Question 1

How do we keep APA costs under control on a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

The biggest APA drivers are fuel, itinerary distance, marina fees, food and drink choices, premium alcohol, and extra water toys. The best way to control APA is to plan a realistic route and tell us early what matters most. We can help compare yachts and routes with the full budget in mind, not just the weekly base rate. During the charter, you can also ask the captain for APA updates so there are fewer surprises at the end. Our APA guide explains how the expense fund works and why broker oversight matters.

Question 2

Can we book an all-inclusive yacht charter in Greece?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but true all-inclusive yacht charters are still rare in Greece. Most crewed yacht charters here are priced as a base charter fee plus VAT and APA, because fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, and route costs vary from trip to trip. We do have select all-inclusive options, but the inclusions need to be checked carefully: meals, alcohol, fuel limits, route, gratuity, and any security deposit. Our all-inclusive Greece yacht charter page shows the type of rare packaged options we can sometimes offer.

Question 3

How much should we tip the crew on a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

In Greece, the normal crew gratuity is usually 10% to 15% of the base charter fee, not the APA, VAT, or full trip cost. It is discretionary, but it is customary when the crew has delivered a good charter. The cleanest method is usually one amount, in euros, handed to the captain at the end of the charter for distribution across the crew. If you are unsure how to budget it, our Greece yacht crew tipping guide explains the normal range and what number the tip is usually based on.

Question 4

Why nobody in the yachting industry accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Zelle or other cash apps

Accepted Answer

Quite simple: high-value yacht charters are normally paid by bank transfer because it is the safest and most standard way to handle a large contractual booking. In our experience, Greece yacht charters are not processed like a normal online purchase. The amounts are significant, the yacht is being taken off the market for your dates, and the booking is tied to a formal charter agreement. That is why professional brokers and yacht managers usually work with wire transfers rather than credit cards, PayPal, Zelle, or similar cash apps. The main reason is chargeback and fraud risk. Card and app...

Question 5

Is there an extra fee when I book my Greece yacht charter through a broker?

Accepted Answer

No. In the standard Greece yacht charter setup, you do not pay us an extra broker fee. The broker is paid commission by the yacht owner or central agent, not by adding a separate charge on top for you. In our experience, a good broker often saves clients money rather than costing more. We help you avoid weak yachts, unrealistic itineraries, poor crew fits, and extra costs that are easy to miss if you are booking blind. We also compare options across different fleets, explain the contract and APA properly, and stay on your side if something needs pushing before the charter starts. If you wan...

Question 6

Why is VAT not always the same on Greece yacht charters?

Accepted Answer

For most professional crewed yacht charters in Greece, VAT is usually 13% on the base charter fee. It is not always the same because some yachts, routes, contract types, or advertised prices are handled differently. Some yachts show a base charter rate plus VAT. Others include VAT in the advertised price. The final VAT can also depend on whether the charter is crewed or bareboat, the yacht's registration, the embarkation point, the itinerary, the charter length, and current Greek tax rules. That is why website VAT figures should be treated as indicative until we confirm the exact yacht and ...

Question 7

Can we get a discount on a crewed yacht charter in Greece?

Accepted Answer

Yes, discounts or special offers are sometimes possible on Greece crewed yacht charters, but they are not automatic. They depend on the yacht, the dates, the owner, the manager, and how much open calendar the yacht still has. The best chances are usually outside peak July and August, on last-minute open weeks, or when a yacht is trying to fill a specific gap in the calendar. Some yachts publish special offers. Others may consider a serious offer privately. Some managers simply have a no-discount policy. The important point is that an offer should be real. If we ask a yacht owner to reduce t...

Question 8

Are food, drinks, and fuel included in the Greece yacht charter price?

Accepted Answer

Usually, no. The weekly price you see on most Greece crewed yacht listings is the base charter fee. Food, drinks, fuel, port fees, and other running costs are normally paid separately through the APA. APA means Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is a prepaid expense fund, usually set as a percentage of the charter fee, that the captain uses during the charter for your provisions, fuel, berthing, and other trip costs. This is not a second charter fee. It is a working budget. At the end of the charter, the captain provides an expense summary. If you spend less than the APA, the balance is ret...

