Pointers When Finding Yacht Brokers
Monday, June 29th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
You may have heard of “yacht brokers” before, yet what exactly do they do? Every year, thousands of crewed yachts stop over in destinations that tourists like to visit. Usually, these boats are used by rich individuals or companies for a few months each year and are set to sea for your use during the other months. In essence, these brokers take your needs into consideration and pair you up with a boat, a captain, a crew, a chef and a destination to give you the ultimate experience with one of their crewed yacht charters.
A yacht broker makes his or her living off commissions from a number of local charter companies, without costing you extra money. Essentially, the broker acts as your personal travel agent by interviewing crews, looking at boats and researching itineraries. There are more than 200 luxury yacht charter brokerage firms. Before selecting one, be sure they are affiliated with the American Yacht Charter Association, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association or international groups like the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, and get references.
The yacht brokers will help you choose a crewed yacht that suits your tastes. You may be able to choose a particular cuisine like Italian, French, American, Asian fusion, West Indian or a combination. Perhaps you would like crew members who double as travel agents, armed with the knowledge to help you plan your activities. Or maybe you would like crew members who are also performers, adding to the entertainment of your trip. Planning on kayaking, water-skiing, diving, snorkeling or doing some on shore biking? Let your luxury yacht charter professional know so they can accommodate you. Cabin layouts vary as well. Some have equal amenities in each room, while others have master suites and less luxurious cabins. Brokers will typically issue you a questionnaire before they begin searching.
The best place to find qualified brokers is through the Charter Yacht Brokers Association at www.cyba.net. To become a member, all yacht brokers must agree to a code of ethics, adhere to honest advertising standards, conduct fiscally responsible business, write up fair contracts and keep all charter funds in a separate escrow account. Additionally, they must have a thorough knowledge of yacht styles and crews, as well as attend two luxury yacht charter shows each year. They must pay an annual fee of $125, be sponsored by two other members and must be endorsed by three clearing house/management firms. The brokers must also first undergo a mentoring program before gaining membership.
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