Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

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Experience yachting the Code Zero way

Our yacht charter FAQs provide essential information for those considering an unforgettable voyage on the open seas. Whether you are an experienced sailor or a first-time adventurer, these frequently asked questions address common queries about yacht charters.

These FAQs aim to assist in planning a seamless and luxurious yachting experience. Discover the answers to your questions and embark on an extraordinary journey aboard a chartered yacht, where unparalleled relaxation and boundless exploration await.
What should I bring on my yacht charter vacation?

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimwear and flip flops are essential, so prepare to come relaxed!  Your charter crew will take care of every need you have and show you the best spots in each destination.

You’ll spend your days in shorts, swimsuits and t-shirts but at night you may want to dress up, it’s entirely up to you!
All towels and bedding are provided and the yachts are fully equipped with safety equipment.

Depending on the size of your yacht your crew may ask you to bring soft luggage as it’s more easily stowed.

When is the best time to travel?

Many yachts will spend the northern hemisphere summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the tropical climate of the Caribbean.  However, at Code Zero Yachts we also enjoy the quiet anchorages and peaceful sailing in the Caribbean during the summer time upon request.

Caribbean -
The Caribbean is known for its great weather therefore we enjoy sailing the Caribbean year round, the high season is from December to April, which usually brings the most favourable weather. However there are many islands in the southern Caribbean that are rarely affected by hurricanes including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or Granada which can provide perfect weather in out of season charters.
Hurricane season officially runs from June to November.

Mediterranean -
The prime time to sail the Mediterranean is during the high season from April to October. The climate is known for hot, dry summers and cool, mild winters. The rainy season is during the winter months.

Pacific -
The most popular time to sail in the South Pacific is between the months of May to October which is considered the High Season. The South Pacific is known for its tropical climate with its incredible and diverse marine life, making the South Pacific a favourite stop for all our snorkelling and scuba diving clients.
The Pacific’s typhoon season runs between November and April.

What type of yacht should I charter?

This all depends on what you would like to get out of your trip and what sort of an experience you are after! If you like the adventure with the wind in your hair and the sensation of your boat charging forward solely harnessing the natural power of the wind, you should consider chartering one of our hand selected monohull sailing vessels.

If you are in search of a comfortable platform with ample amounts of space and luxuries while enjoying unforgettable service and beach hopping with your friends and family, you should consider chartering one of our hand selected catamarans.

If you like the best service and comfort the world has to offer while visiting some of the most opulent towns in the world, you should consider chartering one of our hand selected power yachts.

Why not get in contact with one of our dedicated charter specialists to help you decide which yacht suits your desires.

What sort of activities will I experience onboard a charter vacation?

Yacht Vacations are simply the best vacation, don't take our word for it you have to try this yourself!!

You can request all sorts of activities onboard your charter vacation and we will find a boat for you which will accommodate your desired activity.

A selection of standard activities offered on most charters are:

  • Hiking
  • Snorkelling
  • Scuba diving
  • Swimming
  • Daily land excursions
  • Sailing or cruising
  • Wakeboarding
  • Wakeboarding
  • Water skiing
  • Tubing Paddle boarding
  • Windsurfing
  • Kiteboarding
  • Surfing
  • Yoga

(Please ensure you ask your charter broker to confirm specific desired activities, to ensure your vessel will accommodate your activity)

However, most of our charter guests simply enjoy the luxurious lifestyle, crew attending to your every need, indulging in sumptuous food prepared by experienced chefs using locally sourced fresh ingredients, swimming, reading, relaxing.

Should I tip the crew and if so how much?

Yachting is a tipping standard industry and crew will work extremely hard to strive to provide a first class charter. Tipping is expected but not compulsory.

The Caribbean guideline is 10-20% of the yacht charter fee.

In the Mediterranean the “Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA)" give guidelines of 5-15% of the yacht charter fee. Creating a new tipping scale within the Mediterranean.

What is a bareboat charter?

A bareboat charter is a yacht charter that is rented without any crew. You will be in charge of sailing the boat, provisioning the boat and preparing your own meals.

Do I need a licence to charter a bareboat?

Most bareboat charter operations will ask for you to have at least an equivalent to the main certifications of RYA Day Skipper Practical, International Certificate of Competence (ICC), ASA 103, 104 or above.

