"Why is there a 12-guest limit on the yacht I want to rent?" is a commonly-asked question among charterers considering booking a crewed yacht vacation for the first time. To help explain why the majority of charter yachts, regardless of size, have a 12-guest limit, we've outlined the reasons and some points to consider before booking ayacht vacation.
In this article:
- 12-guest limit on yacht charters explained
- What is the REG Yacht Code?
- What does this mean for yacht charters?
- Can I secure a yacht charter for more than 12 guests?
- Tandem yacht charters
- Need more yacht charter advice?
12-guest limit on yacht charters explained
In general,the number of guests allowed on board a charter yacht depends on the license it holds to carry passengers for yacht charters. This can be anything from 4 up to a maximum of 12 guests, usuallycommensurate with the size of the yacht.
If you are looking to entertain extended family, host your huge social circle for the vacationof a lifetime, or a mix of the two, you might be wondering why mostcharter yachts do not allowa higher number of guests, regardless of their size. Even for seasoned charterers, the limits can still be a point of contention.
This is largely to do with international maritime regulations, as yachts that carry more than 12 guests are legally considered to be passenger ships, which means they have to meet a different set of criteria to cruise at seaunder the Passenger Yacht Code (PYC).
In 2017, the PYC was replaced with the Red Ensign Group (REG) Yacht Code, developed to be more specifically geared towards the superyachtindustry.
What is the REG Yacht Code?
This code sets out the technical, safety and operational standards for a yacht, including the number of passengers allowed on board. As a result, the code is made up of two parts;
- Part A – (updated version of the Large Yacht Code - LY3)applies to yachts 24 meters and over in load line length, in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and not more than 12 passengers.
- Part B – (the updated version of the Passenger Yacht Code - PYC) applies to pleasure yachts of any size, in private use or engaged in trade (commercial charter), which carry more than 12 but not more than 36 passengers, and donot carry cargo.
The REG Yacht Code Part B is a superyacht alternative to full compliance with the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) convention. The latter is a set of rules applicable to most merchant or cruise ships.
What does this mean for yacht charters?
The REG criteria for yachts carrying more than 12 passengers sets out strict rules governing design andconstruction standards, as well asother important safety measures.
Yachts will usually need to undergo rigorous testing, extensive surveying, hire more crew and may even need to be completely refitted. Unsurprisingly, this can be inconvenient, time-consuming and often prohibitively expensive for the owner.
Consequently, many yacht owners decide to keep the maximum number of guests onboard to 12 (plus crew) for chartering.
This means, for example, that an 80-meter yacht with 8 staterooms may well have the ability to sleep 16 guests while in private use, but on a commercial charter is only allowed to sleep 12 guests.
Can I secure a yacht charter for more than 12 guests?
There is a fairly healthy selection of yachts available for charter that can sleep more than 12 guests on board. That said, if you are interested in securing one for your next yacht charter, it would be wise to inform your broker of your guest numbers as far in advance as possible as demand for these yachts can be high.
The Best Charter Yachts for 12 Guests and Above
If you do not secure a luxury yacht rental that accommodates all of your party, tandem yacht charters are a popular alternative.
A tandem charter involves two or more vessels being booked together, and can provide a lot more flexibility. For example, guests may decide to split itineraries between yachts for particular activities (one yacht could take a group sport-fishing, the other for a day's pampering) or divide the yachts up between adults and younger ones (with accompanying staff, if applicable).
Need more yacht charter advice?
For more advice onbooking a luxury yacht charter, please speak with your preferred yacht broker. Whether you are looking for assistance on booking a chartersuitable for 12 guests or under, or for a vessel that can cater to a much larger party, a broker will be able to carefully curate a vacation entirely to your needs and requirements.
Take a look at our advice guides for more information on chartering a superyacht, covering everything from charter contractsto yacht vacation packing tips.
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FAQs
Why are most yacht charters limited to 12 guests? Due to international maritime regulations, most yachts are limited to just 12 guests when on a charter – even if the vessel can easily sleep more guests. However, it is possible for a luxury yacht for charter to accommodate more than 12 guests.
What is the 12 person rule on a yacht? ›
Why are most yacht charters limited to 12 guests? Due to international maritime regulations, most yachts are limited to just 12 guests when on a charter – even if the vessel can easily sleep more guests. However, it is possible for a luxury yacht for charter to accommodate more than 12 guests.
Why are yachts limited to 12 guests? ›
The reason lays in regulation.