Question 9

Do we need travel insurance for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We strongly recommend buying travel insurance for a Greece yacht charter, especially because crewed charters are usually booked with non-refundable deposits and clear cancellation terms. The yacht has its own insurance, and we also carry professional broker insurance, but that does not replace your personal travel insurance. Your policy should be chosen for your group and should cover the things that matter to you: trip cancellation or interruption, medical care abroad, emergency evacuation, delayed flights, lost baggage, and, where relevant, personal liability. Read the policy careful...

Question 10

Why are Greece yacht prices shown excluding VAT and APA?

Accepted Answer

Greece yacht prices are usually shown as the base charter fee because VAT and APA are added separately. This is standard for most crewed yacht charters in Greece and the Mediterranean. The base charter fee normally covers the yacht, crew, standard equipment, and the agreed charter period. VAT is the applicable tax on the charter, and APA is the prepaid expense fund used for food, drinks, fuel, port fees, and other running costs during the trip. We show the base fee separately so you can compare yachts fairly. If one yacht has a higher APA estimate because it is a fast motor yacht, or anothe...

Question 11

How do payments work for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

Most Greece crewed yacht charters are paid by bank transfer. The usual structure is a deposit when the charter agreement is signed, then the remaining balance, APA, VAT, and any agreed extras before embarkation. For many crewed charters, the deposit is around 50% of the charter fee, with the balance due several weeks before the charter. The exact payment schedule is always written in your charter agreement and invoice. Your yacht is normally secured only once availability is confirmed, the agreement is signed, and the first payment has cleared. Before that, the yacht may still be offered to...

Question 12

When are final payment and APA due for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

For most Greece crewed yacht charters, the final balance and APA are due before embarkation, usually about 60 days before the charter. The exact deadline is written in your charter agreement and invoice. The final payment is the remaining balance of the charter fee. The APA, or Advance Provisioning Allowance, is the prepaid expense fund used during the charter for food, drinks, fuel, port fees, and other trip costs. APA is not a second charter fee. It is a working budget held for your onboard expenses. The captain tracks spending during the charter and provides a final account at the end. I...

Question 13

Are you insured as a yacht charter broker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry professional insurance through ITIC with cover up to EUR 500,000. For a Greece yacht charter, that matters because clients are usually committing a large amount well before travel. A real broker should be properly insured, easy to verify, and willing to confirm who is handling your booking before you send funds. Insurance is not the whole trust check, but it is one of the basic signs you are dealing with a professional charter brokerage.

Question 14

What is the policy on yacht charter cancellation due to weather?

Accepted Answer

Bad weather usually does not cancel a Greece yacht charter. More often, the captain changes the route, delays a crossing, swaps overnight stops, or keeps the yacht in a more protected area. Refunds depend on the yacht’s charter agreement, not on a general “bad weather” rule. On MYBA-style contracts, the captain has authority over the vessel’s movement when wind, weather, safety, or timing make the original plan unrealistic. That means you normally should not expect a refund just because the yacht cannot reach a specific island, especially in weather-sensitive areas like the Cyclades...

Question 15

Can I charter a yacht in Greece for one day, or is there a minimum?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can charter a yacht in Greece for one day, but a one-day yacht rental is usually a different product from a full crewed yacht charter. Most crewed yacht charters in Greece are built around a week, especially in peak season. Some yachts accept shorter charters of 3 or 4 nights when the dates fit the owner’s calendar and the route makes sense. Our guide to chartering a yacht in Greece for less than a week covers the 3 and 4 night version in full. Day charters are more common for simple local trips, events, lunches, weddings, or a single day from places like Athens, Mykonos, Paros, ...

Question 16

When should we start looking for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

For a Greece yacht charter in July or August, start 6 to 12 months ahead. Make it 9 to 12 months if you have settled on one particular yacht, because there is only one of her. June and September stay open much longer. Booking late still works: waiting costs you choice rather than money, and good Greek weeks are often still unbooked 6 weeks out. The full timeline, including what is realistically still open at 3 months and at 6 weeks, and the one date you cannot move, is in how far ahead you should book a Greek yacht charter. Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will tell you wha...

Question 17

When should we book flights for our Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

Book flights after your yacht, dates, and embarkation and disembarkation ports are confirmed. For most crewed Greece yacht charters, that means after the charter agreement is signed and the first payment has been sent. The reason is simple: the yacht is not truly secured until availability is confirmed, the contract is signed, and the deposit is paid. Flights are usually easier to adjust than finding the right yacht for fixed dates, fixed ports, and a full group. This matters a lot in Greece because the start point changes the travel plan. Athens, Corfu, Lefkas/Preveza, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos...

