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01. What does the charter fee include?

We offer two types of charter, one of which will be perfect for you. There’s the vessel and crew only charter, or a Sunseeker Charters inclusive charter, which includes the following:

• vessel
• skipper and crew
• bedding and towels
• recreation towels
• 40 miles’ fuel allowance per day, which would, for example, take you in and out of mooring at manoeuvring speed and at low and mid range cruising speed
• home mooring
• fuel for tender – up to a maximum of two hours’ use per day
• continental breakfast – for example, coffee/tea, fruit juice, croissants, butter and jams, cereal, yogurts
• mediterranean-style lunch – for example, cold meats, various salads, choice of breads, cheese, fruit
• house Champagne, wines and beers (specific brands available if requested – extra cost will be applied)
• soft drinks
• house basic bar of whisky, brandy, vodka and gin (specific brands available if requested – extra cost will be applied)

02. What extras do we have to pay for?

For vessel and crew only charters, you would have to pay for transport to and from the vessel, all fuel, moorings, food and drink and other consumables while onboard. For the Sunseeker Charters inclusive charters, you would have to pay for transport to and from the vessel, any fuel used in addition to the allowance, any special provisioning/consumables required onboard and moorings away from the home berth. Dinners are not included as often guests prefer to dine at restaurants in the evening. However, please do ask if you would like dinners onboard. Crew gratuities are also extra to the charter price in both cases. (Please see ‘How much should we tip? See below for more details on this.)

03. Are you restricted to particular terms and conditions for particular vessels?

Some of our larger vessels (from the Sunseeker 86 Yacht and larger) solely charter on a vessel and crew only basis. However, our smaller and mid-range vessels can be chartered on either our inclusive or vessel and crew only terms. Please ask for price comparisons.

04. What is the APA?

‘APA’ stands for Advanced Provisioning Allowance.

For inclusive charters, an APA of 15% of the total charter cost is requested. These monies are used to cover any extras during the charter, such as additional fuel, mooring charges, accidental damage, special dietary requirements, etc.

For vessel and crew only charters the APA is 25% or 30% to cover all extras (fuel, moorings, drink and food, etc).

Should any part of this allowance (APA) not be used, the funds are returned to the charterer. Conversely, if there is a shortfall, the charterer is expected to correct this. Please contact Sunseeker Charters as soon as possible if you believe that a shortfall is expected on a particular charter.

The skipper will keep all receipts for the client’s inspection before departure. The ‘account’, which shows how much has been spent and on what, will be signed by the charterer when departing the vessel. This information will be sent to the Sunseeker Charters head office and the APA account will then be settled.

05. How much should we tip?

The question often arises ‘how much?’ Our reply is that this should reflect the standard of service you have received, remembering that the crew are on duty before you wake and after you retire. We suggest in the region of 10%. However, you may have received exceptional service and in such case, decide that a higher gratuity be made. We suggest that you hand whatever sum you wish to make to the captain to be distributed to all members of the crew.

06. Can we plan our itinerary?

Absolutely. However, the itinerary will be dependent on weather conditions and berth availability, and should always be considered flexible.

07. Can we cruise at night?

We try to ensure our clients are as safe as possible during their charter so we usually do not recommend cruising at night. However, this will be dependent on weather conditions and at the captain’s discretion.

08. Can we anchor overnight?

We try to ensure our clients are as safe as possible during their charter so we usually do not recommend anchoring at night. However, this will be dependent on weather conditions and at the captain’s discretion.

09. Can we start and end the charter in different locations?

Where possible, we try and tailor your charter to your unique needs so this may be possible by prior arrangement (but subject to berth availability). There will be a relocation cost involved (fuel and time) which your charter consultant can provide details of.

10. Do we have to take our charter from Saturday to Saturday?

Sunseeker Charters are built around your needs so we can tailor your charter to start and end on any day of the week for any number of days, subject to availability. However, the larger yachts do not usually take bookings of under a week during the height of the season.

The only exception to this is for our vessels based in Croatia which usually charter from Saturday to Saturday. But please do ask.

11. Is smoking allowed onboard?

No.

12. Are we allowed to bring our dog?

For safety’s sake, as well as to keep the boats in immaculate condition for both you and future users, pets are not allowed onboard.

13. Can you arrange airport transfers?

Your journey to and from your charter should be as seamless as possible, so we will happily arrange charters. Please inform us of your flight details and we will arrange this prior to your charter. This will be at an additional cost.

14. Do we need to bring towels/hairdryers?

To ensure your comfort onboard, towels, hairdryers, complimentary toiletries and sun creams are provided for your use. Please advise us of any products you might require for particular skin conditions.

15. Can we use the watersports equipment?

We want your charter to be as enjoyable as possible, which is why we carry equipment onboard. Please ask your charter consultant to check what watersports equipment is carried by a particular vessel. What is onboard does vary from vessel to vessel. In some instances it may be possible for charter clients to hire certain equipment if it is not already available onboard.

The vessel’s crew members can drive the tender for waterskiing and other towing sports. Snorkelling equipment is usually onboard and can be used. If SCUBA diving equipment is available, this can be used by the relevant licence-holders. Please bring your licence with you.

Tenders and PWCs (eg Waverunner/jet-ski) can only be driven by a licence-holder. Use of these will also depend on the vessel’s insurance policy.

16. Will we get seasick?

It is extremely unusual for guests to suffer from seasickness. Thanks to exceptional stability, Sunseeker vessels are very comfortable afloat and the skipper will never take you intentionally into heavy seas that might induce seasickness. However, if you are concerned about this, please do bring along some medication in case, and let the skipper know your concerns.

17. Are there laundry facilities onboard?

We don’t want our clients worrying about trifling matters during their charter so most larger yachts can deal with your laundry requirements. Smaller yachts may have washing facilities too. All will have basic ironing facilities. The crew will be able to advise you with regards to dry-cleaning, etc. which can be done ashore.

18. Can we invite more guests onboard during the day?

We want your charter to be as fun an occasion as possible. If that means inviting guests onboard, we will do our best to accommodate them. However, the Sunseekers are coded for a capacity of up to 12 guests (please check with your charter consultant with reference to the particular vessel you are interested in). Therefore a total of up to 12 guests can be onboard during the day. However, we would request that the crew are informed as early as possible in order to make the necessary provisioning arrangements.

For ‘inclusive’ charters, provisioning for guests not staying onboard overnight will be paid for out of the APA.

19. Can we fit another person onboard overnight?

Unfortunately, the vessel will only take the number quoted in the sleeping capacity – even when it comes to extra children.

20. Can we bring our baby on a charter?

We want the whole family to enjoy the charter! However, we must be advised in advance in order to ensure that the relevant life jackets/travel cots can be provided.

21. Are taxes included?

VAT is usually not applicable. However, a national equivalent may be payable in certain countries. Your charter consultant will be able to advise further.

Other local taxes may be additional. For example, vessels mooring in Sardinia will be required to pay the local ‘Luxury Tax’.

22. How does the fuel allowance work on the inclusive charters?

The fuel allowance is worked out on an accumulative basis. For example, for a week’s charter, there is a fuel allowance of 280 nautical miles in total (40 miles per day).Monies in respect of unused fuel in the inclusive package are not refundable.

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