Enjoy a Luxury Cruise Vacation on a Yacht

Instead of getting lost in a crowd of thousands of passengers, you have the option to book your cruise aboard a yacht with tens or, at most, a few hundred potential new friends. Don't expect to sacrifice the fabled cuisine and service of the larger liners either. You get the pluses of the big ships with the peace and quiet of a smaller venue.

What's the Difference between a Yacht and a Cruise Liner?

A yacht provides you with the kind of luxury that most of the larger ships only aspire to. The atmosphere is relaxed, the stress is non-existent, and there are no crowds, no waits, and no hassles. If the passengers are enjoying themselves at a port, the captain can extend their stay; if a place isn't living up to expectations, the ship can move on.

Although the service aboard is generally top-class, the passengers have more freedom as well. If they get hungry in the middle of the night, they are able to fix themselves a meal from the ship's stores. This combines the indulgence of a cruise with the comfort of home.

What Kinds of Ships are Used on Yacht Cruises?

Although a yacht charter might sound as if it could only accommodate a dozen or so people, they can actually be quite spacious. If you take your vacation aboard a yacht, you can choose between a private vessel for you and your family and friends alone, or you can set sail on a re-commissioned liner that accommodates a couple of hundred people.

Many times, yachts used for vacation travel are privately owned. The owners charter them out to cruise lines when they don't need them. Other yachts are directly owned by the companies and are used to guide tourists year round.

What are Some Advantages of Yacht Cruises?

Because the number of guests aboard a yacht is usually smaller than the cruise ships, it is easier for them to cater directly to your needs. Commonly, groups such as museums or businesses charter a yacht to provide a tailored trip for benefactors, board members or employees. If you would like to plan a custom route for your vacation or to combine a cruise with a specific lecture series, you can do it aboard a yacht. It means you can see all of the things that interest you the most, including the narrow waterways and up close views of scenery and wildlife, where the larger ships of the major lines can't go.

Take a Private Cruise

If getting away from the crowd is a priority for your trip, you can also charter your own private cruise. If you are not an experienced sailor, you can also hire the crew to handle the navigation while you enjoy the sun, waves, coastal scenery and the other sights so far from home.

What Kinds of Amenities Can You Expect Aboard a Yacht?

Although cruise line standards like full gyms and fancy casinos are unlikely to be found on a yacht, many are equipped with lovely surroundings, high quality artwork and full dining rooms. Solariums, sun beds, hammocks, and fixed binoculars are common, even on smaller vessels. You can also expect to find open-air cafes, watersports docks, and many other fun extras both ashore and on board.