“Which yacht, what to do, and how much to tip the captain and crew?” These, and more, are consistent questions that we can definitely help you answer. Our Cabo Yacht Life industry insiders provide you with expert advice for first–time charter clients entering the Cabo yachting world.
Take Advantage of Our Destination Knowledge
You should think of the Cabo Yacht Life team as the conduit between yourself and a fabulous holiday in Los Cabos, Mexico.
As your yacht expert, we will also be your central point of contact from the moment you start planning your charter in the destination. We will ask you about your plans and your guests in order to find the ideal yacht. Additionally, we also put together an unforgettable itinerary that will be enjoyed by everyone on board. Once your charter starts, while your captain can answer any questions you might have, our customer service team will remain in contact with you whenever you need them.
Remember, we work for you. As your yacht charter service team, we will work on your behalf to explain the best charter rates depending on the season, types of yachts, things to do in Cabo, and guide you through the contractual process.
An Essential Detail
A huge difference between us and other companies? We actually own our yachts. Therefore, we always represent the charterer and we are there to protect your interests and guest experience. We love to provide superior service for first-time yacht charter clientele because we have built a majority of our reputation through direct recommendations and repeat business.
In-The-Know: As your preferred partner for yacht charters in Los Cabos, Mexico we are always “in-the-know” pertaining to the destination. On a daily basis, we are inspecting the yachts. What’s more, our entire company is familiar with the level of North American service standards that the captain and crew offer. This allows us to offer a personalized, first-hand experience to our clientele. This tried and tested formula means the most suitable yacht will be recommended to you based on your requirements.
Our professional experience enhances a first-timers yacht charter or for those clients who are avid yachting experts. We develop logistics, create the set food and beverage menus, and as part of our requirements, we have had the chance to sample the private chef’s dishes. This means we will be able to make personal recommendations rather than just relying on the promotional material.
First-Timers Chartering A Luxury Yacht
First charter? Or, first time to Cabo? No problem! Our yacht charter team will recommend the best holiday possible including accommodations, as applicable. If someone who has never chartered before asks us where to go, we would first want to know what the guests like doing. If you want to explore beaches, we start with a visit to the iconic Arch at Land’s End and possibly bay-hopping to the top three snorkel spots. For experienced charterers and those who know Cabo, we may recommend more time for fishing, a sunset cruise on the Pacific Ocean or an overnight charter.
Planning the Details in Advance
It might feel as though you are being high maintenance, but providing exact details ahead of your charter will help our customer service team and crew craft the ideal experience. We need to get to know our clients and your wishes by gathering as much information as possible at the beginning of the process, not later on. The more detail you provide, the better we can cater to your exact requirements.
Special Preferences: We will provide you with preferences and requirements. Typically, this is done months in advance of your vacation in Cabo. We also have reservations made by guests already in Los Cabos. Either way, we work with the utmost efficiency and will cover every aspect of your yacht charter.
It is essential to complete an advance information questionnaire noting culinary preferences or any special dietary requirements, beverage preferences, activities, flowers, or other special requests. Details on any medical issues, allergies and special occasions should also be given.
Choosing the Right Yacht
Of course, one of the most important factors in an enjoyable charter is picking the yacht that best fits your preferences.
Family First: Traveling with kids and the family? Make sure you choose a yacht with ample space and family-friendly crew. We always find out from clients the exact age of their kids and what kind of family holiday they are after. Then, we glean as much information as possible about what everyone likes to do on board or the bucket-list items that we can accomplish during a yacht charter. As a first-timer, our crew ensures that every detail is fully prepared.
The yachting experience will be the most memorable aspect to your vacation in Cabo.
Dream Home Away from Home: When a new client contacts Cabo Yacht Life, our team always asks for more information in order to customize the yacht charter. We believe that yachts should be a continuation of your home or a dream home. We encourage you to sit back and relax as if you were in your own luxury living room on the sea. Of course, the big difference is that guests will be admiring the incredible panoramas found only in Cabo San Lucas!
Setting the Pace
A quality yacht charter company will ascertain if you have a need for speed or prefer to enjoy life at a slower pace. It would be wrong to offer a fast yacht to a client who doesn’t care about speed and would prefer to do light snorkeling with children. Clients who like ample space and comfort should be offered a larger yacht, whereas those who care about a yacht being sexy, sleek and fast will probably find a larger yacht slow and bulky. Regardless, the type of yacht and size will depend on the number of guests, yacht capacities, and itinerary.
The yacht that you charter will also influence how much you are able to fit into your itinerary. Some of our yachts may take five hours to cruise from the Arch to Chileno Bay but a faster, smaller yacht may take only three hours. During our initial conversations, we highlight the difference in terms of comfort at sea and at anchor including the logistics.
Creating a Balanced Itinerary
As we are well aware, the perfect itinerary comes down to what our clients want for their trip. This will range from anything to anchoring in a spectacular bay for some snorkeling and lunch. Possibly, an all-day luxury fishing charter. Or, whale watching during the months of November through April. And, even creating a memorable event such as a wedding proposal, birthday, family reunion, or anniversary.
Don’t Overdo It: It can be tempting to pack your charter to the brim with activities but factoring in some downtime is recommended. Don’t forget, you are on vacation! We encourage guests to give yourself time to enjoy the yacht.
Be Flexible: One of the best things about a private yacht charter is being able to change the itinerary to include or exclude something. So, take advantage of the flexibility. Avoid controlling everything, and relax! Your team, captain and crew will take care of it all.
Keeping Onboard Etiquette in Mind
From the outside, yachting etiquette can seem quite complex but in reality, the basics are rooted in common sense. Etiquette on board is simple: take off your shoes, be respectful to the crew and just enjoy your holiday with family and friends. It is true that shoes will need to be removed and are not worn on the yacht. That way, carpets remain clean and accidental slips will be avoided.
It is important to note that once boarding any yacht, the captain is everyone’s superior including crew and guests. The captain is in command of the vessel and safety, at all times.
Understand Tipping Protocol
Whether you are rewarding a taxi driver after a journey or a waiter at the end of a meal, tipping can be a confusing custom fraught with the potential to offend. But there is no reason why it should stop you leaving your charter trip on a high.
Crew gratuity is customary at around 15% (20% for excellence), as in any hospitality industry. Gratuities are based on the satisfaction level of the entire experience.
Reserving Your Private Yacht Charter
You can expect the ultimate in luxury when embarking on your private yacht charter with Cabo Yacht Life. Your yacht will have everything you need or want for an amazing holiday activity. All yacht guests will have a dedicated team to ensure your yacht charter will exceed everyone’s expectations.
Our company mission is to service each and every guest with VIP yacht services. We always suggest to reserve your yacht in advance due to high demand. If you’re ready for the trip of a lifetime, please contact us today to start planning a dream yachting experience in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!
