The brief
Dates (or a window), party size and composition (adults, children, mobility), preferred cruising area, and any yacht style you know you like or dislike. A single paragraph is enough to open the conversation. LYC Monaco's advisor works from there — no online form, no bidding platform.
The shortlist
Within 24 hours the advisor comes back with three to five suitable yachts, availability confirmed with each yacht's central agent. Every yacht is presented with photos, deck plans, crew CVs, tender and toy inventory, weekly rate, and a candid note on why she is (or isn't) the right choice for the brief.
Yacht selection & preliminary hold
You pick one yacht as first choice, sometimes with a second as backup. LYC Monaco places a preliminary 24–72 hour hold on the yacht through her central agent while contracts are prepared. No money changes hands at this stage.
The MYBA charter agreement
The industry-standard MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract sets out every commercial term — dates, cruising area, base fee, APA percentage, applicable VAT, cancellation schedule, force-majeure provisions. LYC Monaco reviews and negotiates on your behalf. Signing typically happens within 48–72 hours of the hold.
Payments
50% of the base fee on contract signature. The remaining 50% plus APA plus any applicable VAT is due 30 days before boarding. All funds are transferred to the central agent's client account, not to the yacht or the crew directly.
The preference sheet
Four to six weeks before boarding, the yacht's chief stewardess and executive chef issue a preference sheet — dietary requirements, wines and spirits, table settings, cabin allocation, celebrations to mark, birthdays, allergies, children's routines, water toy preferences. LYC Monaco coordinates the return of the sheet and any follow-up questions.
The itinerary
Two weeks before boarding, the captain proposes an itinerary based on your brief and the current medium-range weather picture. This is a working draft — the final route is set the morning of each day by the captain, in consultation with the guests, according to actual sea state.
Embarkation
Standard Mediterranean boarding is 15:00 on day one. LYC Monaco confirms boarding logistics — car and driver from the airport, luggage handling at the quay, welcome tender if boarding at anchor. The captain and chief stewardess welcome you aboard with a short safety briefing and a walk-through of the yacht.
The week aboard
The rhythm is entirely yours. Breakfast on your schedule, cruising and anchor stops set the morning of each day, chef-led meals on board or ashore. The purser tracks APA daily and is available at any point for a walk-through. LYC Monaco's Monaco desk is on call throughout for anything the crew cannot handle from the yacht.
Disembarkation & reconciliation
Standard disembarkation is before lunch on day eight. The captain and purser present a full itemised APA reconciliation; unused APA is refunded within 7–14 days. Crew gratuity (customary 5–15% of base fee) is handled at disembarkation. LYC Monaco follows up with a debrief and reviews the reconciliation on your behalf.
Frequently asked
How do I charter a yacht for the first time?+
Share a paragraph on dates, party size, cruising area and any yacht style you know you like. A Monaco-based advisor comes back within 24 hours with a shortlist of three to five yachts, availability confirmed. From there it's yacht selection, MYBA contract signature, preference sheet, and boarding — LYC Monaco walks you through every step.
How far in advance should I book?+
For standard Mediterranean summer weeks, four to six months. For peak weeks (Monaco Grand Prix, Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Yacht Show, mid-August), twelve months minimum. Shoulder-season weeks (late May, June, September) can occasionally be arranged inside two months.
What contract do I sign?+
The MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) charter agreement is the industry standard for private yacht charter worldwide. LYC Monaco reviews every term and negotiates on your behalf before you sign.
How much does it cost to charter a yacht?+
Base weekly rates start from around €40,000 for smaller yachts (20–25m), sit typically €150,000–€400,000 for a well-appointed 30–45m, and rise into the millions for large superyachts. Add APA (25–35% of base) and any applicable VAT. See our Monaco yacht charter prices page for a full weekly-rate map.
What is APA and how does it work?+
APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is a working float paid before the charter to cover fuel, provisions, berthing and communications during the week. It's reconciled to actual spend at the end of the charter. See our full APA guide.
Do I need to tip the crew?+
Crew gratuity is customary at 5–15% of the base charter fee, paid at disembarkation. It's not part of APA. LYC Monaco advises on the appropriate range for your specific charter.
What happens if the weather is bad?+
The captain has final authority on the daily itinerary. Bad weather is usually managed by re-routing to sheltered water rather than cancellation. Full cancellation on weather grounds is rare and handled under the MYBA force-majeure provisions.
Can I bring my own chef, security or nanny?+
Yes — additional staff can be brought aboard by prior arrangement and cabin availability. LYC Monaco coordinates with the yacht's chief stewardess and captain. Many yachts also offer specialist staff (dive-masters, yoga instructors, additional chefs) through their standard networks.