Yacht charter etiquette

Some of these rules and regulations are commonplace on naval vessels in general, while others pretend only to superyachts as unique luxury vessels, that require special rules and a specific yacht charter etiquette to abide to for all guests and crew onboard.

There are several reasons for this, the first and main reason being the price of the yacht herself; if you are a charter guest, you should always leave the yacht in the same condition as pre-charter, to avoid fees and fines, as specified in the charter contract. Also, yachts need a special regiment of maintenance and cleaning, so they are kept in immaculate condition.

During the entire span of your holiday, always remember to abide by the yacht charter etiquette, and your holiday in Croatia will be remembered as one of the most enjoyable times in your life.

Smoking on yachts

Yachts are notorious for their strict „no-smoking onboard“ policy. This includes all of the interior places, and sometimes some exterior spaces, which are modular in a way that they can be part of the interior and the exterior. If you are an avid smoker, talk to the crew beforehand about smoking options aboard your specific yacht.

Usually, guests who like to smoke wind up on the main deck aft, where the fresh sea air does all the work getting rid of the smoke. The main reason why yachts have such strict no-smoking policies is because of sensitive fire alarms. Fires on yachts are no joke, and that is why in case of any emergencies, smoke is seen as the first sign of preventing potential damage.

Some yachts, like KATINA , have specific rooms specially designed to accommodate smokers and their needs. This pretends to KATINA’s cigar and whiskey room, which has special ventilation and anti-fire systems installed, that allows for undisturbed smoking without having to worry about starting a fire, setting off the fire alarms, or smoking up the interior. Always remember that smoke and boats do not mix, and superyachts are no exception to this rule.

Always take your shoes off onboard

The main reason for this rule is that no marks are left on the carpets, that dominate most of the floors on yachts. Even when there are no carpets on the floor, there are wooden floorboards, that are also prone to scratches and leaving marks, especially from stilettos.

Also, footwear from outside tends to be filled with dirt and impurities, which leave traces all over the yacht. For this reason, most guests are asked to take their shoes off, before boarding their superyacht charter. Some guests prefer to be barefooted, while others enjoy wearing special slippers, provided by the crew.

Another point is that taking your shoes off is a sign of respect, before entering someone’s home. Since any yacht is her owner’s home, guests show proper yacht charter etiquette and respect by taking their shoes off before entering.

If you plan on chartering a yacht, remember that guests should not leave any traces of their presence, leaving the yacht in the same immaculate state she was when the guests first boarded.

Listen & respect your yacht captain & crew

This rule is a universal rule for all passenger crafts. In the same way you would listen to a captain and a stewardess on a plane, you should listen to the crew and the captain aboard your yacht. Even more so, because your crew will be directly responsible for your charter experience, and a respected crew is a guarantee of an unforgettable yacht holiday.

Your crew has countless charter seasons under their belt and has seen every possible situation unfold numerous times, so always respect their decision and wisdom. Since the captain is the one responsible for the entire yacht and all crew and guests onboard, the captain’s word is final and cannot be overturned in any situation.

Absolutely no drugs on the yacht charter

This is a universal rule on all yachts, except if the laws of a specific country say otherwise, but the chances are that your yacht (like the majority of yachts in the world) has an „ABSOLUTELY ZERO“ drug policy. Pay attention to this when you will be signing the charter contract – in the case of transporting or consuming drugs aboard your yacht, the captain will immediately cancel the rest of your holiday and you will be either released in the custody of the port authorities or disembarked in the closest port.

The reason for such a strict policy is that drugs on board also put the captain and the yacht in jeopardy. Because the captain is responsible for the yacht at all times, if the port authorities should find drugs aboard the yacht, the captain would stand to lose his boating license, which would prevent any further work in the industry.

Also, the yacht would be seized by port customs and transported to a dry dock, where she would sit for years. This would present a huge loss for the owner, the crew, and the yacht, and is to be avoided at all costs. Naturally, charter guests caught with drugs would not receive any money back; in fact, they would probably be charged a huge fine also.

Be mindful of your children’s behavior

A yacht is a perfect place for a family vacation. There is unlimited potential for entertaining your kids, while you relax with a cocktail. Water toys, games, unparalleled mobility, and a competent charter crew will surely make a family vacation aboard a yacht charter is truly an enjoyable experience. But remember, always let your children know how to behave on yachts, keeping in mind that any damage caused by your children will have to be covered by you.

The charter crew will always be at your disposal to take care of your children, but a full-time babysitter would be a smarter investment if you plan on having a crew member constantly look out for your child. This is because the crew has other duties to attend to, and watching a child for 20 minutes or 2 hours is not the same. Other aspects of your holiday will definitely suffer if you do not let the crew perform their duties according to schedule.

Compensation for damage & insurance

Insurance is one of the best ways to avoid any potential liabilities when enjoying a yacht charter holiday in Croatia. Any number of things can happen during a yacht charter cruise, and the best way to prepare for unforeseen circumstances is to insure every aspect of your holiday. Be sure to talk to your SuperYachts Croatia broker about different insurance options and packages, regarding your yacht charter holiday.

Do not forget to fill out the preference sheet

One of the most important prerequisites of a successful yacht charter holiday is being very thorough while filling out your preference sheet. This piece of paper will relate to all your likes and dislikes, pretending to food, drink, water toys, experiences and the general itinerary, as well as the way the food is prepared. Be sure to list any allergies or special dietary requirements, before going aboard the yacht.

If you have a change of heart during the holiday, your charter crew will definitely try to accommodate the guest`s wishes, but some things cannot be so easily procured. A tender supply run is one thing, but flying in a specific ingredient from another country is nearly impossible to organize from a yacht.

Why is yacht etiquette important?

Yachts represent a special kind of luxury, one that demands unique etiquette. The rules and regulations on yachts can sometimes be harsh, but their primary purpose is to prevent damage to property, as well as protect the safety of the guests, the crew, and the yacht.

There are also soft rules, that are not set in stone, but depend greatly on the education and upbringing of the individual. These include politeness, which is an unspoken rule on yachts. Although the charter crew will always be polite to the guests, this is not always the same case around, which can be impactful on the overall quality of your holiday.

So, always remember to be polite to your charter party, as well as your charter crew. Yachts are a perfect stage to be as polite as possible because the bespoke environment tends to bring out the best in people. Hygiene is also important on yachts because sharing an enclosed space with others is never enjoyable if someone does not fully tend to their hygiene.

Finally, a golden rule to follow; do not do anything you would not do at your own home, and you will certainly enjoy your yacht charter holiday in Croatia.