Private Charter · Seafarer Cruises

The entire vessel.
Exclusively yours.

A private charter means an entire vessel to yourselves — your group, your itinerary, your pace. No shared spaces, no fixed schedules, no strangers at dinner.

Small ship specialists since 1995
Tailor-made packages
ATOL protected
4.6/5 Feefo rating
0208 324 3117
[email protected]
Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00  ·  Sat 09:30–17:00
ATOL Protected

What is a Private Charter

Private Charter, Incredibly easy.

A private charter is, at its simplest, the freedom to go where you like, when you like, with whomever you choose. Your vessel, your crew, your itinerary — shaped entirely around your group rather than a published schedule.

Whether you spend the morning swimming off a deserted beach, linger over lunch in a harbour town, or ask the captain to alter course because somewhere on the horizon looks more interesting — that decision is entirely yours. There are no fellow passengers you haven’t personally invited, no shared dining rooms, no compromise.

We handle the practicalities — finding the right vessel, arranging flights, transfers and hotel stays — so that by the time you step aboard, everything is already in order.

30+

Years arranging charters

4.6/5

Feefo rating

ATOL

Protected packages

98%

Would rebook

Who Charters With Us

A charter for every occasion

01

Milestone Birthdays & Anniversaries

A 50th birthday in the Greek Islands. A 25th anniversary in the Seychelles. Some occasions deserve considerably more than a hotel.

02

Family Holidays

Three generations, no compromises. A private vessel gives everyone their own space — and a crew who attend to the details.

03

Groups of Friends

Share the cost, share the experience. A charter with eight friends often works out less than you might expect — and creates memories that last considerably longer.

04

Corporate & Incentive Travel

Reward your team or entertain clients somewhere genuinely memorable. A private charter is an experience nobody forgets in a hurry.

05

Honeymoons & Proposals

Complete privacy, beautiful waters and a crew dedicated to making every moment count. The most romantic setting we know.

06

Special Interest Voyages

Photography, wine, archaeology, wildlife — a private charter allows you to build an itinerary entirely around what matters to you.

Find Your Vessel

The right ship for your group

Private charters work for groups of two to fifty or more. The vessel changes — the experience of having it entirely to yourselves does not. From surprisingly affordable to reassuringly expensive, we have the right solution for you.

2–6

guests

Sailing Yachts

Personal

Best for

Couples, small families

Destinations

Mediterranean, Caribbean

Style

Active, flexible

From

£2,800 / week

The most personal charter experience. A sailing yacht puts you close to the water and the destinations — ideal for couples or small groups who want flexibility, the freedom to drop anchor wherever takes their fancy, and the pleasure of sailing under canvas.

8–16

guests

Catamarans, Gulets & Larger Yachts

Most popular

Best for

Families, friend groups

Destinations

Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Seychelles, Caribbean

Style

Spacious, sociable

From

£4,500 / week

Catamarans offer exceptional deck space and stability — well suited to families with children or groups who value comfort on passage. Gulets bring a distinctly Mediterranean character, with wide wooden decks, shaded lounging areas and a full crew including a private chef.

20–49

guests

Private Ship Charter

Groups & events

Best for

Large groups, corporate

Destinations

Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Pacific

Style

Full-service onboard

From

£25,000 / week

Chartering an entire small ship gives your group the full run of a proper vessel — multiple decks, a dedicated dining room, a professional crew and the kind of itinerary flexibility that simply isn’t possible on a scheduled cruise. Ideal for large celebrations, incentive travel or corporate occasions that call for something genuinely extraordinary.

50+

guests

Larger Vessel Charter

Bespoke

Best for

Large groups, associations

Destinations

Worldwide — we source globally

Style

Fully bespoke

From

£200,000 / week

For larger groups, including tall ship voyages under real canvas, we can arrange charters on a fully bespoke basis. These tend to be rare and complex to put together — but that is rather the point. Call us to have an honest conversation about what is possible.

Start the Conversation

Some of the most memorable charters begin with a single phone call.

Tell us where you want to go and who you’re travelling with. We’ll come back to you with honest options and straightforward advice — no obligation, no pressure.

Where We Sail

The Mediterranean and far beyond

Greek Islands Our most requested charter destination. The Ionian, the Aegean and the Cyclades each offer a distinct character — from the sheltered sailing of Lefkas to the dramatic scenery of the Dodecanese.

Greek Islands

Our most requested charter destination. The Ionian, the Aegean and the Cyclades each offer a distinct character — from the sheltered sailing of Lefkas to the dramatic scenery of the Dodecanese.

Turkey The Turquoise Coast — ancient Lycian ruins, hidden coves, pine-scented hillsides and superb local food. Gulets were made for these waters and the pace that goes with them.

Turkey

The Turquoise Coast — ancient Lycian ruins, hidden coves, pine-scented hillsides and superb local food. Gulets were made for these waters and the pace that goes with them.

