FAQ
To book a yacht, first select the desired yacht and date. You can do this online or contact a Next Charter employee. Once you have made your selection, you conclude the charter contract and make the necessary payments, which usually consist of a deposit and the final payment before the start of the charter.
The charter price usually includes the use of the yacht, the crew (if booked) and basic equipment such as bed linen and towels. Support from local staff at the charter base, local taxes and mooring fees in the home harbour are also often included. Liability and hull insurance for the yacht are also often included in the charter price. Additional costs may be incurred for fuel, further mooring fees, catering and optional extras such as water sports equipment. Exact details of the costs are listed in the offer description.
APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) is an amount that is paid in addition to the charter fee and covers the operating costs during the charter. This includes fuel, food, drinks and harbour fees. The captain manages this budget and submits a detailed statement at the end of the charter. Any unused funds will be refunded.
A valid passport is required for most destinations. Depending on the destination, additional documents such as visas may be required. Find out about the entry requirements of the respective country in good time.
The necessary boat and radio licences are also required for a bareboat charter.
The safety precautions vary depending on the yacht and destination. Before departure, you will receive a safety briefing that includes the use of life jackets, emergency procedures and the handling of safety equipment. Each yacht is equipped with the necessary safety equipment.
Yes, you can bring your own catering or organise catering through the charter company or local service provider. Many charter providers offer the option of ordering catering in advance so that it is ready on board on arrival.
Yes, due to international safety regulations, the number of guests on most yachts is limited to a maximum of 12 people. Yachts with more than 12 guests must fulfil stricter safety regulations, which can increase costs.
In addition to personal clothing and toiletries, you should bring comfortable shoes with soft soles, sun cream, a hat and swimwear. Next Charter will be happy to provide you with a detailed packing and checklist.
Yes, you can plan your own itinerary in consultation with the captain. The captain will ensure that the route is safe and feasible and can make recommendations based on weather conditions and local attractions.
In the event of an accident or emergency, the crew will follow a set emergency plan and contact the local emergency services. You will be informed about the emergency procedures and safety precautions on board before departure.
Pets must be agreed in advance with the charter company. Some yachts allow pets, others do not. It is important to clarify this before booking.
It is advisable to book flights only after the charter booking has been confirmed to ensure flexibility in travel dates and destinations. In cooperation with our sister company, we can help you find suitable flights and, if required, also offer a hotel or hire car.
The availability of Wi-Fi varies depending on the yacht and location. In most popular harbours and marinas there is a strong signal, while in remote areas there may be interruptions. Therefore, not every charter company offers Wi-Fi.
Yes, there is good mobile phone coverage in most charter areas. However, please check the international roaming charges with your mobile phone provider.
Most charter companies accept bank transfers, credit cards or cash payment on the spot.
Some also accept debit cards
For successful yacht charter payments, Next Charter accepts the most common payment methods as well as cryptocurrencies.
The cancellation conditions vary depending on the charter contract. As a rule, a refund is granted on a staggered basis according to the time of cancellation before the start of the charter.
Charter insurance offers protection against unforeseen circumstances that may prevent or shorten the charter. It usually covers cancellations and interruptions.
The best times to travel vary depending on the destination. The Mediterranean is popular in summer, while the Caribbean is in high season in winter. Information on this can be found at the respective destination on www.nextcharter.com.
The number of crew members depends on the size of the yacht. Small yachts often only have a captain and a hostess, while larger yachts may have several crew members including a cook and an engineer.
Activities vary depending on the yacht and its equipment, but can include diving, snorkelling, water skiing, fishing and much more.
There are special charter offers such as diving charters, kiteboarding charters, honeymoon trips and company excursions. These offer customised experiences for special interests. Ask us, we will be happy to help and send you an appropriate offer.
On arrival you will be greeted by the charter company and given a briefing on the yacht and safety equipment. It is important to check the yacht for damage and ensure that everything is as agreed.
Berthing and mooring fees vary depending on the harbour and region. As a rule, these fees are not included in the charter price and must be paid separately. Moorings can be booked online in many regions.
Before travelling, you should find out about necessary vaccinations and medical precautions, especially when travelling to tropical areas.
