How Much Does a Yacht Charter Cost?

A crewed motor yacht charter in Croatia is typically built from a base charter fee, VAT where applicable, and an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) of 30–40%. Crew gratuity is optional and given at guests’ discretion. Deposits are rare in crewed charter. As an indicative guide, smaller crewed motor yachts in Croatia start around EUR 20,000–25,000 per week, while larger yachts and superyachts can exceed EUR 100,000 per week. The base fee covers the yacht and her professional crew; almost everything you consume on board is settled separately through the APA.

Below we break down each cost component honestly, explain what actually drives the price, and walk through a realistic worked example so you can budget with confidence before requesting a tailored quote.

What the base charter fee actually covers

The base charter fee is the headline price you see quoted per week. It covers the use of the yacht itself, the salaries of the professional crew (captain, deckhand, steward/ess, and on larger yachts a chef and engineer), insurance for the vessel, and standard onboard equipment such as tenders and water toys. It does not usually cover fuel, food, drinks, marina or port fees, or your personal extras — those are handled through the APA, explained below.

Since 2014 we have specialised in crewed motor yacht charters from our home base in Šibenik at D-Marin Mandalina, so the figures here reflect the real Croatian market rather than generic averages. To understand what is bundled into the fee for a specific yacht, see our guide on what’s included in a crewed charter.

What drives the base fee up or down

Four main factors shape the base price:

• Size and capacity: Length overall and the number of guest cabins are the single biggest driver. A 20-metre yacht for six guests costs a fraction of a 40-metre superyacht for twelve.
• Age and build quality: A newer or recently refitted yacht from a premium shipyard commands a higher fee than an older vessel of the same size.
• Crew size and experience: More crew means a higher standard of service — and a higher cost. A dedicated chef, for example, adds meaningfully to the rate.
• Season: Peak weeks (July–August, plus major holidays) carry premium pricing, while low and shoulder seasons can be significantly cheaper for the same yacht.

If you’re weighing different vessels, our guide on how to choose the right yacht explains how these factors translate into the right boat for your group, and our overview of why charter a motor yacht covers the comfort and range advantages over sailing yachts.

The APA: Advance Provisioning Allowance

The APA is an upfront fund — typically 30–40% of the base charter fee — that the captain uses to pay for everything you consume during the trip. This includes fuel, food and beverages, water and electricity at marinas, port and mooring fees, and any special requests. The captain tracks spending throughout the week and provides an accounting; whatever remains is refunded to you, and if the fund runs low you simply top it up.

The APA exists for transparency: rather than padding the base fee with guesses about your consumption, you only pay for what you actually use. A guest who cruises extensively and entertains generously will draw more fuel and provisions than one who prefers quiet anchorages — and the APA reflects that honestly.

Think of the APA not as an extra charge, but as your onboard wallet. It is your money, spent on your behalf by the crew, with the balance returned at the end of the charter.

VAT and taxes

Charters that take place within Croatian waters are subject to Croatian VAT, which is applied to the base charter fee. The exact rate and how it is calculated can vary with cruising itinerary and the yacht’s flag and registration, so the cleanest approach is to have it confirmed in writing as a line item on your quote. We always present VAT transparently rather than burying it. For itineraries that combine Croatia with neighbouring countries, see our destinations overview and sample sailing routes, as the tax treatment can differ across borders.

Crew gratuity and security deposit

Crew gratuity

A gratuity for the crew is customary and discretionary, generally in the range of 5–15% of the base charter fee, depending on the level of service you received. Exceptional crews who go above and beyond are often tipped at the higher end. This is paid at your discretion, typically at the end of the charter.

Security deposit

On crewed charters a security deposit is rarely required. A refundable deposit is standard for bareboat charters, where it covers any accidental damage or loss and is returned in full at the end of the trip assuming no incidents.

A worked example: budgeting a one-week charter

To make this concrete, here is an indicative example for a mid-range crewed motor yacht in Croatian peak season. Your actual figures will differ by yacht, season, and itinerary — treat this as a budgeting framework, not a quote.

• Base charter fee (1 week): EUR 40,000
• APA at 30%: EUR 12,000 (fuel, food, drinks, marina & port fees)
• VAT on base fee (illustrative, confirmed per charter): applied as a separate line
• Crew gratuity at 10% (discretionary): EUR 4,000
• Security deposit: usually only for bareboat charters; rarely required on crewed charters

On this basis, the realistic spend for the week — excluding the refundable deposit and before VAT confirmation — lands around EUR 56,000, of which a portion of the APA may be refunded if consumption is modest. The key insight: the base fee is roughly two-thirds of your true outlay, so always budget for the APA and gratuity on top of the headline number.

How season and extras change the total

The same yacht can vary by 30% or more between high and low season. Booking in late May, June, or September often secures the identical vessel and crew at a noticeably lower base fee, with calmer marinas and warm water still in your favour. Extras that raise the total include special provisioning (premium wines, dietary chef requests), additional water toys, helicopter transfers, and extended cruising ranges that consume more fuel through the APA.

Conversely, you can keep costs down by cruising a tighter itinerary, choosing shoulder-season dates, and being clear with your broker about priorities upfront. Browse our available crewed motor yachts to see how size and season map to real pricing, and if you’re comparing options, our comparison of crewed versus bareboat charter explains why the all-inclusive crewed experience often delivers better value for luxury travellers.

Every charter is different, and an accurate total depends on your group, dates, and itinerary. Contact our team for a tailored, transparent quote with every cost shown as a clear line item — no surprises.