Superyacht Charter Cost: Complete Guide for 2026

How much does a superyacht charter cost? Full breakdown of weekly rates, APA, crew costs, and what you get for your money on the French Riviera.

Chartering a superyacht is the ultimate luxury experience, but it doesn't have to be mysterious. Here's a transparent breakdown of what a superyacht charter actually costs on the French Riviera in 2026.

Superyacht Weekly Rates

Superyacht charter rates are quoted per week and vary dramatically by size, age, and prestige. A 30m yacht starts from EUR 50,000/week. A 40m vessel typically ranges from EUR 100,000 to EUR 180,000/week. At the top end, 50m+ megayachts command EUR 250,000 to EUR 500,000+ per week during peak season.

What's Included in the Charter Fee?

• The yacht itself, exclusive use of all decks, cabins, and amenities
• Full professional crew, captain, first officer, chef, stewardesses, engineers, and deckhands
• Insurance, comprehensive marine insurance for the vessel and guests
• Bed linens, towels, and all cabin amenities
• Water toys, jet skis, tenders, paddleboards, snorkelling gear, seabobs, and often a full dive setup

Understanding the APA

The Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is typically 25 to 35% of the charter fee, paid before departure. For a EUR 100,000/week charter, expect an APA of EUR 25,000 to EUR 35,000. This covers fuel (EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000 depending on cruising distance), food and drinks (EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000 for 12 guests), port and marina fees (EUR 2,000 to EUR 8,000 in peak season), and miscellaneous expenses. Any unspent APA is refunded.

Additional Costs

• Crew gratuity to 10 to 15% of charter fee is customary (EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000 for a week)
• Delivery fees, if the yacht needs to reposition to your embarkation port
• Special requests, helicopter transfers, live entertainment, or event setups

Total Cost Example

For a 40m superyacht at EUR 150,000/week: Charter fee EUR 150,000 + APA EUR 45,000 + Gratuity EUR 20,000 = Total approximately EUR 215,000. Split among 12 guests, that's roughly EUR 18,000 per person for a week of ultra-luxury, including gourmet dining, unlimited water sports, and a crew-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1.

How to Get the Best Value

Book for June or September instead of July to August for 15 to 20% lower rates. Consider newer, lesser-known yachts that offer identical amenities at 20 to 30% below marquee vessels. Multi-week bookings often come with 5 to 10% discounts. And always book 4 to 6 months ahead for the best selection.