Because each yacht charter is a personalized vacation onboard a unique boat with a specific crew, it's impossible to describe a "typical" day onboard the same way you might for a cruise ship. However, there are certain areas where private yachts and cruise ships definitely differ.
Here's a look at five key areas that are important for you to understand.


                                           Cruise Ship                                              Yacht

Shore                                Organized in advance,                           Whenever you wish,
Excursions                       with no changes to departure              with total flexibility on
                                           or return times. Usually include           departure and return
                                           at least a dozen people, with                times. Go ashore in your
                                           other passengers who are                   yacht's private dinghy, with
                                           strangers to you.                                     only your family and friends.


Dining                              At a predetermined time on                   Whenever you like, on your
                                          some ships, at your leisure                   yacht or at a restaurant
                                          on others. Inside large dining               onshore. Cook for yourself
                                          halls or, for an extra fee, in                     while bareboating or have a
                                          smaller restaurants. Menu                    chef on a crewed yacht create
                                          designed to suit the masses.               a personal menu to your taste.


Water Sports                  An extra expense, except for                  Whenever you like, for free on
                                         onboard swimming pool. Timing          crewed yachts (except scuba).
                                         determined in advance, like shore        On bareboats, rent your gear
                                         excursions, with no changes for            for the week and use it again
                                         weather or mood.                                      and again, or bring your own 
                                                                                                               gear and use it for free.


Shows and                     Free shows and games                          Onshore theaters, eateries,
Activities                          including musicals that you                    and bars, depending on your
                                          see with hundreds of other                     cruising area. Onboard films,
                                          people. Predetermined by the                cards, conversation, or
                                         cruise ship, no alternatives.                     midnight swimming, as the 
                                                                                                                mood strikes.

Crew                                Like hotel staff, hourly workers               Tend to your group exclusively.
                                          taking care of countless families           Yacht owner's personal staff,
                                          and couples simultaneously.                  sometimes one-on-one    
                                                                                                                service.



There's an entire chapter about the onboard experiences you can expect with bareboats and crewed yachts in the book Have the Whole Boat: The Insider's Guide to Private Yacht Charter Vacations, from which this information is adapted.