Sardinia Yacht Charter APA Explained: What Does It Cover?
Introduction
If you are comparing luxury yachts for charter in Sardinia, you will frequently see APA listed alongside the weekly charter rate.
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is money paid before your charter to cover the variable expenses generated specifically by your trip.
For most luxury yacht charters, the APA is typically around 25% to 40% of the base charter fee, although the exact percentage depends on the yacht and expected itinerary.
Importantly, APA is not an additional fee that the yacht automatically keeps. It is an expense account managed by the captain on your behalf.
What Does APA Cover on a Sardinia Yacht Charter?
Your APA generally pays for expenses such as:
Yacht fuel
Tender and water-toy fuel
Food and beverages
Marina and berthing fees
Port charges
Provisioning
Transfers arranged during the charter
Special requests and additional supplies
These costs vary enormously between charters, which is why they are separated from the yacht's fixed weekly rate.
A week spent making short passages around Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena may use the APA very differently from a fast-paced motor yacht itinerary covering Sardinia and Corsica.
How Much APA Will You Pay?
Suppose your yacht has a base charter rate of:
€80,000 per week
If the required APA is 30%, you would pay:
€24,000 APA
That €24,000 is then available to the captain for your charter expenses.
The yacht's charter agreement will specify the actual APA percentage required. Larger motor yachts, fuel-intensive itineraries and premium provisioning may require a higher percentage.
Does APA Cover Fuel?
Yes.
Fuel can be one of the biggest expenses covered by APA, particularly on large motor yachts.
How much you spend depends on factors such as:
yacht size
engine consumption
cruising speed
itinerary distance
generator use
tender use
motorised water toys
A relaxed itinerary around Porto Cervo, Cala di Volpe and La Maddalena will generally have a different fuel profile from a charter covering Tavolara, Costa Smeralda, Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio.
If keeping expenses controlled matters to you, tell the captain that you prefer shorter passages and more time at anchor.
Does APA Cover Food and Drinks?
Yes.
Before embarkation, you will normally complete a preference sheet describing what you want onboard.
This can include:
favourite meals
dietary requirements
snacks
soft drinks
wines
Champagne
spirits
children's food
special ingredients
The crew then provisions the yacht according to your preferences, and those purchases are charged against your APA. Food and beverage provisioning is one of the standard expenses covered special ingredientrding to your preferences, and by the allowance.
Naturally, a charter requesting premium wines and extensive luxury provisioning will spend more than one with simpler requirements.
Is VAT Included in the APA?
Usually, VAT should be treated separately from the APA when budgeting for your Sardinia yacht charter.
Your charter proposal should clearly show:
base charter fee
applicable VAT
APA
any delivery or redelivery charges
Always follow the figures stated in your actual charter agreement rather than assuming that tax will be deducted from your APA.
Is Crew Gratuity Included in APA?
Normally, no.
Crew gratuity is discretionary and is generally handled separately at the end of the charter.
APA should therefore not be confused with your total additional budget beyond the base charter price.
What Happens If You Do Not Spend All the APA?
The unused balance is returned to you.
Throughout the charter, the captain keeps records of expenses paid from the APA and any remaining funds are refunded.
For example, if you advanced €24,000 but the charter expenses totalled €20,500, the remaining €3,500 would be returned.
What Happens If the APA Runs Out?
If expenses exceed the amount, captain can request an additional payment during the charter.
This might happen if you:
cruise considerably farther than planned
use large amounts of fuel
choose expensive marina berths
request additional premium provisioning
make significant changes to the itinerary
A professional captain will normally keep you informed if spending is approaching the original APA amount.
Is APA Something You Should Worry About?
No, but you should understand it before booking.
APA exists because every Sardinia yacht charter is different. One group may spend the week swimming around La Maddalena and dining onboard, while another may cruise long distances, book premium berths and request extensive food and wine provisioning.
Instead of building those unpredictable costs into the yacht's weekly rate, APA allows you to pay for what your charter actually uses.
When comparing yacht prices, remember the basic formula:
Base Charter Fee + VAT + APA + Gratuity
Understanding that from the beginning gives you a much more realistic picture of what your Sardinia yacht charter will actually cost.
Ready for an Unforgettable Yacht Charter in Sardinia?
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From your initial enquiry to the final day of your journey, we’re here to guide you through every step with trusted advice, personalised recommendations, and seamless support throughout your charter.
- We take the time to understand your vision and bring it to life.
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