Planning Your Charter Vacation

There are so many decisions to make when planning your perfect charter vacation. It is our hope that the following information will be very useful to you. Just take it one step at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the details. We want this to be the most stress free, relaxing (yet energizing) trip you have ever had! Of course, we are always available to assist or advise you in any way you need. We are here for you, so please don't hesitate to call or email us at anytime.

What Is a TERM VS. A Bareboat Charter?

A bareboat charter is an arrangement for the chartering of a boat whereby no crew or provisions are included. Instead, people who “rent” the vessel from the owner are responsible for taking care of such things. In a bareboat charter, the owner gives possession of the boat to the charterer. The giving up of possession by the owner is the defining characteristic of a bareboat charter. (Max Charters(MC) does not offer Bareboat Charters).

Skippered Charters, what Max Charters offers, come with a USCG licensed Captain & Crew . In this situation, the responsibility of the boat falls on the owner, Max Charters, who has employed the captain and crew, which consists of a captain, first mate, and/or chef. These charters are fully provisioned by the crew. Just bring your sunscreen & bathing suit and we take care of the rest!

Skippered Chartering still offers you the ability to choose your own destinations and set the pace for your vacation. It also gives you the opportunity to shop for yourself, or through the help of a provisioning company, choose exactly what you prefer to have onboard for your charter. It is very cost effective and makes managing your budget much easier.

When Is the Best Time to Sail the Virgin Islands?

There is no bad time to sail in the Virgin Islands, so the best time for your group really depends on you. December through April is our Mid/High season and when most people choose to charter. Christmas and New Year's weeks are really special and are the busiest weeks of the year, but well-worth it. Be aware of local events, even during off season, that could have an impact on crowds, etc, such as regattas, poker runs, or flotillas.

February, April, and May are the quietest months, so you won't be fighting the crowds. These are great months for chartering.

June 1st - November 30th is hurricane season, even though June and July are quite busy. While many people are concerned about chartering during this time, there really is a very low chance of a hurricane affecting your vacation. If you are looking to be alone in an anchorage, with the pristine beach to yourself, October and early November are the best times for that!

We always recommend that you purchase Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment, but most especially during hurricane season.

What is Included with the Yacht?

Every yacht comes with a fully equipped galley, including microwave, outdoor BBQ grill, and ice chest. Each stateroom will have bed linens, bath towels (not beach towels), hand towels and wash cloths. Snorkel gear is available to borrow at no extra charge. Be sure to bring phone chargers, beach towels, aux cables, etc.

Can I Sleep Aboard the Night Before My Charter?

For $150 per person, a minimum of $300, you can board our yacht the night before your charter starts. Please coordinate with Max Charters if this is something you are interested in adding to your charter.

Can I Place a Hold on the Yacht While I Check Airfare?

Absolutely! We can keep the boat on hold for up to a week. After that time, if we do not hear from you, we will automatically release the hold.

When traveling directly into the US Virgin Islands, there are some serious cost savings. Most major airlines serve the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas with fewer connections and/or direct flights. This makes airfare significantly less than flying into the British Virgin Islands — as much as $500 per ticket or more depending on the time of year. You can also avoid the costly and often inconvenient ferry. Not to mention the fact that you can easily lose a day on the front and back end of your vacation just getting from point A to point B.

Instead, you can go directly from the airport to Virgin Islands Yacht Charters and get settled immediately by taking advantage of our sleep aboard option if you have scheduled that in advance. Once you arrive, your provisions will be delivered directly to our boat, if you have made arrangements through one of our convenient provisioning services, or you can take a little time to shop for yourself at the nearby grocery store. If you choose our full board option, we will coordinate your meals and drink preferences in advance.

READY TO BOOK?

Always try to book your charter vacation as far in advance as possible, particularly if your dates are not flexible or if you have a specific boat in mind. December through April is our busiest time of year and these months generally book up well in advance. Christmas and New Year's often book a full year ahead. The Hanse 445 has full A/C and generator, so consider booking in low- or off-season for deals as much as 30% off.

Once you have decided on your dates and we have determined availability, the process is simple. We will email you with the Charter Agreement/Release of Liability and the Terms & Conditions for you to review, sign, and return to us.

What is the Payment Schedule?

In order to secure the booking, we will need a deposit of 30% of the charter fee. The deposit is due within two weeks of receiving your paperwork. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the start of your charter. Payment instructions are included in the Terms & Conditions.

What's Next?

