Frequently Asked Questions

Day Charter is a yacht booking under 24 hours. Some yachts may require a minimum of 4 hours for each booking, but on occasion, a shorter duration is accepted. Day charters are quoted on an hourly basis. Term Charter is any yacht charter over 24 hours or "1 day." Term charter prices on our website are calculated on a weekly basis.

During peak season, the minimum charter time is generally 4 hours however many yachts will allow 3-hour charters in shoulder/off peak season. Some exceptions may be made for transfers.

Ahoy Club do not facilitate “Bare boat” charters and specialise in fully crewed charters

Each yacht has a different maximum capacity in Sydney harbour, depending on their specific licence. Ahoy Club can accommodate up to 800 guests onboard one of our larger event boats or up to 180 guests on a Superyacht.

Yachts in Sydney harbour are able to pick up form a variety of city and surrounding wharves. Pick up locations will always be subject to weather, the size of the yacht as well as booking availability.

Peak Season in Sydney is from November – December whilst the Shoulder season is generally in October, January, February and March. All other months are considered off – peak season.

BYO or sometimes “Amenities fees” cover the cost of using the bar/kitchen supplies of the boat, including crockery, glassware, cleaning utensils and sometimes ice.

It is required that there is a sufficient amount of food onboard for guests when consuming alcohol for RSA purposes. Failure to bring enough food for a BYO charter may result in the captain cancelling or delaying the charter until there is sufficient food.

Yachts in Sydney harbour may allow for pre – charter drop off BYO catering (it is sometimes even preferred) if they do not have a charter prior to yours. Please note that there is sometimes a fee associated with pre – drops if additional staff is required at the time.

Wharf fees are counsel enforced fees to utilise Sydney wharves for pick up and drop off. Wharf fees apply for every “touch” in Sydney.

The charter fee, otherwise referred to as “vessel hire” is the hourly/daily rate to hire the yacht and includes all fuel and deck staff.

In most cases yes! The Ahoy Club Guest Experience team can assist with organising some of the best talent on Sydney Harbour for your event.

Day charters on Sydney harbour generally do not include use of the cabins however can sometimes be opened upon request with the owner.

Most yachts in Sydney harbour do not allow for smoking in the main guest areas onboard however some exceptions can be made for smoking on the aft deck or swim platform.

Generally no however some exceptions can be made for very small animals which would only be allowed in outdoor areas of the yacht.

It is important to let your Ahoy Club charter expert know if you’re intending to swim whilst on charter as we will work with the Captain to ensure you set down anchored in an ideal swimming location.

You can choose how long to rent a yacht for, depending on the yacht's availability. Commonly, yachts are booked for 1-4 weeks at a time, however it is completely up to you. We can also arrange the option to use the yacht for an event.

Booking a weekly charter does not mean it is mandatory to rent it for a full week. Whilst a full week is recommended, we can facilitate overnight stays, or charters of only a few days..

Most yachts around the world have between 4-6 cabins, and the arrangement generally consists of 1 Master cabin, 1-2 VIP rooms, 1-2 twin rooms. Some twin rooms are convertible into double beds, which is a bonus for adults or couples. But if you are a group of all adults, it’s important to be aware that some may have to be in single beds and it is advised to arrange who will be in what cabin ahead of your charter.

Our expert concierge team are available 24/7 to provide insider knowledge and plan all of the details of your charter, however your itinerary can be completely tailored to your preferences! We will work closely with you in the lead up to your charter to ensure it meets all of your standards. The velocity of your yacht, weather conditions, and berth availability at specific marinas are key considerations influencing the selection of ports for your charter.Entering certain countries may be restricted by the yacht’s flag. Additionally, all guests must have the necessary visas to enter your intended destinations. It's important to note that if boarding or disembarking occurs outside the yacht's home port, additional charges for delivery/return fees and expenses will apply.

It's recommended to book your yacht charter at least 6 to 12 months in advance, especially for popular destinations and peak seasons. However, we consider ourselves experts at facilitating last-minute requests. Use the enquiry form below to contact our team for any upcoming charter dates.

The charter fee typically covers the rental of the yacht, crew salaries, standard equipment, and basic amenities. Additional expenses such as fuel, provisions, and port fees may apply.

Yes, additional expenses may include fuel surcharges, provisioning costs (APA), crew gratuities, VAT, and port fees. Our team will clarify additional costs with you prior to your charter. You can read more about additional costs in the Fees & Budgets section on this page.

Many yachts offer Wi-Fi access, but the availability and quality may vary depending on the location and the yacht's capabilities. Let our team know beforehand if you will require internet access 24/7.

Of course! We have a range of watertoys available on our yachts that the kids will love. A yacht charter is the perfect chance to make lifelong memories with your loved ones. However, it's important to ensure their safety and supervise them at all times, especially around water and while the yacht is in motion.

