Yacht Charter and Coronavirus: The Importance of your Charter Broker
YachtCharterFleet
As the yachting industry navigates the Coronavirus pandemic and starts looking ahead to a future of Social Distancing Yacht Charters, charter brokers are key to negotiating flexible bookings for summer 2020 and safe and stress-free charter vacations in the months after the quarantine comes to an end.
The COVID-19 crisis has created uncertainty and disruption to summer travel plans for yacht charterers across the globe.
But if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s the importance of charter brokers during these unprecedented times.
Their role goes far beyond booking your dream yacht and accessing the best deals on your behalf- especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Now more than ever, a good yacht charter broker is a valuable asset and resource to you, and they will be able to provide you with the type of tailored assistance and support that will help you to book a memorable, safe and stress-free superyacht charter.
A number of yacht Owners are understanding the unprecedented situation at this time, and many of them are offering penalty-free cancellations and flexible booking policies to help charterers book with peace of mind.
Your broker will have access to all the charter yachts that have adopted flexible booking policies. They will be able to shortlist a selection for you, based on the needs and requirements of your charter party.
These yachts are quickly getting booked up, so you're advised to act quickly to secure a yacht charter vacation with a flexible booking policy.
Most charter contracts use the MYBA contract. When the contract is varied to account for any flexibility as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, an addendum is added to the end. The terms of the addendum can vary depending on what is agreed between both parties. Therefore each contract can be different, and your broker will be able to assist you in understanding exactly what a specific term means for you, the charterer.
Please note: COVID-19 related booking terms will be introduced into your charter contract as addendums, and having a broker is crucial to understanding your rights.
As we have stated before, many yacht Owners understand the mitigating circumstances created by the Coronavirus pandemic, hence the introduction of new booking policies. Clear lines of communication are absolutely essential to ensure the best outcome for both parties.
If certain details of a booking policy don’t work for you, your broker might be able to negotiate certain aspects with the Owner.
If you have your heart set on a particular yacht which isn’t offering a penalty-free cancellation or postponement, your broker may be able to speak to the Owner and put in a reasonable request to introduce an addendum that suits both parties.
Charter contracts signed before the COVID-19 crisis became as prevalent may not have measures in place to account for this pandemic.
The best advice we can give you today is to reach out to your charter broker, and request that they contact the Owner of the yacht and kindly request an addendum that would allow the rescheduling of the charter for up to one year from the originally scheduled dates. In this way, you protect your initial deposit and delay your next deposit until 30 days out from your new scheduled date.
Many Owners are allowing this type of addendum with absolutely no penalty fees, and are keen to offer amicable solution for themselves and the charterer.
As the world gradually starts to implement an exit strategy to lift the global quarantine, more people are looking ahead to a new way of chartering; Social Distancing Yacht Charters.
Your charter broker will be able to advise you on the best destinations and new itineraries for the ultimate social distancing vacation. They will also be able to give you guidance on new safety measures and precautions that will help you stay safe on the water.
Yacht charter brokers regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their clients are safe and supported when it counts the most.
If anything doesn’t go according to plan on your charter vacation, you can rest assured knowing that your broker will be able to step in and provide assistance at any time of day or night.
Currently, travel restrictions are being enforced across most of the world. Your charter broker will be staying on top of all developments to provide you with accurate advice and updates. They will also be able to supply you with advice about port closures and other specific details that affect yachting.
Your charter broker will always advise you in your best interests. They want to ensure the best course of action for everyone involved, and it’s important to recognize that the health and wellbeing of their clients is a top priority.
YachtCharterFleet is continually monitoring the rapidly-evolving Coronavirus situation and its impact on yachting. If you have any advice, updates or information, please get in touch with us.
If you'd like to learn more about yacht charter this summer, please get in touch with your preferred yacht charter broker.
Please refer to our Coronavirus and Yacht Charter Guide for COVID-19 FAQs, travel updates, news about superyacht rental and more.
