Ami G. Ira, C U Yacht Charters
First-time charterers are not usually familiar with the costs of running a luxury yacht and thus can find themselves surprised at the overall cost of the trip. For instance, fuel costs about $3.50 per gallon, and yachts consume from 50 gallons per hour to 250 gallons per hour depending on their size and speed. Therefore, if you plan to cruise a lot, the cost of fuel is likely going to be a large percentage of the costs that you pay in addition to the yacht’s published weekly base rate.
    Dockage is another item that can surprise first-time charter guests. In certain areas during peak seasons, such as the Monaco Grand Prix or Christmas in St. Barth’s, the dockage is limited and in such high demand that “gratuities” are often paid ashore to ensure that you get a marina slip. This, too, gets added as an extra cost to the charterer.
    Provisions may also be a higher expense than many first-time charter guests expect. Because yachts are transient and sometimes cruise in remote locations, provisions may not be available for purchase locally. For example, on remote islands in the Bahamas, fresh high-quality produce and meat must be flown in at the charterer’s expense—in addition to service fees paid to provisioning companies that help most yacht chefs with such orders. The result is that food on a yacht in the Bahamas is likely to cost far more than it would at home.
    No one likes surprises. The best thing a first-time charterer can do in this respect is work with an experienced charter broker who will detail every possible expense and provide a true overall cost before the charter gets booked in the first place.

Shannon Webster, Shannon Webster Charters
In my experience, the biggest mistake that first-time charterers make is failing to be flexible enough to just “go with the flow.”
    Many first-time charter clients are guilty of ignoring their broker’s or captain’s recommendations and trying to fit too much into their first trip. When booking a yacht vacation for the first time, it is important to think quality, not quantity. Doing so will allow you to appreciate the beauty of everything around you—and will afford you the opportunity to truly relax without the pressure of an itinerary or schedule that is cast in stone.

Ed Hamilton, Ed Hamilton & Co.
When researching a yacht charter on the Web, many first-timers do not realize that all brokers can essentially book the same boats worldwide, so an independent broker is not a salesman representing a few yachts. Instead, the broker is there to help you make an informed choice from every boat available for charter. Once you have found a broker you like and trust, work with them to explore all your options.
    Take the time to think about what you enjoy and what you want to get out of the charter, and then communicate this to the broker. A broker's task is to learn as much as possible about your group and then match you up with a boat and crew. First-time charterers are often tempted to concentrate on picking a boat rather than a crew. Obviously a decent boat is important, but for any charter yacht under 80 feet in length, the crew is going to have more influence on the success of your vacation than the boat. Talk to your broker carefully about the people you will be spending the week with.
    Price is always important, but many first-timers tend to make this a priority without understanding the differences in the boats being considered. The cheapest boat often isn't the best value, so consider all options in your price range. Many are only a few dollars apart, so ask your broker to describe the pros and cons of boats that look interesting.
    A good broker has seen the boats and met the crews, and this firsthand experience can make all the difference to your vacation. Every boat looks great on the Internet!