Ship VS Yacht

[Bobbo18]

I'm definitely used to cruise ships and I wanted to know what are the advantages of a cruise on a yacht instead?

[cb at sea]

Well, a yacht will be MUCH more expensive, and generally it's just you and your party.....with a crew that caters to your every whim.....of course, a yacht can get into ports and places that larger ships can't...and you will pretty much choose your itinerary!

 

That said, I have no desire to be at sea on a ship smaller than the smallest cruise ship! I know that any ship can sink...but I like the feeling of security a larger vessel gives me! And, I wouldn't be keen on spending that kind of $$$$$!

[navybankerteacher]

On a yacht you get to choose your destinations and your fellow passengers. If it happens to be your yacht, you get to drive it as well.

 

The down-side is that you are unlikely to have production shows, climbing walls, skating rinks, casinos, etc.

[Hlitner]

Interesting question. DW and I have done one cruise on a "boat" that is a 144 feet long and carried 20 passengers (10 cabins) and a crew of 8. This was in the Ionian Islands (to places where larger ships cannot go) and it was wonderful. The term "yacht" means different things to different folks although one can agree that all yachts are boats :).

 

Personally, having cruised on everything from that 20 passenger "yacht" to cruise ships with nearly 4000 (and just about everything between) DW and I think that smaller is nearly always better (in many ways). But small means that the company cannot take advantage of economies of scale and hence the move towards larger and larger mega ships. That being said, most of the top ultra luxury vessels (that cost big bucks to cruise) tend to be smaller vessels. There are plenty of folks queuing up to pay over $1000 per passenger day for a smaller ultra luxury vessel, whereas the larger cruise ships have very few folks willing to pay those prices.

 

So you ask the advantages? Well, on our small boat cruise we would usually drop anchor in mid-morning off of some desserted island/beach...jump off the bow, and swim into amazing places where we were the only souls. By early afternoon we would tie-up on small islands (often next to very expensive privately owned yachts) to go ashore for lunch and some exploration. We would then usually sail to another larger island where we would usually dock for the evening so we could go ashore for some local island flavor.

 

If you go on ultra luxury ships like Silverseas, the smaller Seabourn, Sea Dream, etc you are not going to get glitzy shows in the evening but might have a decent piano bar/lounge player. Much of the fun on these vessels comes from the interaction between the passengers (and sometimes officers). When we cruised on one luxury vessel we would usually return to the ship in the afternoon to be greeted (by name) by the Captain who was standing at the top of the gang plank. Moving into the parlor, a bar waiter would quickly be at our side addressing us by name and already knowing our drink preferences. If one were lounging on deck on a hot day there would be some stewards around to spritz folks with some cool mist or quickly provide any kind of drink or refreshment. It is a different experience from the large cruise ships. It certainly is not for everyone and definitely not for those that enjoy "hairy leg contests." "water slides," constant loud PA announcements touting sales, etc.

 

Hank

[Lerin]

Yachting is much more relaxing and catered to your specific tastes.

Hlitner summed it up perfectly above.

It was our preferred mode of cruising pre-children. With young ones we now do larger ships due to entertainment for all ages. In 5-10 years we will return to yachts and small ship cruising.

[john watson]

You could take a look at Star Clippers cruise line they have two sizes of vessel about 2000 tons and 2500 tons. They do Caribbean cruises including Cuba cruises as well as Mediterranean and Transatlantic voyages. Roughly 200 passengers but nothing like a cruise as we know them and much closer to sailing and the sea. The prices very a lot but the cheaper itineraries are low cost per night.

 

Regards John

[navybankerteacher]

Star Clippers and other similar small cruise vessels really do not meet what is probably the basic definition of yacht: a vessel used for private cruising, racing. Or other non commercial purposes. Yes, they are much smaller and more intimate than the usual cruise ships, but with a hundred or so fare-paying passengers they cannot be said to be private or no commercial.

[john watson]

Star Clippers and other similar small cruise vessels really do not meet what is probably the basic definition of yacht: a vessel used for private cruising, racing. Or other non commercial purposes. Yes, they are much smaller and more intimate than the usual cruise ships, but with a hundred or so fare-paying passengers they cannot be said to be private or no commercial.

 

Obviously not but when the OP mentions about being used to cruises. I am thinking Ships with Theatre and Casino etc. It seems a long way to step straight into a yacht with say four berths and eight crew including the poster. If you go to something like Star Clippers and feel "Oh my god - No" then at least you will not have completely messed up.

 

Regards John

[Bonnie J.]

Have you seen the TV show about a yacht that is booked by usually one person. Then their family & friends are the passengers. The show is about the crew & how they handle passengers, etc. At the end of the cruise the crew sit with the captain who hands out their tips. These tips are always way more than $1000 each! Never heard how much it is to charter the yacht! It's a fun show to watch!

[navybankerteacher]

Have you seen the TV show about a yacht that is booked by usually one person. Then their family & friends are the passengers. The show is about the crew & how they handle passengers, etc. At the end of the cruise the crew sit with the captain who hands out their tips. These tips are always way more than $1000 each! Never heard how much it is to charter the yacht! It's a fun show to watch!

 

Chartering a yacht involves the same basic principal as buying a yacht: if you have to ask how much it costs, you cannot afford it.

 

I've seen the "reality" show about yacht charters - that bit about tips being way more than $1,000 is about as "real" as the bulk of the material revealed on "reality" shows.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I'm definitely used to cruise ships and I wanted to know what are the advantages of a cruise on a yacht instead?

 

 

The first few answers to your original question may be somewhat off the mark.

A "yacht" can vary in size and amenities. And like cruise ships, there is everything from economy to luxury.

