Last Updated: May 13, 2026
That $30,000 yacht charter quote sitting in your inbox? What you’ll actually pay depends almost entirely on one thing most first-time charterers don’t know to ask about: which contract type you’re signing. Caribbean charters predominantly use the CYBA All-Inclusive E-Contract, which bundles three meals a day, the standard ship’s bar, four hours of cruising fuel, and the crew into the base fee (CYBA, 2026). Mediterranean charters — and a slice of larger Caribbean superyachts — use MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms, where the base fee covers only the yacht and crew salaries and a 25-35% APA is billed separately.
Those are two entirely different fee structures. The industry isn’t hiding them on purpose — it just assumes you already know the difference. Most brokers will explain everything if you ask. The problem is that nobody asks until the contract arrives and the math stops matching the listing price.
This post walks through both contract types, the costs that slip through either one, and the questions that keep you in control. For the broader cost framework, our yacht charter costs guide and APA explainer cover the structural pieces in more depth.
TL;DR: Caribbean charters mostly use the CYBA All-Inclusive contract (meals, standard bar, 4 hours of daily fuel, and crew bundled into the base fee). Mediterranean charters use MYBA terms with a separate APA at 25-35% of base. Both contracts have unbundled costs that catch people off guard: 15-20% crew gratuity, cruising permits and park fees, cancellation insurance (4-10% of trip cost per Squaremouth, 2026), medical evacuation, repositioning, and premium extras.
All-Inclusive vs MYBA: Which Contract Type Applies to Your Caribbean Charter?
The CYBA E-Contract — the standard for Caribbean charters — is “primarily written for Inclusive charters,” with the base fee bundling crew, meals, standard bar, and fuel for four hours of cruising per day (CYBA E-Contract, 2026). MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms — the standard for the Med and for many large Caribbean superyachts — bundle only the yacht hire and crew salaries, and then collect a 25-35% APA upfront to cover all running costs separately. Knowing which contract you’re signing is the single most important thing you can do before negotiating price.
View data table
| Line item | CYBA All-Inclusive (Caribbean) | MYBA Plus-Expenses (Med) |
|---|---|---|
| Yacht hire + crew salaries | Included | Included |
| Three meals/day + standard bar | Included | Billed via APA |
| Fuel (up to 4 hrs cruising/day) | Included | Billed via APA |
| Water toys / equipment | Included | Included |
| Ship’s laundry + marine insurance | Included | Included |
| Marina dockage | Some yachts include, some don’t | Billed via APA |
| Excluded line items | Crew gratuity, premium bar, scuba, off-yacht excursions | Crew gratuity, VAT, taxes, all running costs |
| On top of base fee | ~15-20% crew tip | ~25-35% APA + 5-10% crew tip |
Source: CYBA E-Contract + MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms via YachtCharterFleet, 2026.
The CYBA E-Contract was written specifically for inclusive Caribbean charters and replaces the older CYBA Charter Party Agreement (CYBA, 2026). MYBA terms remain the global industry standard for larger yachts and are universal in the Mediterranean. There’s no published statistic for the exact CYBA-vs-MYBA market split, but trade publications consistently describe CYBA Caribbean Terms Inclusive as the Caribbean default and MYBA as the Mediterranean default and the worldwide superyacht standard.
For a deeper look at the all-inclusive model specifically, our all-inclusive yacht charter explainer and all-inclusive vs bareboat breakdown walk through the bundling logic in detail.
What’s Actually in a CYBA All-Inclusive Base Fee?
Under the CYBA E-Contract used on most Caribbean charters, the base fee bundles the yacht, the crew, three meals per day, standard ship’s bar, fuel for four hours of cruising per day, water toys, marine insurance, and ship’s laundry — meaning the “what’s included” question has a much cleaner answer than under MYBA (CYBA E-Contract, 2026). That doesn’t mean nothing’s billed separately. It means the surprises live in different categories.
