A superyacht starts at 24 metres. That is the informal industry threshold — not a regulatory definition, but in practice the point at which a professional crew is always on board, at which the vessel is no longer rented but chartered, and at which cost calculations take on a different dimension. Anyone planning to charter a superyacht must understand the fundamentals before they start comparing.
Superyacht Size Classes
| Class | Length | Crew | Weekly base rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level superyacht | 24–30 m | 3–5 | €30,000–65,000 |
| Mid-range superyacht | 30–45 m | 5–8 | €65,000–140,000 |
| Large superyacht | 45–65 m | 8–14 | €140,000–300,000 |
| Megayacht / giga yacht | 65 m+ | 14–30+ | €300,000 — no ceiling |
What Does a Superyacht Really Cost? APA and Additional Costs
The charter price (base charter fee) is not the total price. The full calculation:
- Base Charter Fee: the listed weekly rate for the yacht
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): 25–35% of the base fee — deposited in advance to cover fuel, provisions, marina fees, water, crew gratuity. Unspent APA is returned.
- Marina fees: vary significantly. Monaco: up to €3,000/night for a 40m yacht. Croatia: €200–600/night. La Maddalena National Park: often buoy fee €50–150/night.
- Crew gratuity: industry standard 10–15% of the charter fee at the end of the week.
Sample calculation: 35m superyacht, Mediterranean season, 1 week:
- Base charter fee: €85,000
- APA 30%: + €25,500
- Marina fees (Monaco + Portofino + Cannes): ~€15,000
- Fuel (motor yacht, intensive use): ~€8,000–12,000
- Crew gratuity: ~€8,500
- Total: approx. €140,000–150,000
The Crew of a Superyacht
- Captain: MCA/STCW certified, responsible for vessel, crew and safety. On large superyachts: 20+ years experience.
- Chief Officer: Second in command, navigation, anchoring manoeuvres.
- Chief Steward/ess: Dining, cabin service, event coordination. On luxury vessels: bar-trained, sommelier knowledge.
- Chef: Standard from 30m. Three meals daily, special diets, Michelin-level cooking possible. Often the deciding factor between a good and an exceptional charter.
- Deckhands: Maintenance, water sports (jet ski, SUP, diving), anchoring.
Exclusive Destinations for Superyachts
Mediterranean (May–October): Côte d'Azur (Monaco → Saint-Tropez → Antibes → Cannes), Amalfi Coast / Capri, Greece (Mykonos → Santorini), Croatia (Hvar, Dubrovnik). Croatia is the most affordable superyacht option in the Med.
Caribbean (December–April): St. Barts / BVI / St. Maarten: the classic superyacht route. Gustavia Harbour in January: the world's densest superyacht fleet. Grenadines / St. Vincent: quieter, more remote, for guests who want privacy over prestige.
How to Book a Superyacht
- Contact a charter broker: Fraser Yachts, Burgess Yachts, Northrop & Johnson. They know the market, have access to off-market yachts and negotiate with the central agent.
- Fill in a brief: travel dates, area, number of guests, budget, preferences (sail/motor, water sports, chef level).
- Sign the contract: Standard MYBA form. 50% deposit at booking, 50% due 30 days before departure.
- Transfer APA: Before departure. Captain maintains a detailed APA log.
→ Caribbean Yacht Charter: BVI, St. Barts, Grenadines
→ Sardinia: Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda
→ Superyacht charter enquiry
