Why use a Charter Yacht Broker?
Brokers are like travel agents. All charter yacht brokers have the same access to the same yachts. The yacht owners pay the broker. There is no additional cost to you. Yachts do not offer a lower price without a broker, period.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
After being part of a yacht crew and a yacht manager for over 16 years in the Virgin Islands, other Caribbean islands, and the Bahamas, Michelle Heyns is now a charter yacht broker who understands firsthand why matching yacht with client and crew is imperative to the success of a luxury vacation. Her specialized experience gives her a rare and personal insight into the yachts and crews that make her unique. First and foremost, Michelle’s responsibility is to recommend the highest quality yachts and crews that meet your specific vacation, travel needs, and budget. We are happy that Hannah, with a similar experience, joined our team in February 2023 after being crew for 10 years in the BVI and Bahamas.
Simply put, Epic Yacht Charters allows you to avoid any stress or hassles you might encounter while planning your yacht vacation. Michelle and Hannah navigate on your behalf from the first point of contact until your trip is complete. We have full access to the most up-to-date availability schedules and will only book fully crewed yacht charters we know will give the highest quality vacation. We know the ins and outs of Caribbean and Mediterranean travel and where yachts can meet you to begin and end your charter. Our sound advice will not only expedite your travel time but can also help you to control these costs.
Epic Yacht Charters offers protection of the standard CYBA (Charter Yacht Broker Association) charter agreement and additionally holds funds in a private escrow account until a few days before your charter begins. They strictly adhere to ethics codes and procedures governed by yacht broker groups to protect each client. In sum, ensure your trip is exactly as you planned – no surprises.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD
Team EPIC’s personal experience with yachts, crews, owners, and yacht managers sets them apart from other charter yacht brokers. Additionally, we participate in major annual charter yacht shows to inspect each yacht and interview each crew personally. As an independent outlet, our unbiased, expert advice can often help tip the scales, turning the best vacation into an EPIC journey.
Our #1 goal is to match the yacht and crew that fits the client, identifying your needs to provide the vacation of a lifetime. We’d love to continue booking your vacations for years to come – the ultimate reward is creating lasting relationships and even lifelong friendships. Your friends will be envious when they see your trip, and then they will contact us to help them have the same unforgettable experience.
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.
WHY A CREWED YACHT?
1st class service is the goal of your yacht crew, allowing you the time to enjoy all that a luxury vacation on a yacht has to offer.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON CHARTER
Having a hard time visualizing your crewed yacht vacation? Watch our video for a glimpse of life on your crewed yacht charter.
