Skippered charter: how it works, what it costs

A skippered charter means renting a boat together with a professional who takes charge of the helm, the safety and the logistics of your cruise. As an order of magnitude, budget 1,400 to 2,500 € per week for the skipper alone, on top of the boat rental, plus a cabin and meals for them. It is the formula that opens cruising to people with no licence and no experience — and often the best sailing school money can buy.

Whole boat or by-the-cabin: two different holidays

Two very different products share the same name. Chartering the whole boat gives you the yacht, your skipper and control of the programme: you agree the itinerary, the stops and the pace together. It is the natural choice for families and formed groups, from four to ten guests depending on the boat.

A by-the-cabin cruise means booking one cabin on a shared yacht — usually a large catamaran — with a fixed itinerary and travel companions you have never met. Expect 900 to 2,000 € per person per week depending on destination and service level. Less freedom, but a controlled budget and the feel of an organised tour. If you are still weighing occasional charter against ownership, our guide to renting, buying or shared ownership sets out the numbers.

What the skipper does — and does not do

The skipper is legally the master of the vessel: they have the final word on weather, routing and safety, even though you are paying. They handle manoeuvres, anchoring, the technical care of the boat and, in practice, often act as local guides — the good ones know the quiet coves and the tavernas worth the detour.

They are, however, neither a cook nor domestic staff. On a standard charter, cooking, washing-up and provisioning are shared among the guests, with the skipper included in meals. Custom has it that the group covers their food and that they get their own cabin, usually the forepeak. Clarify these points in writing before booking: they are the number one source of misunderstandings.

Hostess and crew: when the service steps up

Adding a hostess — roughly 150 to 250 € per day — changes the nature of the trip: breakfasts and lunches prepared, daily cleaning, provisioning handled. Above 60 feet you enter the world of fully crewed charter: captain, chef-stewardess, sometimes a deckhand, and hotel-grade service. Prices follow: from around 15,000 € a week for a crewed catamaran to figures with no real ceiling on large yachts. At that level the quality of the crew matters more than the boat itself — it is the crew you should be selecting first.

The real budget: charter fee, APA and tips

The headline price is never the final price. Here is what stacks up:

• The boat rental, with or without the skipper included in the rate.
• The skipper, billed at 200 to 350 € per day when not included.
• The APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): on crewed charters, 20 to 30 percent of the charter fee paid up front to cover fuel, food, marina fees and extras, with itemised accounts settled at the end of the trip.
• Tips, customary but never compulsory: 5 to 15 percent of the weekly rate depending on the region and the quality of service.
• Extras: end-of-charter cleaning, dinghy fuel, paddleboards and toys, the departure marina berth.

All in, add 30 to 50 percent to the brochure price to get close to the true cost of a full week.

Choosing your skipper before you book

The skipper makes or breaks the week — more than the boat does. Ask these questions before signing: what languages do they speak? Do they know the cruising area, not just how to sail? What is their style — sociable host or discreet professional? Ask who cooks, where they sleep, and how they handle weather that wrecks the plan.

Book early for school holidays, read reviews looking for comments about the person rather than the boat, and set out your expectations in writing: desired pace, children aboard, whether you want to learn the manoeuvres or simply be carried. A week with a skipper is still shared living in a small space: our guide to crew life will help you prepare for it. And if the experience wins you over for good, it is the best possible trial run before bareboat chartering — and perhaps, one day, a buying support service for a boat of your own.