Are you chartering a yacht out to the open sea for the first time? Are you doing it because you wish to have a unique form of getaway during your precious vacation, given your limited time off or office calendar leaves? Yacht chartering can be very confusing, especially for unseasoned seafarers. Even if you have gone on a cruise vacation trip before, the 100 times smaller luxury yachts may come as a surprise to your planning.
Nonetheless, here are the tips for first time yacht charterers in 2023:
Plan Your Destination
The first tip is to know where you are going. In Singapore, are you trying to head down typically to the Southern Islands from Sentosa or Keppel? Do you intend to visit Kusu, Lazarus and St John Island? Or do you wish to sail overseas like Tioman or Andamas Islands of Malaysia and Indonesia, respectively?
It is important to choose your yacht that can take you to your preferred destination. Valencia Yachts offers you a sailing destination at Southern Islands. They are the most preferred destinations for most yacht charterers.
How Many People Onboard
This is also a very important factor in deciding on your perfect first yacht charter. Unless it’s only you and your romantic partner, if it is a gathering of more than 5 people, you have to check out the passenger limit of the yacht you wish to rent for.
Every yacht has a safety limit requirement to adhere to when it comes to how many onboard. This also includes the crewmen, and other persons onboard the yacht. Being over the size limit may lead to serious dangers in the sea and this may also include capsizing.
Check Weather Forecast
You have to plan for your yacht chattering trip in advance. But you should not ignore the importance of the weather forecast, even if it’s a month in advance.
Nowadays, there are mobile apps for the weather forecasts ahead. In Singapore, you have to check if there’s a possibility of a major thunderstorm on the sailing day itself. After all, a heavy rain would certainly ruin your yacht trip as yachts have many outdoor decks where you need the sun and wind to give you some good feel. Also, the BBQ pits where you usually have some meals are also in the outdoor decks. It may be a wasted trip if the rain ruins your yachting.
However, even if it rains, or if the outdoor sunshine is too hot, some yachts also have internal facilities, such as karaoke system, or just some large social rooms.
Check out the best weather apps for your mobile phones – https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-free-weather-app
Bringing Food Onboard
It is important for you to decide if you are going to bring food onboard. What kind of food do you intend to bring? Is it for a larger gathering?
Yachts have BBQ pits for you to barbecue your food for the social gathering. Or else you can just do simple cooked food orders from food catering or delivery services and bring them onboard the yacht for a food party during mealtimes.
If you’re planning to bring food onboard a luxury yacht in Singapore, there are a few things to consider. First, make sure to check with the yacht company to see if they have any specific guidelines or restrictions on food. You may also want to consider the length of your trip and the size of your group when deciding how much food to bring. It’s a good idea to have a mix of non-perishable and perishable items, as well as snacks and drinks. Don’t forget to bring enough ice to keep your perishable items fresh. It’s also a good idea to pack any necessary cooking and serving equipment, such as a grill, cooler, or utensils. With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy delicious meals and snacks on your yacht adventure in Singapore.
Type Of Event
There are many types of yacht events which you can do. Are they casual family or friend events? Or are they corporate type of events, where you will do team building or bonding activities?
This also goes to the size limit of yachts you need to select carefully. This will depend on the type of events you wish to organise onboard. Make sure there are logistical support for it. If it’s only a simple food and singing event, many yachts have such amenities available. If it involves games, make sure you adhere to safety, including the risk of being thrown overboard accidentally.
Contingency Planning
It is imperative to plan for any unforeseeable or unexpected events that may occur along the sea route. Make sure to check if any first aid kits are available. It is common for people to suffer a cut, especially if they are playing team building games. Or if people may get intoxicated after an alcohol drinking binge party, they may even throw out. Do ensure that the relevant medication is always ready onboard.
Not forgetting that we are still in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We may not be practising social distancing or temperature taking protocols anymore, so it’s still possible along the way, someone might have gotten infected with the disease. Make sure the ART test kits are always readily available.
Budget Planning
Of course, above all, do work out and calculate the estimated total budget for the yacht chartering trip. What are the total expenses and costs do you need to charter the yacht trip? Please check it carefully. There may be items on sale onboard and that has to be taken into consideration for a larger crowd.
Tipping To Consider
How much do you need to cater for tips to the crewmen? Well, read this article to find out – https://valenciayachts.com/yacht-adventures-the-lowdown-on-tipping-after-voyages/
What’s Next
If this is your first time chartering a yacht in Singapore, there are a few things you should do before hand. First, research the company you want to use and be sure they are reputable. Second, get acquainted with the paperwork – this will make the process go more smoothly. Finally, take some time to relax and enjoy yourself! With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a great experience chartering a yacht in Singapore for the first time.