What CYBA Caribbean inclusive does not cover:
- Crew gratuity — 15-20% of base fee in the Caribbean, separate envelope to the captain
- Premium bar — Champagne, top-shelf spirits, premium wines beyond the standard list
- Scuba diving — Dive operator fees, equipment rental, certification dives
- Off-yacht excursions — Shore tours, helicopter transfers, restaurant reservations
- Marina dockage on some yachts — Some inclusive yachts include standard dockage in the base fee; others pass it through. Always confirm with the broker before signing
- Government cruising permits and park fees — Always pass-through (more below)
- Communications — Satellite internet, phone, sometimes Starlink on older yachts
Most Caribbean charterers find that CYBA inclusive simplifies their budgeting enormously. The base fee number is much closer to what they’ll actually pay — usually within 20-25% rather than the 50-55% gap under MYBA.
How Does the MYBA Contract Differ — and Where Does the APA Fit?
MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms bundle only the yacht hire, crew salaries, ship’s laundry, basic consumables, and marine insurance into the base fee. All running costs — fuel, food, dockage, communications, taxes — are funded via an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) at 25-35% of base for motor yachts and 20-30% for sailing yachts. MYBA is the global superyacht standard and applies to most Mediterranean charters and to some larger Caribbean charter yachts.
The APA isn’t a fee — it’s your money, held in operational trust, spent on receipts you can audit anytime. Any unused portion is refunded after the charter. We’ve published a complete APA breakdown covering refund rates, what drives the spread, and how to maximize the refund.
The reason MYBA terms exist at all: large yachts in the Mediterranean cross VAT zones, refuel at radically different prices in different countries, and incur park and harbor fees that vary by the day. Trying to bundle that into a fixed base fee creates underpriced or overpriced charters. The APA solves it by passing actual costs through transparently.
For a structural walkthrough of the MYBA contract itself — every line, every assumption — see our MYBA contract breakdown.
How Much Should You Tip the Yacht Crew?
Crew gratuity is the largest unbundled cost on every charter — 15-20% of base fee in the Caribbean reflecting US tipping culture, and 5-10% in the Mediterranean (Ocean Independence, 2025). On a $30,000 Caribbean charter, that’s $4,500-$6,000 in tips alone. It’s technically discretionary. In practice it’s expected, and your crew has earned every dollar of it.
Think about what a charter crew actually does. Your captain navigates, manages safety, and handles all logistics. The chef prepares three gourmet meals a day plus snacks, often accommodating allergies and preferences with limited galley space. Stewardesses keep the yacht spotless, mix your cocktails, and set up water toys. Engineers keep everything running. These people work 16-hour days for your week of vacation.
The Unwritten Rules of Tipping
Cash is preferred. Hand it to the captain in an envelope on the last night, and the captain distributes it among the crew. Some charter companies accept credit card tips, but cash gets the crew the full amount without processing fees. Our complete yacht crew tipping guide covers regional norms, distribution etiquette, and what to do if a single crew member underperformed.
Should you tip more than 20%? If the crew genuinely exceeded expectations — organized a surprise birthday celebration, went above and beyond in rough weather, or turned a challenging situation into a highlight — then yes. We’ve seen clients tip 25% after an extraordinary week. But 15-20% is the standard range, and no Caribbean crew will be disappointed with that.
Here’s something most brokers won’t say out loud: charter crew salaries are structured assuming gratuity will supplement base pay. Tipping below 15% in the Caribbean isn’t just awkward — it can genuinely affect a crew member’s livelihood. That doesn’t mean tipping poor performance at 20%, but it does mean understanding the economics before you set your final number.
What VAT and Local Taxes Will You Pay?
Caribbean charters generally face low or zero VAT, while Mediterranean charters can carry VAT of 13-24% depending on jurisdiction — Spain 21%, France 20%, Italy 22%, Greece 24%, Croatia 13% (Ocean Independence, 2025). This single difference can shift a 7-day charter budget by tens of thousands of dollars.
