Charter Yacht Brokers are professionals who will assist you in finding the right yacht, crew, and destination for your unforgettable vacation. We attend boat shows and can verify that the crews are reliable and very knowledgeable about the sailing areas. Epic Yacht Charters prides itself by only representing yachts of the highest quality and luxury.
The yacht charter broker is trained in the standard industry charter agreements, contracts, and all legalities of contracts between the client, the clearing house, and the owners of the vessels.
We will protect the funds and handle them through escrow accounts to avoid any fraud. All rules will be described and you will feel comfortable trusting the broker.
To ensure an easy and carefree vacation planned, they will assist in your itinerary planning according to your interests.
If you need accommodation before or after your charter, local knowledge of hotels and villas will be shared. How to get there and transportation will also be discussed and especially when you need to submit your preference sheets about interests and food allergies and likes/dislikes.
Meet Michelle Heyns
Meet Michelle HeynsMichelle’s personal experience with yachts, crews, owners, and yacht managers sets her apart from other charter yacht brokers. Additionally, she participates in major annual charter yacht shows to inspect each yacht and interview each crew personally. As an independent outlet, Michelle’s unbiased, expert advice can often help tip the scales, turning the best vacation into an EPIC journey.
Our #1 goal is to match the yacht and crew that fits the client, identifying your needs to provide the vacation of a lifetime. We’d love to continue booking your vacations for years to come – the ultimate reward is creating lasting relationships and even lifelong friendships. Your friends will be envious when they see your trip, and then they will contact us to help them have the same unforgettable experience.
Charter yacht brokers are charter yacht industry professionals who share a range of vessels with you and are there to help you choose the vessel you prefer. We gather information from you, such as the number of guests, and preferred dates of travel, and determine information including availability and rates. The service is to improve the experience of the guests and is provided at no cost to you!
With over 300 charter weeks and 16+ years of experience as a hostess and charter chef, Michelle has a unique perspective on the industry. She spent 12 years chartering specifically in The British Virgin Islands with her husband Leon and knows every anchorage, every activity spot, every secret sunset viewing beach, and every yacht/crew in the area.
Together they have also chartered in other Caribbean destinations and in the Abacos and the Exuma Cays in the Bahamas. She founded Epic Yacht Charters in 2016 and is now one of the top crewed charter yacht brokers in The Virgin Islands. She understands firsthand the importance of creating a perfect match between her clients and their ideal yacht & crew for an unforgettable sailing vacation. Michelle was inducted in the fall of 2020 as an active member of the prestigious Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).
No, meal plans are chosen at booking and factored into your charter contract.
Half-board yacht charters usually carry a lower base rate because some meals are at your own expense ashore, though the savings depend on your shore dining choices. Budget-conscious groups can select casual beach bars and local restaurants, while others might enjoy the flexibility to splurge at high-end establishments—you control the additional expense.
Once you factor in the cost of the meals on shore, a half board charter could turn out to be more costly.
Here are some things to consider:
Half Board:
- Lower upfront cost- but overall the cost of the meals onshore will add additional cost compared to the full board
- Guests should budget for 4–7 restaurant meals ashore
- Factor in transport costs to/from restaurants
- Opportunity to explore authentic local dining
Full Board:
- Higher upfront cost, but no surprise restaurant expenses
- Alcoholic beverages may be included depending on yacht contract
- Ideal for guests who prefer convenience and private dining
Benefits include:
- Every meal included in your base rate
- No need to plan or budget for restaurants ashore
- Complete culinary customization for dietary preferences
- More time onboard to relax and enjoy water sports
- A seamless, all-inclusive yacht vacation experience
A half board yacht charter offers flexibility to enjoy both onboard dining and local restaurants ashore. It’s budget-friendly, ideal for food lovers, and perfect for guests who want a balance between all-inclusive convenience and authentic island dining.
Benefits include:
- Lower base charter fee compared to full board
- Flexibility to enjoy local dining ashore
- Balance of onboard cuisine and cultural food experiences
- Easier scheduling for excursions and island-hopping days
- Great option for guests who prefer lighter dining packages
Half-Board Sample Itinerary
- Breakfast on board with fresh fruit and pastries
- Morning sail to a new island
- Lunch provided on board by the yacht chef
- Afternoon beach stop
- Dinner ashore at a local restaurant
Full-Board Sample Itinerary
- Breakfast on board with eggs and fresh smoothies
- Morning snorkeling excursion
- Lunch on deck overlooking turquoise waters
- Afternoon water sports session
- Sunset cocktails and chef-prepared dinner on board
A full board yacht charter (sometimes called “FB”) includes all meals onboard, prepared by the yacht’s professional chef. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages are provided, giving guests an all-inclusive dining experience throughout the trip.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day
- Snacks and hors d’oeuvres between meals
- All beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, depending on yacht provisions
- Customized menus and dietary accommodations
This option provides maximum convenience and is especially popular for families, larger groups, and itineraries where dining ashore isn’t a priority.
