Frequently Asked Questions

With over 55 years of expertise, we redefine sailing vacations by delivering seamless experiences in the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Our standardized fleet of award winning yachts lets you feel at home wherever you choose to sail. On our Sail, Power, and Fully Crewed charters every detail is designed to the highest standard, with no compromise on comfort or performance. Don’t settle for anything else. You deserve “Nothing Less Than The Moorings.

Yes, you can! The “per person” cost of a yachting vacation is usually at or below the cost of a resort vacation, or ocean cruise, without the crowds. For an estimate of your cost, quote your vacation online and find out for yourself how affordable this unique adventure is with The Moorings.

That all depends on you. Your Moorings vacation can be tailored to fit your party and your preferences.

Whatever your needs, The Moorings is sure to have a yacht that is right for you. Choose from a fleet of monohulls and catamarans ranging from 37 to 58 feet, with 2 to 6 cabins. Visit our Yacht page for a complete listing of models.

Depending on your sailing experience, you may already be qualified to skipper a Moorings yacht. Simply fill out our online sailing résumé . We will review your experience and tell you what you are currently approved to charter. You’ll also have the option of using our complimentary Friendly Skipper program. This service provides an experienced skipper who will accompany you for the first afternoon to familiarize you with the operation of your yacht (not available in the USVI).

If you do not have the experience required to sail the yacht yourself, or if you would just like to sit back and relax and let someone else do all the work, then you can hire a Skipper for your Bareboat Charter. With years of sailing experience and a wealth of local knowledge, our Skippers will be the ideal guide to your bareboat charter vacation. Learn more about hiring a skipper. You can also take a class with Offshore Sailing School, the Official Sailing School partner for The Moorings, to get qualified.  Learn more about available Sail and Power courses.

You must be 18 years or older to charter with The Moorings. 

Absolutely!  The Moorings offers a fantastic family vacation experience with amenities on board to accommodate all ages.

On our Crewed Yacht Charters, the crew will provide guidance in using the snorkeling gear, kayaks and other water toys and are experienced in serving families with children. The chef will design a menu to accommodate the preferences of both children and adults. Our By-the-Cabin Crewed yacht packages do have certain age restrictions and are not recommended for families with young children. Please speak to one of our Vacation Planning Specialists for details. 

Unfortunately, pets are not permitted. Only service animals with proper paperwork are allowed for an additional fee. Please call your vacation planner for more information.

The quality of service should dictate the gratuity. As a guideline, we suggest an average of 15-20% of the total charter cost for Crewed Yacht Charters, and 15-20% of the daily Skipper fee for Skippered Bareboat Sailing or Power Yacht Charters.

The key is simplicity. Casual, breezy beachwear is the norm for on-deck; for evenings ashore, slacks or a sundress are appropriate. Aboard our yachts we recommend rubber-soled shoes rather than hard-soled ones-boat shoes or tennis shoes work well. You may also find aquatic convenient for beachcombing. Above all, sun protection is vital: bring plenty of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat or sailing cap, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. For cooler or windy evenings, a windbreaker is handy.

Exclusive Plus – Exclusive Plus class yachts are up to 1 year old, and feature the latest innovations and complimentary WI-FI in British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Seychelles, and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy).

Exclusive – Exclusive class yachts have been in our fleet approximately 1 to 3 years and feature many of the same amenities as our Exclusive Plus yachts as well as complimentary Wi-Fi in British Virgin Islands, Thailand, Seychelles, and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy).

Club – Club class yachts have some of the Exclusive class amenities, and are generally 3+ years of age (up to 10 years in the Exotics and Mediterranean) .

Yes!  Perfect for couples or singles, you can enjoy the experience of a Luxury Crewed Charter for the price of a single cabin.

The Moorings carries the most up-to-date equipment and all the extras a sailor or powerboater could ask for, including GPS satellite navigation systems, autopilots, The Moorings SailMate mainsail stacking system and CD players with cockpit speakers. Some even have generators and air conditioning. The below deck areas are modified from standard factory production models to give you more room, comfort, and luxury. Our newest models include flatscreen TVs and DVD players.

We’re proud to offer complimentary Wi-Fi on all Exclusive and Exclusive Plus models, and on all-inclusive Crewed Yachts in selected destinations worldwide*, including the British Virgin Islands, Thailand, the Seychelles and all Mediterranean locations (excluding Italy). Wi-Fi is also available for rent on our Club model yachts in participating destinations.*Internet connectivity and speed may vary within cruising grounds.

You’ll find everything you need to plan your journey in the Useful Information tab for your chosen destination.

Under the Arrival & Departure section, you’ll find essential details such as the nearest airport, servicing airlines, customs and immigration information, and options for airport transfers, taxis, and ferries. Or call one of our Vacation Planners who can help with your travel arrangements!

All destinations require a passport for entry. For detailed entry requirements, call your Vacation Planning Specialist, visit the “Useful Information” tab on the destination page you are interested in or check with the consulate or embassy of the nation you wish to visit.

