How do you check out the crew before booking a crewed yacht charter?

You check out the crew before booking a crewed yacht charter by asking four things: how long the captain and chef have worked together on this boat, what licence the captain holds, what last season’s guests said, and when the broker last met them in person. Tenure matters most. A captain and chef in their third season together run a tighter week than two strangers paired a month ago, and crew turnover is one of the commonest reasons a well-reviewed yacht disappoints. Ask for the crew profiles: the captain should hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, a USCG Master licence or an MCA equivalent, and the chef’s bio should arrive with sample menus. Guest comments do not sit on Google. The central agent that lists the yacht collects them after every charter, and a broker can read last season’s feedback on request. Brokers also meet crews face to face at the BVI and Antigua charter yacht shows every November and December. The first-time charterer’s guide covers what happens next.