On a half board yacht charter, some meals are provided on board by your crew, and the rest are enjoyed ashore at local restaurants. Typically, breakfast and lunch are included, with several dinners served onboard. The remaining meals are at your own expense, giving you flexibility to explore authentic dining at your destinations.
A half board yacht charter (sometimes called “HB”) includes a mix of onboard meals and time ashore to enjoy local restaurants. Guests usually have:
- All breakfasts on board
- Four lunches provided by the yacht chef
- Three dinners provided on board
- Crew service for included meals
- Beverages with onboard meals
- The remaining lunches and dinners are at your discretion and expense, giving you flexibility to explore authentic restaurants, beach bars, and fine dining experiences at your charter destinations.
Local Fare Variation
Some yachts offer a “local fare” option with fewer shore meals:
- 2 lunches ashore
- 1 dinner ashore
This variation provides slightly more onboard dining while still incorporating local restaurant experiences.
Half-board charters are ideal for:
- Budget-conscious charterers seeking cost savings, although it is important to understand that you could end up spending more on full meals ashore then you would have paid for full-board on the yacht. It depends on your restaurant choices.
- Groups who enjoy exploring local dining scenes
- Guests who’ve chartered before and want destination immersion
- Longer charters (10+ days) where meal variety becomes important
- Social groups who enjoy restaurant atmosphere
For detailed comparison of half-board versus full-board options, see our comprehensive Half-Board vs Full-Board Yacht Charter Guide with benefits, costs, and decision frameworks.
Half board vs full board yacht charters comes down to flexibility and dining style. Half board (also called “partial board”) includes some meals on the yacht, leaving room to enjoy restaurants ashore. Full board covers all meals onboard with a set menu and service. Half board offers variety and slightly lower base costs, while full board ensures all-inclusive convenience.
Choose half board if you:
- Enjoy trying local restaurants and beach bars
- Want some evenings ashore during the trip
- Are happy to budget separately for shore meals and transport
Choose full board if you:
- Want every meal handled by your chef
- Are traveling with children or a large group
- Plan to spend most of your time onboard or at quiet anchorages
Full board is the usual choice in the Caribbean, where most crewed catamarans are all-inclusive. Half board is more common in the Mediterranean, where dining ashore is part of the experience.
Included in your luxury yacht charter is the service of a professional experienced captain and chef. Some yachts also have deckhands and stewardesses at your service. Your crew are experts, outstanding cuisine served by your trained private chef from a small galley, and safety, security, and responsibility when sailing or motoring by your licensed captain. Before your charter begins, the captain will assess your needs and design the perfect itinerary for your vacation while your chef designs a menu for your unforgettable week aboard. All watersport activities are in their control and they make sure that you get instruction on the use of plenty of different water toys, including SCUBA diving if offered.
The qualifications for the crew to operate the yachts are very high and we interview them to find out if they would be the right match for you and your group.
The charter yacht industry has monohull sailboats, sailing catamarans, power catamarans, and motor yachts.
We recommend the best yachts available to you for the preferred time of your trip. We bring specials and yacht features to your attention. Most of the yachts have a different layout and you may want to select the best layout for your group. For example, children may want bunk beds, singles may want double beds and you may want an aft deck exit from your primary cabin. Some require a business desk and others need more space to lounge on the foredeck seats.
Motor yachts and power catamarans are faster and will get you to your daily stopovers so that you can spend more time ashore or at anchor in a beautiful bay.
Half-board charters are ideal for:
- Budget-conscious charterers seeking cost savings, although it is important to understand that you could end up spending more on full meals ashore then you would have paid for full-board on the yacht. It depends on your restaurant choices.
- Groups who enjoy exploring local dining scenes
- Guests who’ve chartered before and want destination immersion
- Longer charters (10+ days) where meal variety becomes important
- Social groups who enjoy restaurant atmosphere
For detailed comparison of half-board versus full-board options, see our comprehensive Half-Board vs Full-Board Yacht Charter Guide with benefits, costs, and decision frameworks.
The exotic destinations make your charter trip very picturesque.
The largest part of our crewed yacht fleet is in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the neighboring US Virgin Islands (USVI).
The Bahamas (Exuma Cays) are also an exciting destination where we recommend shallow water sailing in the summer season.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines are ideal for the low season when yachts are moving to the south to avoid hurricane weather.
Does an all-inclusive yacht charter sound like your dream vacation? Let us help you make that dream a reality! Epic Yacht Charters offer access to the best sailing or motor catamarans for vacations in the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean destinations.
Please contact us and ask how we can help you find the right boat and crew for your next unforgettable all-inclusive vacation. Thank You.
