What is APA?

Advanced Provisioning Allowance

Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) is the process for securing the logistics for a charter. Chartering a yacht involves more than just paying the rental fees, it is about creating an entire schedule with provisions for the duration of the charter. As such, when planning a trip, you need to factor in more than the yacht, its crew, and the destinations. You must include fuel, food, drink, entertainment, medical care, berthing fees, customs, communications and more. These extra details are all included in the APA.

What is APA in yacht charter?

The Guletyacht.net team believes in optimizing efficiency. This means creating a lean supply chain environment, where everything is prepared beforehand with the client`s approval. As such, APA for Guletyacht.net is collecting a comprehensive list of needs, desires, and requirements that the client discusses at the scheduling appointment. Guletyacht.net will ask for a lot of specifics, and this is meant to save both times, expense and frustration at a later date during the charter.

Therefore, consider that every stop has its own logistical requirements, you need to have the whole process mapped out before you leave. Your Captain and Crew will be able to assure you smooth sailing, effortless access to all resources needed for your comfort and enjoyment.

How does APA work?

APA is usually calculated as a percentage of the charter fee, and you pay this up front as an addition to the fee before your charter starts. The money is then used by the Captain (or broker) to pay for all the extra fees, taxes, and provisions required to maintain a perfect experience. 

Any monies left over after the trip has ended returned to the client. All receipts for all purchases made with the APA funds are available to the client at all times. This way, the client is capable of tracking expenses during the trip.

APA is a standard found in every yacht charter company.

When does APA apply?

APA always applies on all yacht charters, some charter companies will include this in the fee, and therefore there are some companies that offer what seems to be more expensive options, to companies that prefer to break down the fee and give their clients more freedom of choice, transparency, and control.

The big difference is in the terminology, a charter that is all-inclusive means you get what they decide is included in the trip. As such, if you want more, you need to dish out more, and you need to ask and understand what is actually included in the all-inclusive menu.

It`s better to take an APA approach, you get total control over what you want to have on your trip. Just consider the food and drink options of an APA menu; its exactly what you want it to be.

How much is APA?

The price of APA depends on what you request, as a rule of thumb, it is usually around 30% to 40% of the total trip cost. It will go up if you need to smoke the most exclusive Cuban cigars and drink the most expensive Champagnes with Beluga Caviar and have a personalized sea-bob for every traveler.

How do I pay the APA?

APA is paid up front with the charter fee and is usually processed through a bank transfer.

What happens if my APA does not cover the expenses on the yacht charter?

If you decide to go over budget, you will be asked to provide the finances for this during the trip. 

What if the APA yacht charter is more than I would like to spend?

Budget control is all about deciding what specifics and extras you need to enjoy your trip. When you plan the schedule with all the stops and also include all the sites to visit, the resources and nutrition required, you will receive a calculated APA cost. This reflects the overall spend that the charter expects to meet. In most cases, it will be slightly above the total spent, since charters prefer not to ask for more money during the trip, and you get refunded.

However, if, during your pre-trip schedule the calculations are above your budget, we suggest you set the limit down beforehand and let us suggest which options can be substituted with alternatives that might meet your requirements and personal tastes.

Guletyacht.net has years of experience in managing APA budgets and draws on a vast pool of knowledge and resource costs to provide you, the client with a well prepared and budgeted APA for a perfect trip.