A one-week superyacht charter in the Mediterranean (arranged through Voguer Yachts) includes the vessel, professional crew, partial fuel (up to a contractual cruising hour limit), fresh water, electricity, WiFi on board, basic insurance, and all onboard amenities — but port fees, gourmet provisioning upgrades, premium beverages, personal expenses, and excess fuel consumption are paid separately via the APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance). Updated February 2026.
Table of Contents
- What's definitely included
- What you pay separately: APA breakdown
- Included vs. extra costs at a glance
- Fuel and cruising autonomy
- Food and beverages on board
- Crew gratuities
- FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
What's definitely included
The advertised charter price — say, EUR 110,000 per week — already contains:
Vessel and infrastructure. The yacht itself, with every system: dual engines, rudder, redundant generators, desalination plant, hot water systems, air conditioning (thermal and individual cabins), WiFi satellite uplink, television systems, professional navigation equipment (radar, GPS, autopilot), life jackets and safety equipment (SOLAS-compliant), tenders and water toys (jet skis, paddleboards, snorkeling gear when declared in the listing). All systems are regularly surveyed and certified.
Professional crew. Captain, first officer (mate), chief engineer, head chef, stewards/stewardesses, deckhands — the entire payroll is covered for the full week. There is no separate "crew fee"; all crew are hired and managed by the operator. All hold valid international maritime certifications (STCW, medical training, food safety certificates).
Base fuel. The charter contract specifies included cruising hours — typically 250 to 400 engine hours, depending on vessel size and type. If your navigation stays within that envelope, fuel is fully covered. Hours beyond that are billed at an agreed rate per hour (typically EUR 80-150/h depending on yacht size), charged to your APA. The captain knows how to route efficiently to stay within budget.
Fresh water. Full tank restoration at the start of the week. Quality meets international potable water standards across all Mediterranean ports.
Utilities on board. Electricity (110/220V via dual generators for redundancy), air conditioning (saloon and all cabins), heating (high season), satellite WiFi connectivity (with data limits varying by operator), television and streaming services (Netflix, Prime — where international connectivity permits), telephone connectivity (satellite phone on larger vessels).
Insurance. Third-party liability (minimum coverage USD 5-10 million), damage coverage on the hull and equipment (with typical deductible of EUR 2,000 to EUR 10,000, depending on vessel value), medical coverage on board (ranging from first aid kits on small yachts to medical officers on superyachts), evacuation insurance (covered under maritime rescue agreements).
Routine maintenance during the charter. If something breaks (electronics, hydraulics, minor mechanics), the operator fixes it at no cost — you simply use the boat. Major repairs (engine overhaul, hull damage) are negotiated based on cause (defect vs. negligence).
What you pay separately
Everything else that doesn't fit into the list above goes into your Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) — a deposit you place before the charter that the crew administers on your behalf.
Typical APA for a EUR 110k/week superyacht: EUR 20,000 to EUR 35,000, depending on vessel size (larger yacht = more crew, more consumption). The APA covers:
- Groceries and gourmet upgrades. Port provisioning, preparation, and service; if you want Michelin-star-level menus, pay the premium.
- Beverages. Wine, beer, champagne, spirits — you choose quality level, you determine the spend.
- Fuel above cruising hours. If you navigate beyond the included autonomy, the APA pays for excess diesel.
- Port and mooring fees. Each port stop (Port Hercule in Monaco costs EUR 5,000-8,000/night; smaller ports run EUR 500-2,500/night).
- National park and marine reserve entry fees. If visiting protected areas (Greek National Marine Parks, for example).
- Personal expenses. Massage, shore excursions, dive courses, spa treatments.
- Unused APA balance is refunded (typically the bulk of the remainder, after fuel and port charges are deducted).
Included vs. extra costs at a glance
| Cost item | Included in base price? | Approximate (EUR/week) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vessel + crew | Yes, 100% | (in base) | 2-8 people, depending on yacht size |
| Fuel (standard cruising hours) | Yes, up to X hours | (in base) | Typically 250-400 engine hours |
| Fresh water | Yes | (in base) | Full restoration at start |
| Electricity / air conditioning | Yes | (in base) | While on board and plugged in |
| WiFi on board | Yes | (in base) | Satellite connection (may have limits) |
| Repairs and maintenance | Yes | (in base) | Structural issues only |
| Base insurance | Yes | (in base) | Standard cover; excess typically EUR 2-10k |
| APA — food provisioning | No | EUR 8-15k | Depends on refinement level |
| APA — excess fuel | No | EUR 3-8k | If cruising beyond included hours |
| APA — ports and moorings | No | EUR 5-20k | Monaco = maximum; Croatia/Greece = minimum |
| APA — beverages / bar | No | EUR 2-8k | French champagne vs. local wine = big difference |
| Crew gratuity | No | EUR 3-8k | 10% for smooth charter; 15-20% expected |
| VAT/IVA | No | 13-22% (by country) | Included by some operators; added by others — confirm |
Fuel and cruising autonomy
Fuel deserves explanation because it's often misunderstood.
