Charter Guide
Charter planning guide: from a first look to written confirmation
Four steps that keep a charter enquiry precise: choose a shortlist, read the price unit, ask about what is and is not stated, then confirm the arrangements in writing. The detailed guides go further on each step.
1. Choose a shortlist
Start with the two facts that rule out the most options: how many people are coming and what you want to do. Headcount narrows the yachts quickly, because listed capacity does not follow length neatly. A 92 ft yacht in the catalogue lists 45 guests while a 95 ft yacht lists 65, and the two Pershing premium yachts at 52 and 53 ft list eight each.
Then pick a format. A private yacht, a shared dinner cruise, a celebration package and a jet ski session are different arrangements, and each is charged on its own basis. Keep the shortlist to two or three packages of the same kind; that is where a comparison means something.
The comparison tool holds up to three packages and lines up the same fields for each. Use the yacht list with its guest filter, or the full catalogue with filters for type, unit, duration and guests.
2. Read the price unit before the amount
Every price on this site sits next to its unit. Two figures can only be ranked when the unit is the same and the products are of the same kind. This table shows what each unit covers and what it can fairly be compared with.
| Unit shown | What the amount covers | Compare it with | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | One hour of the vessel or machine. Your total follows the hours booked, subject to the published minimum. | Other hourly rates in the same category | Every yacht, event vessels, wedding and event bands, towed rides |
| for the 2, 3, 4 or 6-hour package | A fixed block of time as one total, plus anything the package lists. | The same package length on another vessel | Standard yachts, yacht packages, celebrations, fishing, New Year private charters |
| for the 3-day package | A multi-day charter as one total. | Other three-day packages | Grand Prix weekend charters |
| per person | One seat on a shared sailing or trip. | Other per-person prices of a similar length | Shared cruises, dinner-cruise tickets, shared fishing |
| per jet ski, per jet car | One machine for the time you choose, whoever rides within its listed seats. | Other models of the same activity, same length of time | Jet skis (30 or 60 minutes), jet cars (20, 30 or 60 minutes) |
| per flight, per rider | One parasail flight, or one flyboard rider. | Other options of the same activity | Parasailing, flyboard |
| per 30-minute session | One timed session, whoever takes part within the listed number. | Other session prices | Fly fish ride |
| per ticket | One place at a shared seasonal event, by deck or ticket option. | Other tickets for the same event | New Year's Eve and Grand Prix weekend party tickets |
Standard yachts publish both an hourly rate and four fixed packages. The packages are their own totals, not the hourly rate multiplied, so a 3-hour plan should be compared on the 3-hour package figure. A "from" price marks the start of a guest band and is confirmed for your headcount.
3. Ask about what is listed, and what is not
Some packages list inclusions by name: a birthday package lists a cake, decorations and balloons; the proposal package adds a photographer, a meal for two and flowers; private New Year's Eve charters list decorations, snacks, water and soft drinks, a captain and crew. Most yachts list none, so their price describes the vessel and the time.
No package publishes exclusions. Where a fact is missing, the site says "Not stated: ask about this" rather than guessing. A higher price is not evidence that more is included.
Questions that close the usual gaps
- What does the price cover on my date, and what is charged separately?
- Which vessel is allocated, and can I see current photos of it?
- Where is the boarding or meeting point, and when should we arrive?
- How are children counted against the listed capacity?
- Can my requests be added, and what would they cost?
4. Confirm the arrangements in writing
An enquiry, a quoted total and a confirmed booking are three different stages. Opening WhatsApp prepares a message; it does not reserve anything. A booking exists once the details below are confirmed to you in writing in the chat.
- Date, start time and duration
- The vessel or activity slot
- The boarding or meeting point, with a location pin
- What is included, and each requested extra
- The total payable, and how payment works
- The terms that apply if plans change
Payment, deposit and cancellation terms are confirmed per booking; see booking terms and cancellation information.
The three detailed guides
How to Compare Yacht Charter Packages in Dubai
You will be able to build a shortlist of up to three packages that share one format and one price unit, read listed capacity and inclusions correctly, and spot what still needs asking.
The Complete Charter Enquiry: From Shortlist to Written Confirmation
You will be able to send a complete first enquiry, list the questions the catalogue leaves open, read each reply for gaps and check the written confirmation before you plan around it.
Planning a Group Yacht Outing: Scope, Timing and Budget Questions
You will be able to turn a rough group idea into a clear brief: a firm headcount, a date with a fallback, a duration that fits the minimums, and requests kept apart from listed inclusions.