However there are some locations such as the Caribbean which have a “Credit Card Captain” policy, which means you only have to convince the charter operator that you have enough relevant sailing experience to charter one of their yachts. All experience will be reviewed by both Code Zero Yachts and the charter operation before the charter agreement is signed.

Depending on where you charter, some regions may require you to have additional licensing such as a VHF licence, a local charter induction and others. Your personal charter broker here at Code Zero Yachts will be able to tell you what certification is required in each bareboat destination.

What is a crewed charter?

A Crewed charter is a vessel which is rented with a full crew. The minimum crew you will find on your crewed charter is two, a Captain and a Chef.

Does my charter need to be a week long?

No, with most vessels you may book shorter or longer charters. This however may vary from yacht to yacht but we will be able to help you with this during your enquiry.

Will we have Wifi onboard?

Most charter yachts have Wifi onboard however this will be listed on the amenities section of the yacht. Please note most yachts Wifi uses cellular 3g or 4g networks so may be slower than your household internet. This being said, what are you wanting to be on the internet for?! Enjoy the paradise you find yourself in!!

Will we have air-conditioning onboard?

Air-Conditioning is a commodity we have all grown to love especially in the tropics where we love to sail our yachts! Therefore most yachts are now equipped with full air-conditioning throughout the vessel.

How do I reserve a charter and what are the payment terms?

A charter will be reserved once we have received a signed charter agreement which we will provide along with the deposit against your charter fee.

The deposit terms are typically; for bookings one year or more in advance 25% upon signing with a second 25% instalment due 6 months prior to the embarkation date and the final 50% balance due 30 to 60 days prior to the embarkation date.

If your embarkation date is six months in advance we will require a 50% deposit and the remaining 50% balance 30 to 60 days prior to the embarkation date.

Please keep in mind this may vary from vessel to vessel and you will be informed of the exact terms during your booking process.

What is the cost of a crewed charter?

The Cost of a crewed charter can vary from yacht to yacht depending on the size of the yacht, the amenities onboard, how many crew are onboard, type of service offered and when you want to charter.

A large number of smaller crewed yachts ranging from 50ft - 80ft cost on average between $25,000 to $80,000 to rent per week.
The largest and most elegant yachts can be $1,000,000 and over per week.

The full selection is available to you here at Code Zero Yachts.

What is included in the yacht charter fee?

Your charter fee will always include the vessel itself and the crew. Most commonly in the Caribbean yachts will be inclusive of food and a well stocked open bar, fuel, the yacht’s water toys, tourist taxes, standard itinerary moorings fees and much more! If you are chartering a large power yacht you may find you will have to pay an APA (advanced provisioning allowance) such as the standard in the Mediterranean.

In the Mediterranean it is common to be charged an APA (advanced provisioning allowance) on top of the charter fee, this will cover additional costs such as fuel, dockage, provisioning and any other local expenses which you may incur. The standard APA is usually 25 - 30% of the charter rate and will be managed by the captain who will keep a detailed record of the spending, this will be returned to the charterer at the end of the charter with an unspent fund refunded.

What makes us different

Service Excellence

Commitment to service is our priority. Recognised for our attention to detail at every stage of the process, we ensure that you can sit back and enjoy your yacht vacation with total peace of mind.

Total Flexibility

Whether you are looking for a catamaran or monohull, a crewed yacht or a bareboat, our professional team is here to guarantee that all your needs are catered for.

Captain Owned

Founded by a former superyacht captain with decades of experience, our in house expertise will help you find your dream sailing vacation.
5.0
Reviews
Excellent service! Booked a catamaran charter in the BVIs for two weeks with the wife back in May. Loved every minute! hoping to go back next year.
Will Hatch
Our yacht experience was the absolute best. We had a great time! The crew knew all our preferences ahead of time and were very flexible with any changes.

Code Zero was organized, helpful, and always responsive no matter what time. We would highly recommend them in order to make your yacht experience flawless.
Lizette Cabeza
This was my first charter and Joss helped me from start to finish, super fast communication and was always available with round the clock support which made this a first class experience for me. I was provided with a great variety of boats and we chartered a 50ft catamaran in the Exumas, Bahamas with a first class crew, the most fantastic food provided, great water sports - absolutely faultless!  I've booked my next trip with Code Zero Yachts in Greece and I can't recommend highly enough. Thank you Joss!
Clair Shaw