Prepped or Rushed? Why Yacht Turnaround Time Matters

A Rested Crew is a World-Class Crew

Turnaround time isn’t just about fluffing pillows—it’s about giving the crew time to reset, breathe, and prepare to give you their absolute best.

“I know what it is like to do same-day turnarounds,” says Marcelle Hailwax, one of our lead brokers and a former onboard chef. “But when you’re operating at that pace, you’re in survival mode. You can deliver the basics—but the magic? That only happens when the crew has had time to rest and regroup.”

When the crew is well-rested, you get:

• A more polished, personal level of service

• Crew that’s cheerful, engaged, and energized

• Fewer mistakes, less stress, and a much smoother atmosphere onboard

In short, your holiday feels like an actual holiday.

Cleaning, Stocking, Prepping—Done Right

A yacht isn’t a hotel room. It’s a fully operational, self-contained floating villa. It takes time to turn it around properly between guests.

With a 48–72 hour turnaround, the crew can:

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect guest areas

• Deep-clean and reset the galley

• Launder and press linens properly

• Inventory and restock provisions (not just throw in what’s available)

• Detail the yacht inside and out

“Guests may never see the effort behind the scenes,” Marcelle says, “but they always feel the difference when it’s been rushed.”

Technical Systems Need Attention Too

AC, watermakers, generators, plumbing—it’s all got to run smoothly. And these systems can (and do) fail when the crew doesn’t have time to inspect them between charters.

We’ve seen charters go sideways because a clogged toilet wasn’t caught, or because the AC gave out mid-week after a hectic back-to-back schedule. These are not the kinds of things you want to deal with while sailing the Cyclades.

A longer turnaround means:

• Full systems check-ups

• Small problems fixed before they snowball

• Less chance of tech issues disrupting your week

It’s not glamorous—but it’s what keeps things running smoothly.

What Turnaround Time Tells You About a Yacht

Yachts with longer turnarounds are often better managed overall. In our experience, this signals that the captain, crew, or owner prioritizes quality and long-term sustainability over squeezing in every possible booking.

It’s a sign that:

• Crew wellbeing is a priority

• There’s time built in for maintenance and care

• The yacht isn’t being run into the ground just to chase volume

These are the yachts we recommend. Because this is your holiday—and it should feel like one.

Our Expert Tip

We recommend a minimum of 24 hours between bookings for catamarans, but 48–72 hours is the gold standard. Yachts flipping in less than 24 hours? We don’t suggest it. The risks—from rushed cleaning to overworked crew—just aren’t worth it.

When we curate your yacht options, we always check how much time the crew has to prepare. That’s part of our job—and why our clients trust us to deliver flawless charter experiences.