What’s Included in an All-Inclusive Crewed Yacht Charter?

One of the first questions we hear from guests planning their trip is a simple one: what exactly am I paying for? It’s a smart question — because in the charter world, two yachts can be quoted very differently, and understanding what’s actually included makes budgeting simple and comparisons fair. If you’ve chosen an all-inclusive crewed charter, the short answer is: nearly everything. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s covered, what’s typically extra, and how it compares to a “plus expenses” charter.

All-Inclusive vs. Plus Expenses: The Key Difference

Crewed charters are generally quoted one of two ways:

• All-inclusive bundles most of your trip costs into a single, upfront rate — closer to a packaged luxury holiday. One price, minimal surprises.
• Plus expenses gives you a lower base rate for the yacht and crew, then bills the running costs (fuel, food, drinks, dockage) separately through an APA — an Advance Provisioning Allowance, typically 20–40% of the base rate, paid upfront. The captain draws from that fund during the trip, keeps receipts, and refunds any unused balance at the end.

Neither model is a trick — but comparing an all-inclusive rate against a plus-expenses base rate as if they’re the same number is the most common budgeting mistake. This guide focuses on the all-inclusive experience, which most guests find simpler and, once you factor in APA and provisioning markups, often comparable or better in total cost.

What’s Included in an All-Inclusive Crewed Charter

With an all-inclusive charter, the vast majority of your week is covered in the rate. Here’s what you can generally expect:

Your Yacht and Professional Crew

The heart of what you’re renting. Every crewed charter includes the yacht itself and a professional, licensed crew — at minimum a captain and a personal chef, with larger yachts adding a first mate and/or stewardess. These aren’t temporary hires: crew typically live aboard full-time and know the yacht and cruising grounds intimately.

Accommodation for the Week

A standard charter runs 8 days and 7 nights (for example, Saturday to Saturday) — your private, floating accommodation for the entire trip, with housekeeping included.

All Your Meals

A personal chef prepares breakfast, lunch, afternoon appetizers, and dinner, all tailored to your group’s tastes. Before your trip, you’ll complete a preference sheet so the crew knows exactly what your party likes — dietary needs, favorite dishes, and more.

Beverages and the Ship’s Bar

Included are soft drinks, mixers, purified water (made onboard by the yacht’s freshwater maker), and the “ship’s bar” — the standard beer, wine, and spirits the crew keep stocked for guests. (Premium wines, champagne, and top-shelf spirits are usually available at cost — more on that below.)

Fuel

All fuel for the yacht and the dinghy/tender is covered — yes, even on all-inclusive motor yachts and power catamarans, where fuel would otherwise be a significant variable cost.

Operational Costs

The everyday running costs of your trip are included: cruising taxes, permits, mooring and dockage fees, ice, and provisioning. These are exactly the line items that get billed separately on a plus-expenses charter.

Water Sports Equipment

Use of the yacht’s water toys — think paddleboards, snorkel gear, kayaks, and floats — is included at no extra charge. (Scuba diving is the common exception; dives and instruction typically cost extra.)

What’s Usually NOT Included

Even on an all-inclusive charter, a few things are customarily separate — and knowing them upfront keeps your budget accurate:

• Crew gratuity. A customary tip for exceptional service, typically 15–20% in the Caribbean and 10–15% in the Mediterranean, budgeted on top of the rate.
• Premium spirits, fine wines, and champagne. The standard ship’s bar is included; top-shelf and special requests are usually available at cost.
• Scuba diving. Dives and instruction generally carry an additional charge.
• Travel to and from the yacht. Flights, inter-island transfers, and land taxis before, during, or after the charter aren’t part of the charter fee.

Why Guests Love All-Inclusive

The biggest benefit is clarity. One price covers the crew, meals, drinks, fuel, and toys — no APA reconciliation, no end-of-trip surprises. For first-time charter guests and groups who want zero financial guesswork, it makes the entire experience simpler from booking to disembarkation. And when you compare the all-inclusive experience per dollar — a private yacht, a personal chef, and a new anchorage every day — it stands right alongside a luxury resort, with far more to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “all-inclusive” mean on a yacht charter?
It means most of your trip costs — yacht, crew, meals, standard drinks, fuel, dockage, and water toys — are bundled into one upfront rate, rather than billed separately during the trip.

What’s the difference between all-inclusive and plus expenses?
All-inclusive covers running costs in the base rate. Plus expenses charges a lower base rate and bills fuel, food, drinks, and dockage separately through an APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), typically 20–40% of the rate, paid in advance.

Is crew gratuity included?
No. A customary tip — around 15–20% in the Caribbean and 10–15% in the Mediterranean — is typically budgeted separately on top of the charter rate.

Are drinks included?
The standard “ship’s bar” (beer, wine, and standard spirits) plus soft drinks and purified water are included. Premium wines, champagne, and top-shelf spirits are usually available at cost.

Is an all-inclusive charter more expensive?
Not necessarily. Once you factor in APA costs, provisioning markups, and unused APA refunds, all-inclusive charters often match or beat plus-expenses pricing — with far less budgeting stress.

Ready to Plan Your All-Inclusive Charter?

An all-inclusive crewed charter takes the guesswork out of your vacation — one rate, a professional crew, and a week of meals, drinks, and adventure handled for you. All that’s left is to choose your yacht and destination. Every charter we arrange comes with a clear explanation of exactly what’s included with your specific yacht, so you always know what you’re getting.

Start your yacht search to browse available crewed yachts or contact our charter specialists to plan a custom trip designed around you.