What is APA?
Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is the prepaid onboard expenses account that sits on top of the base charter fee and is essential for operating a superyacht charter smoothly and privately. It is standard on MYBA “plus expenses” superyacht charters and is managed by the captain on the charterer’s behalf.
What is APA on a superyacht?
Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) is a fund you pay before boarding to cover all the running costs of your superyacht charter that are not included in the base charter fee. It allows the captain to pay for fuel, food, drinks, berths and other operating expenses during your trip without asking you to approve or process every bill.
On MYBA and similar “plus expenses” charters, APA is a standard clause in the charter agreement and is transferred to the yacht a few weeks before embarkation so the crew can provision to your exact preferences.
Why is APA needed on a superyacht charter?
APA exists to make a superyacht charter feel seamless, private and tailored, instead of being constrained by fixed “all-inclusive” packages. Because every superyacht charter is unique, APA allows costs to match actual usage rather than forcing you into a one-size-fits-all rate.
For superyacht guests, APA is valuable because:
- It saves you from handling bills at every port, restaurant delivery or fuel bunkering; the captain takes care of all payments and administration.
- You enjoy complete flexibility to change route, add water toys or host events, with expenses simply charged to the APA and reconciled at the end.
- You gain transparency and control: you can review the APA ledger at any time and adjust your plans or budget accordingly.
For owners and crew, APA ensures the yacht always has sufficient working capital to maintain the high service level expected on a luxury superyacht charter.
What does APA include?
APA covers the variable, usage-based costs of running your superyacht charter, which depend on your cruising plans and lifestyle on board. Typical items include:
- Fuel for the yacht, generators, tenders and motorised water toys.
- Berthing, port and harbour fees, pilotage, canal fees and local taxes related to the yacht’s movements.
- Food and beverages tailored to your preferences, from fine wines and Champagne to special dietary requirements.
- Onboard consumables and incidentals such as toiletries, laundry, flowers and table decorations.
- Local transportation, shore excursions arranged by the crew and occasionally activities booked through the yacht.
APA does not usually include the charter fee itself or crew gratuity, which is typically discussed and settled separately at the end of the charter.
How much does APA cost?
APA is calculated as a percentage of the base charter fee, and the exact percentage depends on the yacht type, itinerary and your preferences. As a general guide in the superyacht market:
- Sailing superyachts: usually around 20–25% of the charter fee, as fuel consumption is lower.
- Motor superyachts: commonly 30–35% of the charter fee, sometimes up to 40% or more for large, high-consumption yachts or very active itineraries.
- Some operators quote a broader range of 20–50% for ultra-bespoke or remote charters where provisioning and logistics costs are higher.
Example:
If your weekly charter fee is 200,000 EUR on a 50m motor yacht in the Mediterranean, an APA of 30–35% would be 60,000–70,000 EUR, transferred in advance to the yacht’s APA account.
How does APA work in practice?
APA is paid with your final charter instalment (often 30 days before embarkation) and sent to the yacht so the captain and chef can start provisioning. From that moment, the captain operates an onboard expense account on your behalf and keeps detailed, itemised records of every transaction.
Key points clients like to know:
- The captain provides regular updates, so you can see how much has been spent and what remains available at any time during the charter.
- If spending is likely to exceed the original APA (for example due to extra cruising, helicopter charters or very high-end wines), you can authorise a top-up during the trip.
- At the end of the charter, the captain prepares a final APA statement; any unused balance is refunded to you, while any shortfall is settled before disembarkation.
This system keeps the charter fully flexible: you can decide to cruise further, entertain more guests or upgrade wines, knowing that all expenses are tracked transparently.
Is APA refundable? What happens at the end?
APA is not a fixed fee; it is a deposit against your actual charter expenses. After the charter, the captain finalises the accounts and:
- Any unused APA is refunded to you, usually by bank transfer once all invoices and card slips have cleared.
- If the actual costs exceed the APA (for example because of long-range cruising or premium provisioning), you will be asked to pay the difference.
Your broker and the yacht’s captain or charter manager will assist with reviewing the final APA statement so you have a clear breakdown of where your money has been spent.
