Discover Boats

Chartering a private yacht for a vacation may sound like something only the rich and famous can do, but the truth is that it can be quite affordable, in fact even less expensive than staying in a hotel for a week.

Below are 8 money-saving tips to help make your dream vacation happen:

1. Share the expenses. Traveling with a group is always less expensive. If you can get a group of 8-10 friends together, you can end up paying as little as $800/person for a week on a really nice yacht in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.

2. Take advantage of the weak economy. Many boat owners and charter companies are faced with fewer bookings and are consequently cutting rates and running specials. One way to stay up to date with the latest offerings is to sign up for newsletters from charter companies, magazines and other publications from the part of the world you are interested in.

3. Negotiate the price. Again, thanks to the less than stellar economic climate, prices are not set in stone, even if you charter through a company. Also ask about the hidden or extra costs – can they be included in the listing price?

4. Save on airfare. Many charter companies have special deals with airlines flying to their charter base – make sure to ask before booking anything.

5. Look for last minute deals. Again, signing up for newsletters and setting up Google alerts are great ways to find out about them. There are even entire websites devoted to last minute yacht charters, so do a bit of browsing as well.

6. Travel during shoulder season (in between high and off season). This is the best time to travel: the weather will still be nice, but the crowds are gone, and prices on everything will have gone down. If you’re going to the Mediterranean, consider traveling in September or early October. For the Caribbean, late April to mid-June is the best time.

7. Sleep on board the night before your start date. Instead of spending the first night in a hotel on or close to the charter base, ask if “early boarding” or “evening boarding” is available. Sometimes you will have to pay a fee for this, but it’s less than a hotel, and it saves you the hassle of having to move your stuff from the hotel to the yacht.

8. Boat swapping. If you’re a boat owner, consider swapping boats with someone else. It works just like a home exchange, but with boats, and is a great way to be able to sail exotic waters without spending a fortune. If you are an accomplished boater but don’t own a boat, you can always ask if someone is interested in exchanging their boat for your home for a week.