Three generations, one yacht
Family yacht charter
TL;DR: A family yacht charter is a private crewed week for up to 12 guests: grandparents, parents and children on one yacht with a captain and chef. For 8–12 people in the Bahamas or the BVI, plan on roughly $60,000–$140,000 all-in. The yacht matters less than the fit: cabins, stairs, crew and the true cost.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rates are indicative and confirmed only in a charter contract.
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.
One important week. No expensive surprises.
Most family charters have a reason behind them: a 60th or 70th birthday, a retirement, a graduation, an anniversary with the grandchildren aboard. The date is fixed and everyone is counting on it. That changes the question from "which yacht is available?" to "which yacht works for all three generations, and what will it really cost?"
Cabins first: a plan for three generations
| Who's coming | Look for |
|---|---|
| Grandparents | A main-deck or easy-stair cabin, away from the engine room and the crew mess |
| Parents with toddlers | A cabin next to the children's, or a twin cabin with a door between |
| Teenagers | Twin or bunk cabins of their own; ask about Wi-Fi and the water toys |
| A nanny or caregiver | A guest cabin: they count toward the 12 |
Ask for the deck plan, not just photos. Cabins listed as "doubles" can differ a lot in size, and some are reached by a steep companionway.
Catamaran or motor yacht for mixed ages
| Large crewed catamaran | Motor yacht | |
|---|---|---|
| Guests | 8–12 on 60–80 ft | 8–12 on 75 ft and up |
| At anchor | Steady, one level deck | Ask about stabilizers at anchor |
| For toddlers | Ask whether netting can be fitted | Enclosed decks; watch the swim platform |
| For grandparents | Few stairs, shade on the flybridge | Indoor space, quiet air-conditioning |
| Pricing | Usually all-inclusive | Plus expenses (APA) |
More on each: BVI crewed catamaran charter and Bahamas motor yacht charter.
Why most yachts stop at 12 guests
Charter yachts are generally certified for no more than 12 passengers overnight. A bigger yacht gives those 12 more room and more crew, not more beds. If the family is 13 or more, the usual answers are two yachts cruising together, or a day aboard a second boat for the extra guests.
What a week costs for 10 guests
| Example | Charter fee | Week, all-in | Per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVI crewed catamaran, all-inclusive | $55,000 | $61,000 | $6,000 |
| Exumas motor yacht, plus expenses | $80,000 | $123,000–$127,000 | $12,000–$13,000 |
The catamaran row adds BVI cruising permits and a 10% gratuity (the standard; 15% adds another 5% of the fee). The motor yacht row adds APA of 30–35%, the 14% Bahamas charter tax and the same 10% gratuity; unspent APA is refunded. Flights are extra. Details in yacht charter cost by destination.
Ten questions to ask before you pay a deposit
- Who exactly is the crew, and have they hosted young children or older guests this season?
- Can we see the deck plan and which cabin each person would use?
- How many stairs between the cabins, the deck and the tender?
- Are there child life jackets in the right sizes, and can netting be fitted?
- Does the yacht have stabilizers that work at anchor?
- What does "all-inclusive" leave out, in writing?
- What is the expected all-in total, including tax and gratuity?
- What's the calm-weather route, and the Plan B if the wind turns?
- If the yacht or crew changes before we sail, what are our options?
- Who do we call during the week if something isn't right?
A good charter broker answers all ten without hesitation. Ask them before you sign, not after.
Common questions
What is the 12-guest rule on yachts?
Most charter yachts are certified to carry up to 12 guests overnight, whatever their size. Above 12, a yacht needs passenger-ship certification, which few have. A nanny or caregiver who sleeps aboard counts as a guest.
How much does a week-long family yacht charter cost?
For 8 to 12 guests, expect a charter fee of roughly $45,000 to $80,000 a week for a large crewed catamaran in the BVI and from about $50,000 for a motor yacht in the Bahamas. Add running costs (APA), tax where it applies and a crew gratuity of 10 to 15 percent.
Can you charter a yacht for 20 people?
Not overnight on most yachts. Families of 13 or more usually take two yachts that cruise together, or one of the few passenger-certified yachts. Day trips have different limits.
Catamaran or motor yacht for grandparents and young children?
A catamaran is steadier at anchor, has one level deck and is usually all-inclusive. A motor yacht has more indoor space, air-conditioned quiet and often stabilizers. Stairs and the swim platform matter more than length for older guests.
Already know where? The Trip Planner shows the kind of yacht and the cost in about a minute.
Not sure which fits?
Fifteen questions, three directions
The Destination Finder suggests three cruising grounds that suit how you like to travel, with the reasons for each. About four minutes, and no account needed.
Start a family charter enquiry
Tell us the occasion, your dates, each guest's age group and your budget. We'll suggest an established charter brokerage for your destination and, with your OK, send them your brief. They check which yachts are free and come back with options and an estimated all-in cost.
Planning this for someone else? See yacht charters for planners and assistants.