Imagine going on a family vacation without traffic jams or crowds. At Private Yacht Charter, we know that vacation time is far too precious to waste, and what little time we do have is made all the more special when spent on a trip away with family and loved ones.
Private Yacht Charter wants to assist you in preparing for a well-planned luxury yacht rental so you’ll avoid the common vacation triggers such as surprise expenses, complicated travel logistics, crowds, and activity disagreements that set stress levels higher. If you’re looking for an opportunity to connect with family and also escape the daily grind to recharge your batteries, a luxury yacht charter is an ideal solution. Best of all, successful family vacations create lifelong memories and have a lasting positive effect on the entire family, especially the children.
Discuss and plan together
No matter how hard you try, it may not be possible to please everyone 100 percent of the time. However, conversations in advance of travel will eliminate surprises that can be the source of disappointment. The best family vacation begins by involving everyone in the decision-making process. Talk about where to go, when to go, and what activities family members enjoy. On a crewed yacht rental vacation, you can even plan menus together…and nobody has to do the cooking or the dishes, either.
Choose a location with activities for the whole family
Nothing is more important to vacation planning than deciding where to go. If plenty of fresh air, sunshine, and the certainty of having a good time is on the must-have list, consider a private yacht charter to tick all the boxes, even if you’re a first-timer. Private Yacht Charter is a broker for fantastic destinations like The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Mexico—so there are plenty of opportunities for the entire family to choose new places that add a sense of adventure to combine with relaxation and fun.
Book as early as possible
When it comes to vacation planning, the sooner the better. This allows you to start researching the destination and plan ahead to have the right travel documents for your chosen destinations.
For example, island hopping in the Caribbean? No passport is required for U.S. citizens to visit St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. However, the nearby British Virgin Islands do require a passport. If you’re heading for a destination that does require a passport, ensure that all family members have valid passports with at least six months’ validity from the date of departure.
You’ll want to learn about duty-free allowances, currency conversion, sightseeing highlights, national parks, weather patterns, traditional festivals, and more ahead of time. Other planning considerations may include local Covid-19 updates. And did you know that some places, including the USVI, only allow mineral sunscreens? To protect coral reefs, any sunscreen containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene is prohibited by law.
You’ll also want to consult with Private Yacht Charter about the type and size of vessel best suited to your family size, ages, special needs, or preferences. Sailing yachts, motor yachts, and catamarans each provide a somewhat different onboard experience for guests.
Create an itinerary
It’s fun to look into destination websites and study travel guides to create a vacation itinerary with your family. Once that’s done, an itinerary gives everyone a concrete idea of exactly what to look forward to on vacation. From a practical perspective, it will also serve as a map for a successful trip.
Some tips on key things you’ll want to discuss with family members:
- Talk about how much relaxation time versus how much activity time
- Plan for both active and passive activities
- Don’t over-schedule the days and avoid under-scheduling as well
- Space out the timing of activities rather than getting everyone worn out
- Look for agreement; avoid insisting on something others choose not to do
- Plan alternative activities just in case
- Stick to the budget and look at all-inclusive options
Remember, the experts at Private Yacht Charter are here to help by answering any questions you and your family may have to smooth out the planning process.
Pack smart and think barefoot
There’s a rule of thumb for vacation packing that’s especially true on a boat where space is limited. Pack what you think you’ll need, and then remove about half of that. Swimsuits and cover-ups, shorts, and t-shirts are the items you’ll live in much of the time.
Using soft-sided luggage is an absolute must, and leave the high heels at home. To protect surfaces on the boat, even street shoes must be removed on most yachts and catamarans.
Go with the flow
Sometimes, even the best-laid plans will change. For sure, Mother Nature may have ideas of her own from time to time. Your captain and crew have been selected because they are intimately familiar with the sea, the vessel and its maintenance, the safety routines, the operation of water toys, and the ports in all the destinations you’ve chosen.
You and your family can place your trust in these professionals’ skills and experience if and when adjustments must be made, or when yacht etiquette or best practice calls for it. The objective of your captain and crew is to ensure everyone’s safety as well as provide quality time and a luxury experience that meets and beats all expectations for you and your family.
Talk to someone with experience
Remember that taking time in advance to plan a trip that appeals to everyone is time well spent that can significantly reduce stress and increase enjoyment. A yacht charter broker can provide the advice and suggestions you need as you plan the perfect vacation. Don’t hesitate to use the resources available to you at Private Yacht Charter by contacting us today. We’re looking forward to hearing from you to begin the conversation that will be your first step in planning a stress-free vacation with your family.