Let's just say it upfront: yacht charter pricing is confusing, and the industry doesn't always make it easy to figure out what you're actually paying.
Here's the real breakdown.
The Two Main Types
Bareboat charters put you in charge. You're the captain, you provision the boat, you plan the route. Costs typically run $2,000–$5,000/day for a 40–50ft catamaran depending on the season and destination. For a group of 8, that's $250–$625 per person per day before you add food and fuel.
Crewed charters include a captain, often a chef, and sometimes additional crew. The boat is provisioned, meals are prepared, and all you do is show up. Costs run $3,500–$10,000+/day depending on the vessel and crew.
What's Usually NOT Included
Provisioning (food and drinks) is typically separate — budget $50–$150/person/day depending on how well you want to eat. Fuel is extra on most charters. Marina fees, park fees, and mooring fees add up too. A realistic all-in add-on is 30–35% on top of the base charter rate.
The APA
On crewed charters, you'll often pay an "advance provisioning allowance" — typically 30% of the charter fee — upfront to cover running costs. At the end of the trip, you get an accounting and either a refund or top-up.
When to Book
Peak season (December–April in the Caribbean, June–September in the Mediterranean) costs more. Shoulder season is where the value is: same boats, same destinations, 15–25% less.
The Honest Math
A group of 8 doing a 7-day crewed BVI charter on a solid 50ft catamaran: around $35,000–$45,000 all-in. That's $625–$800/person for a week. Compare that to a week at a decent resort and the math starts looking pretty reasonable — especially when the resort doesn't move.
If you want an exact quote for your dates and group, Trevor can build one in about 2 minutes.