Your First Yacht Charter: 5 Tips for a Magnificent Holiday

Are you planning a yacht charter holiday but you’ve never been on a yacht before?

Chartering a yacht for the first time can be an extremely exciting experience. You get to sail the open waters while enjoying the gorgeous view with family and loved ones.

Planning is, however, crucial if you are to have the time of your life aboard these luxurious vessels.

For first timers here are 5 tips to help you enjoy a magnificent yacht charter holiday.

1. Choose the right yacht rental company.

It goes without saying that everything hinges on the yacht company you choose. To get the best it’s important that you do some research and look beyond the aesthetics. There are many companies that have nice websites with pictures of luxurious yachts but their presentation doesn't always accurately depict their fleet.

To ensure you get a genuine business take time to read some online reviews from customers. This will help you gain unbiased insight into the company.

UNIQ yacht charters has a ton of positive reviews from customers who have enjoyed our first class yachting services. All our yacht rentals are of superior quality and undergo frequent maintenance to keep them looking good as new.

2. Choose the right yacht

For the ultimate experience take into account your finances, the number of people you’re planning to travel with, the amenities you’d like to have onboard, and level of comfort, among other factors when choosing the best yacht to hire.

Don’t rush.

Take your time going through the yacht catalog and choose the boat that best complements your wants, needs, and finances.

Remember, it's crucial that you stick to your budget. Racking up debt to pay for an exceedingly lavish boat may be enticing but as your holiday draws to a close it will add to your stress and ruin your vacation.

If you want a highly personalized yachting experience with a private gourmet chef and lots of amenities contact the yacht company months in advance and get an accurate cost projection. This will help you avoid spontaneous spending and debt. In addition, it'll also put your mind at ease throughout your trip and you’ll be able to deeply enjoy your yacht holiday.

3. Choose a suitable location.

A big part of your yacht experience will also be determined by the location(s) you choose to sail to.

For an unforgettable experience choose a region that has a lot to offer both offshore and onshore.

Offshore, the location needs to have great weather and several beautiful islands and sandbars where you can drop anchor and just relax and enjoy yourself. Alternatively you can take a paddle board or jet skis and explore the beaches and surroundings, or scout the nearby islands.

Onshore, the location needs to have a history of boating plus great infrastructure and marinas for yachting. It should also have world class restaurants and hotels, among other luxury amenities for tourists.

If you’re considering chartering a yacht Miami is among the top yachting destinations in the world. It has numerous islands to visit and explore such as the Venetian islands, Fisher Island, the Key Biscayne, as well as the Virginia Key islands. Miami Beach is also surrounded by several beautiful beaches and sandbars, and offers world class dining facilities.

Bimini Island Bahamas is another great yachting destination that's not too far from Miami with a warm tropical climate and luxury resorts.

4. Pack wisely.

Since you’ll be cruising on a yacht surrounded by miles and miles of open sea you need to be prepared for this unique environment.

For starters start by packing a pair of deck shoes to wear on the boat that have extra grip at the bottom with non-marking soles. Do not pack high heels. We generally don’t allow heels onboard because they scratch the deck and leave marks.

Since it’s your first time at sea it’s also likely that you may suffer sea sickness. To ensure the best yachting experience we recommend taking motion sickness medication 2 hours before your trip. You can also carry motion sickness patches. These patches are safe for both adults and kids and don’t need to be applied several hours before setting sail.

You can also bring refreshments and snacks to enjoy as you cruise the open waters. Please avoid foods such as chocolate which can’t withstand heat. That last thing you want all over your yacht is a chocolatey mess. The same applies to red wine. Any spills can stain the deck and upholstery and ruin the environment.

Sailing and yachting are outdoor activities, so we recommend that you pack sunscreen prior to boarding to protect your skin.

In addition to your basic essentials such as your passports, towels, insect repellants, and shower gels you can also pack a deck of cards for fun or bring along your favorite summer playlists to play on the boat.

NB:// Do not pack any first aid kits or bedding as these will be provided for you. If you want to bring along glasses or plates please check with us first.

Please do not bring any balloons as they are easily blown away by the wind. They also pollute the ocean and can easily be mistaken for food by sea birds and sea turtles which may put these marine species at risk.

5. Communicate with your captain and crew.

The captain and crew are there to meet your needs and enhance your vacation.

If you or a family member has any dietary restrictions communicate them to your crew and they will prepare your meals accordingly and work to accommodate you.

If you’re not sure about the best islands to visit or the best spots to dock speak to your captain.

It’s highly likely that they know more about an area than any source you could possibly find online.

Their input and guidance could go a long way in helping you enjoy your holiday and create unforgettable memories.

For a truly remarkable yachting experience please contact us. We’ll take into account all your needs and help you find a suitable yacht within your budget.