There’s only one thing more indulgent than hiring a yacht and that’s hiring one with its own captain. Luckily, there are many companies offering crewed yacht charters around the world.
(Photo: _dChris via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Yacht charters continue to hold an enticing appeal, offering as they do the chance to don your explorer’s hat and sail the seven seas in comfort. And while it’s possible to helm your own vessel with the right paperwork, having your own captain means you can enjoy your sea-faring adventure without worrying about any of the practicalities of life on the ocean. Whether you’re keen to explore the waters of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, or anywhere else, we’ve picked out three of the best companies for finding your perfect crewed yacht.
Ritzy
Ritzy have built a superb network since entering the yacht charter market in 2012. They offer almost 1,500 yachts across 35 destinations at varying price points, with their portfolio including everything from luxury motorboats, to catamarans, monohulls and modest sailers. Booking on the platform is easy, with users required to provide essential details about their trip, such as guest numbers, dates of travel, favoured itinerary, and special requests. They’re then sent a short-list of yachts based on their bespoke request. Ritzy pride themselves on providing accurate and personalised attention to clients, presenting them with a tailored list of options that matches their wishes. Once a charter is confirmed, Ritzy also apply a detailed procedure for understanding the client’s preferences in regards to food, drinks and activities – information that is then shared with the crew in advance.
Boatbookings
Boatbookings are among the most renowned operators in the yacht charter sector, with over 2,000 vessels available for charter adventures across the globe. When we searched for yachts in popular destinations such as Greece, Croatia and BVI, we found yachts ranging from 12 to 100 metres, including a large number of crewed vessels. It was also notable that Boatbookings have an impressive choice of catamarans available, with this type of boat being the most commonly requested by prospective charterers. Other useful features include a dedicated review section so you can read what former guests have to say about their charter experience when booked through the site.
Virgin Island Sailing
Virgin Island Sailing have been arranging sailing vacations and yacht charters in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific and other amazing worldwide destinations since 1978. They partner with all the reputable charter companies and crewed yachts, assuring them the widest selection of yachts from which to choose. Each of their charter experts have worked in the industry for decades and have experience working with all the major crewed yachts and charter companies, enabling them to provide clients with specialised and objective insights. They pride themselves on finding your perfect charter yacht, anywhere in the world, at no cost to the client. When we searched for crewed yachts on their website we found an impressive 628 available vessels, with prices starting at around $1,000 per day for a catamaran that accommodates six guests. The site’s search functions are also straightforward and easy to use.