Question 18

I&#8217;m just starting to plan. Is it too early to inquire about a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

No. If a Greece yacht charter is a real possibility, it is not too early to inquire. You do not need to have every detail fixed before you contact us. Dates, group size, approximate budget, preferred yacht type, and a few route ideas are enough for us to tell you what is realistic. Early conversations are useful because Greece availability depends on season, start point, route, and where the yacht is based. Sometimes the best advice is to wait until rates or calendars open. Sometimes it is to secure the right yacht before the best options disappear. We are also happy to help while you are s...

Question 19

What is the preference sheet for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

The preference sheet is the pre-charter questionnaire that tells the crew how to prepare your yacht charter. It covers food, drinks, allergies, medical notes, cabin setup, guest details, activities, celebrations, and any special requests. It matters more than many first-time charter guests expect. The chef uses it to plan menus and provisioning, the captain uses it to understand your pace and itinerary style, and the stewardess uses it to prepare cabins and service details. Be honest and specific. If someone has a shellfish allergy, does not drink alcohol, wants early coffee, prefers quiet ...

Question 20

What is the yacht charter agreement for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

The yacht charter agreement is the contract that makes your Greece yacht charter official. It confirms the yacht, charter dates, embarkation and disembarkation ports, charter fee, payment schedule, APA, VAT, cancellation terms, and the main responsibilities of the owner, captain, broker, and charterer. It can look formal, but it is normal professional paperwork. For most crewed yacht charters in Greece and the Mediterranean, the agreement is based on a recognized charter contract framework, often MYBA or a similar industry contract. Before signing, we walk through the practical points that ...

Question 21

What happens after we inquire about a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

After you inquire about a Greece yacht charter, we first clarify the practical details: dates, guest count, budget, preferred area, yacht style, cabin needs, and anything that matters to the group. Then we check live availability and pricing. Yacht calendars and rates can move, so we do not treat a website listing as a confirmed offer until we verify it with the yacht manager or central agent. Once the brief is clear, we send a focused shortlist of yachts that actually fit. That may include the yacht you asked about, plus better matches if we know of stronger options for your dates, route, ...

Question 22

Can someone in a wheelchair charter a yacht in Greece?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Guests using canes, walkers, and wheelchairs charter in Greece every season, but only a small part of the fleet genuinely suits them, so start early and tell us exactly what you need. 3 things decide whether a boat works: how you get on board, whether you can spend the day without stairs (one level on smaller yachts, an elevator on the big ones), and whether you can reach a cabin and bathroom without them too. Our wheelchair accessible yacht charter guide for Greece explains all 3 checks and lists the yachts we have walked ourselves, from limited-mobility friendly up to chairlifts, ele...

Question 23

Do I need full crew, or is a captain-only yacht enough in Greece?

Accepted Answer

They are two very different experiences. If you want a proper luxury yacht charter in Greece, full crew is better. A captain-only setup is more basic, more hands-on, and not the same vacation mode. With captain-only, one person is focused on running the yacht safely, handling navigation, docking, weather calls, and route decisions. That does not leave the same level of service, hosting, drinks, meals, tidying, and overall ease that most clients picture when they imagine a private yacht charter. In our experience, Greece makes that gap even clearer. Once you are moving between islands, ancho...

Question 24

Can we bring more than 12 guests if some are kids sharing beds?

Accepted Answer

Usually, no. If a Greece charter yacht is certified for 12 overnight guests, children normally still count as guests even if they share a bed, sleep with parents, or use a Pullman bed. Pullman beds, bunk cabins, convertible twins, and sofa-style beds can make the cabin layout work better for families. They are useful when the yacht is already allowed to sleep that number of guests, but they do not automatically raise the yacht's legal or insurance capacity. This is why we separate two questions: how many people the yacht can physically sleep, and how many overnight guests the yacht is certi...

Question 25

What is a tandem charter?

Accepted Answer

A tandem charter is a type of charter where the guests are divided between 2 boats. Usually, one of the captains is the &#8220;main captain.&#8221; The boats usually stick together, or at least monitor each other&#8217;s whereabouts with the goal of synchronizing selected experiences. That means that the kids can go for water sports, while the adults go to see a relaxing bay, and they meet in port for dinner.

