BVI yacht charter APA, or Advance Provisioning Allowance, is a fund you pay before a plus-expenses yacht charter. The captain uses this money to cover trip expenses such as fuel, food, drinks, dockage, and communications.
Many crewed sailing catamarans in the BVI include these costs in the charter price. Larger motor yachts, power catamarans, and some sailing yachts usually use an APA.
Your yacht quote and charter agreement will show whether an APA applies, how much you need to pay, and what expenses it covers. At the end of the charter, the captain provides a summary of all spending. If any APA funds are left over, the captain usually returns them. If you spend more than the APA amount, you pay the difference.
| Question | Planning answer |
|---|---|
| What is APA? | A fund you pay before your charter to cover approved trip expenses. |
| Who manages the APA? | The captain or charter manager manages the funds and keeps track of spending. |
| When is the APA payment due? | You usually pay it with your final charter payment. |
| Is APA included in the charter rate? | No. The money remains yours until the captain uses it for approved expenses. |
| Are unused APA funds returned? | In most cases, yes. The captain normally returns any unused APA funds after the charter. |
| Is crew gratuity included in the APA? | In most cases, no. Crew gratuity is typically a separate expense. |
Some yachts use APA, while many BVI crewed catamarans include most costs in the charter price. Compare the charter rate, APA, taxes, and other costs before you book.
Get a Charter QuoteAPA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. The captain uses this fund to cover charter expenses such as fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, and other approved costs.
APA is commonly used on plus-expenses charters. The charter rate covers the yacht and crew, while the APA covers additional expenses that arise during the charter.
APA is not an additional fee. It is a separate fund used to pay approved charter costs. Since actual expenses vary from charter to charter, it is important to budget for the full APA amount.
Not every BVI yacht charter uses APA. Whether APA applies depends on the yacht’s pricing structure. Most yachts offer seven-night charters, but the yacht, inclusions, and pricing model determine the total cost.
| Yacht Type | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Inclusive BVI crewed sailing catamaran | Usually does not require a traditional APA. Depending on the yacht, the charter price may include meals, standard drinks, cruising fuel, and selected water toys. |
| Plus-expenses sailing yacht | APA may apply, often at a lower percentage than on a motor yacht. |
| Plus-expenses power catamaran | APA is common because fuel use and operating costs vary based on the itinerary. |
| Plus-expenses motor yacht | APA is usually required and often has the highest percentage due to fuel costs. |
| Bareboat charter | No APA applies. Charterers pay directly for fuel, provisions, moorings, permits, and other trip expenses. |
The charter company may also charge cruising taxes and government fees separately.
The APA amount varies by yacht and charter agreement. These ranges can help you estimate your budget, but the exact percentage varies by yacht.
| Plus-expenses yacht type | General planning range |
|---|---|
| Sailing yacht or sailing catamaran | Approximately 25% to 30% |
| Power catamaran | Approximately 30% to 35% |
| Motor yacht | Approximately 35% to 40% |
| Yacht | Guest fit | Published base rate | APA structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHERN BELLE | 87 ft motor yacht; 8 guests; 4 cabins; Saint Maarten, West Indies home port | From $59,000 per week | 35% of APA |
| UNBRIDLED | 116 ft motor yacht; 8 guests; 4 cabins; BVI winter cruising | From $65,000 per week for the published 2026/27 high season | 35% of APA |
| INDULGE II | 90 ft motor yacht; 10 guests; 4 cabins; BVI winter cruising | From $42,000 per week | 35% of APA |
Here is a simple example for a seven-night motor yacht charter with a base rate of $100,000 and an APA of 35%.
| Budget item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base charter rate | $100,000 |
| APA deposited at 35% | $35,000 |
| Documented expenses at the end of the charter | $31,800 |
| Illustrative balance returned | $3,200 |
Before booking, ask how the captain will provide the final expense report. You should also ask whether receipts are available and how the refund process works.
| Cost category | Inclusive charter | Plus-expenses charter |
|---|---|---|
| Meals | Usually included onboard | Paid from APA |
| Standard bar | Often included | Paid from APA |
| Ordinary cruising fuel | Often included, subject to limits | Paid from APA |
| Premium alcohol | Often excluded or limited | Paid from APA |
| Dockage and special marina requests | Often excluded | Paid from APA |
| Crew gratuity | Separate | Separate |
| Final expense accounting | Usually not required for inclusions | Required for APA spending |
Before choosing a yacht, compare all-inclusive vs. plus-expenses yacht charters. Also, review the complete BVI yacht charter cost breakdown.
Inclusive or Plus Expenses
Submit your travel dates, guest count, cabin preferences, preferred yacht type, and overall budget. We compare suitable yachts and explain what each yacht includes, what APA covers, and which costs remain separate.
Compare Current BVI YachtsNo. Many crewed sailing catamarans include most costs in the charter price and do not use APA. APA is more common on motor yachts, power catamarans, and some sailing yachts.
No. APA is paid separately from the charter rate and is used for approved charter expenses.
As a general guideline, APA is often 35% to 40% of the charter rate. The exact amount depends on the yacht and charter terms.
On a plus-expenses charter, meals and drinks are usually paid from the APA. Many inclusive crewed catamarans include standard meals and drinks in the charter price.
In most cases, no. Crew gratuity is typically a separate expense unless stated otherwise in the charter agreement.
The captain may request additional funds to cover approved charter expenses.
In most cases, yes. The captain provides a final expense report and returns any remaining balance.
Yes. You can request spending updates during the charter, especially before adding extra expenses or making itinerary changes.
Tell us your travel dates, guest count, cabin requirements, preferred yacht type, and total trip budget.
We compare inclusive and plus-expenses yachts, including APA, taxes, and total costs.
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