Crewed Catamaran Charter: Costs, Inclusive Terms and Where to Go
Quick answer
A crewed catamaran charter gives you a 45–70 ft catamaran with a captain and chef, usually for 4–10 guests. In the Caribbean, crewed catamarans typically cost about $18,000–$55,000+ a week in peak season, often on near-all-inclusive terms that cover meals and some fuel; in the Mediterranean, budget roughly €15,000–€60,000 a week plus APA, VAT and tips.
A crewed catamaran is the most popular way into luxury chartering: a spacious, stable twin-hulled yacht with a captain and chef, at a fraction of the cost of a motor yacht of similar comfort. In the Caribbean in particular, inclusive pricing makes it one of the simplest charter budgets to plan.
This guide covers who a crewed catamaran suits, what it costs, how inclusive terms work, and the best regions in winter and summer.
What is a crewed catamaran charter?
A crewed catamaran charter is a week (or more) aboard a twin-hulled sailing or power catamaran, typically 45–70 ft, with a professional captain and chef. You are a guest; the crew sails, cooks, cleans and runs the water toys.
Most crewed catamarans carry 6–10 guests in three to five double cabins, nearly always with their own bathrooms. The crew usually sleeps forward in the bows, separate from guest cabins. Smaller catamarans run with two crew (captain and chef, with the chef often also handling service); larger ones add a deckhand or stewardess.
Sailing catamarans are the majority. Power catamarans, increasingly common in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, cruise faster with similar stability and a similar living layout.
Who does a crewed catamaran charter suit?
Crewed catamarans suit families, groups of friends and couples sharing with another couple who want space, stability and easy beach access more than speed or formality.
The specific advantages:
- Stability: catamarans sail flat and roll far less at anchor than monohulls, which helps guests prone to seasickness.
- Space: a wide cockpit, a large saloon and a trampoline at the bow give more living space per foot than any other yacht type.
- Privacy: cabins sit in separate hulls, so two families or couples are not sharing walls.
- Shallow draft: catamarans can anchor close to beaches and enter shallow bays, a real advantage on the banks of the Bahamas and in the Grenadines.
- Value: an inclusive Caribbean catamaran week can cost less than the APA alone on a large motor yacht.
They are less suited to guests who want superyacht service levels, a big toy list or fast passages between distant islands. For that, see our superyacht charter guide.
How much does a crewed catamaran charter cost?
In the Caribbean, crewed catamarans typically cost about $18,000–$55,000+ a week in peak season, usually on near-all-inclusive terms. In the Mediterranean, budget roughly €15,000–€60,000 a week plus APA, VAT and tips; confirm current rates with your broker.
| Caribbean crewed catamaran (inclusive) | Mediterranean crewed catamaran (plus expenses) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 45–70 ft | 45–70 ft |
| Weekly base rate | ~$18,000–$55,000+ (peak) | ~€15,000–€60,000 (roughly $17k–$69k) |
| Meals | Three a day included | Paid from APA |
| Fuel | About 4 hours cruising per day included | Paid from APA |
| APA | None, or about 5% | Typically 25–35% |
| VAT / tax | None in BVI and USVI; 14% in the Bahamas | Country rate: 13% Croatia, about 12% effective Greece, 20–22% France and Italy |
| Crew tip | ~15–20% | ~10–15% |
| Typical all-in for 8 guests | ~$22,000–$70,000 | ~€23,000–€100,000 |
The all-in figures are rough illustrations combining the base rate, typical extras and a mid-range tip; your actual figure depends on yacht, season and how you use it. Rates exclude APA, VAT and tips unless stated. Tax rules change; confirm at booking.
What changes the price?
Length and cabin count drive the base rate, followed by age, crew reputation and the toy list. In the Caribbean, peak pricing applies over Christmas and New Year, and many yachts require longer minimum stays over the holidays. Shoulder weeks such as late April, May and November can be noticeably cheaper.
How do inclusive Caribbean catamaran terms work?
On Caribbean inclusive terms (often called CTI), the weekly rate covers the yacht, crew, three meals a day, standard drinks and about four hours of cruising fuel a day. Premium wines and spirits, extra fuel, marina berths and communications cost extra.
Inclusive terms make the budget simple: beyond the base rate you are mainly paying the tip, any local cruising permits and your premium drinks. In the BVI, the cruising permit runs $4 per person per day on BVI-based charter yachts and $16 per person per day on foreign-based ones, which brokers usually add to the invoice. A few catamarans charter on MYBA plus-expenses terms instead, particularly larger ones, so check which applies. Our APA guide compares the two models.
Where are the best regions for a crewed catamaran charter?
In winter, the BVI is the classic choice, followed by the Grenadines, the Bahamas and the St. Martin–St. Barths–Anguilla triangle. In summer, Greece and Croatia lead in the Mediterranean.
| Region | Season | Why a catamaran works there | Sample cruising |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVI | Dec–Apr | Short hops in sheltered water, steady trades, large crewed fleet | Norman Island, The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada |
| Grenadines | Dec–Apr | Shallow anchorages and reef-protected lagoons | Bequia, Mustique, Tobago Cays, Union Island |
| Bahamas (Exumas) | Dec–Apr, plus shoulder | Shallow banks suit the low draft | Highbourne Cay, Warderick Wells, Staniel Cay, Compass Cay |
| St. Martin, St. Barths, Anguilla | Dec–Apr | Varied islands within short sailing range | Gustavia, Colombier, Tintamarre, Anguilla's Prickly Pear Cays |
| Greece (Ionian, Saronic, Cyclades) | May–Oct | Stable platform in the meltemi; space for families | Paxos and Antipaxos, Hydra and Spetses, Milos and Folegandros |
| Croatia (Dalmatia) | Jun–Sep | Sheltered channels, many coves | Šolta, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, the Elaphiti Islands |
The BVI
The BVI is the easiest cruising ground in the Caribbean: islands within sight of each other, mostly sheltered water inside the Sir Francis Drake Channel, and mooring fields at most anchorages. A classic week loops from Tortola to Norman Island, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke, with a longer reach out to Anegada for flat sand and lobster. See our BVI yacht charter guide.
