Crewed yacht charters in Greece are priced differently to the all-inclusive yacht charters in the Caribbean.
While Caribbean charters are priced as all-inclusive, in the rest of the world crewed yacht charters are priced differently. You pay a base price for the yacht and crew plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) and VAT. The APA fee covers the food, beverages, fuel, docking and all other costs associated with your charter and is calculated using a percentage of the base rate. Sailing catamarans are typically 20-25% of the base rate. Motor yachts are higher at up to 45%, this is because they will burn more fuel.
The Yacht Captain and crew keep an accounting of all costs during the week which you can view at any time. Any leftover amount will be transferred back to you or you may wish to included this as part of the crews gratuity. If the APA is exceeded you will need to pay the additional amount before you dissembark.
In the Caribbean the price, in most cases, is based on the number of guests on board and the time of the year you are taking your trip. In Greece, you will find one price no matter how many people you have on your yacht.
How Many Nights is a Typical Greek Yacht Charter?
In high season (July and August) it is NOT likely that you will find yachts that do less than 7 nights, but you are likely to find yachts that offer ten and fourteen-night charters.
Greece has a shorter season than the Caribbean and so we would advise booking at least 12 month in advance. Remember the best yachts at the best rates tend to go first.
When is High Season for Yacht Charters in Greece?
July and August are high season, May June and September are mid or shoulder season and out of that is low season.
This is also variable as some yachts have a different price for every week in the summer. The only sure way to know the cost is to inquire with us here at Epic.
Most yachts do not run earlier that April or later than October.
Does the Charter Rate Include VAT ?
No. VAT is an extra cost on your Greek Yacht Charter. Currently the rate is either 6.5%, 12% or 13% depending on which yacht you charter, but whatever is in force the time your final payment is due, will be added to your invoice. The VAT is due on the charter fee only and not the provisioning allowance. If a yacht charters in different countries in the Mediterranean, the VAT will change depending on the country the charter is based in.
Can I "Hold" a Yacht While Making a Decision?
Unlike the Caribbean, in Greece, “holding” a yacht means you are going to contract. You are already past the stage of deciding which boat you want and so it is first come, first served with getting a signed contract and deposit submitted. The earlier you start planning your Greek Charter, the better chance you are going to have getting the yacht that you want.
When are Payments Due for Your Greek Yacht Charter?
This does depend a bit on the type of yacht, but for the typical sailing catamaran, you would look at putting down 50% of the charter yacht fee upon booking the yacht, and the balance, along with provisioning costs and VAT, due at 60 days out.
Larger motor yachts will be 25% to confirm the charter, 25% due at 6 months out and the balance at 60 days out.
In the Caribbean, gratuity is considered a standard part of charter culture, particularly in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and surrounding waters.
- Typical gratuity rate: 15-20% of the charter fee
- How it’s calculated: Based on the total charter rate for fully crewed, all-inclusive charters
- Flexibility: Can be adjusted slightly higher or lower depending on service quality and guest satisfaction
- For example, on a $40,000 Caribbean charter, budget $6,000 to $8,000 for crew gratuity.
- Caribbean yacht crews often go above and beyond, creating tailored itineraries, cooking custom meals, and providing hands-on water sports instruction. Because of this service-intensive experience, gratuities in the Caribbean are generally on the higher side compared to other regions.
In Greece and the Mediterranean, tipping culture is slightly different from the Caribbean.
- Typical gratuity rate: 10 to 15% of the charter fee, adjusted to reflect the service you received.
- Base rate vs. APA: Gratuity is calculated on the base charter fee, not on the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
- Regional norm: Applies primarily to catamarans and sailing yachts operating in the Mediterranean
Greek yacht charters often provide incredible itineraries through the Cyclades or Ionian Islands, with professional crews delivering attentive service. While 10-15% is considered standard, some guests may choose to give more when service has exceeded expectations.
Luxury motor yachts often have larger crews and operate under slightly different gratuity structures.
- Recommended gratuity rate: 10–20% of the charter fee
- What’s excluded: APA costs (fuel, dockage, provisions) are not included in the gratuity calculation
- Variation: The gratuity amount can depend on yacht size and the number of crew
- International practice: These guidelines are recognized across popular destinations including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Bahamas, and beyond
Because motor yacht crews can be much larger, gratuity is pooled and distributed evenly, ensuring everyone from the captain to the stewardess is acknowledged for their role in making the charter seamless.
Guests often wonder how their gratuity is divided. The captain is typically responsible for allocating gratuity fairly among the crew. This ensures that all team members — from chefs and deckhands to engineers and stews — are recognized for their hard work. It is common on most charters for the gratuity to be split evenly among all crew members.
Gratuity can be given in several ways, depending on what is most convenient for the guests and crew:
- Cash – Preferred by most crews for immediate distribution
- Wire transfer – Can be arranged through your charter broker
- PayPal or Venmo – Accepted in some cases, depending on the country your crew has banking
- Credit card – Sometimes processed through the broker or clearinghouse or even onboard.
- Pre-arranged payment – Organized in advance, especially for larger motor yachts
Your broker can assist in arranging the most suitable payment method before or at the end of your charter.
The standard gratuity for yacht crew ranges from 10 to 20% of the charter fee, depending on the destination and level of service. In the Caribbean and Bahamas, gratuities are typically 15 to 20%, while in the Mediterranean and Europe, the standard is 10 to 15%.
For a detailed breakdown of tipping practices by region, visit our full Yacht Crew Gratuity Guide.
In Greece and the Mediterranean, tipping culture is slightly different from the Caribbean.
- Typical gratuity rate: 10 to 15% of the charter fee, adjusted to reflect the service you received.
- Base rate vs. APA: Gratuity is calculated on the base charter fee, not on the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
- Regional norm: Applies primarily to catamarans and sailing yachts operating in the Mediterranean
Greek yacht charters often provide incredible itineraries through the Cyclades or Ionian Islands, with professional crews delivering attentive service. While 10-15% is considered standard, some guests may choose to give more when service has exceeded expectations.
If you would like to charter a crewed yacht in Greece, Croatia, The Bahamas, or the Caribbean, we can help you make it happen!
WE SPECIALIZE IN POWER & SAILING CATAMARANS & MOTOR YACHTS
Please see a selection of our favorite yachts below. Click here to view all Greece Yachts >
