Charter Guide
Yacht charter etiquette — for guests and crew alike
Small things that make a charter feel effortless. None of it is complicated, and most of it comes naturally after the first day aboard — but a first-time guest benefits from knowing the shape of it before boarding.
In short
Yes, or wear soft-soled shoes only on interior soles. It's the single most consistent piece of etiquette across every yacht in the Mediterranean and protects the yacht's interior finishes. Heels are almost never worn on teak decks.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026 · By the concierge desk, Luxury Yacht Charter Monaco · Monaco
Shoes and interior soles
The single piece of etiquette every yacht upholds: no outdoor shoes on the interior soles. Some yachts ask guests to remove shoes entirely on entering the interior; others provide branded soft-soled slippers. Heels are almost never worn on teak decks — they mark the wood permanently. Bring soft-soled shoes for on-board use, and leave the sharp-heeled evening shoes in the cabin until you're stepping off onto a shore quay. The crew never has to remind guests of this twice; a first-time guest picks it up in the first hour and never thinks about it again.
Meeting the crew
The captain and chief stewardess introduce themselves at boarding; the rest of the crew is introduced through the first evening. First names on both sides is the norm. Say hello to crew you pass on deck — the yacht is a workplace as much as a private space, and a small acknowledgement makes a real difference to morale. Crew do not initiate conversation unless invited; if you want to chat with the chef or the deckhand, invite it and it flows easily.
How to communicate what you want
The chief stewardess is the point of contact for anything not going through the captain — cabin requests, meal timing, drinks, spa bookings, ashore transport, extra provisioning. Ask directly and in advance where possible. 'We'd love an early breakfast tomorrow, around 07:30 on the aft deck' is easy for the crew to prepare for; the same request at 07:29 is possible but adds friction. Meal orders and drink orders go to whichever service crew is present — the yacht is not a restaurant where you flag down a waiter, it's a team who anticipates and delivers.
Itinerary preferences and the captain
Communicate itinerary preferences early. The crew works to your rhythm, but they need time to plan — dockage, provisioning, tender scheduling. Tell the captain the evening before if the following day looks different from the outline, and treat the captain's weather calls as final. Every experienced captain has a rough plan for the following two or three days that flexes; the more warning they have, the smoother the changes.
Ashore — pickups, timing, changes
Let the crew know when you'll be back so tender pickups are ready. A short call rather than a long text keeps things simple. If plans change ashore (dinner runs long, you want to stay another hour), tell the crew as soon as you know. Tenders don't wait at busy quays in high season, so an updated pickup time is easier to arrange than a tender circling empty. Some guests ask the crew to text a photo of the tender at the quay so pickups are obvious in a crowded port — this works well.
Photography and privacy
Photograph freely for personal use. Crew photos are fine on request — but don't post crew photos publicly without asking, and don't post any yacht identifiers (name, hull markings) without checking with the captain first. Some yachts are owned by clients who value strict privacy and prefer that no exterior photography is shared publicly. The captain will mention any such request at boarding; respect it without discussion.
Guests bringing guests
If you'd like to invite a friend aboard for lunch or dinner from a nearby villa or hotel, mention it to the captain 24 hours ahead so the crew can plan provisioning and, if the invitation extends overnight, confirm the sleeping-guest cap. Casual same-day visitors for a lunch aboard are almost always fine with notice; sleeping additions require more coordination and, on some charters, a formal amendment to the guest list.
Alcohol and drug policy
Alcohol aboard is provisioned to the guest's preference through APA — the yacht's bar is your bar for the week. Recreational drugs are illegal in every port a Mediterranean charter visits and are not permitted aboard under any charter agreement. Captains have discharged charters for this. It is not a grey area on any yacht we work with.
The last morning — gratuities and thank-yous
Gratuities are customary and paid at the end of the charter, at the client's discretion. 5–15% of the base fee is the common range, with 10% a fair default for a well-run week and 12–15% for a genuinely exceptional charter. The gratuity is handed to the captain in cash on the last morning aboard, or arranged by bank transfer within a few days, and the captain distributes across the crew. A short handwritten note to the crew is always appreciated and often ends up framed in the crew mess.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to take my shoes off on board?+
Yes, or wear soft-soled shoes only on interior soles. It's the single most consistent piece of etiquette across every yacht in the Mediterranean and protects the yacht's interior finishes. Heels are almost never worn on teak decks.
How do we order food and drink on board?+
The chief stewardess is the main point of contact. Meals and drinks are ordered through her or the service crew present; menus are agreed in advance with the chef and adjusted the same day if you'd like something different.
Can we invite friends aboard for dinner?+
Yes — with 24 hours' notice to the captain so the crew can provision. Same-day lunches and dinners with visiting friends are common; overnight additions require coordination with the guest cap.
What's the standard gratuity?+
5–15% of the base fee is customary, with 10% a fair default. Paid to the captain on the last morning aboard in cash or by transfer, and distributed across the crew.
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By the concierge desk · Monaco
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