Charter FAQs

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is due at the time of the final charter payment. Under MYBA terms, this sum is usually equivalent to 30 per cent of the total charter fee, but may be up to 40 per cent in some cases.

Intended to cover the operating expenses of a charter as explained under Charter Terms, such as fuel, food, drinks, port fees and ad hoc incidentals, the APA will be given to the captain before the start of your charter. The Captain will ensure that the yacht is fully fuelled and provisioned when you step on board. While an up-to-date summary of accounts can be requested at any time during your charter, a full set of accounts will normally be submitted by your captain at the end of the cruise. If, during the charter, the expenditure exceeds the sum already paid, additional cash funds will be required at once.

All outstanding bills from the yacht charter should be settled in cash or by bank transfer before your final disembarkation. Of course, any remaining credit at the end of your charter will be reimbursed to you in full. On request, transfer arrangements to and from the yacht can be made by Burgess or by the yacht’s captain, payment for which will be deducted from your APA.

Crew gratuities are discretionary, although it is customary for a charterer who has enjoyed the kind and attentive service of an obliging crew to extend a gratuity. Crew gratuities are normally approximately 10 per cent of the charter fee, but can be adjusted up or down according to your level of satisfaction.

The best way to ensure that all crew members receive equal recognition is to entrust the distribution of gratuities to the captain. In this way, inconspicuous crew members such as engineers and culinary staff, who make an important contribution to your enjoyment, will not be overlooked.

Burgess strongly recommends charterers take out Cancellation and Curtailment Insurance to protect their investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent or curtail their charter. Additionally, all members of the charter party should be covered by Personal Accident and Medical Insurance, and their personal effects should be insured against theft, loss or damage.

Other forms of insurance, such as Charterer’s Liability may also be prudent. Our brokers will be pleased to assist you with additional advice in this matter.

Charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht. Charters over seven days are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate divided by seven and multiplied by the number of charter days. Charters less than seven days usually attract a premium, calculated as the weekly rate divided by six, multiplied by the number of days. Certain yachts will apply a minimum amount of days charter which can be confirmed by the broker.

High season rates usually apply to the most popular charter periods, i.e. July/August and Christmas/New Year, and are also normally applicable to all major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. Low season rates apply to all other periods (please note low and high season periods may differ for certain locations).

Please note that charter rates shown on the website are believed to be correct but may be subject to change.

Most charter rates that appear in this publication are based on MYBA Terms, which imply that the yacht will be provided to the charterer in full commission and with all necessary equipment, properly insured for marine risks and managed by a crew, whose wages, food and clothing are for the owner’s account.

All other operating expenses are payable by the charterer and comprise (but are not restricted to) the following items: fuel and lubricating oils for the yacht and her tenders; local taxes; pilotage; port, harbour and marina dues; customs clearance; water and electricity; personal laundry; all provisions, wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks and consumables for the charterer’s party; shoreside excursions, telecommunication and internet costs. Please note that, occasionally, a yacht may offer a variation on the terms described above. Our brokers will provide full details of any charter terms that vary from standard MYBA Terms when presenting the relevant yachts. Whilst some yachts are legally permitted to charter in the US, others do not meet with American fiscal requirements and so are not available for charter whilst in US waters. Please enquire for further information on specific yachts.