What’s Included in a BVI Yacht Charter? Bareboat vs. Crewed
When comparing BVI yacht charter prices, the weekly charter rate doesn’t always tell the whole story.
A bareboat charter, bareboat with a professional captain, and fully crewed yacht charter can include very different things in the advertised rate.
That means two yachts with similar weekly prices may have very different total vacation costs.
At Virgin Charter Yachts, we offer bareboat power catamarans and arrange fully crewed luxury yacht charters throughout the BVI and Caribbean. One of the most important things we can help guests understand is what is—and isn’t—included before you book.
Here is the simplest comparison.
BVI Yacht Charter Inclusions at a Glance
BVI Yacht Charter Inclusions at a Glance
| What’s Included? | Bareboat | Bareboat + Captain | Fully Crewed All-Inclusive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yacht | Included | Included | Included |
| Professional captain | No | Additional cost | Included |
| Professional chef | No | No | Included |
| Food | Guest expense | Guest expense | Included |
| Standard beverages | Guest expense | Guest expense | Included |
| Yacht fuel | Guest expense | Guest expense | Included* |
| Dinghy & outboard | Included | Included | Included |
| Towels & linens | Included | Included | Included |
| Water toys | Guest expense | Guest expense | Included |
| BVI cruising permit | Additional | Additional | Generally included* |
| National Parks permit | Additional | Additional | Generally included* |
| VISAR | Additional | Additional | Generally included* |
| Wi-Fi | Optional – $250/charter | Optional – $250/charter | Included |
| Moorings & dockage | Guest expense | Guest expense | Varies* |
| Gratuity | — | 10–15% customary | 15–20% customary |
| APA | No | No | Only on plus-expenses yachts |
*Exact inclusions vary by crewed yacht. Some larger motor yachts and other plus-expenses yachts operate on a base charter rate plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), rather than an all-inclusive rate.
What Is Included in a VCY Bareboat Charter?
With a Virgin Charter Yachts bareboat charter, you are chartering the yacht without a permanent professional crew.
Your yacht includes the equipment you need for the charter, including the dinghy and outboard, towels and standard onboard equipment.
That last point is worth considering when comparing bareboat prices between companies. Don’t compare only the advertised weekly yacht rate—look at the mandatory fees that will be added before departure.
What Is Not Included in the Bareboat Rate?
Guests are responsible for:
- Fuel
- Food and beverages
- BVI cruising permits
- National Parks permit
- VISAR contribution
- Optional Wi-Fi
- Dockage or marina fees
- Mooring fees
- Optional captain, if requested
- Other optional services or equipment
BVI Bareboat Permit and Government Fees
Some BVI fees are calculated according to the number of guests and length of your charter.
BVI Cruising Permit
The BVI cruising permit is:
$4 per person, per day
For example, eight guests on a seven-day charter would pay:
8 guests × 7 days × $4 = $224
National Parks Permit
The National Parks permit is based on group size:
| Number of Guests | Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 guests | $35 |
| Up to 8 guests | $45 |
| 10 or more guests | $55 |
VISAR
The Virgin Islands Search and Rescue contribution is:
$5 per person, per charter
These fees are charged at the VCY base.
Is Wi-Fi Included on a VCY Bareboat?
Wi-Fi is optional on VCY bareboat charters.
The cost is:
$250 per charter
There is no per-device charge. Unlimited devices can connect during the charter.
For families, groups of friends or guests who need to stay connected for work, this can be considerably more convenient than trying to manage individual cellular plans for everyone aboard.
Is Fuel Included in a Bareboat Charter?
No.
Bareboat guests are responsible for the fuel they use during the charter. You are provided the yacht full of Fuel at the start of your charter. When you finish your charter, our team will meet you at the Fuel dock and you will refuel; paying for the fuel you consumed during your charter.
Fuel consumption varies considerably depending on the yacht, cruising speed, itinerary and how much you travel during the week.
This is one reason we don’t like quoting a single generic “weekly fuel cost” for every powercat. A smaller powercat traveling relatively short distances around the BVI can have very different fuel consumption from a larger yacht covering significantly more distance.
Your VCY team can provide more useful guidance for the specific yacht you’re considering.
Is Food Included on a Bareboat?
No.
Bareboat guests are responsible for their own food and beverages.
You can shop locally after arriving in the BVI or arrange provisioning in advance so groceries and beverages are ready for your charter.
Our BVI provisioning guide explains your grocery, beverage and advance-ordering options.
What If We Want a Captain?
A professional captain can be added to a VCY bareboat charter, subject to availability.
This can be a great option for guests who want the independence and pricing structure of a bareboat but either don’t have the required experience or simply don’t want responsibility for operating the yacht during vacation.
However, there is an important distinction:
Adding a captain does not turn a bareboat into a fully crewed yacht charter.
Your charter is still structured as a bareboat. Guests remain responsible for food, beverages, provisioning and the normal day-to-day aspects of bareboat living.
The captain also needs appropriate sleeping accommodations aboard, which should be considered when selecting the yacht.
Compare a BVI bareboat, bareboat with captain and fully crewed yacht charter to see which experience is right for your group.
What Is Included in a Fully Crewed BVI Yacht Charter?
This is where BVI charter pricing can become confusing because not every crewed yacht uses the same pricing model.
Most of the crewed sailing catamarans and power catamarans we book in the BVI operate on an all-inclusive rate.
