We know that it can be a daunting task if you are unfamiliar with yachting and you are not sure where to start. Look no further, as this article will explain the top ways to get in touch with a yacht broker and the important questions to ask them.
Streamlining Your Search: How to Effectively Contact Yacht Charter Professionals
When contacting a company about a yacht charter, first of all, it is important to do your research. Many yachting companies claim to be ‘professionals’ when in reality they are just acting as middlemen without being approved members of professional yachting bodies such as MYBA and ECPY (and therefore will not be able to provide direct access to MYBA and ECPY contracts, which are essential to protecting you and your guests when renting a yacht).
Direct Phone Calls to Contact Yacht Charter Companies
Once you have done your research and you are ready to reach out, one of the most surefast ways of getting a sense of the level of knowledge and professionalism of a company is to give them a call. This is your opportunity to get a sense of what the company offers, if they are MYBA or ECPY members (or both), and in addition, to see what calibre of yachts they can offer you. If the company is a member of MYBA, this shows that they adhere to the highest levels of yachting excellence, ensuring a secure yacht booking process from start to finish.
If your yacht charter broker is not a member of MYBA, they are likely acting as a middleman (dealing with a company who is a MYBA member) and/or may not be following the highest levels of yachting standards. To protect you and your guests, it is highly recommended that you only book your yacht rental through an approved MYBA and/or ECPY member.
In most cases, experience and knowledge of the yachting industry will mean a greater chance of everything going to plan and smooth sailing for you and your guests. Ask the broker how long they have been in the yachting industry, if they have been on the specific yacht you are enquiring about, or if they have travelled to the area you wish to charter in. All these questions will help you to determine if your broker is the right fit for you.
Email Enquiries for Contact Yacht Charter Information
If you don’t want to call just yet, sending an email can be a good way to start communications and get some details on the type of yacht experience you are looking for. When sending an email, try to be as specific as possible when summarising what type of yacht charter you want/ what type of yacht you are looking to buy. This will help the yacht broker to provide as much relevant info as possible. Some things you can include in an initial email are how many guests are looking to charter, where you would like to go, what yacht price range you have in mind, and what style/size of yacht you are interested in. If you are unsure about these specifics, just let the yacht broker know – they are the experts and will be able to best support you.
Utilising Online Forms for Yacht Charter Services
Looking for a quick way to get the ball rolling? Online forms on a yacht company’s website can be the quickest and most efficient way of getting a quick and concise response from a broker. This may be a good approach if you are unsure about a company and want to know more. You may have to provide additional information via phone/email at a later stage to get a better send of your yachting enquiry, all of which will be requested by your broker.
Yacht Charter Live Chat
Many companies offer live chat services to users who visit their website and are interested in a yacht charter. Live chat platforms allow instant access to a professional yacht broker, meaning you can ask the important questions and start to get a sense of their level of professionalism, as well as what they can offer you and your guests. Similar to online contact forms, oftentimes it is essential to follow up initial conversations with a more in-depth email or phone call, but reaching out to a yacht company via live chat can prove to be very helpful, particularly if you are looking for a last-minute yacht charter!
While you can start the process, you’ll likely need to follow up with a more detailed email or phone call to finalise the booking.
Absolutely. You can inquire about onboard amenities, crew experience, and specific requests you might have.
You can initiate discussions about potential itineraries and get quick recommendations, but detailed planning might require a follow-up call or email.
For the fastest response when booking a last-minute yacht charter, contacting a broker directly through live chat or a phone call is often the most effective.
Meeting In-Person or via Video Call
There may not be a better way to get a true sense of a yacht broker’s abilities and knowledge than meeting them in person. Although this can be difficult, if you do happen to be in the area where your yacht charter company has their office, this can be a great opportunity to meet and discuss your requirements. This can also be a very beneficial opportunity for the yacht expert, who will be able to get a better sense of what kind of yachting experience you are looking for. Alternatively, you may wish to set-up a video call via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Again, it can be helpful to talk face-to-face (whether in person or online), so this is another method of communication that you may find beneficial.
Best Yacht Charter Companies
To conclude, when it comes to booking a yacht charter, it is really important to do your research and feel confident in both the company and the yacht charter broker who will assist you with your booking. Although there are many ways to reach out and get in touch with yachting requests, ensuring you are open with your yacht expert about what you are looking for, what your expectations are, and any other important details, this will ensure that they have the information required to provide an exclusive and out of this world yachting experience for you and your guests!