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Guide · Crewed charter

What is a crewed yacht charter (and how is it different from bareboat)?

A crewed yacht charter means you book the whole yacht together with a professional crew — at minimum a licensed captain, and on larger yachts a host or cook. You need no sailing licence and no experience: you are a guest aboard your own private yacht while the crew handles navigation, safety and the day’s plan.

Crewed vs bareboat — the difference

On a bareboat charter you hire the yacht alone and skipper it yourself, which requires a recognised sailing licence and real experience. On a crewed charter the crew comes with the yacht, so anyone can go — no licence, no qualifications, no responsibility for the boat.

Every TrimTeam charter is crewed by default. A licensed captain runs the yacht; on larger catamarans and sailing yachts a host or cook joins to look after meals and service. Experienced, licensed sailors who would rather take the helm themselves can ask for a bareboat option instead.

What the crew does for you

  • Captain: navigation, safety, route planning, anchoring, and local knowledge of the best coves and harbours.
  • Host or cook (on larger yachts): meals aboard, drinks and service, keeping cabins and the saloon in order.
  • You: choose the pace, the swims and the stops — and never touch a rope unless you want to.

Who a crewed charter is for

Crewed charters suit families, groups of friends, couples and first-timers — anyone who wants a week (or a day) on the water without the work or the qualifications. It is also the natural choice for celebrations and corporate days, where you want to be present with your guests rather than running the boat.

What it costs

A crewed Mediterranean charter typically runs €6,000–15,000 for a day-to-week experience in the accessible-luxury range, with the crew included in one transparent, all-in quote. See our guide to what a charter costs for the full breakdown, or ask Helm for a live price on your exact dates.

Frequently asked

Do I need a sailing licence for a crewed charter?
No. On a crewed charter a licensed captain operates the yacht, so no licence or sailing experience is required from guests.
What is the difference between bareboat and crewed?
Bareboat means you hire the yacht alone and skipper it yourself, which needs a sailing licence and experience. Crewed means a professional crew — a licensed captain at minimum — comes with the yacht, so anyone can charter.
Is a crewed charter more expensive?
The crew is included in TrimTeam’s single all-in quote, so there is no separate bill for the captain. You trade a higher headline price for zero responsibility and no licence requirement — typical crewed charters run €6,000–15,000.

Tell Helm your dates, group size and the kind of trip you want for a live, all-in crewed quote.

Ask Helm