Insider Tips When Finding Yacht Brokers
Consumers of today are being given the privilege of choice. They can customize almost every detail of our luxury vacation, yet also have that package wrapped up as an all-inclusive vacation if so desired. They have tasted the cruise ship lifestyle and have had their fair share of airplanes. Now they want something a little different. Whether it is a vacation, a wedding, a special event or just the journey of a lifetime, luxury yacht charters are the best way to travel and see all the hard-to-reach corners of the world. Before you begin planning, here are a few things you should know about yacht brokers.
A yacht broker makes his or her living off commissions from a number of local charter companies, without costing you extra money. Essentially, the broker acts as your personal travel agent by interviewing crews, looking at boats and researching itineraries. There are more than 200 luxury yacht charter brokerage firms. Before selecting one, be sure they are affiliated with the American Yacht Charter Association, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association or international groups like the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, and get references.
The yacht brokers can help you choose the right crewed yacht for your budget. For instance, sailing yachts are less expensive than power boats because they consume less fuel. Size does matter when it comes to boat prices as well. You may choose the number of crew members that come aboard to subsidize the cost. If you don’t want a full crew, then some of your guests may be able to help out on deck occasionally, while the captain steers the ship. In other instances, you can hop aboard a small yacht with a few other couples you have never met for a less private, yet also less expensive, sailing vacation. Some rates include food, crew members and chef expenses, while others may only include the boat. A 10% to 25% hospitality tip is often not always factored into prices. High end charters may require advance payments, while others charge half upfront and the other half at the end of the trip.
There are a number of places to find professional brokers. On the east coast, Nicholson Yachts (www.nicholsonyachts.com) and Sanderson Yachting (www.sandersonyachting.com) service Rhode Island. On the west coast, Angela Connery Yacht Charters (www.acyachtcharters.com), Ocean Voyages (www.oceanvoyages.com) and Ann-Wallis White Charter Yacht Consultants (www.awwyachtcharters.com) service Sausalito, California. In Florida you can try Gilman Yachts (www.gilmanyachts.com) serving Fort Lauderdale. Northrop and Johnson Luxury Collection yachts (www.njcharters.com) service San Diego. For a more expansive listing, try the Charter Yacht Brokers Association at www.cyba.net.