Now that you have officially booked your charter, you will naturally start to think about planning out your itinerary. You will have questions about the process, local points of interest, and you will want to begin making decisions concerning provisioning - what to bring and not bring, etc. We will cover all of that and help guide you through step-by-step in order to make it as simple and stress-free as possible. Visit our US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands Itinerary pages for more in-depth information on things to do while visiting the Virgin Islands

What If I Need to Cancel?

We do understand things can happen at the last minute that may require you to cancel your charter, which is why we recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. There are many reputable insurance carriers who offer "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If a charter is cancelled more than 120 days prior to embarkation (including sleep aboard day), a full refund will be issued, less $600.
If the charter is cancelled between 120 to 60 days prior to embarkation (including sleep aboard day), 30% of the total charter fee will be forfeited.
If the charter is cancelled 60 days or fewer prior to embarkation (including sleep aboard), total funds paid to date will be forfeited.

WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATION

It is extremely rare that your charter will be affected by any weather-related issues; however, we highly recommend protecting your investment by purchasing Travel Insurance if you plan to charter during storm season. Max Charters is not responsible for any costs incurred in procuring other accommodations, rescheduled flight fees, or loss of charter or charter days.

CUSTOMS INFORMATION

Do I Need a Passport or VISA to Enter the BVI’s?

All persons, including US Citizens, require a passport when entering the British Virgin Islands. Your passport must be valid for another 6 months upon entering the territory. Visitors from some countries may also require a VISA for entry. If in doubt, check with BVI Tourism Board. Don't have a passport or your passport has expired? Whether you're renewing a passport or applying for the first time, you can use this Passport Tool to fill out the form and print. Then simply follow the instructions for submitting. It's that easy! Be sure to allow sufficient time for your passport to be processed.

What is the Currency in the BVI’s?

The currency is US dollars. You will find most bars and restaurants will accept credit cards and traveler's checks. Due to the high bank charges in the BVI’s, most establishments will charge a 3% to 5% fee on all card transactions. Always have some cash with you to use in some of the smaller bars and restaurants which may be cash only.

Is the Customs Process Difficult?

Going back and forth through customs between the US and British Virgin Islands is a simple process. Certain times of year are, of course, busier than other times, but the procedure isn't anything to worry about. You will be given a customs packet during your briefing, which contains all of the paperwork necessary for clearing customs both into and out of the BVI’s, as well as, clearing back into the U.S. It is one stop in the BVI’s and one stop back through US Customs if you choose to clear in person. You MUST clear BVI Customs immediately upon entrance, but in the USVI you have 24 hours to clear in.

NEW to the clearing process is the Customs and Border Protection ROAM App, which can be uploaded to your cellular device.

CBP ROAM APP

Travelers should download the CBP ROAM app on their web-enabled smart device. Note that a free login.gov account is required to use the CBP ROAM app. After opening the CBP ROAM app, tap “Sign In”.

To use CBP ROAM on your personal smart device, download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. In certain locations, the CBP ROAM app can also be accessed on tablets.

Travelers who do not have a login.gov account should “Create an account” and follow the instructions
Travelers who already have a login.gov account should sign into their existing account, and will be redirected back to the CBP ROAM app.

After signing in to the CBP ROAM app, users can create and save traveler and conveyance profiles. These profiles can be reused for repeat entry into the United States. This makes clearing back into the US easy and totally stress free.

What Are the Customs Fees and Requirements?

We will clear into the BVI’s in Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke or West End in Soper's Hole on Tortola. You will want to tell the customs officer that you are clearing IN and OUT and your paperwork should reflect that. You will want to purchase a Cruising Permit, which is required, and is $16 per person/per day. Also, you can expect to pay $20 per person for BVI Departure Tax and $10 per person for BVI Environmental Fees.

There are entry fees for the BVI National Parks so you must obtain a National Parks Permit as well. A National Parks Permit allows you to pick up day mooring balls in any of the BVI's fabulous marine parks. These include the famous Baths, the Caves, the Indians, Monkey Point and the Dogs. Anchoring is prohibited at all times in these areas in order to protect the Territory's vulnerable reefs. The cost of a park pass is dependent on the number of guests in your party and will vary from $50 per week for 4 guests to $110 per week for 10 guests.

Occasionally, the customs agent will include a Vessel License Fee which is an additional $35. There is a new fee implemented in the Fall of 2019 which is a Port Fee of $1 per foot for the length of your charter boat.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Overnight Moorings and Marinas

Most of the bays have overnight moorings and most of our guests prefer the safety and comfort of an overnight mooring instead of anchoring. Expect to pay $30-$35 per mooring per night. Be sure to get a receipt once you have paid for your mooring. If you would like to get your land legs back, spend the night in one of the BVI's full service marinas and make use of a little luxury on shore. Expect to pay anywhere from $1.50 - $2.50 per foot for the night. Some marinas will even include free water and ice.