A typical all-inclusive BVI crewed charter includes:
- Yacht
- Professional captain
- Professional chef
- Meals aboard
- Standard beverages
- Normal yacht fuel
- Standard water toys aboard that yacht
- Linens and towels
- Normal operating expenses
- Most normal cruising expenses
Before your charter, you complete a detailed preference sheet covering food, beverages, dietary requirements, allergies and your group’s interests.
The chef uses that information to customize the menu, while the captain works with you to develop an itinerary based on what your group wants to experience.
Explore our BVI luxury crewed yacht charters to see available yachts, crews and amenities.
What Isn’t Included on an All-Inclusive Crewed Yacht?
Although the charter is described as all-inclusive, that doesn’t necessarily mean every possible vacation expense is included.
Common exclusions can include:
- Crew gratuity
- Premium wines, Champagne or specialty alcohol beyond the yacht’s normal offering
- Dockage requested by the guests
- Shore-based restaurants
- Spa treatments
- Excursions or activities provided by third parties
- Transfers before or after the charter
- Certain specialty requests
Exact inclusions and exclusions vary by yacht, which is one reason we review the charter terms with guests before booking.
What Is APA?
Some larger motor yachts and other luxury yachts are offered on a plus-expenses basis rather than an all-inclusive rate.
These charters commonly use an Advance Provisioning Allowance, or APA. APA is typically an additional 30-40% of the charter rate.
The APA is money paid in advance to cover expenses associated with your particular charter, such as:
- Fuel
- Food
- Beverages
- Dockage
- Local expenses
- Other charter-specific operating costs
The captain accounts for expenditures from the APA during the charter.
APA is not an additional charter fee or crew gratuity. It is an advance against actual charter expenses.
If expenses are lower than the APA collected, the unused balance is returned according to the charter agreement. If expenses exceed the amount collected, additional funds may be required.
The important distinction is:
Most BVI crewed catamarans we book are all-inclusive. APA is more commonly associated with larger motor yachts and other plus-expenses yachts.
For a more detailed explanation of rates, inclusions and additional expenses, read our guide to BVI crewed yacht charter costs.
Is Crew Gratuity Included?
No.
Bareboat
- There is no professional crew aboard, so there is no crew gratuity.
Bareboat With Captain
- For a bareboat charter with a professional captain, a gratuity of approximately 10–15% of the charter rate is customary for good service.
Fully Crewed Yacht
- For a fully crewed yacht charter, 15–20% of the charter rate is customary for good service.
Gratuity is normally provided at the end of the charter and distributed among the professional crew.
Are Mooring Balls and Dockage Included?
Bareboat
No. Mooring balls and marina dockage are guest expenses.
Many BVI overnight destinations offer mooring balls rather than requiring marina dockage.
Our BVI BoatyBall guide explains reserved moorings, first-come-first-served balls and what to expect when planning overnight stops.
Fully Crewed
Normally fully crewed yachts will anchor at night, and there is no charge.
Guest-requested marina dockage is commonly an additional expense even on an all-inclusive crewed charter.
Your captain can discuss the options as the itinerary develops.
How Much Will My BVI Yacht Charter Really Cost?
The best way to compare charters is to compare the expected total trip cost, not simply the advertised weekly rate.
For a bareboat, consider:
Charter rate + permits + VISAR + fuel + provisioning + moorings/dockage + optional Wi-Fi + optional captain
For an all-inclusive crewed yacht:
Charter rate + customary crew gratuity + any optional shore activities, premium requests or dockage
For a plus-expenses yacht:
Base charter rate + APA/actual expenses + customary crew gratuity
That makes it much easier to compare genuinely different charter options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a BVI bareboat charter include a captain?
No. A bareboat is chartered without a professional captain. A captain can be added separately, subject to availability.
Does adding a captain include a chef?
No. Adding a captain to a bareboat does not normally include a chef.
Are towels included on VCY bareboats?
Yes. Towels are included.
Is the dinghy included?
Yes. The dinghy and outboard are included with VCY bareboat charters.
Does VCY charge a cleaning fee?
No. There is no separate cleaning fee.
How much is Wi-Fi?
Optional Wi-Fi is $250 per charter and allows unlimited devices to connect.
Are BVI permits included in the bareboat rate?
No. The BVI cruising permit, National Parks permit and VISAR contribution are charged separately at the base.
Is food included on a crewed yacht?
On most all-inclusive BVI crewed yachts, yes. Food and standard beverages and alcohol are generally included. Plus-expenses yachts operate differently.
Does every crewed yacht charge APA?
No. Most BVI crewed sailing catamarans and powercats we book operate on an all-inclusive basis. APA is more commonly used for larger motor yachts and other plus-expenses charters.
Is gratuity included in a crewed yacht rate?
No. Crew gratuity is separate. A gratuity of 15–20% of the charter rate is customary for good service on a fully crewed yacht.
Know the Total Before You Book
The terms bareboat, bareboat with captain, all-inclusive crewed and plus-expenses crewed describe very different charter experiences—and very different pricing structures.
That’s why we don’t recommend comparing yachts based on the advertised weekly rate alone.
Virgin Charter Yachts has been chartering yachts in the British Virgin Islands since 1996. We can help you understand not only which yacht fits your group, but what you’ll actually be paying for once you’re here.
Whether you’re comparing a bareboat powercat, adding a professional captain or considering a fully crewed luxury yacht, we’ll explain the inclusions and additional costs before you book.
Explore our BVI charter options or contact our team and we’ll help you compare the true cost of the choices that fit your group.
