APA Explained — What 25–35% Actually Covers on a Yacht Charter
Direct answer
APA is a separate budget — typically 25–35% of the base weekly charter rate — that the captain manages during the charter for fuel, dockage, food, drink, and incidentals. Settled with receipts at the end; unspent APA is refunded. Example: on a €60,000 weekly base, an APA at 30% = €18,000 paid up front, of which typically 80–95% is spent (the remaining €1,800–€3,600 returned).
APA — Advanced Provisioning Allowance — is the most-misunderstood line item in any yacht charter contract. It is not a fee, it is not a deposit, it is not a hidden cost. It is a separate working budget the captain manages on your behalf during the charter, and it is settled with receipts at the end.
What APA covers
- Fuel — for the yacht, for the tender, for the jet skis if rented
- Dockage — marina nights along the route (e.g. Port de Sóller, Antibes)
- Provisioning — all food and drink consumed on board, including alcohol
- Incidentals — laundry, water, ice, flowers, small replacements
- Chef-procured items — premium ingredients, specialty wine, fresh fish from the morning market
- Port fees and any cruising taxes (e.g. some Italian ports)
What APA does NOT cover
- The base charter rate (the yacht + crew) — paid separately
- VAT on the base rate (handled separately)
- Crew gratuity — paid at the end of the charter, on top of APA
- Ashore restaurant bills — paid directly by you
- Beach club tabs — paid directly by you
- Optional extras (DJ, photographer, jet skis hired from a third party) — billed separately
How settlement works
APA is paid up front, typically with the second half of the charter balance (e.g. 60 days before the charter). During the charter, the captain spends from this float and keeps every receipt. At the end of the charter, an APA reconciliation is provided: every receipt, organised by category, with a running total. Unspent APA is refunded to your account within 5–10 working days.
Why 25–35% is the standard range
Lower end (25%) for shorter and simpler charters — Pitiusas weeks with no marina nights and minimal fuel. Mid-range (30%) for typical Balearic weeks. Higher end (35%+) for fuel-intensive itineraries (Sardinia crossings, fast cruising), provisioning-heavy charters (chef-driven menus with specialty ingredients), or routes with multiple marina nights.
Worked example
A 30-metre superyacht for one week in the Balearics:
- Base charter rate: €60,000
- APA at 30%: €18,000 (paid up front)
- Spanish VAT 21% on base: €12,600 (paid up front)
- Total pre-paid: €90,600
- Typical APA spend: €16,200 (90%)
- Crew gratuity (10–15% of base, paid at end): €6,000–€9,000
- All-in total for the week: roughly €98,400–€101,400 + ashore bills
People also ask
Frequently asked
- Is APA refundable if I cancel the charter?
- Yes — APA is held against future spending. If the charter is cancelled, APA is fully refundable. The base rate has its own cancellation schedule (typically 50% non-refundable at signing, full at 60 days).
- Can I see APA spending during the charter?
- Yes. The captain provides daily or every-other-day APA summaries on request. If you'd like to keep close eye on spending, just ask at the start of the charter and the chief stewardess will set up a brief.
- What if APA runs out mid-charter?
- Then a top-up is requested. This rarely happens with a properly-set 30% APA; it can happen on premium-spec weeks. The office requests a top-up in writing and you confirm; the next day's spending continues without interruption.
The Office
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