It's customary to tip the crew for their exceptional service. The standard gratuity is typically 10% to 20% of the charter fee. You can read more about this under Charter Etiquette on this page.

Absolutely. We will work with you prior to your charter to create your perfect menu for every meal onboard your stay. Our 5-star private chefs will accommodate dietary preferences, allergies, and restrictions.

We will communicate with you all of the necessary steps leading up to your charter, however the check-in process typically involves meeting the captain and crew at the designated embarkation point, completing necessary paperwork, and familiarizing yourself with the yacht's facilities and safety procedures.

he disembarkation process involves settling any outstanding expenses and saying farewell to the crew. The captain will coordinate the disembarkation process and assist with any logistics.

Our team of professional charter consultants are available to help you select the right yacht, plan your itinerary and help arrange all logistics before, during and after your trip. Send us an inquiry by filling in the form below to get started.

If you intending on inviting additional guests onboard during the charter, please let us know in advance. It's important to respect any capacity limits and inform the crew in advance to accommodate additional guests. Additional guests may incur extra charges.

Decks are notoriously fragile and scruffs, scratches or dents on the teak must be prevented. Wearing outdoor shoes or heels onboard will quickly damage the yacht’s teak decking and plush carpets. You will quickly notice on your charter than the interior décor is kept to perfection and the crew do an excellent job of maintaining the condition of the yacht. Of course, bring your favourite heels, slides or dress shoes for onshore activities.

Keeping a superyacht spic and span is an important part of the crew’s daily routine but it does take time. Speak to the crew at the beginning of your charter to arrange a time to make up your stateroom each day, we often find whilst you’re enjoying a leisurely breakfast is the perfect time for both you and the crew.

For all direct requests that may change your charter should be directed to the Captain, his or her Officer in Charge, or the Chief Steward(ess).

A standard practice in the charter industry if tipping your crew for their excellent service and hard work throughout your stay. Typically, the recommended amount ranges between 10% and 20% of the overall charter fee however, your Ahoy Club Account Manager will guide you if needed.

Whilst the crew will go above and beyond to ensure the little ones have a great experience and lots of fun, they are unable to babysit for you as they already have a lot of work on their hands making your experience flawless. Many of our Ahoy Club yachts come with the option of adding a nanny or supernumerary to the crew, if this is a service that you require our charter experts can explore this option for you when you are booking the charter.

Most yachts do not allow for smoking in the main guest areas onboard however some exceptions can be made for smoking in designated areas on the aft deck or swim platform.

Ahoy Club does not facilitate bucks parties, and has a strict zero tolerance drug policy for our charters.

Understanding the payment schedule helps in planning finances. A deposit is required upon booking, with the remaining balance due before the charter begins.

Your Charter fee will normally include the price of the yacht, the crew, crew meals, the yacht’s insurance and broker's commissions. Additional costs may include APA, tax (VAT/GST), gratuity, and wharf fees.

Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) is a lump sum payment that covers all of your on-board expenses during your yacht charter. Your charter fee will generally cover the hire of the yacht, the crew and the yacht’s insurance, all other expenses are in addition to the charter fee and these are APA costs. An APA is put in place so that your professional crew can prepare all of your groups preferences before you board. Your yacht captain will keep clear track of all APA items spent and so you can view your expenses in a clear and trackable manner.

The APA covers all charter costs outside of your base charter fee (the cost of your yacht rental and your crew). This could be used for day-to-day costs or special requests you make while cruising. Examples of expenses include: Food & beverage: you can request your favourite food, beverages or special cuisines and your APA will be adjusted to cover the costs. Fuel: both for your luxury yacht and any water toys or tenders during your trip. Dockage fees: harbour and port charges. Communications: internet and satellite communications while on board.

The APA is calculated as a percentage of your yacht charter fee, typically 35-50%.

The APA is paid several weeks in advance of your charter’s commencement date, generally along with your final charter-fee instalment. This is mostly done via bank transfer to your charter broker, which then liaises directly with the vessel on your behalf.

The access and use of APA funds are overseen by the Captain who will ensure the yacht is provisioned for and fueled ahead of your arrival. Throughout the charter, your Captain and charter broker will keep track of your expenditure and provide you with a full APA report and receipts, commonly on the last day of your charter.

APA is purely based on your net expenses incurred through your charter. The biggest influencers that can affect your APA quite dramatically are: distances in the itinerary you choose and the fuel consumption of the Yacht; how often you wish to stay in Port; or whether your food and beverage expenses can be sourced locally or need to be transported in. You can check-in on your APA expense account as frequently as you want whilst onboard, through your Captain.

If the APA is exceeded all costs must be reimbursed by the charterers at the completion of their trip. This can be done in cash before you disembark, via credit card, or bank transfer. If there are funds remaining, these will be returned to you. During your trip you may request a status report on your APA, at any time.