Can We Rent Watersports Equipment?

Water toys can definitely add to your experience while on charter. We have a number of items available for rent including Stand Up Paddles, single kayaks, & float mats.

Cell Service and WiFi

Cell service in the USVI is just like in the United States. There are no international charges. But, once you pick up a BVI cell tower, it can become quite expensive. Call your service provider prior to your charter and purchase a Passport Program or something similar and HotSpot your phone. This is definitely the easiest and most affordable option.

PACKING FOR A SKIPPERED CHARTER

K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Sailor!

The old saying, "less is more", truly does apply when packing for your vacation. One soft-sided duffle bag is the most you will need for a bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands. Space is very limited on most sailing vessels, so you will not want to utilize that space with hard-sided or bulky luggage. Most of the time you will be in a swimsuit and cover-up or t-shirt and that is perfectly acceptable during the day at pretty much every place you will want to play or dine. One or two "going out" outfits will be all you will need - a simple collared shirt for men and sundresses for the ladies. Avoid denim because it just takes too long to dry, although you may want to bring a pair of jeans with you for when you leave the beautiful Caribbean weather for colder climates!

A simple pair of flip flops will get you through an entire week, unless you plan to do a little hiking on the many hiking trails on St. John, then you might want to throw in a comfortable shoe for that. If you plan to overnight in one of the marinas and use the showers, you will want some shower shoes. We would also suggest a small collapsible tote for carrying your toiletries along with you to and from the shower.

Don't pack large, bulky beach towels. Instead, try a Turkish towel or a sandless beach towel from Tesalate. Both will take up a minimal amount of space in your luggage and are very compact.

A long sleeve rash guard is always a good idea for a little extra coverage from the sun and to protect from the cool water while snorkeling. Along those lines, a light weight jacket or long sleeve t-shirt is also recommended for those cooler nights. And remember, you will want to buy souvenirs while you are here and so consider purchasing those types of items along the way. We recommend buying a Max Charters Sun Shirt.

Basically, pack half as much as you think you'll need and bring twice as much money, and you'll have a great week!

ARRIVING IN ST. THOMAS

Transportation Information

In St. Thomas taxi service can be quite expensive and sometimes a little stressful, especially at the airport. Usually cab fare is $15 per person from the airport to the East End, where American Yacht Harbor(AYH) is located. Also, be aware that some cab companies charge a fee for the amount of luggage you have with you as well. It is highly recommended that you pre-arrange your transportation a day or two prior to your arrival. If not, you will most likely end up in an open air cab or large van with other people and your stop will be the last stop because of the location. For printable transportation information click here. All cab drivers are familiar with the location of American Yacht Harbor. Once you arrive at AYH, call us and we will pick you up on the dock.

Car Rental

Paradise Rental Car™ 340-643-2692 www.pdiseinc.com

Discount Car Rental 340-776-4858 https://www.discountcar.vi/

Renting a car instead of hiring a taxi can actually be quite the savings, especially if you plan to do your own provisioning. You can leave the car at the marina and the car rental company will pick it up. These are the only car rental companies/services on the island with our recommendation.

-Remember, we drive on the left.

What Time Can We Board?

Officially, your charter starts at 12 noon on the first day and ends at 12 noon on the last day. Sleep aboards begin at 5 pm. We try to be very flexible with those times and will work with you to better accommodate your needs, assuming the boat is ready. We can't guarantee that will always be the case, but we will do our very best to help with ease of travel.

What Happens If We Arrive After Hours?

If you expect to arrive after hours, please communicate that to us in advance, so we will know and can make a plan for your arrival.

Are There Restaurants Nearby?

Yes, Red Hook has a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and oftentimes live music. There's never a shortage of fun in Red Hook!

Weather, Mechanical, and Onboard Issues

What Happens If Weather Becomes an Issue?

During the months of September and October there is a very slight risk of there being a named storm. Most people are concerned about chartering during this time, even though there really is a very low chance of a hurricane affecting your vacation. But, if you prefer very small crowds, warmer water, gentler winds, and lower rates, there is no better time to charter than during Off-Season. Once again, we highly recommend protecting your investment by purchasing Travel Insurance.

Can We Use a Hairdryer Onboard?

Unfortunately, you cannot use a hairdryer or any other stylers aboard any of our yachts. Life in the islands is very casual and laid back. Once you have wound down to "island time", you probably won't want to blow dry your hair anyway. Let the tradewinds do it for you and embrace it! You always have the option to go into one of the marinas and use the onshore facilities for that special occasion.