Charter terms
All-inclusive yacht charters
TL;DR: On all-inclusive yacht charters, one weekly fee covers the yacht, the crew, every meal, a standard bar, fuel and the water toys. Under the Caribbean's standard contract it also covers cruising permits, taxes and moorings unless the contract says otherwise. The crew gratuity, premium drinks, diving and anything ashore are extra. Most Caribbean crewed catamarans are priced this way; most Mediterranean yachts are not.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rates are indicative, vary by yacht, season and itinerary, and are confirmed only in a charter contract.
Ask about all-inclusive yachts
Vessel Vista is an independent charter guide. We send enquiries to established charter brokerages, and we may earn a referral fee if you book. It doesn't change your price. How this works.
What the fee covers, from the contract itself
"All-inclusive" isn't marketing shorthand in the Caribbean. It is defined by the CYBA Inclusive Charter Agreement, the standard form most Caribbean crewed yachts are booked on. Unless the contract's Special Conditions say otherwise:
| Included in the fee | Excluded |
|---|---|
| The yacht and a licensed crew | Crew gratuity (discretionary) |
| All meals | Premium beverages and fine wines |
| Standard ship's bar | Excessive alcohol requests |
| Fuel and running costs | Scuba diving and equipment |
| Cruising taxes, permits and clearance | Excursions off the yacht |
| Mooring fees | Marina dockage you ask for |
| Water toys and sports gear aboard | Communications, fishing licences, airport transfers |
In practice, some yachts list permits or local taxes as extras in their Special Conditions. That one paragraph is where two "all-inclusive" quotes stop being comparable.
Two lines to read before you compare quotes
- Taxes and permits. The Bahamas charges 14% on the charter fee for foreign-flagged yachts. The BVI charges no VAT but a cruising permit, about $200 for six guests for a week on a BVI-based yacht. Ask whether each is inside the quoted fee or added to it.
- Marina nights. Anchoring is included; a night in a marina you request usually isn't.
Where all-inclusive is the norm
| Cruising ground | Usual terms | Tax on the fee |
|---|---|---|
| British Virgin Islands | All-inclusive | None; cruising permit per guest |
| The Bahamas | Catamarans all-inclusive; motor yachts plus expenses | 14%, foreign-flagged yachts |
| St Martin, St Barths, Anguilla | All-inclusive | 0–13%, by where you start |
| The Grenadines | All-inclusive | Up to 16%, depending on the supplier |
| Greece and Croatia | Mostly plus expenses | Greece 5.2–6.5% for most crewed yachts; Croatia 13% |
A survey of 222 Caribbean and Bahamas listings in September 2026 found no mandatory advance on 97.8% of all-inclusive catamaran rates. Plus-expenses yachts there asked 30–35%. For the Caribbean as a whole, see crewed yacht charters in the Caribbean.
All-inclusive or plus expenses: compare the totals
On a plus-expenses yacht you pay an advance (the APA) for fuel, food, drink and berths. The captain spends it against receipts and returns what's left. The same $40,000 fee in the Bahamas, for a week, with a 10% gratuity:
| All-inclusive | Plus expenses | |
|---|---|---|
| Charter fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Tax, 14% of the fee | $5,600 | $5,600 |
| APA, 30–35% of the fee | None | $12,000–$14,000 |
| Gratuity, 10% | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Week, all-in | $49,600 | $61,600–$63,600 |
Before flights, premium drinks and anything ashore. Neither model is better; larger motor yachts are usually offered plus expenses. The point is to compare totals, not fees.
Compare two yachts side by side
Put an all-inclusive and a plus-expenses week next to each other
The Compass builds three charter scenarios from your answers and shows each one all-in: fee, advance, tax and gratuity. Change the yacht or the place and watch the total move. About eleven quick questions; you can email yourself the comparison.
Already know where? The Trip Planner shows the kind of yacht and the cost in about a minute.
Common questions
Is alcohol included on an all-inclusive yacht charter?
A standard bar is. What "standard" covers varies by yacht; it is usually beer, house wine, mixers and everyday spirits, stocked from your preference sheet. Premium beverages, fine wines and excessive requests are excluded under the standard Caribbean contract, so they are billed separately.
Is the crew tip included?
No. The gratuity is paid at the end of the week, at your discretion: 10–15% of the charter fee. Like a restaurant tip: 10% is standard, 15% is for exceptional service.
Is an all-inclusive charter cheaper?
Not by definition. It is more predictable. Compare the expected all-in total of each proposal, not the headline fee: a plus-expenses yacht adds an advance of roughly 30–35% of the fee for fuel, food and drink.
Can I find an all-inclusive yacht charter in Greece or Croatia?
Some yachts there are offered on inclusive terms, but most are quoted plus expenses, with an advance of 20–40% of the fee.
Not sure where yet? The Destination Finder helps you narrow it down in about four minutes.
Ask for all-inclusive proposals
Tell us where, when, how many guests and your budget. We'll suggest an established charter brokerage that checks which yachts are free and sends proposals with the terms spelled out.