Below is a list of the most common questions that arise when we organize Palumba charters with our clients.

If you do not find the answer to your question here, it is not a problem, we are at your disposal to answer all your interrogations.

If you prefer you can always :

call us +33 7 69 88 21 71
send an email to charter@palumbayacht.com

1. What is included in the charter fee?

The vessel will be delivered to you with all necessary equipment, a crew at your service and properly insured for marine risks. Your broker will send you a proposal with a rate calculated for the duration of your charter inclusive of an appropriate crew, on-board facilities, water toys and equipment. You will not be responsible for the crew’s wages, food and clothes which remain at the owner’s expense. 

2. What is APA?

All other operating costs that will incur throughout your charter are to be paid using the APA (acronym for Advance Provision Allowance). These costs include (and are not limited to) the following items: fuel expenses for the yacht, her tenders and any other motorized water toys; local taxes; port and harbour dues; custom clearance; water and electricity consumption; food and beverages provisions. The APA is usually 30% of the charter fee (sometimes 35% if the yacht has a higher fuel consumption or if you intend to do more than about 4 hours of cruising per day). Any APA not used will be returned to you at the end of the charter as you leave. On the other hand, if expenses exceed the APA (maybe excessive cruising so high fuel costs, requests of rare liquors, etc.) you will be expected to reimburse the difference prior to disembarking the yacht. This is rare but you need to be aware of this possible expense.

3. Is VAT applicable on the charter fee?

 The Value Added Tax (VAT) applied to your charter fee will depend on your cruising area and itinerary (France VAT 20%, Italy VAT 22%, Spain VAT 21%). We will be able to advise and assist you based on the country you wish to visit. 

4. What are the payment terms?

The payment terms will depend on the timespan between the date of signature of the contract and the date of your charter. You will be requested to pay a deposit of 50% and the total APA upon signature of the contract and 100% of the funds and a security deposit if requested will be required to be paid prior to boarding. 

5. Can I cancel in case of bad weather?

The only cancellation possible is in case of Force Majeure (in the agreement ‘force majeure’ means any cause directly attributable to acts, events, on-happenings, omissions, accidents or Acts of God beyond the reasonable control of the owner, the crew, or the charterer – including, but not limited to, strikes, lock-outs or other labour disputes, civil commotion, riots, acts of terrorism, blockade, invasion, war, fire, explosion, sabotage, storm, collision, grounding, fog, governmental act or regulation, contaminated fuel, major mechanical or electrical breakdown beyond the crew’s control and not caused by lack of maintenance and/or owner’s or crew’s negligence. Crew changes and shipyard delays not attributable to the aforementioned causes, do not constitute force majeure.) Therefore, in the case of bad weather the charter will be presented the possibility to reschedule the charter or to choose another period based on the yacht’s availability.

6. Where can the yacht pick us up from? 

If you wish to board or anboarding somewhere other than the yacht’s ‘home port’ some delivery and redelivery fees from the yacht’s home port will be applicable as an extra expense and communicated to you.  

7. Do I need to pay a gratuity?

 Is it customary in the yachting industry to leave a gratuity should you have been fully satisfied with your charter experience and the service brought to you by the crew. This however remains at your complete discretion. We usually recommend leaving between 5% and 10% of the initial charter fee. 

8. How are provisions made for my charter? 

Once you have been through all the administrative process of booking your charter, you are presented with a preference list to complete for your crew to fully understand your requirements, preferences and expectations. It is important that you pay close attention to this document as you will be required to inform us on all your charter party’s needs such as: dietary or medical requirement, allergies, preferences, habits or any special requests. This allows our crew to be fully prepared and to organize the best possible experience for you. 

9. Can I bring my pet on-board?

 PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED EXCEPT UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS. In this case, it is subject to a security deposit.