David Hackert, president of Prestige Yacht Charters, says nothing beats boat charters when it comes to celebrating your special day, whether it is a birthday, an anniversary or a wedding. “Think about the weddings you have attended in the past. You celebrated, danced and went home,” he explains. “A wedding on a yacht, however, could offer panoramic views, imposing skylines or even an exploration of serene inlets and coves. It would be an occasion your guests would remember for the rest of their lives.” There are many decisions to make when it comes to selecting from the diverse pool of luxury yachts but the benefits far exceed the initial effort.

Do you want to be a skipper? This is one of the first decisions to make when considering private a boat charter. If the answer is “yes,” then be prepared to hand over your boating resume to the charter company, which includes several years of experience sailing the size and type of boat you intend to charter. At www.ebare.com, you can take an assessment to see if you are ready for smooth sailing and to see what your options are if you are not quite prepared. You may need to take a few boating and safety courses before being allowed to hold supreme power aboard your private yacht. On the day of your charter, some companies may take you out on a demo cruise, where you will demonstrate your knowledge. If you flunk the demo, then the company will place a captain aboard your vessel. If, on the other hand, you pass your demo, then congratulations! You will be commanding your first bareboat charter.

Next you will need to decide whether you want to go through a yacht broker or a boat charters company. A yacht broker is like a personal travel agent paid a commission by various charter companies at no extra expense to you. This trained professional will have an in-depth knowledge of various crews, chefs, ships, companies and destinations to assemble a grand sailing vacation. You can find knowledgeable brokers through the American Yacht Charter Association, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association or international groups, like the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association or the British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association. If you decide to go with an experienced charter company which has packages already put together, then be sure they have at least 10 years of experience, client testimonials, new yachts, a wide choice of amenities and a friendly staff.

Boat charters range tremendously in the amenities they offer. For instance, some sailing yachts come with BBQ grills, microwaves, blenders, CD players, DVD players and flat-screen TV sets, mini-bars, GPS and snorkeling gear. Some boats provide biminis that will protect guests from the relentless sunshine. Some charters have on-deck showers to rinse the salt water off your skin. Some motors are outboard, requiring manual effort, while others are the powerful inboard style. You can sometimes get binoculars and hand-held compasses, but they are not standard equipment. Towels and bedding may be provided or you may have to pay extra. You’ll also want to look into kitchen supplies like dishes, utensils, dish cloths, cleaning supplies and corkscrews. Asking a lot of questions can ensure that you get the best luxury yacht charter possible.

Technorati Tags: bareboat charter, boat charters, crewed yacht charter, luxury yacht charters, luxury yachts, private yacht charters, sailing vacation, sailing yachts