
How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht?
9 minute read
A luxury yacht charter cost varies dramatically based on factors like vessel size, destination, crew expertise, and onboard amenities. Below Deck, the American reality TV series that debuted in 2013, showcases glamorous charters, but real-world pricing depends on tangible elements. For example, a week on a 100-foot motor yacht in the Mediterranean might cost between €50,000 and €200,000+, while smaller sailboats in Croatia start around €10,000.
The price of a luxury boat charter depends on many things, such as the size of the yacht, where it’s going, the skills of the crew, and the amenities on board. The American reality TV show Below Deck, which premiered in 2013, shows fancy yachts, but prices in real life depend on real things. In the Mediterranean, a week on a 100-foot motor yacht could cost anywhere from €50,000 to €200,000 or more. In Croatia, smaller ships start at €10,000.
Key influencers include:
Yes, but there’s a catch. On Below Deck, guests pay less ($15,000 to $40,000 for two to three days) to cover the costs of making the show. In fact, luxury charters work with “APA” (Advance Provisioning Allowance), which pays for things like fuel, food, and docking fees. Read our guide to yacht provisioning to learn more about APA.

Below Deck 1
The most expensive boat on the show is the M/Y St. David, which was shown in Season 11 of Below Deck. It costs about $325,000 per week to rent. Similar boats in real life, like the Sunreef 80, give the same level of luxury for €150,000 to €250,000 per week.
For about $140,000 a week, you can rent the 177-foot sailing boat Parsifal III from Below Deck Sailing boat. In Greece or Croatia, smaller sailing boats like the Lagoon 51 start at €15,000 per week.
Destination has a big effect on prices:
Our Croatia vs. Greece cost breakdown dives deeper.
Costs you didn’t expect can make your budget go up:
Read our hidden fees guide to avoid shocks.

Below Deck 2
The cost of a Below Deck crew (captain, cook, stewardesses, and deckhands) goes up by 20–40%. Crew costs for a €100,000 boat, for instance, could be €20,000 to €40,000. 10–15% of the base fee is usually left as a tip, which is split between the team. Find out more in our crew tipping guide.
Prices go up by 30–50% during busy times, like summer in the Mediterranean or winter in the Caribbean, when Below Deck shoots. As an example:
Our best time to charter guide explains regional peak/off-peak windows.

Below Deck 4
The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) covers all the costs:

Below Deck 3
Damages, liability, and medical situations are covered by charter insurance, which costs about 1% to 3% of the yacht’s value. Guests must also get travel insurance in case they get sick or have to stop their trip.
Always review cancellation policies before committing.
| Yacht Type | Below Deck Cost (3 days) | Real-World Weekly Cost (Croatia/Greece) |
|---|---|---|
| 100ft Motor Yacht | $30,000–$50,000 | €80,000–€250,000 |
| 50ft Catamaran | $15,000–$25,000 | €12,000–€30,000 |
| 177ft Sailing Yacht | $50,000–$70,000 | €140,000–€325,000 |

Below Deck 5