The base rate is the figure you first see in charter catalogs — and it is the least representative of the actual cost of your week on board. Most clients discover the true bill too late in the process — sometimes after signing the contract.
This article provides the real figures. Not a vague range — precise amounts per item, with concrete examples from our charters on the French Riviera, in the Balearics, Sardinia, and the Caribbean. So you know exactly what you will pay before signing anything.
The Cost Structure of a Yacht Charter — Overview
A yacht charter is broken down into 4 distinct items that every client must understand before starting their search.
| Item | What it is | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Base rate | Yacht + crew provision | Owner — negotiable |
| APA | Fuel + port + provisions + taxes | Variable depending on usage |
| VAT | Tax according to flag and cruising area | Regulatory |
| Extras | Gratuities + excursions + shore activities | Your choice |
The rule to remember: multiply the displayed base rate by 1.35 to 1.50 to get a realistic estimate of the total cost excluding VAT.
Item 1 — The Base Rate
The base rate covers the provision of the yacht with its full crew for the agreed duration. It is the price of the yacht and the service — not on-board expenses.
2026 Ranges by Category
| Category | LOA | Low season rate/week | High season rate/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact motor yacht | 20-25 m | €10,000 – €25,000 | €18,000–€40,000 |
| Motor Yacht | 25-35 m | €22,000 – €60,000 | €40,000 – €100,000 |
| Superyacht | 35-45 m | €55,000 – €130,000 | €90,000 – €220,000 |
| Mega Yacht | 45-60 m | €110,000 – €250,000 | €190,000 – €420,000 |
| Mega Yacht + | 60 m+ | €250,000 – €600,000 | €450,000 – €1,500,000 |
Our Fleet — Real 2026 Rates
| Yacht | LOA | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABELY | 33 m | €28,000 | €35,000 |
| RAY | 32 m | €90,000 | €120,000 |
| ASCENSION | 37 m | €100,000 | €125,000 |
| ANNAMIA | 43 m | €120,000 | €145,000 |
| RILASSATA | 49.8 m | €210,000 | €385,000 |
What Influences the Base Rate
The season — July-August represents the annual peak. May, June, and September offer rates 20 to 35% lower for often superior cruising quality.
The destination — the same yacht costs more during event weeks. The Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix generate surcharges of 20 to 40% compared to standard weeks.
The yacht’s age — a newly built yacht like our RILASSATA (2024) charters for more than a comparable 10-year-old unit in LOA — but offers interiors and equipment at the most current technological level.
Item 2 — The APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
The APA is the item that surprises new charter clients the most. It is a provision paid at the beginning of the charter — managed by the captain — which covers all variable on-board expenses.
What the APA Covers
Fuel — the primary APA item, and the most variable. A 35-45 meter superyacht consumes between 150 and 500 liters per hour depending on engine power and speed. The generator runs continuously for air conditioning — expect 50 to 80 liters/hour even when stationary.
| Type of cruising | Estimated Consumption | APA fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary charter (event) | 3,000 – 6,000 L | €3,000 – €6,000 |
| French Riviera Cruise (300-400 NM) | 6,000 – 12,000 L | €6,000 – €12,000 |
| Grand Mediterranean Tour (800+ NM) | 15,000 – 30,000 L | €15,000 – €30,000 |
Port fees — vary enormously depending on the destination and period. This is the most underestimated item by clients.
| Destination | Period | Superyacht overnight stay 35-45 m |
|---|---|---|
| Monaco — Grand Prix | June | Upon quotation |
| Cannes — Festival | May | Upon quotation |
| Saint-Tropez — high season | Jul-Aug | Upon quotation |
| Ibiza — high season | Jul-Aug | Upon quotation |
| Sardinia Porto Cervo | Jul-Aug | Upon quotation |
| Bay anchorage | All | Upon quotation |
Practical tip: for events in Cannes and Monaco, bay anchorage with tender rotations saves €8,000 to €20,000 in port fees over a week compared to mooring at the dock.
Provisions — food, beverages, wines, and spirits. The amount depends entirely on your gastronomic brief.
| Profile | Daily Budget per Passenger |
|---|---|
| Standard | €80 – €120 |
| Premium | €150 – €250 |
| Luxury (fine wines, exceptional products) | €300 – €500+ |
For 10 passengers, 7 days, premium level: €10 × 7 × €200 = €14,000
Various taxes — pleasure boat tax (variable depending on zones), clearing fees (entry/exit from certain countries), laundry fees (€100 to €300/week), satellite communications.