When you book a EUR 110,000/week superyacht, that price includes up to, say, 350 engine hours. That's enough to cruise roughly 1,500-2,000 nautical miles (at typical 4-6 knot average, depending on vessel type).
If your week is leisurely — anchoring in protected bays, launching tenders for exploration, maybe one port change — you'll burn far less than 350 hours and have fuel credit remaining.
If you want to island-hop aggressively — Barcelona to Sardinia, down to Italy, then across to Greece in seven days — you'll consume more. Excess fuel is billed hourly (typically EUR 80-150/h, depending on vessel size and diesel price), deducted from your APA.
Tip: experienced captains know how to route efficiently and negotiate strategic anchorages that save fuel without sacrificing experience. Talk to your captain on day one.
Food and beverages on board
Meals are prepared on board by the yacht's chef — and quality is typically high, since the premium charter market lives on experience.
But quality (and cost) varies widely:
- Simple: local proteins and fish, salads, pasta, straightforward desserts — EUR 100-200/person/day in APA.
- Refined: gourmet breakfast, three-course lunch, sunset aperitifs, seven-course dinner with chef preparing tableside — EUR 300-500/person/day.
- Michelin-equivalent: guest chefs, imported ingredients, personalized menus, wines sourced at specific ports — EUR 600+/person/day.
Alcoholic beverages are never complimentary on any yacht charter. The crew procures wine, beer, and spirits to your taste; all come from your APA. If you want Veuve Clicquot nightly, costs rise. If you want local house wine, costs fall.
Crew gratuities
Gratuity is not mandatory, but is expected — and is universal practice in superyacht charter.
Rule of thumb: 10-15% of the base charter price, distributed to the crew on the final day. If your week went exceptionally well, add 20%. If everything ran smoothly, 15% is the standard.
For a EUR 110,000/week charter, that's EUR 11,000 to EUR 16,500 in gratuity. Split among 5-8 crew members (depending on yacht size), each person receives EUR 1,500-3,000, acknowledging one week of work in a demanding, confined environment.
The captain typically collects gratuity and distributes it equally among crew. You don't negotiate with individuals.
For complete guidance, see Crew Gratuities on a Charter: How Much to Tip and When.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I hire a specialized chef from outside, who pays? A: The permanent crew (captain, first officer, deckhands, basic stewards) is included in the base price. If you want an external specialist — for example, a Thai cuisine expert for the week — negotiate with the operator. This comes from your APA or as an added cost. It's rare but happens in VIP charters.
Q: Is WiFi "included" really broadband, or is it slow satellite? A: Depends on the fleet. Modern yachts carry satellite connections (Viasat, Inmarsat, Starlink in some cases), typically adequate for email and social media (5-20 Mbps may struggle with 4K streaming). The operator will detail this in the contract. Do not expect flawless Netflix in the middle of the Mediterranean on all vessels.
Q: Can I bring my own chef on board? A: Technically yes, but it's rare and requires operator approval well in advance. Your chef must coordinate with the yacht's galley, work within maritime hygiene standards, and align with crew schedules. Arrange this months ahead with Voguer Yachts or your broker.
Q: If fewer guests arrive than planned, is APA refunded? A: Partially. APA is calculated for your expected guest count. If four arrive instead of ten, food and fuel consumption will be lower. At week's end, the crew provides an itemized statement (grocery receipts, fuel pumped, port fees paid) and refunds the balance. Expect 30-50% of the unspent APA returned.
Q: Is VAT/IVA really included in the advertised price, or is it "plus 22% at the end"? A: Varies by operator and yacht registry. Charters from France typically quote with 20% VAT already included. Italy includes 22%. Some brokers quote "net of VAT" and add it later — confirm in the contract. Read the MYBA agreement carefully.
Q: If I damage something on board, how much do I pay? A: Depends on the agreement. Most charters carry a deductible (excess) — typically EUR 2,000 to EUR 10,000 — for accidental damage. A broken wine glass is considered normal wear. Damaging an engine component or hydraulic system triggers the deductible. Intentional damage is billed in full. The MYBA contract specifies this.
Q: What's the true average cost of one week in the Mediterranean, all-in? A: For a EUR 110,000/week entry-level superyacht: - Base charter: EUR 110,000 - APA (food, fuel, ports): EUR 20,000-35,000 - Gratuity (15%): EUR 16,500 - VAT (if not included): EUR 18,500-25,000 - Estimated total: EUR 165,000-186,500, or roughly EUR 23,500-26,600 per person if seven guests travel. Most Voguer Yachts clients budget "between 150 and 200 thousand euros for a comfortable week."
Q: Where do I book a yacht with Voguer Yachts, and how far in advance? A: Visit voguer.yachts or contact the concierge team via WhatsApp. For peak season (July-August), book 6-12 months ahead. For shoulder season (June, September) or last-minute, 2-3 months is sufficient. The Voguer team helps with everything: vessel selection, APA structuring, destination planning, and MYBA contract alignment.
Further reading: See also The MYBA Charter Agreement Explained, APA: Advance Provisioning Allowance Explained, and Yacht Charter VAT Compared: France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Croatia.
