What It’s Really Like on a Fully Crewed Yacht Charter

December 03, 2025 6 min

Imagine waking up aboard your own private yacht – the sun just beginning to shimmer over the waves – your captain greets you on deck, and coffee and breakfast have already been prepared by your on-board chef. An exciting new day awaits you

That’s exactly what a Crewed Charter with The Moorings offers in 15 select destinations around the world. Below, we’ll walk you through a typical day aboard: from private-chef breakfasts and calm anchorages, to snorkeling stops, sunset cocktails and gourmet dinners. We’ll sprinkle in real-guest comments and glimpses of the crew’s point of view, so you see both the experience and what goes on behind the scenes.

A Morning Like No Other

You wake early—perhaps to the gentle lapping of water against the hull—and step onto deck with a coffee and fresh fruit served by your chef. The air is calm, the world still waking. Meanwhile your captain has already checked the weather and plotted the course to today’s destination.

Behind the scenes:

Your chef begins early, preparing fresh bread, eggs, pastries, fruit, maybe a smoothie or juice.
The captain briefs you over breakfast: “Here’s where we’re going today, here are snorkel spots and anchorages.”
Then the crew ensures everything is tidy, the yacht is safe, lines and fenders ready for departure.

You’re fully present for your vacation—no provisioning shopping or washing up to worry about, no lugging around gear, no chart-reading unless you choose to join in.

Mid-morning: Exploring and Playing

After breakfast and a short sail, you arrive at a pristine anchorage. The captain picks a calm bay or secluded cove, perhaps one less-visited thanks to his local knowledge.

On this sailing, we were extremely fortunate in that the weather and winds fully cooperated – blue skies and gentle breezes accompanied the entire trip….and Capt R put those sails to work, which made for an added experience – truly priceless! As previously mentioned, we’ve sailed the BVI islands on several occasions; HOWEVER, Capt R managed to show us areas of BVI we had not visited or even knew existed. Every morning we’d find ourselves waking to a serene bay, surrounded by amazing vistas – the best part, we had it
ALL to ourselves with no other boat in sight.
 
Capt Romano’s skills and knowledge of the islands in BVI make for a wonderful trip! He takes pride in showing his guests the best of BVI and the many secluded beaches/bays that it has to offer – and his “painkillers” are the best!

H2174VQcarlosg
Reviewed Sep 12, 2025 – Tripadvisor
BVI

Guests dive into snorkeling, swimming, paddle-boarding, or simply lounging on deck. The yacht’s dinghy is lowered, the chef might bring a mid-morning snack to the swim platform, cocktails later in the day, but in this part of the morning it’s about pure freedom, the beautiful views and marine animals around you.

Slip into the warm sea and you might find yourself drifting above vibrant coral gardens, schools of blue tang and sergeant majors, or watching a gentle sea turtle glide by as it grazes on seagrass. In many anchorages, colorful parrotfish, spotted eagle rays, and even the occasional harmless nurse shark complete the feeling that you’ve stepped into your own private aquarium.

Went with a charter that included Captain and one crew/chef / excellent local knowledge and anchorages for snorkeling and exceptional meals with local caught seafood! Would definitely go again! One bonus is that with the local captain we were able to visit maritime reserves on the barrier reef that we would not be able to visit with a bareboat charter!

Merlise C.
Reviewed Jun 14, 2025 – Qualtrics
Belize Crewed

Lunchtime on Board

Lunch is served on deck, under shade, with the breeze coming off the water. Depending on your preferences the menu could include fresh local fish or shellfish, crisp salads, perhaps a pasta course, and of course dessert.

Chevone’s cooking was exceptional. Every meal was fresh, thoughtful, and delicious. She went out of her way to tailor the menu to our group’s dietary needs and preferences, and nailed it every time.

matthewdK5896DJ
Reviewed Jun 20, 2025 – Tripadvisor
BVI

That’s the hallmark of an all-inclusive crewed charter: gourmet food, prepared and served for you, while you simply enjoy the moment.

Afternoon: Nap, Swim, Explore & Anchor Change

After lunch, you might take a siesta in your cabin or lounge on the trampolines or foredeck with a book. Or, if you are ready to explore ashore, the crew will ferry you in the dinghy straight to the beach so you can wander into lively local bars or browse boutiques. They’re also happy to drop you at nearby hiking trails or scenic lookouts, then pick you up later to return to the yacht. The crew then quietly handle the anchor change, perhaps moving the yacht to a more picturesque spot for sunset.

Sunset Cocktail Hour

As the sun begins its descent, perhaps casting golden rays across a secluded cove, it’s time for cocktails and bite-sized treats. Picture yourself on the aft deck, glass in hand, waves gently lapping, with the crew doing the heavy lifting.

Linzi had her work cut out for her on this trip with several food preferences and she surpassed expectations with every meal. Five star reviews by all on board. Captain’s cocktails and nibbles in the afternoon were again one of our favorite parts of each day.

TerriBash
Reviewed Jun 17, 2025(5)
BVI

That sense of being taken care of is what makes a crewed charter different. You’re not just paying for the yacht — you’re investing in the enjoyment, the people, the service.

Dinner Under the Stars

Dinner is an experience. Ambient lighting on deck, a beautifully set table, waves gently rocking beneath, and the chef presenting multi-course meals — fresh catch, local produce, fine wines. Dessert might be served as you watch the stars come out over calm water.

Meanwhile, your captain may bring out a summary of the next day’s plan, perhaps a short briefing over coffee post-dinner.

After-Dinner Relaxation & Overnight

With the meal finished and night settled in, you might gather for an after-dinner drink in the saloon or on the flybridge, or retire to your private cabin. The crew quietly ensure everything is secure, anchor set, lines checked. Your only job? Relax — maybe read, chat, or drift off to sleep lulled by gentle waves.

The entire experience surpassed my expectations.

Lisa C.
Reviewed Sep 13, 2025 – Qualtrics
Tortola CREWED

A fully crewed yacht charter with The Moorings is more than a vacation — it’s a living luxury experience on the water. From gourmet breakfasts at dawn to sunset drinks under open skies, the day flows effortlessly while you simply enjoy. The professional crew is not just competent — guests say they feel like family.

If you’re looking for a getaway where you don’t have to worry about logistics, you just show up and sail into paradise — this is it.

Explore Crewed Charters

Pro Tip: How to Make Your Crewed Charter Your Best Vacation Ever

Communicate your food preferences, dietary restrictions, and group style (relaxed vs active) ahead of time.
Let the Captain know if you’re into snorkeling, sight-seeing, hiking, or quiet reading days — the itinerary is flexible.
Bring casual but smart clothes: sun-days on deck, maybe one “dress up” dinner.
Expect early mornings on anchor, scenic lunches, and peaceful evenings.
Pick a destination you love — The Moorings operates Crewed Charters in 15 locations worldwide.