Reading a Charter Quote: 5 APA, Fuel and Guest Capacity Checks

Reading a charter quote is easier once you separate three things: the base rate, the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) and the limits set by guest capacity. The base rate pays for the yacht and crew, APA and fuel fund what you actually use, and capacity decides who can sleep aboard. Whether you are comparing a 20m motor yacht in Antibes or a 56m superyacht in the Balearics, this guide shows which lines to question before you sign.

How do you start reading a charter quote for a motor yacht?

Start with what the base rate buys. On most crewed charters it covers the yacht and its crew for the agreed period, and everything variable sits on top: APA, fuel, VAT or local charter tax, marina berths and, on one-way routes, any delivery fee. Taxes depend on the departure country and cruising area, so a quote starting at Port Hercule in Monaco and one starting in Mykonos can be built differently even when the headline rate looks alike. Ask for the quote itemised, with the number of days, departure and arrival ports and maximum guests written into one document. That is the only way to compare a compact day boat and a superyacht on equal terms.

What is APA on a yacht charter and who controls it?

APA, the Advance Provisioning Allowance, is a sum paid before departure and held by the captain to cover running costs during the charter: fuel, food and drink, marina and port fees, and local services. It is usually quoted as a percentage of the base rate, and your broker should state that percentage in writing. APA is not a fee. Unspent funds are returned, and the captain should provide an itemised statement with receipts when you disembark. If costs exceed the advance, the balance is settled at the end. On a week from Palma to Formentera, galley provisioning is a major variable, so share dietary notes and preferences before departure, not on the pontoon.

How is fuel charged on a motor yacht or superyacht?

Fuel is the most variable line in any quote. It is normally paid from the APA at cost rather than fixed in the base rate, so the final figure depends on speed, distance, sea state and how long generators run at anchor. Speed matters more than mileage: a long hop at high speed can burn far more fuel than two shorter legs at a steady cruising pace. A day from Portofino to Monaco, which also crosses from Italy into France, will cost differently from a slow afternoon between Greek islands such as Paros and Antiparos. Ask whether the quote includes a fuel estimate, how it was calculated and whether it assumes your planned route. To see how routes shape consumption, read our destination guides.

What does guest capacity mean on a charter quote?

Guest capacity is the figure most often skipped and the one that most affects comfort. Distinguish between the number of guests permitted aboard for a day cruise and the number who can sleep in cabins overnight, and ask the broker to confirm both. Riva 130 at 40m, Emerald at 50m and The Wellesley at 56m are each listed for 12 guests, while Princess 64 Fly at 20m lists 10 and Arcadia Sherpa 60 at 18.7m lists 12. Length alone does not predict headcount, because larger yachts devote space to saloons, crew quarters and deck areas. Request the cabin layout, including doubles, twins and any berths suitable for children. You can compare layouts across our fleet, from compact day boats to superyachts.

5 checks before you sign off on the numbers

1. Confirm the APA percentage and refund process. The figure should be written into the contract, along with the captain's duty to issue an itemised statement and return unspent funds.
2. Ask for a fuel estimate per leg. A single line for the whole week hides the difference between a short run to Antibes and a long crossing toward Porto Cervo.
3. Match capacity to cabins. Check overnight sleeping numbers against your party, not only the maximum guests allowed on a day trip.
4. Clarify taxes and border crossings. A leg from Monaco to Portofino changes country, so ask who handles clearance and whether any costs fall to the APA.
5. List what sits outside the quote. Peak-season berths in Palma or Mykonos, extras and crew gratuity, which is customary and discretionary, are commonly outside the base rate.

For route ideas to test against these checks, see our itinerary guides.

Plan your charter

A well-read charter quote does more than settle a budget; it shapes the week. Once APA, fuel and guest capacity are clear, the conversation turns to the pleasures: a quiet morning off Formentera, a late lunch ashore in Portofino, an evening return to Port Hercule with nobody counting receipts. Choose the vessel to fit the party, the route to fit the season, and the summer of 2026 or the early months of 2027 begin to look less like a plan and more like a calendar.