By My Side

Absolutely. In fact, many families prefer catamarans due to their stability and spaciousness. The flat deck, wide living areas, and shallow draft make it a family-friendly option. Just make sure to let your charter company know in advance so they can equip the yacht with child safety nets or life vests if needed.

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is a pre-paid onboard expense account, typically around 30% of the charter fee, paid about four weeks before the start of a catamaran charter. It covers essentials such as gourmet meals, fine wines, fuel, marina fees, local taxes, and special requests, ensuring a seamless and carefree experience. The captain manages the APA transparently, providing detailed records and returning any unspent funds at the end of the trip. APA is standard practice for charters worldwide, especially for boats with larger crews.

You can hire a skipper, hostess, and even a chef. The skipper handles navigation and safety, while the hostess is responsible for the cleanliness of the interior, light meal prep, and provisioning. If you opt for a chef, you’ll enjoy full-service meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some luxury catamarans come crewed by default, especially those over 50 feet in length. You can even request special services like onboard massages or yoga classes — just speak with your charter broker in advance.

During peak season (June–September), most charters run from Saturday to Saturday. In the shoulder months — April, May, and October — more flexible arrangements are sometimes possible, depending on availability and the charter company.

No, mooring fees are not included. These fees usually range from €100 to €200+ per night, depending on the size of the catamaran, the season, and the marina. The base charter price typically covers a 7-day rental of the yacht and yacht insurance. Additional obligatory costs include a comfort pack (which usually covers final cleaning, bed linen, etc.) and tourist tax. Extras such as paddleboards, kayaks, or early check-in are available at an additional cost. Don’t forget to budget for provisioning, fuel, and mooring during your trip.

Think of a catamaran as a floating villa – it’s more spacious, stable, and comfortable. A monohull sailing boat, on the other hand, offers a more traditional sailing experience, including the thrilling sensation of heeling (tilting) with the wind. Catamarans generally don’t sail as close to the wind due to their design, but their shallow draft allows them to anchor in secluded, shallow bays with stunning turquoise waters. Keep in mind that both rental and mooring costs are typically higher for catamarans.

The ideal time to start planning is around Christmas. At that point, availability is still wide open and many charter companies offer early booking discounts. If you have specific preferences for dates, locations, or a particular catamaran model, booking early is your safest bet.