When most couples see a charter quote for the first time, they assume the number on the page is what they’ll pay. It isn’t. Under the MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract — the worldwide standard for crewed luxury yacht charters — extras typically add 50–55% on top of the base fee (WorldwideBoat, Oct 2025). That means a $30,000 quote can quietly become a $44,000 to $46,000 trip before you ever step aboard.
This FAQ covers the 13 questions we hear most from couples booking their first crewed charter, organized into four categories:
- The MYBA Contract Basics — What the base fee covers and what it doesn’t
- The APA Explained — How the Advance Provisioning Allowance works
- What You’ll Pay Extra — Taxes, port fees, and crew gratuity
- Budgeting Your Charter — Real cost estimates and how to spend less on extras
Last updated: March 3, 2026. This page is reviewed quarterly as VAT rates and industry norms shift.
TL;DR: Under the MYBA contract, your base charter fee covers the yacht and crew wages only. You’ll also pay an APA (typically 20–25% of the base fee on a sailing yacht) for fuel, food, and port fees — plus 10–20% crew gratuity and any applicable VAT. Budget roughly 140–150% of the quoted base rate to be safe (YachtCharterFleet, 2025).
What Does the MYBA Contract Actually Cover?
What exactly does the charter fee include?
The base charter fee covers three things: the yacht itself (hull, sails or engines, all onboard safety and navigation equipment), the captain’s wages, and the crew’s wages and accommodation. Full stop.
What it doesn’t cover is everything you consume or use during the trip — your food and beverages, the fuel burned between anchorages, port and marina fees, local taxes, and the crew gratuity you’ll pay at the end. For most first-time charterers, this is the first surprise.
The logic makes sense once you understand it. A week in the British Virgin Islands burns far less fuel than the same yacht running hard through Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. It wouldn’t be fair to charge both itineraries the same all-in rate, so the MYBA contract separates fixed costs (the boat and crew) from variable costs (everything you actually consume).
What is the MYBA contract — and how is it different from a Caribbean All-Inclusive charter?
The MYBA contract is the agreement used by most professional crewed yacht brokers worldwide. Founded in 1984, the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association developed the contract to standardize how charter fees, APA, cancellation terms, and payment schedules work between yacht owners and guests. Under it, you pay a base charter fee plus a separate APA to cover all running costs. Unused APA is refunded at the end; if costs ran over, you pay the difference.
The Caribbean All-Inclusive contract works very differently — and it’s important to understand the distinction. Most crewed charters in the Caribbean use the All-Inclusive model, where food, fuel, and port fees are bundled into a single flat rate. There’s no APA, no receipt reconciliation, no end-of-trip settlement. You pay one number, you get everything included.
Neither is inherently cheaper. All-Inclusive removes the surprise and simplifies budgeting. The MYBA contract gives you more flexibility — if you spend five nights at anchor and barely touch the engines, you get money back. If you’re the couple who wants to dock at every major marina and explore, you’ll likely spend closer to the full APA estimate.
From experience: Couples often ask why the All-Inclusive quote looks higher than the MYBA one at first glance. It usually is — but that gap narrows fast once you add in APA, gratuity, and VAT. On equivalent yachts in the same destination, the two contracts frequently land within 5–10% of each other in total cost.
Is the APA always required on MYBA contract charters?
Yes — the APA is a contractual requirement under MYBA terms, not an optional add-on. It’s collected as a bank wire transfer, typically one to two weeks before you board, and the captain holds the funds to pay for all running expenses throughout the week.
For sailing yachts, the standard APA runs 20–25% of the base charter fee. Motor yachts burn significantly more fuel, so their APA is higher: 30–40% (YATCO, 2025). On a $30,000 sailing charter, expect to wire $6,000–$7,500 before you leave the dock. That amount goes into a captain’s account and every dollar spent gets receipted.
How Does the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) Work?
How is APA calculated and what does it actually cover?
The APA is an estimate, not a fixed fee. The captain uses a percentage of your base charter fee as a starting point, but actual spending depends on your itinerary, how many nights you spend in marinas versus anchored out, your provisioning preferences, and how much the engines run.
Across crewed charter industry data, the typical APA spending breakdown looks like this — though your actual split will vary by destination and itinerary (Windward Yachts, 2024; YATCO, 2025):
- Fuel: ~37% of total APA
- Food & beverages: ~33% of total APA
- Port and mooring fees: ~17% of total APA
- Miscellaneous (WiFi, park fees, etc.): ~13% of total APA
Here’s how that plays out on a $30,000 sailing yacht charter with a 25% APA:
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| APA total | $7,500 |
| Fuel (~37%) | ~$2,775 |
| Food & beverages (~33%) | ~$2,475 |
| Port/mooring fees (~17%) | ~$1,275 |
| Misc (WiFi, park fees, etc.) | ~$975 |
What happens to unused APA at the end of the charter?
Unused APA is refunded in full — usually in cash, directly from the captain on your final day aboard. This is one of the features couples appreciate most about the MYBA contract: you only pay for what you actually consumed.
