FAQ’s

Your charter is highly flexible and personalized: Crafted to Your Liking: Every day on your charter is designed to reflect your personal preferences, making each experience uniquely yours. We prioritize your interests to ensure every activity resonates with you and your group. Customized Itinerary and Cuisine: Through a detailed preference sheet and a discussion before the charter, we gather your inputs to tailor the menu and journey to your tastes, ensuring a bespoke experience. Adaptable Plans: Given the capricious nature of the weather and changing whims, our plans remain versatile. We're ready to modify the itinerary or activities to better match your current preferences, ensuring your charter experience remains in perfect harmony with your desires.

Our rates are all-inclusive unless otherwise specified on the brochures. This includes the use of all toys and amenities, a crew, taxes, cruising permits, licenses, standard onboard supplies, and food and beverage as specified in the charter agreement and on our menus are all included in our rates.

Flights Any onshore meals or excursions. Tip is in addition to the rate with 15% - 20% being standard. Ground transportation to and from the marina (Taxi services)

The rates you will see on each brochure are all inclusive for the entire yacht for 7 nights. For example, $25,000 is the total for 7 nights and 8 guests. This roughly equates to $446 per person per night. Tip is in addition to the rate with 15% - 20% being standard.

You can choose from three flexible options: Yacht Vacation Layaway – 15% down, then equal monthly payments (for charters 6+ months out). 2 or 3 Payments – spread into larger milestones (great for charters under 6 months). 1 Payment – pay in full at booking for complete peace of mind.

The majority of our charters go out for 7 nights/8 days to maximize the experience, but if you have timing or pricing restrictions we can offer you a 6 or 5 night charter. Feel free to inquire with us and we will do our best!

Absolutely! 10 and even 14-night charters are common!

Private Romantic Charters Many of our guests choose to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or even vow renewals! We have extensive experience in arranging wedding charters for both large and small parties. We work closely with the crew and local services such as bands and photographers to ensure that all your wedding celebration plans are taken care of. The crew we recommend are experts in providing a romantic experience for their guests, whether it’s creating a private and luxurious setting for couples to relax and enjoy each other’s company, setting up romantic meal settings, or organizing romantic celebrations. Multiple Yachts aka "Flotilla" Chartering multiple yachts is an incredibly enjoyable way to bring together large groups for an exciting island-hopping adventure! When chartering multiple yachts, it’s often possible to raft up together at anchor. If members of the group want to do different activities, such as fishing or scuba diving, while others prefer sunbathing or going ashore, the yachts can always split up and rendezvous later. Meals and social gatherings can be enjoyed together, whether it’s on the yacht, at the beach, or at a local establishment. Single Family Charters Our charter yachts provide an ideal setting for an unforgettable family vacation, catering to the needs of families with young kids, teenagers, or young adult children. Our crews are well-equipped and experienced in handling kids that are old enough to swim, ensuring they have a blast while exploring the charter destinations to the fullest. They will even prepare meals tailored to each person’s preferences, accommodating even the pickiest eaters. If you’re a parent, you can unwind and witness your kids having the time of their lives. Cherish the adventures and precious moments together, as there are abundant activities and experiences for everyone to enjoy during this exceptional island-hopping vacation. Onboard Diving Charters With a personalized itinerary that caters to your preferred schedule and pace, you have the flexibility to scuba dive at your own leisure and visit the dive sites of your choice. One of the advantages of chartering a yacht is that many of these dive sites are located in remote areas only accessible by smaller vessels, ensuring you can explore pristine coral reefs teeming with vibrant marine life. Even if some members of your group do not dive, they won’t feel left out as most dive sites also offer excellent snorkeling opportunities. Alternatively, they can partake in the numerous onboard activities offered by the yacht or venture ashore while you indulge in your diving adventures.

