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Flotilla
booking procedures
The booking procedures to charter a flotilla boat vary from country to country, and
company to company, but they all follow some basic rules and practices.
These are related to the advance payment you
will be called upon to pay, the balance payment, cancellation fees, etc.
On this page you will find the most common
of them, practiced by most of the charter
agencies when booking a flotilla. You will also
find some tips which could be useful (I hope)
when you negotiate your next charter with
your agency. |
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refreshing the
page will bring up more flotilla operators
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Advance payment |
| In order to complete the booking the
agency will require an advanced payment,
or deposit, ranging from 30 - 50% of the
charter fee. Most internet operators
will offer you the facility for paying
through a secure server, with a major
credit card, but sometimes they are not
in a position to do that and will
require a bank transfer. If you do
that please remember to keep the copy of
your payment/transfer slip from the bank
and fax it to the agency. |
| Side note: The
deposit/advance payment should apply to
the basic charter fee only and NOT any
skipper's fees, outboard motor,
spinnaker, etc. These you are entitled
to pay on embarkation. |
Tip: Regardless of the
agency's terms and conditions as to the
percentage demanded there is no harm in
trying to negotiate a lower one. After
all, you are entrusting them with a
large sum of money with the expectation
of receiving a first class vessel and
excellent service overall.
Try to be reasonable in such negotiation.
You can not really expect to pay a 10%
deposit, but to try and get 40% against
a demand for 50% is not out of the
question. |
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The "option" period |
| When you choose your desired vessel and the
requested dates you are entitled to request an
"option" for the boat. This is a time given to you
to arrange the flights, etc, before you make any
payment to the agency or owner. Usually an option is
held on a particular boat for a maximum of seven
days, but if you find yourself running out of time
then talk to your agent and request an extension.
During this period the company reserves that boat
for you and should not accept any other bookings for
it. |
| Side note: During the "option"
period the agency is not legally committed as you
have made no payments and it is more of a
"gentleman's agreement". |
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Tip:
If the charter is for one of the peak periods,
i.e. July in the Mediterranean, January in the
Caribbean, try to keep the option as short as
possible. If the agency has another client with a
cash on the nail offer - don't tempt them to break
your option ! |
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Balance payment |
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Balance payments will be called for at any time
ranging from one month before embarkation to the
day of embarkation itself. If you are
asked for payment at time of embarkation make
sure you know what sort of payment is required.
Some do not accept credit cards and most will
not accept a personal cheque. |
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Side note: Just like in the case of
the deposit the balance payment (if required say
a month before embarkation) should not include
the extras, which you are always entitled to pay
upon embarkation. |
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Tip: Charter companies/owners
accepting payment of the balance upon
embarkation are a better choice for you, not
only because you save a penny or two in
interest, but because they give you the
opportunity to inspect the vessel they are
offering you before you part with your money. |
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Cancellation |
The most common cancellation terms are:
- In case of cancellation
2 months and over prior to embarkation, a cancellation fee of 20% of the total charter
cost will apply.
- In case of cancellation
between 30 and 60 days prior to embarkation, a cancellation fee of 35% of the total
charter cost will apply.
- In case of cancellation
between 30 days and embarkation, all money paid so far will be held by the
agency.
Side note: In most of the contracts
you will find a clause where, if the company
succeeds in chartering the yacht you have
cancelled, then they will refund you the
cancellation fees minus an administration fee.
Ignore it. It has never happened - to my
knowledge at least. In any case you will have
the greatest difficulty proving that the vessel
you cancelled was finally chartered.
(if anyone has a different experience, I would
love to hear from them via
our blog)
Tip: It is a good idea to protect your
advance payment from a future possible
cancellation by using an appropriate
travel insurance. |
| If you like me to assist you with your
flotilla holiday choice, please
send me an e-mail with your
questions and enquiries. I will be
glad to reply and assist you, wherever I
possibly can. |
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