Charter FAQ

Before you charter

Written for a first charter. If you have chartered before, skip to the cost breakdown.

Who am I actually contracting with?

The yacht's owner or operator — not us. Zenitha Yachts is a broker. We find the boat, negotiate the terms, explain the contract and stay with you through the week. We are not a party to it.

Worth knowing: this is normal. Almost every charter in the Mediterranean works this way, and the contract is a standard form the industry has used for decades.

What contract will I sign?

The MYBA Charter Agreement, in almost every Mediterranean case. It is issued by the yacht's central agent, and it fixes the yacht, the dates, the cruising area, the fee, the APA and the VAT treatment.

If a yacht is offered on something other than MYBA, we will tell you which form and why before you see a quotation. Ask the broker about the contract form before signing — with anyone, not only us.

Where does my money go?

To the Stakeholder named in your charter contract, who holds it in a designated account. Never to Zenitha. We are paid a commission by the yacht's central agent, out of the charter fee — which does not raise your price. Where no retail broker is involved, the central agent simply keeps that share.

What does the price include?

Under MYBA, the charter fee buys the yacht and its crew. That is all it buys. Fuel, food aboard, berthing and harbour dues run through the APA. See the cost breakdown for the full picture — it is the single most misunderstood part of chartering and the one most likely to surprise you later.

How far ahead should I book?

For July and August in the Riviera or the Cyclades, the good boats go six to nine months out, and the last ones standing in May are usually standing for a reason. Shoulder season — late May, or September — is easier, cheaper, and better sailing.

How long does it take to confirm?

We come back on availability within a day. Confirmation depends on the operator, not on us, and we will not tell you a boat is held when it is not.

Can I see the yacht first?

Sometimes. Yachts move, and a boat in Palma in April may be in Athens in June. Where a viewing is possible we will arrange it; where it is not, we will say so rather than promise one.

Do I need a licence?

Not for a crewed charter. The captain holds the certification and has final say on weather, safety and where the yacht goes.

What if something goes wrong during the week?

Tell the captain first — most things are fixable while you are still aboard, and almost nothing is fixable afterwards. Then tell us. If it concerns the yacht or the crew it also has to be raised with the operator under the charter contract, and we will help you do that.

What if I need to cancel?

The contract sets a schedule, and the closer to embarkation the less is refundable. We will send you that schedule as real dates and real amounts before you pay anything. See the cancellation page.

What don't you do?

Flights, hotels, transfers, villas. We arrange yacht charter and nothing else. We will happily tell you where guests usually stay the night before — you would book it directly, and we earn nothing from it.