Contract and Booking Process Overview 1. Once your charter dates, yacht and cruising area are determined, a working hold is placed, so you can reserve flights and finalize the last details with your group. The hold is valid for up to two weeks. This time frame allows you to execute the charter agreement and transfer the charter deposit into escrow. 2. The Charter Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) Inclusive Charter Agreement, detailing all charter terms, is electronically drafted, and signed by all parties. Upon signing the agreement, a 50% charter fee deposit is due, to be held in the charter escrow account. 25% due at contract signing (50% if charter is within 6 months) 25% due 6 months before departure Final 50% due 30 days prior to departure These funds are managed according to the charter agreement terms. 3. At 45 days prior to the charter, guest preference sheets will be sent to you, the Primary Guest, for completion. We prefer one Guest Preference Sheet for the whole group. This information is critical for the crew so we can best serve all guests according to their individual needs or preferences. 4. 45 days before the charter, the remaining 50% balance is due into the charter escrow account. Once final funds and preference sheet are received, a welcome letter will be sent to you, the Primary Guests from the crew. Also at this time, the crew will set up a Pre-Charter phone (or Zoom) call with you, the Primary Guest to discuss the itinerary, menu, and address any pending changes or unaddressed needs or preferences. 5. In the week leading up to the charter, the crew will reconfirm all details and coordinates ground transportation from the airport to the marina (not included in the charter rate) 6. On the day of the charter, the crew remains in constant contact to facilitate the arrival of all guests and provide a warm welcome aboard! Payment Options The Charterer may elect to fulfill their payment obligations via one of the following methods: ACH Payment: This is the recommended method due to its expediency and simplicity. The Charterer may initiate this payment by clicking the "PAY NOW" button on the invoice provided via Quickbooks, enabling payment via ACH from the Charterer's bank account. (1% non-refundable processing fee) Bank wire transfer: Please let your charter broker know, and they will share our bank details. Any transfer fees from your bank will be at your own expense. Check: Payment by check should be made payable to “Chartersmarter LLC - Client Funds” and sent via Priority Mail with a tracking number. Credit Card (no AMEX): Payments made via credit card will incur an additional non-refundable processing fee of 3% of the transaction amount, which will be added to the Charterer's invoice to cover the processing costs incurred by the Company's credit card processor. American Express not accepted.

Of course! Our charters are mostly design for older kids and adults to enjoy, but please feel free to inquire if you will be boarding with children under 5 and we can accommodate!

If your itinerary involves stops outside of the U.S. Virgin Islands, you will need a passport. So ,for the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Not for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Yes, of course! They will be there 24/7 to cater to anything you need. They have their own crew quarters and can adhere to any privacy requests you have. This is beneficial, not only for your overall vacation experience but for your safety as well.

The standard is for charters to be ‘FULL BOARD’ meaning all meals on board the yacht, but we also offer: HALF-BOARD OPTION: Includes 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners, happy hour canapes, standard ships bar and snacks. LOCAL FARE OPTION: Includes 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners, happy hour canapes, standard ships bar and snacks. Any onshore meals are additional. We absolutely can abide by your dietary restrictions and desires. As dining onshore is additional, keep in mind, your chef will be able to create a menu to suit everyone in your group. Whether you are Kosher, vegan or one of your party is gluten or lactose intolerant, your Chef will cater to your group’s individual needs. Our focus is on fresh local ingredients when possible, and all types of diets are expertly catered for.

Absolutely, we offer what is called a ‘Sleep Aboard’ for the majority of our yachts. It is available for half of the daily rate and includes boarding after 4pm, snacks, welcome cocktails & continental breakfast. Dinner ashore is additional. It must be pre-arranged so mention your interest upon booking. EXCLUDES: Christmas and New Year's weeks.

For Charters starting in the USVI, we recommend flying directly into Cyril E King airport in St. Thomas, airport code (STT). Whether your charter is sailing in the USVI only or crossing over to the British Virgin Islands, there are two main marinas we sail out of, Yacht Haven Grande (YHG) in Charlotte Amalie and American Yacht Harbor (AYH) in Red Hook. YHG is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the airport and AYH is about a 30-40 minute taxi ride from the airport. Your charter typically starts and ends at noon so keep that in mind while booking flights and transportation. The crew will help arrange their preferred taxi driver to meet you at the airport and take you to the yacht. At the end of the charter, they will also help arrange transportation back to the airport at your convenience. Some guests prefer to arrive on island the day before and stay at a hotel/ resort to kick off their vacation, it helps reduce the stress and madness that comes with same day traveling and you would get the chance to explore the local scene in St. Thomas. For Charters starting in the BVI, there are two options to go about it. You could fly directly to Tortola, BVI at Terrence B. Lettsome Airport, airport code (EIS) and take a short taxi to the marina. Or fly into STT and take a 30-60 minute water taxi or ferry to Tortola depending on where you meet the water transportation either in Red Hook (30min) or Charlotte Amalie (60min). For Bahamas Charters: Exumas, we recommend flying in and out of Nassau at Lynden Pindling International Airport, airport code (NAS). For Abaco, we recommend flying directly into Marsh Harbour International Airport, airport code (MHH).