In the Caribbean, the tax burden is mostly fixed-rate cruising permits and park fees passed through to the charterer regardless of contract type:
- BVI cruising permit: $16 per person per day for foreign-based charter yachts, amended and effective June 2025 (BVI Government, 2025)
- Tobago Cays Marine Park (Grenadines): EC$45 per mooring per 24hr + EC$15 per person per 24hr entry (Tobago Cays Marine Park, 2025)
- Bahamas Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park: Scaled mooring $25-$170 per day + $14 per person per day charter fee + 10% VAT (Bahamas National Trust, 2025)
In the Mediterranean, beyond the headline VAT rate, you may encounter berth taxes, environmental levies, and port authority fees that aren’t typically included in the APA either. Your broker should provide an all-in tax estimate specific to your itinerary before you book. If they can’t, that’s a signal to walk.
Caribbean vs. Mediterranean Tax Burden
The Caribbean is dramatically more tax-friendly for charterers. The BVI charges a modest per-person cruising permit. The Bahamas has relatively low charter taxes. St. Martin, split between French and Dutch sides, offers different tax treatment depending on where you clear customs. When comparing Caribbean charter destinations, tax implications are rarely the headline — but they should be part of your decision.
What Are Delivery and Repositioning Fees?
Repositioning charges cover the cost of moving a yacht from its home base to a different embarkation port — and they’re industry-standard pass-through costs on every contract type. Short Caribbean repositioning is typically billed as fuel only, while one-way charters between non-home ports can carry mileage or per-day fees that scale with distance (YATCO Yacht Transport, 2025). For long-distance commercial yacht shipping, costs range from $5,000 for short hauls to $200,000+ for transoceanic deliveries.
A common scenario: you want to board in St. Thomas, but the yacht is based in Tortola. The captain and crew need a half-day delivery to your embarkation point. That burns fuel, requires provisioning, and takes crew time that could otherwise be a charter day. The owner charges you for it, which is fair — but it’s rarely mentioned in the initial quote.
How to Avoid Repositioning Costs
The easiest way to dodge these fees is being flexible about where you board and disembark. Ask your broker where the yacht is already located. Building your itinerary around the yacht’s home port saves money and often produces better trips, since the captain knows local waters intimately. This is especially true across Caribbean crewed charter destinations where yachts tend to stay within a specific island chain for the season.
Another strategy: book during the yacht’s natural repositioning window. Many vessels cross the Atlantic in November (westbound to the Caribbean) and May (eastbound to the Mediterranean). Transatlantic delivery charters are available at steep discounts. You won’t get the full luxury experience — it’s an ocean crossing, not a beach-hopping vacation — but for adventurous sailors, it’s a remarkable value.
What Insurance Gaps Exist That Charterers Don’t Know About?
The base charter fee and APA don’t cover charterer liability, trip cancellation, or medical evacuation insurance. Trip cancellation insurance typically runs 4-10% of trip cost, with Cancel For Any Reason coverage at 4-15% (Squaremouth, 2026). A single medical evacuation from a remote island can cost $25,000 to $250,000 without proper coverage (Squaremouth Medical Evacuation Guide, 2026).
Cancellation Insurance Is Not Optional
Charter deposits are substantial — typically 50% of the base fee, paid months in advance. If you cancel within the penalty window (usually 90 days before departure), you lose that deposit. Cancellation insurance at 4-10% of charter value protects against illness, injury, or unforeseen events that force you to cancel. We’ve seen families lose $25,000 deposits because they assumed their regular travel insurance covered charter cancellations. It almost never does.
Liability and Medical Evacuation
The yacht carries its own insurance, but that covers the vessel — not you. If you’re injured aboard, your medical expenses are your responsibility. If you accidentally damage the tender or premium water toys, you may be liable for repair costs. Charterer liability insurance fills this gap for a relatively modest premium.
Medical evacuation insurance is particularly important for remote Caribbean destinations. Squaremouth recommends a $250,000 minimum coverage for cruise and remote travel (Squaremouth, 2026). A standalone evac rider commonly runs $150-$400 per person for a week-long trip. Compared to the alternative — uninsured airlift from the Grenadines to a hospital in Barbados or Miami — that’s the best money you’ll spend on the trip.
What Extras Add Up Beyond the Standard Fees?
