Chartering a yacht isn’t as uncommon as you think it is, as this $3.12 billion industry is currently growing at a rate of over 6% per year.
While cruising around the Mediterranean on a private yacht might remain firmly out of your league, renting a yacht for a few hours certainly isn’t. There are several more affordable yacht options available wherever the water meets the shore.
Keep reading to find you how to get it right when you hire a rental yacht in the USA.
1. Choose the Right Yacht
The best yacht for you depends on a few factors. These include the nature of your yacht event, the number of attendees, and your destination.
Yachts make awesome event venues for everything from dinner parties to weddings or charity fundraising outings.
If you pick a yacht that’s too small for your intentions, your guests won’t get the most out of the adventure. A yacht that’s too large is more expensive and can spoil the ambiance of an intimate event.
It’s best to start with an internet search for yachts available at your chosen location to see what’s on offer. This is an easy way to narrow down your choices when it comes to the amenities and the size of the yacht you need.
Then get in touch with the charter company to discuss whether they can accommodate what you envision for your yacht party.
2. Keep an Eye on Your Budget
Renting a bareboat charter might seem like a cheaper option at first, but it does come with several extra costs. When you rent a yacht on its own, you’ll need to hire an experienced skipper and crew to see to your needs.
You’ll also have to manage all the catering yourself, which can easily lead to an expensive logistical nightmare. Rather book through adelinesseamoose.com, boatimeyachtcharters.com, or anitadee.com.
These companies do all the hard work for you and will work closely with you to make sure your event works out just as you envisioned it.
3. Compare Contracts Before Renting a Yacht
As in all things, you should ask for at least three quotations from different yacht rental agencies before making your decision. Go through the contract carefully to ensure you understand everything it involves.
Ask about their cancellation policy in the event of bad weather, and find out whether you need to pay a deposit or the full fare upfront.
Don’t assume the cheapest charter is best. A more expensive option might offer a better bang for your buck.
Make sure you know what’s expected of you, too. For instance, must you bring some of the food and drinks? What about decor?
4. Consider Food and Drink Options Carefully
Catering on a boat can come with a few limitations unless you’re hosting a small event. Space considerations might make a sit-down dinner impractical, and it will cost you much more to hire a bigger boat.
Finger food works very well onboard a party yacht, especially if you can arrange servers to circulate among your guests.
When it comes to bar service, try to negotiate a deal that suits your pocket best. You can do this by placing limitations on the drinks you provide or implementing a cash-bar system.
Cash bars usually come with a per hour and per person cost, which can add up, fast. It’s a good idea to provide a cocktail for your guests when they arrive, and then let them pay for their drinks after that.
Remember to check with your guests about their preferred drinks, so the yacht rental company can stock up on these. You must also inquire with them about any food allergies or special diet requirements when planning your menu.
Ask the yacht hire company if you can provide some or all of the beverages to help cut down on costs.
5. Inform Your Guests About What to Bring
A yacht party is no ordinary event, so tell your guests what to expect on board in advance. Ladies won’t enjoy themselves as much when they’re teetering around in high heels, so advise them that flat shoes are best.
If you’re hosting a daytime event, sun protection is vital, and it’s a good idea to bring a jacket along against the evening chill. Air temperatures are a little cooler over the water.
Avid sightseers can benefit from bringing binoculars along, and a camera is a must for any yacht party. Not everyone has problems with motion sickness on board a boat, but this affliction can put a big damper on the fun.
Motion-sickness medication is cheap, effective, and available over the counter, so warn guests to bring some along if they’ve never been out on a boat before.
6. Familiarize Yourself With the Boat
Before you set out, you must get a feel for the layout of the boat as well as all safety aspects related to spending time afloat.
Although you’re safe when you hire a yacht with a crew, you must familiarize yourself with the location of first aid kits and PFDs. You need to know where the bathrooms are, too.
Your charter company will most likely provide a safety briefing before you head out, or you can ask them to do this before you set out.
You must also plan how you’ll host your event onboard. Will you have separate dining and mingling areas? Is there enough space for your wedding ceremony or speeches during your event?
Push the Boat Out for Your Next Event
Renting a yacht adds glamour and excitement to any special occasion. So heed these tips to ensure you pull it off without a hitch.
Once you start your inquiries, you’ll find this once-in-a-lifetime experience isn’t as expensive or as complex as you think.
Are you keen to explore even more leisure options? Browse our blog for more tips on how to live a fun, fulfilling, and stress-free life.
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