We're all trying to cut costs these days, and "staycations" have become all the rage. But sometimes you need to get away from it all and just relax and rejuvenate. A yacht charter may sound like an extravagant vacation that only a privileged few can afford. But it doesn't have to cost a fortune - it can actually be less expensive than spending a week at a hotel.
Below are 8 money-saving tips to help make your dream vacation happen:
1. Travel with friends. Getting a bunch of people together to share the costs is always a great strategy for keeping expenses down, whether you rent a villa or charter a yacht. I recently found a luxury catamaran (bareboat) in the Seychelles that sleeps 12 for $4,825/week - that's $402/person!
2. Sign up for email alerts and newsletters from charter companies, sailing magazines and other ocean-related publications (such as Islands magazine). Many charter companies and boat owners have lowered their prices as a result of the weakened economy, and this way, you get all the info sent to your inbox, instead of having to spend time searching for it on the web.
3. Ask if the price is negotiable. Most boat owners would rather rent out their boat for slightly less than not at all, so don't hesitate to ask, even if you are dealing with a charter broker company. Make sure to ask what the "hidden" or extra costs are - and if they can be included in the price listed.
4. Save on airfare. Many charter companies have special deals with airlines flying to their charter base - make sure to ask before booking anything.
5. Look for last minute deals. Again, signing up for newsletters and setting up Google alerts are great ways to find out about them. There are even entire websites devoted to last minute yacht charters, so do a bit of browsing as well.
6. Go slightly off-season when the weather is still nice but the crowds are lighter and there are more deals available. Late September/early October in the Mediterranean and April-June in the Caribbean are good times to go.
7. Early boarding. Typically, you arrive at the charter base the night before the charter start date and have to spend the first night in a hotel. Ask if you can get "early boarding" or "evening boarding". There might be a small fee for it, but it'll be less than a hotel room, plus you save yourself the inconvenience of having to unpack and pack things twice.
8. Boat swapping. If you're a boat owner, consider swapping boats with someone else. It works just like a home exchange, but with boats, and is a great way to be able to sail exotic waters without spending a fortune. If you are an accomplished boater but don't own a boat, you can always ask if someone is interested in exchanging their boat for your home for a week.
Below are 8 money-saving tips to help make your dream vacation happen:
1. Travel with friends. Getting a bunch of people together to share the costs is always a great strategy for keeping expenses down, whether you rent a villa or charter a yacht. I recently found a luxury catamaran (bareboat) in the Seychelles that sleeps 12 for $4,825/week - that's $402/person!
2. Sign up for email alerts and newsletters from charter companies, sailing magazines and other ocean-related publications (such as Islands magazine). Many charter companies and boat owners have lowered their prices as a result of the weakened economy, and this way, you get all the info sent to your inbox, instead of having to spend time searching for it on the web.
3. Ask if the price is negotiable. Most boat owners would rather rent out their boat for slightly less than not at all, so don't hesitate to ask, even if you are dealing with a charter broker company. Make sure to ask what the "hidden" or extra costs are - and if they can be included in the price listed.
4. Save on airfare. Many charter companies have special deals with airlines flying to their charter base - make sure to ask before booking anything.
5. Look for last minute deals. Again, signing up for newsletters and setting up Google alerts are great ways to find out about them. There are even entire websites devoted to last minute yacht charters, so do a bit of browsing as well.
6. Go slightly off-season when the weather is still nice but the crowds are lighter and there are more deals available. Late September/early October in the Mediterranean and April-June in the Caribbean are good times to go.
7. Early boarding. Typically, you arrive at the charter base the night before the charter start date and have to spend the first night in a hotel. Ask if you can get "early boarding" or "evening boarding". There might be a small fee for it, but it'll be less than a hotel room, plus you save yourself the inconvenience of having to unpack and pack things twice.
8. Boat swapping. If you're a boat owner, consider swapping boats with someone else. It works just like a home exchange, but with boats, and is a great way to be able to sail exotic waters without spending a fortune. If you are an accomplished boater but don't own a boat, you can always ask if someone is interested in exchanging their boat for your home for a week.
About the Author:
Sarah McAllistair blogs about luxury yacht vacations and helps you choose between the different charter options
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