Vacations can be about a lot things: seeing once in a lifetime sights, visiting foreign lands, or simply relaxing. If you're choice is the latter, you've got a number of options, from checking into a resort to embarking on a cruise. But resorts and cruises can be limiting; after all, these are entertainment forms aimed at a mass audience, which means that you can't tailor your experience around what you want to do.
By contrast, a yacht vacation allows you to set your own itinerary. If you're ready for the next step in vacations, here's what you need to know.
yacht basics
Traditionally, a yacht was a light, fast sailing vessel used to transport important people. It still is. Technically, there's no real difference between a boat and a yacht, except that a yacht is aimed at pleasure, whereas a boat is a working vessel. Likewise, there are no set dimensions for a yacht (although the range is typically somewhere between 20 and 90 feet in length). What really sets a yacht apart from any other boat are its amenities, which can rival anything you've ever seen on a cruise ship.You have three general options when chartering a yacht:
The choice you make will depend largely on what kind of vacation you're looking for and on your sailing knowledge (don't even think about taking to the high seas without sufficient experience or a capable supporting crew).
If your idea of a good time is executing the tasks of a sailor, you'll want to bareboat or bareboat with captain. But if you don't know much about the sea, your best bet is to charter a yacht with a crew. Whatever you decide, you'll need to discuss your itinerary before setting out. Yes, weather is a governing factor and it may change on a whim, but you'll need to know at least how long you intend to be out.
costs of a yacht
The typical yacht rental includes the costs of the crew, fuel and other commonly associated fees. Some companies include food and drink too. But if you decide to bareboat, you'll be responsible for the costs of food and drink.In short, the price of a yacht rental can range from $20,000 per week to $400,000 or more. Obviously, the more you spend, the more likely it is that your rental will be all-inclusive.
find a yacht
Charter companies operate around the world in all major ports of call, matching renters with owners. It's important to use a reputable charter company that will provide you with the very best in ship and crew. Furthermore, you should always take the time to inspect a yacht before taking possession of it, and feel free to reject the charter if it does not meet your safety or quality standards.A yacht can go anywhere, but you'll have to comply with local harbor rules, which may charge more to dock bigger yachts. Also, keep in mind that smaller harbors may not be able to physically accommodate some yachts. If you captain your own yacht, these intricacies are just some of the things you'll be forced to learn about sailing.
As for international borders, be prepared to present passports, pay taxes and undergo inspections. Check with each country before entering. As for the charter itself, you rent it by time, not distance, so feel free to go wherever you want with it.
yacht safety & etiquette
No matter where you go on your yacht, you'll want to think about safety at all times. While you can't be stopped for operating a yacht while intoxicated out at sea, it's still never a good idea to do so. As for drinking and boating in harbor, you will be responsible for any damage you cause, and the local authority will have jurisdiction -- which means that the consequences you face will vary dramatically in severity from country to country. Other necessary safety measures may not even occur to you -- for example, in parts of Asia or Africa, local pirates have been known to board and rob vessels as they pass close to land. You'll want to guard against them.Here are a few yacht etiquette tips:
life on a yacht
Paul Allen is a guy who knows what a good vacation is all about. His yacht, the Octopus, cost over $200 million and comes with a permanent crew of 60. You may not have Allen's income, but you can still live like him for a week or two, and know how it feels to master your own vacation.Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yacht
http://www.virginventure.com/
http://yachtstore.com/homepage/yachtstore.com.asp
http://yacht-charters.blogspot.com/2005/08/yacht-charter-vs-cruise-ship-or-resort.html
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9932838/
Discount Cruises
0 comments:
Publicar un comentario