Crewed vs Bareboat Charter — FAQ
Choosing your charter type
Do you need a licence to charter a yacht in Croatia?
It depends on the charter type. A crewed yacht needs no licence because a professional captain runs the vessel. Bareboat charters legally require a recognised sailing licence plus a VHF radio certificate. Splendid Yachting operates crewed motor yachts, so guests never need any qualification to book and cruise Dalmatia.
Can you charter a yacht without a skipper licence?
Yes. With a crewed charter the captain holds all required qualifications, so you board as a guest with zero licensing obligations. Bareboat requires you to present a valid sailing licence and VHF certificate at check-in. The crewed motor yachts from Splendid Yachting let anyone cruise the Adriatic without proving any boating credential.
What is the difference between crewed, skippered and bareboat charter?
Bareboat means you rent the yacht alone and operate it yourself with the required licences. Skippered adds one hired professional skipper to a bareboat booking. Crewed is the full-service option with a complete professional team aboard. Splendid Yachting specialises in crewed motor yachts, where every detail is handled for you.
Which charter type is right for a family with no sailing experience?
A crewed charter suits inexperienced guests best, because the captain navigates and the crew manages everything onboard. Families avoid the stress of licences, route planning and docking. Bareboat would demand a qualified skipper among the group. Splendid Yachting welcomes 4 to 12 guests on motor yachts ranging from 17 to 86 metres.
Do I need any boating experience to charter a crewed yacht?
None at all. On a crewed motor yacht the captain handles navigation, docking and safety, so guests simply enjoy the trip. You decide where to go and when, and the crew does the rest. Splendid Yachting has welcomed first-time guests aboard since 2014 across the Croatian fleet.
Is a crewed yacht charter worth it for just one week?
Yes. Even a seven-night crewed charter delivers a fully private, staffed holiday with chef-prepared meals, a tailored island route and water toys that no hotel can match. Most Croatia charters run Saturday to Saturday from Šibenik, giving you a full week to explore Dalmatia.
Crew and comfort
What crew is aboard a crewed motor yacht charter?
Every crewed yacht carries a professional captain who navigates and manages the vessel. Larger yachts add a chef or hostess and a deckhand for service, meals and water-sports support. The exact team scales with yacht size. This trained crew is the core advantage that bareboat and skippered options cannot match.
How does a crewed charter compare to bareboat for comfort?
A crewed charter delivers far greater comfort because meals, navigation, cleaning and itinerary are handled by professionals while you relax. Bareboat means you cook, clean, dock and plan routes yourself. With Splendid Yachting the crew tailors each day to your wishes, turning the yacht into a genuine floating private holiday.
Is a skippered charter the same as having a full crew?
No. A skippered charter adds only one hired skipper to a bareboat booking, so the skipper handles navigation but guests still manage cooking, cleaning and service themselves. A crewed charter provides a complete professional team covering every role. For full hospitality on the Adriatic, the crewed motor yachts from Splendid Yachting are the comfortable choice.
Where does the crew sleep on a charter yacht?
The crew use separate quarters, usually in the bow or a dedicated crew area with their own access, so guest cabins and living spaces stay completely private. This separation is built into every professionally crewed motor yacht, letting you relax without the crew ever being in your space.
Can the chef cater to allergies and special diets?
Yes. Before departure you complete a preference sheet listing allergies, dietary needs and favourite dishes, and the chef provisions and cooks accordingly. Vegetarian, gluten-free, halal and meals for children are all routine. This personalised catering is a core advantage of a crewed charter over self-catered bareboat.
Will the captain plan our daily itinerary for us?
Absolutely. The captain knows the bays, marinas and weather of Dalmatia intimately and will suggest a day-by-day route matched to your pace, whether lively towns or quiet anchorages. You approve the plan and can change it any morning. Splendid Yachting also offers curated sample routes as a starting point.
Cost and who it suits
Is bareboat charter cheaper than a crewed yacht?
Bareboat usually has a lower base price because no crew salaries are included, but you supply the labour and the qualifications. Crewed charters cost more upfront yet bundle professional service and expertise. Running expenses on crewed bookings are covered by an APA of roughly 30 to 40 percent of the charter fee.
What does the APA cover on a crewed charter?
The Advance Provisioning Allowance, typically 30 to 40 percent of the charter fee, funds running costs such as fuel, food, drinks, dockage and other onboard expenses. The crew manages this budget and accounts for it during your trip. Bareboat charterers instead pay these costs directly and arrange provisioning themselves.
Who is bareboat charter best suited for?
Bareboat suits experienced, licensed sailors who enjoy operating a vessel and want maximum independence and a lower base price. They must hold a sailing licence and VHF certificate and be ready to navigate, cook and dock unaided. Guests seeking a relaxed, fully serviced holiday are better matched to a crewed motor yacht.
Can I book a crewed yacht charter from Šibenik in Croatia?
Yes. Splendid Yachting has operated crewed motor yacht charters since 2014 from the home port of Šibenik at D-Marin Mandalina in central Dalmatia. Check-in is around 12:00, after which the crew welcomes you aboard. Contact the team to match a yacht and itinerary to your group of 4 to 12 guests.
How does a crewed charter compare in cost to a luxury hotel?
For a group a crewed yacht often rivals top hotels once you count the private chef, staff, transport between destinations and full exclusivity. Rather than paying per room you book the whole yacht for 4 to 12 guests. An APA of about 30 to 40 percent then covers food, fuel and dockage.
Can a group of friends split the cost of a charter?
Yes, and it is common. The charter fee covers the whole yacht, so dividing it among 6 to 12 guests sharing cabins sharply reduces the price per person. The motor yachts from Splendid Yachting sleep up to twelve, making a shared crewed charter a competitive luxury holiday.
Ready to plan your charter?
Tell Sara your dates and she'll put together a personalised proposal — itinerary, provisioning, crew briefing, airport transfers. No commitment, just a conversation.
Start your charter request
Or send full details → · Sara replies personally.