Beyond contract terms and core add-ons, a constellation of smaller charges can increase your bill by $1,000 to $5,000 or more on a typical Caribbean week. Premium water toys, special provisioning requests, onboard spa services, and custom excursions all carry additional costs. None are mandatory, but they’re tempting — and they add up faster than most people expect.
View data table
| Hidden cost category | Typical $ on a $30K Caribbean charter (4 guests, 7 days) |
|---|---|
| Crew gratuity (18%) | $5,400 |
| Trip cancellation insurance (~7%) | $2,100 |
| Medical evacuation insurance (4 guests) | $1,100 |
| Premium toys / scuba / excursions | $1,800 |
| Repositioning (average short Caribbean) | $800 |
| Park fees + transit logs | $500 |
| BVI cruising permit (4 guests × 7 days) | $448 |
Sources: YachtCharterFleet, Squaremouth, BVI.gov.vg — 2025-2026.
Water Toys and Equipment
Most Caribbean inclusive charters come equipped with snorkeling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and a tender. Premium toys — jet skis, SeaBobs, wakeboards, diving compressors — may carry supplemental fees on mid-range yachts. Larger yachts often include them. Ask your broker for the yacht’s complete toy list and which items carry extra charges.
Premium Provisions and Special Requests
Standard provisioning is fully covered in CYBA inclusive. But “standard” provisioning and your expectations might not align. Want a case of Dom Pérignon waiting in the fridge? That’s a premium-bar add-on. Prefer organic, locally sourced ingredients? The chef can accommodate that, but premium ingredients cost more, especially on islands where everything arrives by boat or plane.
Fill out the preference sheet honestly and thoroughly. It’s the document where you list dietary restrictions, favorite foods, beverage preferences, and special requests. The more specific you are, the better the crew can manage the budget. “We like good wine” is less helpful than “we prefer dry whites in the $20-$30 range.”
What Does a $30,000 Charter Really Cost? Side-by-Side Scenarios
The same $30,000 base fee leads to very different all-in totals depending on whether you’re on CYBA Caribbean Inclusive terms or MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms. Below is the realistic 4-guest, 7-day breakdown for each.
| Cost category | CYBA All-Inclusive (Caribbean) | MYBA Plus-Expenses (Med or large Caribbean yacht) |
|---|---|---|
| Base charter fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| APA (~30% of base) | — bundled into base | $9,000 |
| Crew gratuity | $5,400 (18%) | $2,400 (8%) |
| VAT / cruising permits | $500 (BVI permit + park) | $6,000 (Spain 20%) |
| Trip cancellation insurance | $2,100 (7%) | $2,100 |
| Medical evacuation (4 guests) | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Premium toys / excursions | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Repositioning (avg short) | $800 | $800 |
| Flights & transfers (4 guests) | $3,200 | $5,000 |
| All-in cost | $44,900 | $58,200 |
The CYBA Caribbean all-inclusive comes in at roughly 50% over the listed base. The MYBA path runs closer to 94% over base. Same listed price. Two completely different vacations on the financial side.
For a destination-by-destination cost comparison across the Caribbean, see our Caribbean charter costs guide.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Unexpected Yacht Charter Costs?
The single best protection is asking which contract type your quote uses before signing anything. Once you know it’s CYBA Inclusive or MYBA Plus-Expenses, every other fee question becomes answerable in minutes (CYBA E-Contract, 2026). Charterers who ask the right questions before booking rarely face surprises at the end of the week.
Seven Questions to Ask Your Broker Before Booking
- Which contract type is this — CYBA All-Inclusive or MYBA Plus-Expenses? Everything else flows from this answer.
- What’s the total estimated all-in cost including gratuity, taxes, permits, and insurance? A good broker can give you a ballpark within ten minutes.
- What does the base fee include vs. what’s separately billed? On CYBA, confirm dockage, premium bar, and excursions. On MYBA, confirm the expected APA range and refund history.
- Are there delivery or repositioning fees for my itinerary? Especially relevant if you’re boarding outside the yacht’s home port.