The captain keeps itemized receipts throughout the week — marina invoices, grocery receipts, fuel records, park fees. You’ll receive a full accounting before disembarkation. If total expenses came in under the APA estimate, you get the balance back. If they exceeded it, the shortfall is settled before you leave.
What we see in practice: Most charters land within 10–15% of the APA estimate in either direction. The biggest variable is almost always port fees. A week in Croatia’s most popular marinas can cost twice as much in mooring fees as the same itinerary spending most nights at anchor in quieter bays. Talk through the marina-versus-anchor balance with your broker before the trip — it’s the single biggest lever on your APA spend.
Can we control how our APA money gets spent?
Yes, substantially. Before the charter begins, your broker and captain will ask for provisioning preferences — your grocery preferences, dietary requirements, wine and spirits choices, and any special meals or celebrations you’d like prepared. The captain shops to that list.
Your itinerary is the other major control. Choosing anchor nights over marina stops is the highest-impact decision you’ll make. Port fees in peak-season Greece or Italy can run €40–€400 per night depending on yacht size and location (HELM, Jan 2026). Anchoring is free. A week that mixes three marina nights with four anchor nights can save €500–€1,500 compared to a fully marina-based itinerary — money that stays in your APA or comes back to you at the end.
What Costs Are Not Included in the MYBA Charter Fee?
Do I pay taxes (VAT) on a MYBA charter?
Under the MYBA contract, VAT is applied to the base charter fee only — not the APA. This distinction matters, because it limits the taxable amount to the smaller of the two numbers on your invoice.
The rate itself varies dramatically by where you sail. The Caribbean — BVI, St. Barths, most island destinations — charges 0% VAT on charter fees. The Mediterranean is a very different picture. Greece charges 13%, Croatia 13%, France 20%, Spain 21%, and Italy 22% (Ocean Independence, Nov 2025). On a $30,000 charter in Italy, that’s $6,600 added to your invoice — a real number worth factoring into your destination decision.
VAT is assessed based on the flag state of the yacht and the jurisdiction where the charter begins. Rates can shift with vessel registration, so always confirm exact VAT applicability with your broker before signing.
Under the MYBA contract, VAT applies to the base charter fee only — not the APA. Rates range from 0% in the BVI and Montenegro to 22% in Italy, meaning a $30,000 base fee carries a $6,600 tax burden in Italian waters versus nothing in the Caribbean (Ocean Independence, Nov 2025).
How much should we tip the crew?
Crew gratuity isn’t included in the MYBA charter fee or the APA — it’s a separate payment made directly by guests at the end of the charter. The MYBA standard is 5–15% of the base charter fee, with 10% considered the global norm for a weekly charter (YachtCharterFleet, citing MYBA guidelines, Jan 2023).
Regional expectations vary more than most first-timers realize. In the Caribbean and US market, 15–20% is standard — crew members in that region budget their income around it. In the Mediterranean, 5–10% is the norm. Tipping above the regional benchmark is always welcomed; tipping below it will be noticed by everyone on board.
Practical rule: tip in cash, on your final day aboard, and hand the full amount to the captain to distribute among the crew. Never give money directly to individual crew members — it creates tension on a small boat. On a $30,000 charter at 10%, that’s $3,000 split among a crew of typically two to four people.
What are port and mooring fees, and are they covered by the APA?
Port and mooring fees are drawn from the APA — they’re one of the four main line items the captain manages throughout the week. But they vary enough by destination to meaningfully affect how far your APA stretches.
Greece runs €23–€70 per night for a typical charter yacht. Croatia charges €60–€200 per night, with an additional 50–60% supplement for catamarans. Italy’s peak-season marinas range from €40 to over €400 per night depending on location and size (HELM, Jan 2026). A week of consecutive marina stops in Dubrovnik high season can exhaust a conservative APA faster than expected.
Most experienced couples mix two or three marina nights with anchor nights throughout the week. The best anchorages are often more beautiful than the crowded marinas anyway — and it keeps your APA healthy.
What costs do first-time MYBA charterers most often miss?
Four categories of costs catch first-timers consistently, and brokers don’t always surface them in the initial quote:
Water toy packages. The base charter fee typically includes basic snorkeling gear and maybe a paddleboard. Jet skis, foiling boards, electric hydrofoils, and full dive setups are usually extra — either a daily rate or a weekly add-on. Ask your broker specifically what’s included before you confirm the yacht.
Marine park and national park entry fees. The BVI National Park, Croatia’s Kornati National Park, and several Greek marine reserves charge entry fees. They’re not large ($20–$100 per stop), but they accumulate across a seven-night itinerary and come out of your APA.
Satellite WiFi packages. Standard onboard internet is often metered or slow. A full-speed satellite package for the week can add $200–$500 to the APA on larger yachts — worth knowing if you can’t fully disconnect.
