.If you need to
return home in an emergency, your Captain will be able
to assist you in travel plans. You can usually be at
an airport in a few hours. Unfortunately, no refunds
will be made by the yachts if a health emergency cuts
your charter short. Again, you might consider travel
insurance if this is a concern.
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Should we tip the crew?
Yes. A straight answer to a sensitive question, but
let's explain...Tips are never mandatory. Gratuities
are made as an appreciation of excellent service. We
are confident that your crew will exceed your expectations.
If this is not the case, there is absolutely no reason
for a gratuity. After your stay aboard, you will realize
that your crew are more than hardworking, more than
just personable, more than professional. Their only
additional benefit from their exceptional service is
the gratuity.We suggest you consider a gratuity of 10-20%
of the total charter fee.
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What other expenses
should we expect?
Its always hard to guess how much real cash to bring.
You are certain to need cash for transfers to and from
the airport or ferry. Cabs in the islands are not a
bargain. You may be grouped with other riders and take
a circuitous route. Even so, $10 or more per person
for each cab ride can put a dent in your cash quickly.
You can expect a departure tax, usually $5 per person
at the airport. Other adventures ashore are at your
discretion. Some may accept credit cards, some not.
There are a few ways to incur extra charges on your
yacht. They include special requests for food or beverages,
requests for overnight dockage in marinas, and a few
extra costs for scuba instruction.
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