How to Calculate Your APA
The general rule applied by the industry:
| Charter type | APA as % of base rate |
|---|---|
| Stationary charter — French Riviera event | 30 to 40% |
| Standard Mediterranean cruise | 25 to 35% |
| Balearics cruise — low port fees | 20 to 28% |
| Greece cruise — inexpensive anchorages | 18 to 25% |
| Caribbean high season | 25 to 35% |
Item 3 — VAT
The VAT applicable to a yacht charter depends on three factors: the yacht’s flag, the cruising area, and the duration of the charter in European territorial waters.
The Most Common Regimes
EU-flagged yachts cruising in EU waters — VAT applicable according to the country of departure (generally 20% in France, 22% in Italy, 10% in Greece on the taxable base).
Non-EU flagged yachts — variable regimes according to bilateral agreements — often more advantageous for long-distance charters.
The international waters rule — for yachts cruising outside territorial waters, VAT reductions are applicable according to specific calculation formulas for each country.
Our recommendation: always ask your broker to specify the applicable VAT regime before signing — this item can represent 10 to 22% of the base rate.
Item 4 — Extras
Extras are expenses that are not part of the MYBA contract — they are directly borne by the client and do not pass through the APA.
Crew Gratuities
Gratuities are not included in the base rate or the APA. The standard practice in the yacht charter industry:
10 to 15% of the base rate at the end of the charter for satisfactory service.
| Base rate | Standard gratuity (12%) |
|---|---|
| €28,000 (ABELY) | €3,360 |
| €125,000 (ASCENSION) | €15,000 |
| €145,000 (ANNAMIA) | €17,400 |
| €385,000 (RILASSATA) | €46,200 |
Gratuities are given to the captain who distributes them to the crew at their discretion and based on each member’s contribution during the charter.
Shore Excursions and Activities
Restaurants, nightlife, tours, car rentals, event tickets (Grand Prix, Festival) — these expenses are entirely the client’s responsibility and not included in the APA.
Indicative budget for shore excursions:
- Dinner at a premium French Riviera restaurant: €200 to €500 per person
- Lunch at Club 55 Pampelonne: €100 to €200 per person
- Blue Marlin Ibiza VIP table: €500 to €2,000 minimum consumption
- Monaco Grand Prix grandstand ticket: €500 to €5,000 per person
The Security Deposit
The security deposit is distinct from the APA — it is a guarantee against potential damage to the yacht during the charter. It is fully refunded at the end of the charter after verification of the yacht’s condition.
| Yacht | Security Deposit |
|---|---|
| ABELY | Upon quotation |
| RAY | Upon quotation |
| ASCENSION | Upon quotation |
| ANNAMIA | Upon quotation |
| RILASSATA | €30,000 |
Mistakes to Avoid
Budgeting solely on the base rate — the most common mistake. Always multiply by at least 1.35 to get a realistic estimate.
Neglecting port fees during events — during the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival, port fees can represent 15 to 20% of the base rate over a week.
Forgetting gratuities — on a 40-meter superyacht with 7 crew members, gratuities represent €10,000 to €20,000. This should be factored into your overall budget.
Not requesting a detailed APA estimate — a reputable broker always provides a line-by-line APA breakdown. If your contact only gives a global percentage without detail — ask for more specifics.
Choosing low season without checking the weather — May and September are generally excellent in the Mediterranean, but March and November can be unpredictable. Check historical weather statistics for your destination before booking.
How to Optimize Your Budget
Choose low or mid-season — May, June, September offer rates 20 to 35% lower than July-August, often with better cruising conditions.
Prefer anchorage over a dock — direct savings of €500 to €5,000 per night depending on the destination.
Optimize the itinerary to reduce consumption — cruising at economic speed rather than maximum speed can reduce fuel consumption by 40 to 60%.
Precise gastronomic brief — a detailed brief allows the chef to optimize orders and avoid over-provisioning.
Choose the Balearics or Greece — for a comparable budget, these destinations offer lower port fees and a lighter APA than the French Riviera.
Receive a Transparent Quote
International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII provides a detailed line-by-line APA estimate in every quote — no hidden fees, no surprises at the end of the charter.