If a problem occurs with the yacht during the charter, the provider will usually offer an immediate repair or an alternative solution.
A valid sailing licence and/or appropriate sailing experience is required for bareboat charters. In some regions, such as the Mediterranean, special licences are required, e.g. radio licence.
A harbour offers safe berths and services such as cleaning, repair and disposal. An anchorage is a place where you can drop anchor to wait out the weather or enjoy the surroundings.
It is important to check the local regulations and conditions before anchoring. Certain areas such as nature reserves and shipping lanes are often closed.
Yes, you can hire a skipper for the whole trip or just for the first few days to familiarise yourself. A hostess and cook are also available for the whole trip.
Yachts come in different sizes, from small day yachts to large superyachts. The size of the yacht depends on the number of guests and the desired equipment. Superyachts are often over 100 metres long and offer luxurious facilities.
Yes, many providers offer so-called berth charters, where you rent a single cabin and the other cabins are occupied by other guests. This is a cost-effective way to enjoy the sailing experience. We will be happy to help you find the right offer.
The captain will constantly monitor the weather conditions and adjust the route accordingly to ensure the safety of everyone on board. In extreme cases, the charter may be postponed or cancelled, although a refund or credit note will usually be offered.
Yes, the charter can be extended if the yacht is available. This should be discussed with the charter company as early as possible to avoid availability problems. The Next Charter team will be happy to assist you.
A turnkey charter service includes all aspects of the charter trip, including catering, drinks, crew, activities and transfers. This allows for a stress-free and fully organised trip.
Yes, special dietary requirements can be specified when booking a crewed charter. The cook on board will take these into account and prepare appropriate meals.
A flybridge is a raised deck on a yacht that provides an additional helm station and living space. It is ideal for relaxing and offers a marvellous view.
A gulet is a traditional Turkish wooden sailing boat known for its spacious decks and comfortable cabins. Gulets are ideal for relaxed sailing trips along the Turkish coast.
Yes, children are allowed on most yachts. Many yachts offer special safety precautions and activities for children. However, it is advisable to clarify this in advance with the charter company. Next Charter will be happy to help you with this.
It is recommended to tip the crew approximately 10-15% of the charter price, depending on how satisfied you were with the service. The tip can be given directly to the crew at the end of the charter.
Bareboat charter means that you hire the yacht without a crew and are responsible for navigation and operation. A valid sailing licence or appropriate sailing experience is required.
An all-inclusive charter includes all costs for the yacht, crew, food, drinks and often also activities and excursions. This enables a carefree journey without additional costs.
In some cases it is possible to view the yacht before booking, especially if it is in a nearby harbour. This must be discussed and agreed in advance.
Most of our partners accept credit cards, bank transfers, cash and sometimes PayPal. It is important to clarify the preferred method of payment in advance.
Yes, many yachts offer fishing equipment and some have special licences for fishing. It is advisable to clarify this in advance and ensure that all local regulations are adhered to.
Most yachts are equipped with first aid equipment and the crew is trained in first aid. In serious cases, the captain will sail to the nearest harbour or call for medical assistance.
The crew usually speaks English and often other languages, depending on the region and guests. It is advisable to clarify this in advance to avoid communication problems.
Yes, yachts can be hired for various occasions such as weddings, company parties or birthdays. These yachts are often customised to meet the specific requirements of the event.
Yachts are very safe and equipped with modern navigation and safety systems. There is always a safety briefing before setting sail and the crew is well trained for emergencies.
Additional costs may be incurred for fuel, mooring fees, food, drinks, activities and optional extras. These costs are often included in the APA and are settled at the end of the charter.
Cruise planning begins with the determination of the crew, the budget, the time frame for the cruise and the selection of a suitable sailing area. We will be happy to help you with the latter and will of course also support you in finding a suitable yacht and organising the booking. When determining the budget, you should also take into account deposit payments and any costs for insurance and other ancillary services.
Bareboat charter Would you like to steer your yacht yourself and do you have the necessary licences and sufficient experience for the requirements of the desired area? Then simply book the "naked" boat, the so-called bareboat.
