When you start to plan your crewed yacht charter, the crew’s tip is an important aspect to consider in your charter budget.
Tipping is common practice in the charter industry and it is important to show your appreciation to your crew, it shows recognition for their hard work and exceptional service.
In the Caribbean and Bahamas, tipping is typically 15% – 20% of the charter rate and 10% – 15% of the charter base rate in the Mediterranean.
Your crew will be working for you from the moment they receive your preference sheets to the moment you disembark. There is a lot of preparation that goes into creating an unforgettable yacht charter. Your chef will be planning the menu taking into consideration any allergies, likes, and dislikes. Food and drink orders will be placed for delivery to the yacht and your chef will go shopping for fresh items and specialized requests. Your captain will be planning an itinerary to include the places you wish to go and the things you would like to do. They will organize any excursions you would like to go on and book any SCUBA diving that you would like to partake in if the yacht does not offer that onboard. The yacht will have been fully provisioned, cleaned, serviced, and maintained ready for your arrival.
Tipping is a way to acknowledge and reward your crew for their service, attention to detail, and professionalism throughout your charter experience. The crew will work hard for the whole of your charter to give you the best experience possible. The crew often goes above and beyond their regular duties to make sure you are enjoying yourself and are comfortable. They may organize special events such as birthday parties and anniversary dinners, theme nights, prepare personalized meals, or arrange unique experiences for you.
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.
On larger yachts, provisions are covered through the APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance). This system gives flexibility to choose premium ingredients, fine wines, and custom dining experiences. There are no set limits, so your chef can source exactly what you request.
For many sailing catamarans in the Caribbean, the all-inclusive rate includes all meals and beverages. You’ll typically enjoy:
- Three gourmet meals daily
- Premium wines and spirits (included as standard)
- Hors d’oeuvres and snacks throughout the day
- Desserts and wine pairings with dinners
Even though meals are included, the menu is still fully tailored to your group’s preferences.
Your private yacht chef caters to most special diets and allergies. We will send you a preference sheet 2 months before your charter for you to complete. Here you can list any special diets or allergies anyone in your group may have. We will forward this to your chef and then he/she can plan a menu. It is not uncommon to have several special diets on one charter. Common accommodations include:
- Vegan and vegetarian menus
- Gluten-free preparations
- Food allergy awareness
- Cultural and religious requirements
- Child-friendly meals
If this is a need, Epic Yacht Charters will inquire with yachts during the search process and discuss it with the chef in order to prepare menus that satisfy everyone.
The answer is absolutely yes. Every charter menu is designed around your personal preferences, dietary requirements, and favorite foods, ensuring every meal onboard is memorable.
Your yacht chef can design a wide range of dining experiences:
- Breakfast: light continental spreads or full plated meals
- Lunch: casual buffets, themed barbecues, or formal service
- Dinners: elegant multi-course menus or relaxed family-style meals
- Special Events: themed parties, holiday meals, or anniversary celebrations
Every aspect of the yacht charter menu can be customized, from morning smoothies to midnight desserts. In fact, dining at sea is more than just meals — it’s part of your adventure. Customized menus allow you to:
- Celebrate milestones with tailored cuisine
- Explore local flavors prepared by expert chefs
- Pair wines and cocktails with your favorite dishes
- Relax knowing all dietary needs are handled in advance
Dining ashore offers unique benefits:
- Authentic local cuisine prepared by island chefs
- Romantic beachfront settings for sunset dinners
- Social atmosphere and people-watching
- Supporting local businesses and communities
- Variety beyond even the most talented yacht chef’s galley
- Your crew provides excellent recommendations for restaurants matching your preferences and can arrange reservations and transportation.
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.
Before your charter begins, you’ll complete a detailed preference sheet covering:
- Dietary requirements, restrictions, and accommodations
- Allergies
- Favorite foods and cuisines
- Include wine, cocktail, and beverage preferences.
- Activity interests
- Wake-up times and meal schedules
- Indicate special occasions or celebrations details such as birthdays or anniversaries
- List favorite snacks or ingredients you’d like on board
Your chef uses this information to provision the yacht with exactly what you love, creating customized menus that feel personally designed for your group.
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.