Croatia The Dalmatian Coast combines sheltered waters, beautifully preserved island towns, excellent food ashore and well-organised marinas — ideal for a first charter.

Croatia

The Dalmatian Coast combines sheltered waters, beautifully preserved island towns, excellent food ashore and well-organised marinas — ideal for a first charter.

Caribbean & Seychelles Full ATOL-protected packages including flights and transfers. The Seychelles in particular rewards a charter — the islands are best seen from the water.

Caribbean & Seychelles

Full ATOL-protected packages including flights and transfers. The Seychelles in particular rewards a charter — the islands are best seen from the water.

Italy Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian Islands offer some of the most dramatic sailing in the Mediterranean, with extraordinary culture and cuisine at every anchorage.

Italy

Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and the Aeolian Islands offer some of the most dramatic sailing in the Mediterranean, with extraordinary culture and cuisine at every anchorage.

Further Afield French Polynesia, the Pacific and beyond. If you have a destination in mind that isn’t listed here, tell us — some of the most memorable charters we’ve arranged were the ones that required a little more thought.

Further Afield

French Polynesia, the Pacific and beyond. If you have a destination in mind that isn’t listed here, tell us — some of the most memorable charters we’ve arranged were the ones that required a little more thought.

We know Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, France, the Seychelles and the Caribbean particularly well — our team have travelled to all of these and can advise from genuine first-hand experience. We also arrange charters further afield, and can share examples of popular itineraries to help you plan​.

Why Book With Us

Honest advice. One point of contact. Full protection.

We know the destinations

Our team have travelled in Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Italy, the Seychelles and the Caribbean. When we advise on a destination, it is from genuine first-hand experience, not a brochure.

We arrange as much or as little as you need

Many clients come to us for the vessel alone — others prefer us to handle flights, transfers and hotel stays as well. Where we arrange flights as part of your package, the whole booking carries full ATOL protection.

We are straightforward about what we know

We ask the right questions, ensure all vessels are properly licensed and maintained, and give you our honest assessment of the options available.

The same people, throughout

When you call us, you speak to someone who knows what they are talking about. Available Monday to Friday 9am–7pm and Saturday 9:30am–5pm — the same team from first enquiry to departure.

The Process

From first conversation to first day at sea

01

Tell us what you have in mind

Dates, group size, destination, budget — or simply a sense of what you’re looking for. We will take it from there.

02

We find the right vessel

We present options suited to your group and your plans, with full specifications and candid advice on what will and won’t work.

03

We put together your package

Flights, hotel stays and transfers can all be arranged under one roof, with full ATOL protection where flights are included.

04

You enjoy every moment

On a fully crewed vessel the crew attend to everything. On a skippered yacht you may be invited to help from time to time — which many guests find considerably more enjoyable than they expected.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know

How much does a private charter cost?

Charter costs vary considerably depending on vessel size, destination and time of year. A sailing yacht for two to six guests starts from a few thousand pounds per week. Larger vessels and peak season dates will be higher. Call us for a straightforward estimate based on your specific plans.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. On a fully crewed vessel or with a skipper aboard, no sailing experience is needed at all. You are simply a guest. On a skippered yacht you may be invited to help from time to time, but there is no requirement and no expectation.

What is the minimum group size?

There is no minimum. Charters work equally well for two people as for twenty. The cost of the vessel is fixed regardless of group size, so larger groups naturally share the cost across more people.

What is the difference between skippered and fully crewed?

A skippered charter includes a qualified captain who handles navigation and sailing. A fully crewed vessel includes a captain, chef and deck crew — meals are cooked for you, the boat is maintained and your only role is to enjoy it.

How far in advance should I book?

For peak summer dates in the Mediterranean, six to twelve months ahead is advisable for the best vessel availability. Outside peak season there is more flexibility, but earlier is always better — particularly for larger groups or unusual destinations.

Is a charter more expensive than a normal holiday?

Not necessarily — particularly for larger groups. When the cost of a vessel is shared across eight or ten people, it can compare favourably with equivalent hotel stays and flights. The experience, however, is not comparable at all.

Are children welcome on a charter?

Yes — private charters are particularly well suited to families with children. With the whole vessel to yourselves, children can move freely and safely, and itineraries can be shaped around what works for the family rather than a fixed schedule.

Do you arrange flights and transfers?

Yes, if you’d like us to. We can arrange flights from the UK, airport transfers and hotel stays before and after your charter — all under one roof. Flight-inclusive packages carry full ATOL protection. Equally, if you prefer to arrange your own flights, we are happy to arrange the vessel alone.

Start the Conversation

Your charter starts with one call.

Tell us about your group and what you have in mind. We will come back to you with options and honest advice — with no obligation whatsoever.

Or write to us at [email protected] · Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00 · Sat 09:30–17:00

98% of customers say they'd book with us again

Seafarer Sailing Holidays