Question 26

What is a flotilla yacht charter in Greece?

Accepted Answer

A flotilla yacht charter in Greece means several yachts cruising together as one group. In classic sailing, this can mean a fleet of bareboats following a lead boat. In crewed luxury charters, it usually means a larger private group split across multiple crewed yachts. For example, two yachts traveling together is often called a tandem charter. Three or more yachts may be called a flotilla or multi-yacht charter. The idea is simple: everyone has enough cabin space, but the group can still meet for swims, lunches, dinners, beach time, and anchorages. This can work very well for weddings, mil...

Question 27

We&#8217;re more than 12 guests. Should we charter one yacht or two in Greece?

Accepted Answer

For more than 12 guests in Greece, two yachts are often the better option, but not always. The right answer depends on your guest count, cabin layout, budget, route, and whether the group wants to sleep together or simply spend the day together. One larger yacht can work beautifully if it is properly certified for your guest count and has the right cabin setup. The upside is simple: one crew, one program, one main social space. The downside is that certified yachts for 13+ overnight guests are fewer, usually larger, and often more expensive. Two yachts, often called a tandem charter, can gi...

Question 28

Do you offer bareboat or only crewed yacht charters in Greece?

Accepted Answer

My Greek Charter specializes in crewed yacht charters in Greece. That means yachts with a professional captain and crew, often including a chef, stewardess, deck crew, and full onboard service. For bareboat or skipper-only charters, we usually recommend our sister company AMWAX Prime. They specialize in bareboat, skippered, and crewed yacht charters, so they are better set up for clients who want to sail themselves or book a simpler skipper-only setup. A bareboat charter is a different product. You are responsible for the yacht, route, provisioning, mooring, and safety, and Greece operators...

Question 29

What happens if something breaks on our Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

The crew and the owner fix it, at their cost, not yours. A yacht is a working machine and small faults happen. What you should expect is to be told early, offered an alternative, and kept moving. A real example from this summer. On one of our Greek charters the main engine failed mid-week. The owner arranged and paid for the repair, then organized a fast tender so the guests still reached Spetses that afternoon and lost none of their day. That is the standard, not the exception. Your charter agreement puts the condition and operation of the yacht on the owner, and the charter fee covers it,...

Question 30

Do we need a jet ski license to drive a jet ski on our yacht charter in Greece?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you want to drive the jet ski yourself, you should assume you need a valid license. Greece is strict about personal watercraft rules, and the captain has to follow local law, weather limits, and yacht safety procedures. Not everyone onboard needs a license. The person operating the jet ski does. Send us any license you already have before the charter so we can check what is realistic. Our jet ski license guide for Greece yacht charters explains the rule and the practical options if you do not already have a license.

Question 31

What should we pack for a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

Pack lighter than you think, and use soft luggage if possible. Yacht cabins have limited storage, and hard suitcases are awkward once you are onboard. Bring swimwear, light clothes, sun protection, a wind layer, flat shoes for shore, and any medication you need. Most guests overpack evening outfits and shoes. Our Greece yacht charter packing list has the full practical version we send clients before boarding.

Question 32

Can I charter a yacht in Greece with scuba diving on board?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but in Greece this is more limited than people expect. In our experience, most yachts that mention diving in Greece do not offer true onboard scuba as a standard part of the charter. For legal and operational reasons, they usually offer rendezvous diving instead. That means the yacht arranges diving through a local operator or meets a dive service along the route. True onboard scuba is possible on some yachts, but you need the right yacht, the right crew qualifications, and the right setup. You can browse some of our charter yachts with scuba diving onboard here. If diving is important...

Question 33

Will we get seasick on a Greece yacht charter?

Accepted Answer

We often get clients who are worried about seasickness on a Greece yacht charter, and there are many ways we can help prevent it. The right yacht, route, season, and captain flexibility make a big difference. For seasick-prone guests, we usually look first at wider, more stable yachts such as catamarans, power catamarans, or motor yachts with good stabilizers. Larger yachts often feel more settled, but size alone is not the whole answer. Hull shape, stabilizers, cruising speed, and where the yacht anchors overnight all matter. The cruising area matters just as much. The Ionian and Saronic G...

Question 34

Will the captain/crew stay aboard?