You will board the yacht at one of The Moorings’ marinas (or one of our partner marinas) in the yachting location you have chosen. Our Vacation Planning Specialists will be happy to assist with your transportation to and from the Marina.

You can board your yacht following your charter briefing and boat orientation. (Charter briefing and boat orientation times are listed in the Useful Information section of your destination and can vary by each base.) For most locations, you can board your yacht at 12pm noon on the day the charter starts.

Charters in the Bahamas & Tahiti board at 10am. Charters in the Mediterranean board at 3pm. Sail charters end at 11am on the day the charter ends (10am in Bahamas & Tahiti) and Power charters in the Caribbean end at 10am. If you are chartering in the Mediterranean, see the Useful Information section for disembarkation times. You can also make arrangements for a sleep aboard with your Vacation Planning Specialist if your flight is arriving late in the day. Be sure to check out the Useful Information section to learn embarkation/disembarkation details for your destination.

Yes, The Moorings is well known for the preparation we provide our guests. Prior to your charter departure, you will be given a complete chart briefing covering the local cruising grounds and we will answer any questions you may have about navigation, anchorages, prevailing conditions, clearing customs or any part of your desired itinerary. Then, you will be given complete boat orientation aboard the yacht you will be sailing, covering all the operating systems, including rigging, electrical system, water system, windlass, stove, head, dinghy, outboard, and emergency systems. Charter briefing and boat orientation times are listed in the Useful Information section of your destination and can vary by each base.

Yes, depending on your destination you can expect to pay nightly mooring or docking fees. Docking fees average between $3-4 a foot in the Caribbean but can be much higher in the Mediterranean. Moorings can also vary greatly. They usually average about $35 a night in the Caribbean but can get upwards of $60 depending on the location. We offer some information in our Useful Information tab section of each destination, but it is best to reference your cruising guide prior to and during your charter to learn the costs in your cruising area.

This depends on your cell phone carrier and your destination. To avoid disappointment, we recommend making arrangements with your cellular provider prior to your trip to activate an international calling plan that will allow you to use your phone in international waters without roaming charges. However, if you venture too far from land, you subsequently venture out of cell tower range. All of our yachts have a VHF (ship-to-shore) radio aboard for constant ship to shore communication.

Yes, all of our yachts are equipped with a VHF (ship-to-shore) radio so the base marina can reach you at any time during your charter. Make sure to leave all base contact information with someone at home so that they can easily reach you through our base marina in the event of an emergency.

Yes, we can assure you that delays or cancellations due to severe tropical disturbances are rare. However, we do have a policy in place. Please contact one of our Vacation Planning Specialists for details. Although we do have this policy, we still advise all of our charterers to take advantage of Trip Mate’s Travel Protection Plan (if applicable) when booking your vacation to help protect your trip from certain unforeseen circumstances that result in travel delays or cancellations, weather-related or not, are handled appropriately according to the terms and conditions of Trip Mate’s Travel Protection Plan.

Bareboat & Power Yacht Vacations: On each Destination page, we provide sample itineraries that highlight the best locations for anchorages, coves, cays, harbors & marinas in that area. You can also obtain a cruising guide before you go to learn more about what your grounds have to offer and upon arrival talk with the base teams within your destination to finalize your sailing/cruising plans.

Crewed Yacht Vacations: This is the beauty of the private crewed yacht experience. When you board your yacht, the captain will sit down with you and develop an itinerary based on your desires – or you can leave it all up to your experienced captain. Weather permitting; the itinerary can be changed at any time if you wish to spend more or less time in any area. This is truly a private yacht at your command.

Depending on your yacht and destination, there are different activities and sports that are available to do. Fins for snorkelling are provided on every yacht however you will need to bring your own mask and snorkel. You can also reserve Stand-Up Paddle Boards, one- and two-person kayaks and various fishing gear. To find the most updated information on the Activities & Sports in your destination, visit the Water Sports Options page. You can book all of your activities and sports in advance when booking online or by calling one of our Vacation Planners. 

Yes. Guests may purchase gift certificates by speaking with a Vacation Planner. Gift certificates are valid for five years from the date of purchase.  

Gift certificates may be applied to charter payments , optional extras and more. Guests and their friends and family may redeem their gift certificates by presenting the certificate via email to a Vacation Planner and providing  their booking number.

Please note: gift certificates cannot be redeemed onboard the yacht or at the base.    

Yes, our provisioning services are very customizable. Visit our Online Provisioning page for more information. You will be able to create your full grocery list of everything that you will need for the length of your charter. If you would like to request items that are not online OR if you have special dietary restrictions, please call your Vacation Planning Specialist and we will try our best to assist you in your needs.

Crewed Yacht Charters: You will be supplied with preference sheets to complete prior to your charter. Meals will be planned according to your selections. Your chef can also accommodate special dietary needs (salt-free, low fat, gluten-free, etc…) and will be in personal contact with you prior to your vacation to make those arrangements. An ample supply of the beverages you request will also be stocked.

Night sailing is not permitted at any of our bases. Please ensure you are safely moored at least 1 hour ahead of sunset.

We are unable to organise diving for our customers. We recommend contacting a third party to organize all diving and required equipment.