Apart from the flexibility of traveling exactly when you need to, water taxis are far more reliable and stress-free than the ferries between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the BVI. Ferry cancellations and delays are common—older vessels often break down, and “shifting ferries” can result in significant wait times. You might board a 10 AM ferry and still depart closer to 10:45 AM, only to find yourself arriving nearly two hours later than expected. Even newer ferries vary in speed, and there’s rarely a guarantee of which vessel is operating a given route. With a private water taxi, your captain departs on your schedule, not the ferry’s. No lengthy Customs and Immigration lines — your captain handles everything for you while you relax with a drink. No missed connections or last-minute schedule changes. Direct transfer service from St. Thomas airport to your charter yacht — your driver tracks your flight and will be waiting, even if it’s delayed. Recommended water taxi companies: Island Time Chillout Charters Seahorse VI Dolphin Shuttle

Charters are typically 7 nights (8 days), noon boarding to noon disembarkation. Please enquire if you need other arrangements and we will do our best to adhere to your travel schedule. While a 7-night charter provides an excellent experience, if you have the flexibility in your budget, we highly recommend considering a 10-night charter for an even more luxurious and immersive experience. This extended duration allows you to slow down the pace a bit and spend more time in each anchorage, enhancing the overall quality of your voyage. A 10-night charter is the ultimate choice for guests seeking a little extra in their luxury experience!

Yes! All of our yachts come equipped with WiFi - some even have Starlink! There may be dead zones depending on your location, but that’s a great excuse to unplug!

We recommend traveling light for maximum enjoyment. Opt for a soft-sided duffel bag instead of cumbersome hard luggage, as it's easier to stow and will ensure a more comfortable experience. Below is a sample packing list to assist you: -Four to five shirts -Four to five shorts or dresses -Three or four swimsuits -Beach cover-ups - the Caribbean sun can be deceptive. Don’t get burned! -Two pairs of shoes: a pair of flip flops and, either a pair of hiking shoes, tennis shoes, or water shoes (whatever you prefer to walk in if you are planning on doing some of the beautiful hikes ashore). Remember you will be spending most of your vacation barefoot :) -Phone or camera and charger (we have travel adapters on board if needed) -Hat and sunglasses -Seasickness remedies, if anyone in your party is prone to this ailment -Cash for purchasing souvenirs, cocktails on shore, etc. We will most likely not be passing any ATMs once we are on charter. We recommend obtaining Eastern Caribbean Dollars at the marina ATM if possible. Most locals will accept USD but ECD is easier and will give you better value. -Passports -Personal cosmetic and toiletry items -An easy-going, fun, and adventurous attitude! :)

-Snorkel gear - we have fins, masks and snorkels on board. We recommend that you bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, as this tends to be the best fitting gear. -Spray-on, Coppertone, self-tanning or bronzing sunscreens are not allowed on board because they can discolor the deck and create slippery conditions. We strictly forbid these products to keep you safe and to prevent damage to our vessels. -Bath & Beach Towels - we provide both for each guest. We will supply a fresh set of towels mid-charter. -Soap, shampoo & conditioner are provided in each shower. Some guests prefer to bring their own which is totally up to you. Whatever you decide to pack, be sure to bring along all of the items that are going to make sure you are comfortable.

With how calm the bays are it is rare, however if you are sailing and the seas are high, you could. It is recommended that if you are unsure, or if you have a tendency to get motion sickness, you bring a preventative medication like Dramamine or Scopolamine patches. Our crews are experts at avoiding and assisting with this as well!

Absolutely! We understand this can be a sensitive issue and we want to accommodate however we can. Our Chefs are able to accommodate some dietary restrictions depending on what they are and which islands we are visiting. Typically, they can accommodate all but proper Kosher.

For the Virgin Islands, the charter season runs from November through July with December through May being absolutely beautiful with January through March being exceptional. In the summer, the yachts transit out of the Caribbean Hurricane Belt from August through October to avoid Hurricanes, so they are not available. For the Bahamas, April through August are primetime!