Perhaps you would like to leave the responsibility for the boat to a skipper who is familiar with the area - which does not mean that you or other crew members cannot take the helm yourself under his responsibility. We can provide you with experienced skippers for any sailing area.
If you want to sail alone or as a couple, we recommend booking a berth. You will then sail with other passengers on a yacht with a skipper and usually a fixed route. Some providers also have co-sailing offers with additional service personnel and an expert tour guide in their programme. These are usually larger sailing yachts, gülets or entire flotillas.
With flotilla sailing, you are travelling with several yachts on one route - either as a bareboat charter or with a skipper. This is pure sailing fun in a larger group!
You do not need a professional skipper if you have all the necessary licences and sailing experience. Unless the yacht is rented exclusively with a crew. However, if you book a boat with a skipper, we will be happy to recommend a skipper.
For charter yachts, the internationally recognised sailing licences of the charter customer's home country are required. For charter customers from Germany, this is the "Sportbootführerschein See" (SBF See). The "Certificate of Competence" (ICC) is also internationally recognised. The licences of the British "Royal Yacht Association" (RYA) are also widely used. Depending on the destination country, we check this in advance so that there are no surprises at check-in.
For ferry trips and larger yachts, charter companies often require a "Sailing Resume" as additional proof of experience.
Houseboats generally do not require a licence - with a few exceptions in Germany. However, there are always changes here. We will be happy to inform you about the current status on request.
As storage space on yachts is generally limited, the rule of thumb for taking luggage with you is "the less, the better".
Avoid hard-shell cases for your luggage at all costs and use a foldable travel or sail bag instead.
We have put together a packing and checklist for you, which you can add to according to your needs. Ask us about it.
Yes, that is possible. To find the available offers, all you have to do is select the date, destination and number of people and cabins. Based on this information, the available offers will be displayed. All you have to do is analyse them according to your wishes. If you have any questions - please contact us.
Our team will be happy to help you with further information and assist you with all the formalities.
After we have clarified your wishes in an initial consultation, you will receive an offer from us with a selection of yachts that meet your criteria.
As soon as you have decided on your favourite yacht, we will make a non-binding reservation. This gives you time to make further arrangements with your crew.
Are you ready to book?
Then we will immediately send you the charter contract and the relevant documents by e-mail. Please sign the contract and send it back to us by email to shorten the processing time. Upon receipt of your signed contract, the yacht will be booked for you, provided the option period has not yet expired and the yacht is still available.
As soon as Next Charter has received the booking confirmation from the charter company, you will receive the charter invoice by email, which you should settle in accordance with the terms of payment.
The crew list can usually be filled out online and must usually be complete 2 weeks before the start of the cruise.
Shortly before the cruise you will receive a board pass by email with specific contact persons on site. Please bring this along with the crew list to the cruise.
The charter contract is concluded between you as the boat owner and the charter company. As a charter agency, we act as an intermediary between you and the charter company.
To confirm the charter, in most cases you must pay 50% of the charter price within 1 week of receiving and signing the charter contract. The remaining amount is due no later than 4 weeks before the start of the charter.
Some charter companies also offer other payment modalities (40%/60%, 30%/70%) or the division of the payment into three instalments.
Payments for additional services (final cleaning, bed linen, outboard motor, etc.) are usually made at check-in at the charter base.
For some types of charter (crewed, all inclusive), the charter price also includes the costs for skipper, hostess, cook, catering, water sports and fuel.
All charter yachts arranged by us are insured against liability and hull damage by the respective charter company.
On arrival at the charter base, you must pay a deposit as specified in the charter contract, preferably by credit card. This is used by the charter company to cover the excess of its liability or hull insurance in the event of damage. The deposit will be refunded after check-out. In the event of damage, it may be retained in whole or in part. The risk of default can be excluded or limited by a damage waiver.
Some charter companies offer an optional damage waiver as an alternative to deposit insurance. This is a reduced security deposit with a limited excess in the event of damage and an insurance premium.
Whether you decide in favour of deposit insurance or a damage waiver depends on the circumstances of the individual case. We will be happy to advise you.
To cover the risks that remain with the charter customer, we as an agent offer further insurance policies. You can find these in the "Charter insurance" section on our blog subpage. We will be happy to advise you in detail.