Your First Day on Charter

A charter isn’t like most other vacations. It takes a good deal of pre-arrival strategizing and loads of onsite tactical execution if it’s to be a success. Because so much happens before you even untie the dock lines, the first day, in particular, can not only seem like barely controlled chaos, but set the tone for the rest of the trip. What follows are some tips on how to smooth out the rough patches before the first sunset and ensure the charter as a whole gets off to a good start.

PROVISIONING

What you’ll eat and drink on vacation can be somewhat defined prior to your arrival at the base. Most charter companies offer a provisioning service where you choose from a list of foods and beverages that will be loaded aboard your boat on the first day.

Companies used to offer “full” or “partial” provisioning, in which case it was generally better to opt for the latter to make room for some flexibility and spontaneity. These days, though, most outfits have a list on their website from which you can choose as much or as little as you want. Whatever you think you’ll need, cut it by a third, since there are going to be many temptations to eat and drink out once you’re under sail, especially in destinations like the British Virgin Islands and Tahiti. (Exceptions include remote areas like Tonga, Cuba and the Sea of Cortez, where you should plan to bring everything you’ll want to consume;