FAQ
Tampa Bay yacht rental questions

No experience is necessary. We will take care of everything for your luxury charter experience, which is operated by a US Coast Guard licensed Captain.
Each of our charters start at two hours long with the option to extend as you go. Whether you're looking for a daytime escape or a sunset cruise, we can figure out a timeline that works for you!
Your Captain will reach out prior to the departure date to confirm the itinerary and go over your Preference Sheet. Although it varies by charter experience, the Preference Sheet will generally account for any special dietary requirements, beverages, special occasions, or other special requests. It will also detail any medical issues, allergies, and other important information. We encourage you to provide as much information as possible to give the Captain a detailed understanding before you step on board.
All of our yachts are stocked with water and ice along with yachting necessities aboard such as toilet paper, sunscreen, and towels. You are always welcome to bring your own supplies if you’d prefer. All safety provisions are provided but you are welcome to bring your own. Life jackets must be Coast Guard-approved, in serviceable condition, and the appropriate size for the intended user. On a vessel underway, children under 13 must wear an appropriate US Coast Guard-approved PFD, unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
If joining us on the Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 (MC6), we recommend packing light as many essentials will be waiting on board. Soft sided luggage is recommended as it usually fits in cabin compartments and is gentle on woodwork and paint.
For all experiences we recommend you pack your bathing suit, waterproof bag, proper footwear, hat, sunglasses (polarized recommended for marine life viewing), preferred suntan lotion (no aerosols on board please), a light jacket (for wet, windy, or chilly days), Binoculars (for manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life), and a camera.
If anyone in your party is prone to seasickness/motion sickness, over-the-counter medications or prescriptions may be a good idea for all charter experiences.
Wearing shoes on board is generally never allowed unless you have a specific pair of shoes, with non-slip, non-marking soles which are only worn on the charter yacht. We recommend packing flip-flops for your shore visits and maybe also bring a pair of wet shoes for walking in rocky or shelly areas, as well as in the water.
Bathrooms are available on all of our vessels. The Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 (MC6) has three ensuite heads with separate toilet and shower, and the crew cabin has a head as well. The Aquila 36 has two cabins each with a toilet and shower combo head. The Axopar 28C has a private toilet forward of the bridge which is accessed from outside the cabin.
Absolutely, each boat has a Bluetooth stereo system with outdoor speakers. Bring your favorite music playlist and the Captain will help you connect your mobile device.
In almost all cases, you are allowed to bring your own food and beverages for your yacht charter experience. Responsible adults are more than welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages onboard. We do ask that you refrain from bringing red wine or any other beverages that could stain the surfaces of our vessels. We can also coordinate to have provisions delivered to your boat prior to embarkation. If you would like to have a chef experience just let us know and we can customize that to your preference.
There is no smoking allowed on board and there is no fishing allowed. We also have a zero tolerance for any illegal drugs on board and your Captain has the right to immediately terminate the charter if this rule is broken. Violation of this rule will result in no refund of the charter cost. We ask that you respect the vessel and the Captain’s instructions. We want all guests to have an amazing and unforgettable time, so we keep restrictions to a minimum, but have to also ensure we comply with local, state, and federal regulations at all times.
Chartering a yacht can make for an excellent family vacation, with activities to entertain both children and adults. This is an incredible experience for children, as they will have the chance to see marine life such as dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays and more. Kids also like to jump in for a swim, play in the sand, go shelling, and explore small islands. However, in general, the adult guests are responsible for their safety. We recommend that you bring childcare if you want to truly relax and have a carefree time while ensuring your children are being looked after. The Captain and crew may not be able to leave their post while underway to prevent a safety issue.
In most cases, pets are not permitted aboard for health and safety concerns, and sea travel can cause extreme discomfort to animals. Service Dogs under Title II and Title III of the ADA will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you must be accompanied by your pet while on board for any reason, we kindly ask that you check with us prior to booking your charter experience. Please note that we do not carry any dog life jackets. We recommend that you bring a life jacket for your Service Dog if permitted.
Bareboat Chartered Vessel: Per US Coast Guard regulations, the maximum capacity on any yacht regardless of size (if less than 100GRT) is the charterer plus a maximum of 12 guests (total of 13 people) not including Captain and Crew. This applies to our Monte Carlo 6 and Aquila 36 vessels. On a Bareboat Charter, the Charterer takes on the legal obligations and is responsible for the crew, passengers carried, and others.
Passengers for Hire Charter: Per US Coast Guard regulations, Uninspected Passenger Vessels (UPV) if less than l00 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) can carry up to 6 passengers for hire. This applies to all of our vessels except the Williams Jet Tender 345 which can carry up to 4 passengers for hire. Passengers for hire do not take on legal obligations.
Term Charter: On term charters the maximum is the overnight guests of the yacht. Our Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 (MC6) can accommodate 2 guests per stateroom with a total of 3 staterooms, or 6 total guests. This applies to our Monte Carlo 6 only and is considered as an extended Passengers for Hire Charter and thereby passengers do not take on legal obligations.
Chartering a yacht for a period longer than a single day and having guests sleep aboard is what is referred to as a "Term Charter". In order to book a term charter, just reach out to us so we can work with to select embarkation and disembarkation dates, set an itinerary, and complete a meal preferences and activity sheet so we can have a detailed provisioning list for your charter.
One of the highlights of a yacht charter experience is to enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants accessible from the water in Tampa Bay. However, there are limitations that may apply due to limited space for docking and the size of the yacht that can be accommodated. We recommend communicating your preferred dining experience in order for us to make reservations and requesting dock space in advance. Docking charges may apply and will be added to the charter cost.
Our experiences are designed to be as carefree as can be and the charter fee would include the yacht rental, fuel, cleaning fee, Florida State and Local Tax, the Captain, any crew if applicable, and any included toys and extras. We also provide a dive flag for when guests are in the water snorkeling. Additional fuel charges only apply if a charter experience is extended, and those would be mutually agreed upon prior to extension approval.
We do not provide snorkel gear, but you are more than welcome to go snorkeling at sandbars and other Captain approved areas during your charter. We ask that you bring your own gear, but snorkel gear may be added on to an experience. Gratuity is also not included.
Although not mandatory, it is customary and recommended to leave a gratuity for the Captain/Crew at the end of a charter, if you are happy with the quality of your service.
Florida weather tends to change by the minute. Your Captain will make the proper determination on a safe course of action should you experience inclement weather and may offer alternatives to the float plan for your experience. In the event of a named windstorm, we will cancel and offer a charter credit good for up to one year. As safety is the most important factor in any charter, if you have a custom experience, we will proactively communicate with you, and do everything possible to reschedule your experience to the earliest date possible.
Any cancellation made 14 calendar days prior to your departure time will receive a full refund with no administrative fee deducted or be able to reschedule. Any cancellation made between 14 calendar days and 72 hours prior to your departure time will receive a full refund (minus a $250 administrative fee) or be able to reschedule. Any cancellation less than 72 hours prior to your departure time will not be refundable.
If we need to cancel due to mechanical failure, a named windstorm, or a Captain cancellation, you will receive a full charter credit or be able to cancel and get a full refund.
When cruising near land you will usually be able to pick up a good signal from the vessel. In some remote locations the phone signal can become very weak. If you are expecting important phone calls, make sure you let the Captain know in order to avoid areas with low signal. All vessels are equipped with a VHF radio, in case we need to call for help in the case of an emergency. We also have an Iridium® satellite phone as a backup.