 

That said, the big myth to dispel is the cost. It can work out to be about the same as a per person cost of a balcony cabin on a premium cruise line +/-.

 

We've done a "crewed charter" to the BVIs on a 60 foot catamaran that sleeps 8 (in 4 cabins) + 2 crew. As we are an experienced sailing family with bareboat certification, we could've opted for a "bareboat" charter. But , we preferred to have provisioning and all other details handled by the crew so that we could relax. Interestingly, because of the cost of you vs the local crew provisioning a bareboat, the price difference is not a deal breaker financially.

 

Step 1 is to find a charter broker (this is not a travel agent). I recommend Ed Hamilton (home based in Maine). They can get you a wide selection in destinations, boats and amenities.

 

Starting with calls or e-mails, they drill down to a match for what you prefer and can afford. This includes the crew: ours were a young non-smoking and well educated/experienced couple- skipper with a degree in marine biology who was also a scuba instructor and an Orvis certified fishing guide and his wife, a culinary academy grad.

 

Working with the broker and skipper we planned our itinerary, food and alcohol preferences, etc. The price

was all inclusive except for tips, which basically worked out to 10% and airfare.

 

The pros: uncrowded anchorages on a custom designed itinerary; no nickel-diming; you determined what kind and quality of food and booze you wanted; guided activities and excursions with only your party; actually SAIL the boat, etc.

 

The cons: cabins are small but with AC and private baths (including housekeeping); no broadway wannabe shows; boats are less stable (though cats are better than monohulls); no water slides or rock walls (though there are plenty of water toys- skipper taught my daughter to waterski).

 

The bottom line: Other than the unrivaled custom "luxury," there is a "sweet spot" for value. A crewed charter for two can be pricey - even on a smaller boat like 35'. But, the per person cost for 8 of your friends/family on something like a 60' cat may pleasantly surprise you.

 

 

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[Floridiana]

Another option between big ships and small sailing yachts:

When the Haumana still sold cabins, we booked one for a Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa , Bora Bora cruise. We were 12 unrelated passengers and felt like we owned the yacht. The price at that time was comparable to regular cruise ship fares. Today, you have to charter the entire Haumana.

http://www.tahiti-haumana-charter.com/index.php

 

That cruise was so special that I don't want to spoil the memory by returning on a large cruise ship. We have been back to French Polynesia, but on a land trip combined with the freighter Aranui3.

[Folk Singer]

On a yacht you get to choose your destinations and your fellow passengers. If it happens to be your yacht, you get to drive it as well.

 

The down-side is that you are unlikely to have production shows, climbing walls, skating rinks, casinos, etc.

 

 

True. As for Skating Rinks I look out my window at my driveway and think about getting the skates out. lol

[Bobbo18]

oh I didn't expect so many interest, thank you all I definitly have a much more clear idea of what the difference is!

My intention is to go on a European cruise or Mediterranean ...you have any idea? At this point I'm more interested in yacht type cruise because I would try a more intimate enviroment than the usual big ship cruise but Im open to any good suggestion

[Flatbush Flyer]

oh I didn't expect so many interest, thank you all I definitly have a much more clear idea of what the difference is!

My intention is to go on a European cruise or Mediterranean ...you have any idea? At this point I'm more interested in yacht type cruise because I would try a more intimate enviroment than the usual big ship cruise but Im open to any good suggestion

 

 

 

As I mentioned in post #11 above, start your search with a highly respected charter yacht broker like Ed Hamilton (http://www.ed-hamilton.com). They cover the Med among other destinations.

 

 

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[janetz]

This is exactly what my husband's son does. He is a caption.

 

He will charter a yacht and take people all over the BVI and USVI.

 

The price includes all meals, and drinks. The menu is designed to your liking. Also, all your water toys. So if you charter for a week at 10,000 and the yacht sleeps 6 or 8 and you split the cost with family or friends, it is really not to bad.

They go to many places that the ships do not. :)

Edited February 6, 2015 by janetz

[chrispb]

oh I didn't expect so many interest, thank you all I definitly have a much more clear idea of what the difference is!

My intention is to go on a European cruise or Mediterranean ...you have any idea? At this point I'm more interested in yacht type cruise because I would try a more intimate enviroment than the usual big ship cruise but Im open to any good suggestion

 

Have you considered a Turkish gulet? They are reasonably priced and can access the more isolated beaches. Best of all - no dressing up and you can spend evenings on shore. You can charter a gulet to fit the size of your party. Oh, and they come complete with cook and captain.

[Bobbo18]

This is exactly what my husband's son does. He is a caption.

 

He will charter a yacht and take people all over the BVI and USVI.

 

The price includes all meals, and drinks. The menu is designed to your liking. Also, all your water toys. So if you charter for a week at 10,000 and the yacht sleeps 6 or 8 and you split the cost with family or friends, it is really not to bad.

They go to many places that the ships do not. :)

 

 

yes that's true. I've noticed that you dont necessarily have to take the yacht exclusively

[Bobbo18]

Have you considered a Turkish gulet? They are reasonably priced and can access the more isolated beaches. Best of all - no dressing up and you can spend evenings on shore. You can charter a gulet to fit the size of your party. Oh, and they come complete with cook and captain.

 

 

Thats very interesting, I'll take more infos about it

[RSLeesburg]

oh I didn't expect so many interest, thank you all I definitly have a much more clear idea of what the difference is!

My intention is to go on a European cruise or Mediterranean ...you have any idea? At this point I'm more interested in yacht type cruise because I would try a more intimate enviroment than the usual big ship cruise but Im open to any good suggestion

 

 

You should check out Ponant. They position themselves as luxury yacht cruising, but it is not a private yacht. I think they have 100-200 passengers, so fairly small. Beautiful ships!

Edited March 2, 2015 by RSLeesburg