The Bahamas
A catamaran's shallow draft opens up the Exuma banks, where anchorages lie off sandbars in water a few feet deep. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay and Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay are classic stops. Note the 14% Bahamas charter tax in your budget. Read our Bahamas yacht charter guide, or compare the two in Bahamas vs BVI.
Greece and Croatia
In the Med, catamarans are excellent for families, and their stability is welcome when the meltemi blows in the Cyclades in July and August. The Ionian and Saronic are calmer alternatives. Croatia's Dalmatian coast, from Split to Dubrovnik, packs dozens of coves into short distances.
What is a typical day on a crewed catamaran?
Days are relaxed and built around the water: breakfast at anchor, a morning swim or snorkel, a short sail of two to three hours to the next bay, lunch aboard, and an afternoon of paddleboarding, beach time or a dinghy run ashore.
A sailing catamaran typically cruises at a gentle pace, so most captains plan legs of 10–25 nautical miles in the BVI or the Grenadines and keep longer passages for calm mornings. Dinner is usually served aboard by the chef, with one or two nights ashore at a beach bar or restaurant of your choice. On inclusive terms, your own meals ashore are generally not refunded, so tell the chef in advance which nights you plan to eat off the yacht.
Evenings are quiet at anchor, which is much of the appeal: a catamaran's wide aft cockpit and flybridge make natural places to gather for sundowners and stargazing.
What should you ask before booking a crewed catamaran?
Ask about the crew, the cabin layout, what the inclusive rate really includes and which toys are aboard. Two catamarans of the same length can offer very different weeks.
- Crew: how long the captain and chef have worked together, and whether the chef has formal training.
- Cabins: the number of queen versus twin cabins, and whether all have their own bathroom and air conditioning.
- Inclusions: which drinks are covered, how many cruising hours of fuel a day, and what counts as premium.
- Toys: paddleboards, snorkel gear and kayaks are standard; ask about dive equipment, a wakeboard or an e-foil.
- Generator and watermaker: important for air conditioning at anchor and for long showers.
- Holiday terms: minimum nights and any holiday surcharge over Christmas and New Year.
Is a crewed catamaran good for families?
Yes. The flat ride, the trampoline, easy swim access from the stern steps and separate cabins make catamarans one of the best family charter choices. Ask whether the yacht carries life jackets in children's sizes and whether the crew has experience with young guests. See our family yacht charter guide.
Crewed catamaran or bareboat catamaran?
If anyone in your group holds the right qualifications, a bareboat catamaran is far cheaper, but you sail, cook and clean yourselves. A crewed catamaran adds a captain and chef and turns a sailing trip into a holiday. Our crewed vs bareboat comparison sets out the licensing and the cost gap.
Our view
For a first crewed charter in the Caribbean, a 50–60 ft catamaran in the BVI or the Grenadines, on inclusive terms, is the best value in luxury chartering. In the Med, a catamaran makes most sense for families and groups who value space over speed; for formal service or a long toy list, step up to a motor yacht.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crewed catamaran charter cost?
In the Caribbean, a 45–70 ft crewed catamaran typically costs about $18,000–$55,000+ a week in peak season, usually on near-all-inclusive terms. In the Mediterranean, a rough guide is €15,000–€60,000 a week plus an APA of about 25–35%, VAT and tips. Rates vary with size, age, season and crew.
What is included in an all-inclusive catamaran charter?
Caribbean inclusive terms typically cover the yacht, crew, three meals a day, standard drinks and around four hours of cruising fuel a day, plus water toys such as paddleboards and snorkel gear. Premium wines and spirits, extra fuel, marina berths and communications usually cost extra, and the crew tip is separate.
How many people fit on a crewed catamaran?
Most crewed catamarans carry 6–10 guests in three to five double cabins, each usually with its own bathroom. Larger catamarans of 60–70 ft may take up to 10–12 guests. The crew sleeps in separate quarters, often in the bows.
Is a catamaran better than a monohull for a charter?
For most non-sailors, yes. A catamaran sails flat rather than heeling, rolls less at anchor, has far more deck and living space, and its shallow draft lets it anchor close to beaches. Monohulls sail more nimbly upwind and suit guests who want a traditional sailing experience.
Do catamarans get seasick less?
Catamarans are generally more stable than monohulls, especially at anchor, because their two hulls resist rolling. They can still move in a short, steep sea, so prone guests should choose sheltered cruising grounds such as the BVI or the Ionian and keep passages short.
Where is the best place for a crewed catamaran charter?
The BVI is the classic choice, with short hops, steady trade winds and a large crewed fleet. The Grenadines, the Bahamas' Exumas, and the St. Martin–St. Barths–Anguilla triangle are close behind in winter, while Greece and Croatia lead in summer.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.