Charter special / the knowledge
CHARTER ETIQUETTE
Are high heels OK? Can I jet ski anywhere? How much to tip? The big
(and little) questions of chartering answered...Tipping This is considered the rule rather than the exception on a
charter. Standard practice is to leave a tip for the captain and crew at
the end of the charter, which should be based on 10 to 20 per cent of the
charter cost – of course, more or less can be given based on your
contentment. This can be left with the captain in a lump sum, pre-
divided for the crew or left ahead of time with the charter agent to
avoid any maths at the end of a relaxing trip. Keep in mind that there
are many crew members who work behind the scenes, and if you are
unhappy with one of them, don’t punish the entire crew.Safety first Each yacht will have its own safety protocols, from
where life vests would be dispensed in emergencies to man overboard
procedures, so be sure to listen to the safety briefing when you start
your charter. Check with the crew before pulling a Kendall Jenner and
flinging yourself from the top deck of the yacht and, likewise, listen to
any safety instructions on how to operate the watersports equipment. Dividing the rooms Many charter
yachts are designed with multiple
chartering parties in mind and there
will be more than one sizeable suite, so
that no one feels demoted in a smaller
cabin. Typically, the largest suite goes
to the principal charterer – the one
inking the contract and footing the bill.
But if you are planning to travel with
couples only and will be sharing costs
equally, look for a yacht that has a few
master-worthy VIP cabins, and have a
discussion in advance about who will
get which rooms, to avoid any awkward
situations once you step on board.Packing Exploring the Arctic? Leave
the tux at home. Wintering in the
Caribbean? Pack light materials but also something to cover up with in
the evenings. Yachts have a no-high-heels policy to protect the decks,
so be prepared to go barefoot – but there should be no problem having
a pedicure on board if need be. Many brokers recommend bringing
fewer shoes than you’d pack for other trips as so much time is spent
barefoot – or with your feet in the sand.Jet skis Some areas don’t allow jet skis – either owing to
environmental or noise protection – while the South of France is
cracking down on reckless jet ski operation. If you’re caught speeding
off the Côte d’Azur or, worse, are in an accident, serious fines will
follow. So listen to your captain and crew before going out for a spin.Know the smoking zones If you smoke, make this clear to your
broker ahead of time so they can find you the right yacht. Smoking
is usually prohibited inside a yacht, but most yachts will have
a designated area on the deck where smokers can enjoy a puff.INSIDERS’ CHARTER TIPS
Top brokers and charter bosses pass on some of their wisdom to help
you have the best charter experience...
Communicate, communicate, communicate In the
unlikely event that any aspect of the yacht/crew does not meet your
expectation, let your broker and captain know straight away so that
action can be taken. A client called me on day two or three of a
two-week charter to say that they were disappointed with the cuisine.
I suggested that the client sit down with the captain, the chef and an
iPad and show the chef what type of food they like. By the end of the
two weeks, the client offered the chef a job at their home! The chef just
needed to know what they wanted. Ann Landry, Northrop & Johnson
Book early Don’t hang on until the last minute to book. Last year
was a strong year for charters, with the majority of the good quality,
large yachts all fully booked by May for the summer months of June
through to August. We anticipate demand this year will be equally as
strong. Jamie Edmiston, Edmiston & Company
Go early For a Med charter, I always
suggest earlier in the season rather than
later. Many of the popular charter yachts
have back-to-back trips between charter
and owner use and, by the end of the
season, both the yacht and crew are
noticeably tired. You want to be on
board when the crew is well rested and
excited for the summer, and the yacht is
in top-notch working order. Jessica
Engelmann, Northrop & Johnson
Seek expert advice Everyone will
tell you that cruising in the Bahamas is
excellent year round – and it is. But my
favourite months to send clients are
April to August. The winter cold fronts
have stopped arriving and there’s also
the chance of a completely 100 per cent
calm, still day. The ocean looks like a pond – and you can see straight
down to the ocean floor... it’s magic. Jessica Engelmann
Go out of season If your dates are flexible don’t book in summer
high season, in July and August. You can save thousands on low-
season rates and avoid all the crowds. June and September may be
ideal. Sara Hill, Worth Avenue Yachts
Don’t judge a book by its cover Don’t be put off by the age or
the exterior of yachts. Many have undergone excellent refits and are a
very good choice, especially if you don’t want to pay top dollar simply
because a yacht has just been launched. Seonaid Thomas, Burgess
Crew trumps interiors I would suggest that the crew match is the
most important criterion – and crew reputation for excellence. Interior
décor would be lower on my list. You are aboard for a holiday, you are
not buying the boat! Ann Landry
The experts share their secrets,
and we explain the rules
WHAT TO
DO AND
WHAT TO
KNOW
Illustration - Jean Michel Tixier