Frequently Asked Questions


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1. About Pelorus Yachting

2. Booking a Charter

About Pelorus Yachting

Pelorus operates across three pillars, Travel, Aviation, and Yachting, alongside the Pelorus Foundation, which drives our conservation and community impact worldwide. Together, we deliver journeys with purpose, designed to feel seamless and genuinely transformational.

At Pelorus Yachting, every yacht becomes a platform for experience-led adventure. We specialise in creating pioneering expeditions, from heli-skiing in Antarctica to diving in untouched reefs or exploring remote, culture-rich coastlines, designed to push boundaries and connect you deeply to a place.

Founded by two former British Army Captains, we plan and execute each voyage with military precision, pairing it with creative flair to ensure an experience that is both exceptional and unforgettable. Recognised by Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure, Pelorus Yachting leads the industry in redefining what experiential luxury yachting truly means.

With access to a global charter fleet, we enable our clients to travel anywhere in the world. From remote regions to destinations closer to home, our diverse range of yachts can accommodate every type of journey. Whether you're looking to explore the depths of the coral triangle in Indonesia or heli-ski from your yacht on an expedition in Antarctica.

We start by speaking with you, understanding who you are, what excites you, and what you want to get out of your charter. From there, we design a completely bespoke itinerary that reflects your passions and preferences. Whether that’s adventure, culture, conservation, or pure relaxation, we use our global expertise to suggest exceptional experiences that go beyond the expected.

The Pelorus Group comprises three specialist teams: Yachting, Travel, and Aviation. Each team is made up of experts dedicated to helping our clients explore the world by land, sea, and air. To learn more about our bespoke services, please get in touch - or discover more here.

Pelorus is committed to sustainable yachting and marine conservation. Through the Pelorus Foundation, we connect guests with marine scientists and conservation experts, offering experiences from hammerhead shark tagging to aiding sea turtle hatchling. Even for those who do not participate directly, our expeditions are designed to minimise environmental impact, support local conservation projects, and protect the destinations we visit.

It’s not a yacht we work with but part of our fleet who prioritise responsible operations. This includes innovative yachts such as CAPTAIN ARCTIC, a 70m solar-powered sailing yacht and one of the world’s first near–zero-emission luxury expedition yachts, a major step forward for sustainable yachting.

On board, we encourage reduced single-use plastics, reef-safe products, reusables, and improved waste and water practices. If you prefer a particular yacht, we can review its environmental footprint and recommend simple ways to make the charter more sustainable.

Every Pelorus journey is built to protect fragile ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Booking a Charter

The overall cost of your charter will vary depending on the yacht and the region of embarkation. The quoted “from” rate refers to the charter fee, which covers the exclusive use of the yacht and crew. On top of this, local VAT is applied as a percentage of the charter fee, and an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), typically around 35%, is added to cover expenses such as fuel, marina fees and provisioning during your charter. The captain manages this account on your behalf, with a full reconciliation provided at the end of the charter. Crew gratuities are customary and usually range between 10–20% of the charter fee, depending on your experience.

We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for high-demand or permit-restricted regions. Destinations such as Antarctica typically require 12–16 months of lead time due to strict permitting and complex logistics, and many Arctic yachts are booked a year or more in advance. Peak periods like Christmas and New Year often fill up entirely.

That said, last-minute is still possible. We regularly pull together exceptional charters with only a few weeks’ notice, it simply depends on availability, the degree of flexibility, and how tailored the experience needs to be.

We understand that plans can change. If you need to amend or cancel your booking, our team will guide you through the options and help find the best solution. All adjustments are handled in line with the MYBA terms or your specific charter agreement, which outline the cancellation and amendment policies.

We’re here to make the process as smooth and flexible as possible.

Yes, but only on a limited number of yachts. Around 5% of the global fleet will accept pets, typically on a case-by-case basis. Larger yachts sometimes even offer designated pet-friendly areas or small “garden” spaces for safe outdoor time.

There are, however, important limitations. Owners may require extra cleaning fees or a security deposit, and there will be restrictions on where pets can go on board. You’ll also need to handle all paperwork, vaccinations, import permits, and travel safety planning in advance to ensure your pet is comfortable, secure, and truly sea-ready.

If you plan ahead, a pet-friendly yacht charter is absolutely possible, and your four-legged companion can enjoy the adventure alongside you.

Yes, the vast majority of yachts now offer reliable Wi-Fi, and it’s increasingly unusual to find one without it. With Starlink and other advanced satellite systems, connectivity has become a game-changer, giving you strong, stable internet even in remote regions. Only in the most isolated, far-flung locations might coverage dip.

Most yachts offer dedicated workspaces, making it easy to stay on top of work while at sea. In short, working from a yacht is far more straightforward than most people expect.

Your itinerary is designed to give you the best possible experience, but it remains highly adaptable once you’re onboard. In most destinations, the captain or cruise director adjusts the plan day by day, responding to weather and sea conditions, wildlife movements and your preferences so each experience aligns with what you want from the journey.

However, some regions have strict national park or conservation regulations that require yachts to follow set, pre-approved routes. Destinations such as the Galápagos (and in some cases the Amazon) operate under these rules, meaning flexibility is more limited.

Where local regulations allow, your itinerary evolves with you, responding to changing conditions and emerging opportunities.

Packing depends on your destination, the season, and the style of trip you’re taking, but comfort and versatility are key.

In warm, tropical regions, lightweight clothing that dries quickly will serve you best. Cooler climates call for layers that can be added or removed as temperatures shift. For glamorous destinations like St Barths or St Tropez, pack with evenings ashore in mind.

Yachting is barefoot living, so most guests slip their shoes off once onboard. If needed, bring non-marking deck shoes for safety on exterior decks.

For expeditions such as Antarctica, we provide a destination-specific packing list designed for extreme conditions and technical requirements.

Space on yachts is well designed but finite, so soft, packable luggage is far easier to store than hard suitcases. Wardrobe space varies by yacht and cabin category, so packing thoughtfully will help everything fit comfortably.

We can also tailor a personalised packing list to your exact itinerary.

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