Provisioning markups. Some operators charge a service fee of 10–20% on grocery costs for sourcing and shopping. Ask whether provisioning fees are baked into the APA estimate or added on top. The answer changes your effective APA by more than you’d expect on a well-stocked week.
How Much Does a MYBA Charter Cost All-In?
What’s the real all-in cost for a typical MYBA charter?
Here’s a full worked example using a $30,000 sailing yacht in the Greek islands — one of the most popular destinations for couples’ first MYBA charter:
| Line Item | Amount | % of Base |
|---|---|---|
| Base charter fee | $30,000 | 100% |
| APA (25% — sailing yacht) | $7,500 | 25% |
| Crew gratuity (10% — Med standard) | $3,000 | 10% |
| VAT — Greece (13%, base fee only) | $3,900 | 13% |
| Total | $44,400 | 148% |
Now run the same $30,000 charter in the BVI with no VAT and Caribbean-rate gratuity:
| Line Item | Amount | % of Base |
|---|---|---|
| Base charter fee | $30,000 | 100% |
| APA (25%) | $7,500 | 25% |
| Crew gratuity (15% — Caribbean standard) | $4,500 | 15% |
| VAT — BVI (0%) | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $42,000 | 140% |
The destination choice alone saves $2,400 — before you factor in flight costs to reach each region.
A $30,000 MYBA sailing charter in Greece carries a total all-in cost of approximately $44,400 once APA (25%), crew gratuity (10%), and Greek VAT (13%) are added — representing 148% of the base charter fee (YachtCharterFleet, 2025; Ocean Independence, Nov 2025).
When do I pay — and how is the MYBA payment structured?
MYBA charter payments follow a two-stage structure. At contract signing, you pay a deposit of 30–50% of the base charter fee. The remaining balance is due 4–8 weeks before departure. Your broker specifies the exact timeline in the charter agreement.
The APA is handled separately — wired either at the same time as the final balance or one to two weeks before boarding, depending on the managing company. Confirm which applies to your charter so you’re not surprised by a second wire right before your trip. VAT is added to the base fee invoice. Crew gratuity is cash at the end of the charter.
How can couples reduce extras on a MYBA charter without sacrificing the experience?
Three strategies reliably keep MYBA extras under control — without changing what makes the trip worth doing:
Choose a tax-free destination for your first charter. The BVI, most of the Eastern Caribbean, and Montenegro charge 0% VAT. On a $30,000 charter, that’s $3,900–$6,600 in savings compared to a French Riviera or Italian option. Use that money toward a better yacht or a longer trip.
Build your itinerary around anchor nights. Ask your broker to structure a route that’s roughly 60% anchor nights, 40% marina stops. You’ll save on port fees, and you’ll spend more time in the secluded bays that define charter travel at its best.
Set a provisioning budget before you arrive. Tell your broker and captain what you want to spend on food and beverages for the week. A good captain provisions to a budget without compromising quality. Without one, costs can drift — especially on spirits and specialty items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MYBA stand for in a charter contract?
MYBA stands for Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association. Founded in 1984, MYBA developed the contract now used as the worldwide standard for crewed luxury yacht charters. It governs payment structure, APA terms, cancellation policies, and the obligations of both charterers and yacht owners (MYBA, 2025). If your broker sends you an MYBA contract, you’re dealing with a professional operator.
Is there a difference between APA and a provisioning deposit?
Yes. APA covers all running costs during the charter — fuel, food, port fees, and miscellaneous expenses. A provisioning deposit is sometimes used by brokers to pre-stock the yacht before you arrive and represents a subset of APA spending. If your broker uses the term “provisioning deposit,” confirm whether it’s separate from or already included within the total APA estimate.
Can the APA be used to pay for crew gratuity?
No. Under the MYBA contract, crew gratuity is a separate payment made directly by guests — it’s not drawn from the APA. The APA covers operational costs (fuel, food, ports). Gratuity is a discretionary payment to the crew for their service and is settled independently at the end of the charter.
What if the APA runs out mid-charter?
The captain will inform you and request a top-up. It most often happens when planned anchor stops get replaced by marina nights due to weather, or when a motor yacht burns more fuel than forecast in stronger winds. It’s uncommon but not rare. Budget a 10–15% buffer above your quoted APA to cover it — and you’ll most likely get some of that buffer back at the end.
Do Caribbean All-Inclusive charters also use the MYBA contract?
Not always. Many Caribbean operators use a simplified contract that bundles costs without adopting MYBA’s specific APA structure. Some use a modified MYBA contract with an All-Inclusive rider attached. Always ask your broker which contract governs your booking and read the payment and cancellation terms carefully — they vary more than the charter fee itself.
To read about more yacht charter cost explained, click here.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to Vital Charters directly — we answer charter cost questions from couples every week and are happy to walk through a custom budget estimate for your trip. This FAQ is reviewed quarterly as VAT rates, MYBA guidelines, and regional norms change.
About the Author
Jason Acosta is a luxury yacht-charter specialist and founder of Vital Charters, where he advises clients on private yacht travel with a focus on clarity, customization, and real-world experience.
