APA vs All-Inclusive: The Week-Charter Cost Guide from $35K to $1M+
The cleanest way to budget a luxury yacht week: what APA really covers, when all-inclusive is smarter, and how costs change from premium crewed charters to superyachts.
If you only learn one thing before booking a weeklong yacht charter, make it this: the base charter fee is not your final number.
Most first-time guests compare base rates and accidentally compare apples to chandeliers. A $55,000/week charter can end up feeling more expensive than a $70,000/week option once you account for what’s included, how you like to travel, and how fast your onboard spend burns through fuel, wine, and special requests.
This is the plain-English version.
The two pricing models
1) All-inclusive
Common in parts of the Caribbean (especially crewed catamaran programs).
You usually get:
- Yacht + crew
- Standard food and beverages
- Fuel for normal itinerary use
- Water toys (baseline package)
You still may pay extra for:
- Premium wines/spirits
- Specialty dockage or marina fees
- Extraordinary fuel use (long runs, heavy toy usage)
- Crew gratuity
2) Plus expenses (APA model)
Common for motor yachts and superyachts in the Med, Bahamas, and high-end Caribbean charters.
You pay:
- Base charter fee
- APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance), often around 25–40% of base
- Any required taxes/VAT/permits
- Crew gratuity
APA is your trip wallet onboard. It covers your actual trip spending: fuel, food, drinks, dockage, agency fees, and special provisioning.
What changes by budget tier
| Tier | Typical weekly base | Typical structure | Guest experience shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry luxury | $35K–$75K | Often all-inclusive or light-plus-expenses | Excellent week, tighter specs, fewer “anything, anytime” requests |
| Upper premium | $75K–$250K | More often plus-expenses | Better crew depth, toy list, interior volume, stronger service cadence |
| Ultra/superyacht | $250K–$1M+ | Almost always plus-expenses | Full customization, top culinary program, larger teams, high-speed logistics |
The jump from $75K to $250K is less about “more yacht” and more about margin for personalization. The jump to $1M+ is operational freedom: routes, provisioning, privacy, and service complexity handled fast.
Real budgeting framework (without fantasy math)
Think in layers:
- Base charter fee
- Trip operating spend (APA or equivalent)
- Tax/fees (destination-specific)
- Crew gratuity
A practical rule: set an “all-in comfort budget” before you shortlist yachts, not after you fall in love with one.
How to choose between APA and all-inclusive
Choose all-inclusive when you want:
- Predictability
- Fewer billing variables
- A relaxed first charter with lighter customization
Choose APA when you want:
- Control over exact food/wine/fuel profile
- Itineraries that may change daily
- High-touch requests (special events, heavy toy program, complex routing)
In other words: all-inclusive is often best for simplicity; APA is best for precision.
The expensive mistakes people make
Mistake 1: Comparing base rates only
A lower base with high operating spend can outprice a “higher” charter that fits your route and style better.
Mistake 2: Underestimating fuel profile
A gentle island-hopping week and a high-speed relocation week are very different fuel stories.
Mistake 3: Treating gratuity as optional math
Whatever your final approach, plan for gratuity in your model from day one.
Mistake 4: No preference sheet discipline
If your preferences are vague, spending gets noisy. Clear requests reduce both waste and disappointment.
What to ask before you sign
Use this exact checklist:
- Is this all-inclusive or plus-expenses?
- If plus-expenses, what % APA is standard for this yacht and route?
- What is usually included in this yacht’s base fee?
- Which charges are most variable for this itinerary?
- Are taxes/VAT included or billed separately?
- How are APA statements presented during and after charter?
- What are cancellation and weather-shift terms?
Segment guidance: where you probably fit
$35K–$75K/week
Best for couples/families wanting a polished, memorable week without hyper-custom everything. You can have a fantastic charter if your route and expectations are aligned.
$75K–$250K/week
Best for guests who care about service rhythm, stronger toy programs, better interior standards, and “we don’t want to think about it” logistics.
$250K–$1M+/week
Best for high-discretion trips, larger teams, serious culinary expectations, and tight calendars where execution speed matters as much as aesthetics.
Bottom line
The smartest charter clients don’t ask “What does it cost?” They ask, “Which pricing model matches how we actually travel?”
Do that first, and the numbers stop being scary and start being strategic.
Related reads
FAQ
What is APA on a yacht charter?
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) is the operating budget used during plus-expenses charters for fuel, food, beverages, dockage, and trip-specific costs. For full trip context, see the Exumas 7-day itinerary.
Is APA included in the base charter fee?
Usually no. APA is normally separate from the base rate, then reconciled against actual spending at the end of the trip. Compare how this differs from simpler BVI structures in the BVI first-timer week guide.
How much is APA for a week charter?
It varies by yacht and route, but many charters model around 25–40% of base for planning purposes. Seasonal effects can also move spend patterns, especially in the Palm Beach charter seasons guide.
Is crew gratuity part of APA?
Typically no. Gratuity is usually budgeted separately from APA and settled independently.