Yacht vacations are becoming more mainstream, and there’s many reasons why vacationers are opting for this form of luxury travel. First and foremost, chartering a yacht can be much more affordable than you think, especially if you’re sharing the costs with a group of people. By 2022, the global yacht industry is projected to reach $74.7 billion.
Although yachting was once a hobby reserved for the rich and famous, it’s become much more accessible with the proliferation of charter companies that cater to a variety of budgets, and boats that cater to a variety of travel and style preferences. And there are many reasons you should opt for a yacht vacation: for starters, yacht rentals allow you to build a customized vacation, where everything is tailored to your wishes.
However, finding the ideal yacht charter company—especially in high boat traffic areas like Miami and the Grecian islands—it can be hard to choose the right one. The best charter companies are able to provide their clients with stellar services, as well as accurately predict the various ways they can better those clients’ yachting experience. Here are five simple tips for finding the right yacht charter company:
Work With an Independent Yacht Charter Broker
In addition to working with local companies, independent yacht charter brokers are professionals who can offer the best advice on how to identify the perfect yacht, destination, and crew for all your needs. Because they have no affiliations with any specific particular yachts or companies, you can be assured that you’ll have unabridged advice. These brokers do not have incentives to push you in any other direction than what’s best for you. They can also protect your funds, and have a thorough understanding of the legalities. Furthermore, working with a yacht charter broker can save you ample time on manually searching for the ideal boat independently.
The Local Advantage
If you want to learn more about a specific marina or area, choosing a smaller boutique chartering company might be in your best interests. These charter companies tend to be based in a single area and have an experience local crew who can offer plenty of knowledge on not just your vessel of choice, but the waters and surrounding areas.
Ask & Be Asked
Any time you’re investing in a large purchase, you’ll have a long list of questions and requirements to help make the experience as ideal as possible. If you’ve decided to forego a yacht broker, speak to several different charter companies to gain firsthand experience of what it’s like to do business with that particular company. Come armed with a list of questions and pay attention to the way each company responds to you.
It’s also important to pay attention to the questions that they ask you as well. After all, a great charter company should be able to predict and anticipate some of the needs that renters aren’t even aware they have. As such, they’ll ask you questions that may have not even occurred to you and will bring various features to your attention.
They Take Care of More Than Just Rentals
Depending on your needs, you’ll find that many chartering companies don’t offer just yacht rentals, but an entire suite of concierge services that ultimately round out your vacation such as Tropicalboat Luxury Yacht Charters & Rentals. For example, they may be able to assist with restaurant reservations, arrange transportation, book hotel rooms, and handle any extracurricular activities you’re interested in. It’s also important that they’re fully equipped and willing to make your journey as special as possible by arranging the yacht to various occasions.
For example, if you’re celebrating an anniversary, you want a company that can offer the best packages as far as decorating the yacht, delivering special wines and cheeses, and arrange various other details that curate a stellar anniversary experience. Some companies like Anita Dee, a charter service that offers Chicago yacht rentals, specialize in offering services that cater to events like weddings, corporating gatherings, parties, and more.
Read Reviews
There’s a reason why the vast majority of consumers turn to online reviews before making any official purchases. Reviews provide unbiased opinions from people like you have used a charter’s services before. These reviews can help you determine whether a company provides great service and whether their specific offerings align with your needs. Always do your due diligence. In addition to looking into Yelp and Google reviews, you should also check out the Better Business Bureau to ensure no official complaints have been made against the business, as well as the independent reviews on various yacht forums.
