BOAT.ME BLOG

If you are looking to book a private yacht charter if you haven’t so before it can be a little daunting. Often a search will bring up options that look similar but seem to be priced very differently. If you are not too familiar with yacht charters it can be hard to understand why.

There are, however, lots of factors that go into determining the price of a private yacht charter. Even a base price (the basic hourly/daily rate) can even differ for a number of reasons.

Factors that affect the base price of a private yacht charter include:

The yacht charter rates 

When renting a private yacht charter size is not the only factor that will affect the base charter rate. If a boat is from a certain manufacturer, or is very new, it may command a higher rate than other craft that look the same to ‘the naked eye’.

The seasonal rates

If you are heading to Miami the weather is usually pretty good, but we do have a ‘high season’ and a ‘low season’ just like any other major tourist destination, so the timing of your planned yacht charter can have a significant effect on the price you’ll pay.

Extra expenses

Short-term private yacht charters usually include the fuel expenses into the charter rates. And will offer you catering services or allow ordering catering delivery from a restaurant. Long-term charters include these expenses into the APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) deposit. The APA deposit is usually about 45% of the charter cost, it is paid upfront and at the end of the trip the unused funds are reimbursed.

Use of water toys like jet skis and inflatables

Private yacht charters ofter offer a jet ski or tubes complementary with a charter, but it’s always a good idea to double check what’s included into the rates.

Staff gratuities

The standard gratuity for the boating industry is 15%. With private yacht charters the gratuity is expected after the trip and is usually discussed and agreed on upfront.

Additional services like DJ service, professional photography

These services are not considered to be standard add ons for a charter, so it is very important to discuss the format of the party or trip you are planning  and all the extra stuff and equipment you would like to bring.

If you do find yourself getting a little overwhelmed by all the choices available when booking a yacht charter if you book with BOAT.me that’s not a problem. Our expert, friendly staff are just a call or email away and will be happy to help you plan the very best private yacht charter to meet your unique needs.

Boating Spots Miami?

Miami Marinas

Miami offers a number of great marinas where you can simply hang out on your boat or dock up and go exploring. These include:

Dinner Key Marina – Rent a boat and explore the famous Coconut Grove.

Miami Beach Marina – Discover all that South Beach has to offer.

Miamarina at Bayside – The best place to moor up if you want to explore downtown Miami.

Key Biscayne – Paradise for those who love the beach and tranquility.

 

The Florida Keys

If you are willing to take a slightly longer trip heading to the Florida Keys is well worth the trip at any time of year. Rent a boat with a professional captain and make a stops at:

Key West – Can you really visit the Keys and not go to Key West? You could, but we’d recommend you do. From visiting the cats at Ernest Hemingway’s house to the nightly festival in Mallory Square to some great diving and snorkeling just off shore there’s a very good reason Key West is so famous – it’s just one of the best places to visit in anywhere in the United States.

Key Largo – Just 18 miles away from downtown Miami this is a great spot for snorkeling and diving, for shopping and for enjoying some of the real, original Key Lime Pie.

Islamorada – Known by anglers to be the ‘Fishing Capital of the World’ this is a chain of small islands that are a must visit for any fisherman.

Bimini

Willing to take a longer boat trip? Then plan to head over to Bimini. Even though it is just 50 miles east off the coast of Miami Bimini is the gateway to the Bahamas and once you are there it will feel like you entered a tropical paradise you may never want to leave. Rent a boat or a luxury yacht with an attentive and professional crew aboard and enjoy one of a kind experience!

Proudly boasting the world’s largest cruise ship port and surrounded by the beautiful Biscayne Bay and the stunning Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a premiere destination for boating and sailing at any time of year. A boat rental or yacht charter will allow you to get in on the fun, but where should you head?

The fact is that there are hundreds of great boating spots in Miami and throughout the surrounding areas and there really is something for everybody. To list them all would be almost impossible, but we can offer some great suggestions (and if you need even more give the BOAT.ME a call or drop them a line via email, they’ll be happy to offer lots!)