- What cruising permits, park fees, and taxes apply at my destination? Government fees vary widely by country. Get specifics.
- What insurance do I need, and what’s already covered? The yacht has insurance. You still need your own cancellation, liability, and medical evacuation coverage.
- Are all water toys included, or do any carry extra fees? Don’t assume the jet ski in the listing photos is part of the package.
Our guide to choosing a charter broker covers the difference between brokers who lead with the lowest possible number and brokers who present the all-in estimate from the first conversation. You want the second kind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Charter Hidden Fees
What’s the difference between CYBA and MYBA contracts for hidden fees?
Under the CYBA All-Inclusive E-Contract used on most Caribbean charters, the base fee bundles meals, standard bar, four hours of daily cruising fuel, crew, and water toys (CYBA, 2026). Under MYBA Western Mediterranean Terms, only the yacht and crew salaries are bundled — running costs are billed through a 25-35% APA. CYBA’s “hidden” surprises are gratuity, premium add-ons, and government fees. For more details, see our guide on beyond the cruise ports. MYBA’s add the APA on top.
Is the APA refundable if the crew doesn’t spend it all?
Yes, on MYBA contracts. The APA is a pre-paid fund, not a fee. At the end of your charter, the captain provides an itemized accounting of all expenses. Any unused balance is refunded — typically 10-25% on well-planned charters. CYBA all-inclusive Caribbean charters don’t use an APA at all, so the question doesn’t apply there.
Do I have to tip the yacht crew?
Tipping is technically discretionary, but the industry standard is 15-20% of base fee in the Caribbean and 5-10% in the Mediterranean. Crew compensation structures assume gratuity will supplement base salaries. Cash, in an envelope to the captain on the last night, is the preferred method.
Are yacht charter taxes higher in the Mediterranean than the Caribbean?
Yes, dramatically. Mediterranean countries apply VAT of 13-24% — Spain 21%, France 20%, Italy 22%, Greece 24%, Croatia 13% (Ocean Independence, 2025). The Caribbean is mostly fixed-rate cruising permits and park fees (BVI $16/person/day, Tobago Cays EC$45/mooring + EC$15/person), not percentage-based VAT.
What insurance do I need for a yacht charter?
Three types of coverage not included in the charter fee: trip cancellation insurance (4-10% of trip cost), charterer liability insurance, and medical evacuation coverage with at least $250,000 minimum (Squaremouth, 2026). The yacht carries its own hull and liability insurance, but that protects the vessel and owner — not you as a guest.
How can I tell whether I’m being quoted CYBA or MYBA terms?
Look for the words “all-inclusive” or “Caribbean Terms Inclusive” (CYBA) versus “plus expenses,” “MYBA,” or “APA” (MYBA terms) in the quote and contract. If the broker hasn’t been explicit, ask directly. Any reputable Caribbean broker will tell you within seconds. If the answer is hedged, treat it as a red flag.
The Bottom Line on Yacht Charter Hidden Fees
Yacht chartering remains one of the best ways to experience the Caribbean. The value — especially for groups of six or more — is genuinely hard to beat when you compare it to equivalent luxury travel. But that value only holds up if you budget accurately from the start.
Remember the order of operations: first, identify the contract type. CYBA Caribbean Inclusive bundles most running costs into the base fee. MYBA Plus-Expenses bills running costs through an APA at 25-35%. Second, add the unbundled costs that apply to both contracts — crew gratuity (15-20% Caribbean / 5-10% Med), insurance (cancellation, liability, medical evacuation), cruising permits and park fees, repositioning, and premium add-ons. Third, ask your broker for an all-in estimate before signing anything.
Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. A good broker welcomes them. The fees aren’t the problem — the lack of upfront transparency is. When you’re ready to compare yachts against your dates and budget, start a yacht search at Vital Charters and we’ll walk through the full fee structure for the specific yachts and destinations you’re considering.
Jason Acosta is the co-founder and principal broker of Vital Charters. He is an avid sailor and yacht charterer. Jason is also a Master Diver and certified ASA 104 sailor.