Once a vessel carries more than 12 passengers, even if it is being used as a private yacht, it is considered to be a passenger ship and has to comply with the SOLAS convention (Safety of Life at Sea) set out by the IMO (International Maritime Organization).
How many people can be on a charter yacht? ›
Operate as an Uninspected Passenger Vessel, less than 100 GRT, can carry up to 6 passengers, greater than 100 GRT may carry up to 12 passengers. Only boats that can provide a COI (USCG Certificate of Inspection) and a copy of the vessel's insurance will be able to carry more than 12 passengers.
What is the barefoot rule on a yacht? ›
What is the barefoot rule on yachts? The 'Barefoot Rule' on yachts is a widely observed yacht etiquette, primarily intended to protect the yacht's deck from scratches or marks caused by footwear. Hard-soled shoes, high heels, and even certain types of sandals can potentially damage the deck surface.
What is the 10% rule for yachts? ›
I'm sure most of us have heard of the "10% rule": a boat costs about 10% of the purchase price to maintain per year. It's usually said in the context of used boats, and it rings true to me. There's another rule thrown around which suggests "2% of the price when new" is the rule.
What is yacht etiquette? ›
Respecting the crew, including their privacy and time off, is at the core of yacht etiquette. Working and living on board a luxury yacht is a challenging role, so to ensure the crew can deliver a seven star service, it's essential to respect their rest time.
Are the charters on Below Deck real? ›
Below Deck executive producer Courtland Cox previously told Bravo, the production company behind the show, that the charter guests are usually seasoned charterers rather than individuals looking to appear on TV. This means the show isn't staged or rigged by producers in advance of filming.
Why are Below Deck charters so short? ›
The show is filmed for only six weeks because of the high-cost of chartering the yacht. Unfortunately, crew have said the seven or eight week mark of working a charter is when yachties really let loose.
What size yacht requires a captain? ›
A boat's size does not necessarily dictate whether a captain's license is required. Rather, financial consideration for operational services, the presence of paying passengers, or insurance companies will determine if a captain's license is required.
Although a yacht will have a base charter fee, this may or may not include additional expenses such as food and fuel and this is subject to the terms and conditions within the charter contract. There are various types of charter contracts and which one applies to you will depend on where you wish to cruise.
Can you only have 12 people on a yacht? ›
In general, the number of guests allowed on board a charter yacht depends on the license it holds to carry passengers for yacht charters. This can be anything from 4 up to a maximum of 12 guests, usually commensurate with the size of the yacht.
Are yacht charter rates negotiable? ›
The charter fee may also fluctuate depending on the period of your yacht rental. Some yachts have high and low season rates. Obviously, the charter fee tends to be higher and less negotiable in the summer peak season as there is much more demand.
What is the 24m rule for yachts? ›
A large yacht is a pleasure vessel with a load line length equal to or over 24m. Almost all the flag administrations have adopted safety codes dedicated to large yachts and this is, therefore, the only definition having a universal meaning in the international regulatory framework of yachts.
Why can't you wear shoes on a superyacht? ›
The barefoot rule for yachts and boats alike is an age-old practice made to keep the teak decks undamaged, and dirty soles away from the clean and sparkling floor. Commonly, shoes stay outside the cabin, and no shoes are worn on deck, also.
Do yacht crew sleep with guests? ›
Some specific yacht users are known to regularly exchange sex for gifts such as luxury watches. “It's the norm in the industry,” the captain said. “The owners want to hook up with the stewardesses. It's quite crazy, and disgusting.”
What length yacht requires a captain? ›
A boat's size does not necessarily dictate whether a captain's license is required. Rather, financial consideration for operational services, the presence of paying passengers, or insurance companies will determine if a captain's license is required.
How many people can you put on a yacht certified boat? ›
As a potential or existing owner/operator of a 26 foot or larger vessel, it is important to remember that 'Yacht Certification' does not include any required vessel capacity limits, and it is up to the boat owner to operate mindfully.
Can you have more than 13 people on a yacht? ›
Number Of Passengers
The US Coast Guard regulations require that all privately owned charter yachts in the United States are limited to a maximum of 13 passengers, plus crew.
What is the 24 meter rule on a yacht? ›
Part A – (updated version of the Large Yacht Code - LY3) applies to yachts 24 meters and over in load line length, in commercial use for sport or pleasure, do not carry cargo and not more than 12 passengers.