Accepted Answer

Yes, captain and crew do stay aboard. If you are looking at the cabins and number of guests in a crewed yacht, the crew quarters are usually left out (of the number of cabins). For bareboat/captain only, the crew- captain/stewardess will need somewhere to stay. With captain only- the captain can sometimes (often) sleep in the saloon. Inquire about a specific yacht and we can provide details on the arrangements. And since the crew live aboard year-round, the rest they get between charters directly shapes your experience — here’s why yacht turnaround time matters.

Question 35

Can the captain change our Greece yacht charter itinerary?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The captain can change your Greece yacht charter itinerary when safety, weather, port access, comfort, or yacht operations require it. That does not mean the captain ignores your preferences. A good captain will try to shape the week around what you want: islands, swim stops, restaurants, pace, and special plans. But the captain is responsible for the yacht, the crew, and everyone onboard, so their operational decision is final when conditions make a route unsuitable. In Greece, this matters most with exposed routes such as the Cyclades, where wind, sea state, marina space, and timing ...

Question 36

When is the best time of year to charter a yacht in Greece?

Accepted Answer

The Greece yacht charter season runs from May to October. Some yachts can start in late April or continue into early November, but May-October is the reliable window for most crewed charters. For most of our clients, the best time to charter in Greece is June or September. You get warm weather, better yacht availability than peak summer, fewer crowds, and a more realistic chance of a comfortable itinerary. July and August are peak season. They can be excellent if you want hot weather, school-holiday dates, nightlife, and a busier island atmosphere, but they are also the busiest and most wea...

Question 37

When are high season and low season for Greece yacht charters?

Accepted Answer

For most Greece yacht charters, high season is July and August. These are the most requested weeks, with the highest rates, the tightest availability, and the least flexibility on short charters or unusual dates. June and September are often treated as shoulder or mid-season, though some yachts price them close to high season. May and October are usually lower season, with better value and more flexible availability, but exact dates vary by yacht. This is why online prices should be treated as indicative. One yacht may use July-August as high season, another may use mid-June to mid-Septembe...

Question 38

Can we start our yacht charter from any Greek island?

Accepted Answer

Not always. In Greece, the yacht's home port and current calendar matter just as much as the islands you want to visit. Most crewed yachts start from a normal base such as Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Corfu, Lefkas/Preveza, Rhodes, or Kos. Some can reposition for a one-way or special charter, but that may add delivery fees, fuel, time, or limits around the next booking. This is why a yacht that looks perfect online may not be the best match for your exact route. If it has to move empty before or after your trip, you may pay for that movement without gaining guest time. The smarter approach is to...

Question 39

Can we include Crete on a one-week yacht charter from Athens?

Accepted Answer

For a normal one-week yacht charter from Athens, we usually do not recommend trying to include Crete. It is too far, too exposed, and too limited as a crewed-yacht base to make the week feel good for most guests. The issue is not whether a yacht can physically get there. It is whether the route is worth it for guests. Athens to the Cyclades is already distance-sensitive; pushing all the way to Crete adds long passages, fuel, weather exposure, and fewer good fallback options. Crete is beautiful, but it is usually better as a land add-on before or after the charter than as the main yacht rout...

Question 40

Can we visit Mykonos and Santorini on a Greece yacht charter in July or August?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can plan a Cyclades yacht charter around Mykonos and Santorini in July or August, but it needs to be planned with flexibility. These are peak-season dates, and the Cyclades are the windiest major charter area in Greece during summer. The main issue is the Meltemi, the strong northern wind that often affects the Aegean in July and August. It does not mean the charter will be bad, but it can change cruising comfort, timing, anchorages, and whether Santorini is realistic within one week. Mykonos is usually easier to include than Santorini, especially with the right motor yacht or an i...

Question 41

When is high season for Greece yacht charters?

Accepted Answer

For Greece yacht charters, high season usually means July and August. These are the busiest and most expensive charter months, with the strongest demand, the tightest availability, and the least flexibility on unusual dates or short charters. Some yachts keep it simple and price July and August as high season. Others use wider rate periods, such as mid-June to mid-September, or separate June/September shoulder-season rates. That is why the exact rate always has to be checked against the specific yacht and your exact dates. High season is not only about price. July and August also bring the ...

FAQ

Ask our Greece brokers to explain

Costs and payments

Booking and contract

Choosing your yacht

Life on board

Where and when

Tell us the week you have in mind.