Sharon Bahmer, BoatBookings.com
It is true that there are plenty of discounts around, and the best way to get them is to work with a broker you trust. She will do all the legwork to come up with a deal that best fits your needs.  
    There are two ways to work with a broker in this regard:
    •    Determine the type of charter you want (destination, itinerary, type of boat, general price guideline, etc.) and ask your broker to see what specials fit your criteria.
    •    If you're flexible with respect to destination and dates, ask your broker what deals have come across her desk recently. They can range from the French Riviera to Croatia to the Caribbean, and you may ending up chartering in a place you've never been.
    The majority of deals will be fairly last minute. It is rare to find them long in advance for high season. For instance, you will not, right now, be able to find significant discounts in the Caribbean for Christmas and New Year’s, Spring Break, or Easter because the charter operators will expect to be able to fill those dates at full price. You may have more success in “shoulder” seasons.  Try September in the Mediterranean, for instance.
     Some additional recommendations on finding the right deal:
    •    Don't expect something unreasonable. Yachts have significant running costs, so you're not likely to get anything near 50 percent or even 30 percent off.  However, it’s often possible these days to get nine days for the price of seven.
    •    There is no need to contact dozens of brokers. If you contact too many, they'll all be asking the operators for the same deal, which can make completing the deal more difficult.
    •     Look at the total cost of the charter. A number of my clients save on airfares by using lower-cost airlines to get to the embarkation port while chartering the yacht of their dreams at a higher rate.
    •    Once you find a deal you like, be prepared to book quickly. You will need to sign the contract and arrange payment by wire transfer, as good deals really are first-come, first-served.


Heather Krebs, Abiego Yachts International
The best way for clients to get a good deal is to wait until the last minute to book. If you can find a boat with a gap in its schedule, the owners are far more likely to be willing to negotiate on prices, especially in the bigger-boat market.
    You have to be flexible. If you have set dates that you cannot change for your charter, then it’s probably not going to work out in terms of a last-minute deal. Also keep in mind that discounts don’t usually apply to holiday charters. But in general, booking at the last minute and being flexible with your plans can really make the difference.


Gertrud Annevelink, Charter Experience
Work with your broker (me, preferably!) and be very clear about what your budget is, where and when you want to go, and what kind of yacht you would like—modern, classic, fast, comfortable, deck space, Jacuzzi, and so on. Let the broker do the work. She knows what yacht and crew will suit you. She will find you the right yacht and the best deal out there.
    Keep in mind that sometimes, it is better not to take “the best deal” because you will have to compromise too many of your wishes. Be as clear and honest as you can with your broker about what you want and what you are willing to sacrifice, and she will do everything she can to help you get the best possible deal.