Home / For international owners / Cruising
Final cleaning and extras on a charter: what gets added?
Short answer
The weekly rate is rarely the final bill.
Final cleaning, a starter pack or transit log, the deposit,
fuel and marina dues are added almost every time.
Ask for a written list of every compulsory item before you book,
and only then compare one offer with another.
A charter quote leads with the weekly rate for the boat. What follows sits in smaller print, or only turns up in the booking confirmation: final cleaning, a starter pack or transit log covering bed linen, towels, gas, the briefing and the paperwork with the authorities, sometimes the outboard for the tender, and the security deposit or a deposit waiver. Many of these items are compulsory and are paid at the base, some of them in cash. Comparing weekly rates alone often means comparing numbers that will not be the ones you actually pay.
Other costs appear during the week and no charter company can price them in advance. The boat is normally handed over with full tanks and has to come back full, so you pay for the fuel you burn. Then there are marina and town quay fees, mooring buoy charges, water and shore power. Some countries add a tourist tax, a cruising tax or park fees, set by the local authority rather than the base. Optional extras such as a skipper, a paddleboard, onboard wifi or an early check-in have their own prices, and they add up quickly when booked on the spot.
Before you book, ask for a written breakdown of every compulsory item with its amount and how it is paid, and ask plainly what is due at the base. Work out fuel and harbour costs against your own passage plan rather than hoping a rough guess will do. Keep every receipt, including the fuel docket from the last morning. It shows that you returned the boat as agreed, and it helps if the deposit settlement turns into a discussion.
Worth remembering
Known upfront
Final cleaning, starter pack, deposit and booked extras
During the week
Fuel, marinas, buoys, water, power and local taxes
Only compare offers once you hold a written list of every compulsory item.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Do I pay for final cleaning even if I tidy up myself?
At many bases, yes. It pays for a thorough clean before the next crew arrives. You should still hand the boat back swept and tidy, or an extra charge may follow.
What does a transit log or starter pack include?
It varies from base to base. Bed linen, towels, gas, the briefing and the registration with the local authorities are common. Ask for the list before comparing quotes.
How much should I budget for fuel and marinas?
That depends on the cruising area, the season, how much you motor and how many nights you spend in marinas. Work from your own passage plan and ask the base for the boat's consumption.
Related
Not sure whether you qualify?
Whether it is “Final cleaning and extras on a charter: what gets added?” or another question: send us your residence and the flag your boat flies. You will get a straight answer in one email; including a no, if that is the answer.
Was this useful?
