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In this guide, we explain what “all-inclusive” means in the context of a gulet charter, why private yacht charters are not automatically all-inclusive, and which expenses are commonly charged separately. We’ll look at the main factors that affect the final cost including the number of guests, gulet size and class, meal arrangements such as Half Board (HB) or Full Board (FB), food and drink preferences, fuel, marina and port fees, international cruising, APA and special requests.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of what you are paying for when you charter a private gulet, which costs to ask about before booking, and how to look at a charter quotation beyond the headline weekly price.
If you are used to booking an all-inclusive resort, it is easy to assume that a private gulet charter works in the same way: you pay one price, step on board, and everything else is covered. Usually, it does not. A private gulet charter means that you are renting the entire yacht exclusively for your group. Your charter fee normally covers the yacht and crew, and depending on the gulet and destination, it may also include certain fuel, mooring or onboard services. But food, drinks, taxes, port fees, special requests and other expenses may be charged separately. The important point is that there is no single universal “gulet charter price” structure. The inclusions depend on the yacht, its class, destination, itinerary and the terms of the charter agreement.
When people say “all-inclusive”, they usually mean that the main holiday costs are included in one price. For a resort, that might mean your room, meals, drinks, entertainment and some activities are covered. A yacht charter is different. A yacht is a private vessel operating according to your itinerary, and some of its costs change depending on how you use it. For example, a group that spends most of the week at anchor near the coast will have different expenses from a group that wants to cruise long distances every day, visit several marinas, dine on premium products and stock a large selection of wine and spirits. So when you see a gulet advertised as “all-inclusive”, the most important question is: all-inclusive of what? The answer should always be found in the individual yacht's charter terms.
There are several reasons for the confusion. First, many gulets in Turkey have traditionally been offered with a relatively comprehensive charter package. Depending on the yacht, the rate may already include the crew, standard cruising fuel, some mooring costs and other operating expenses. Food may then be offered through a Half Board or Full Board package. Second, the experience itself feels all-inclusive. You have your own yacht, cabins, crew, chef and dining area, and the crew takes care of much of the practical side of the holiday. And third, different yachts use different pricing structures. One gulet may quote a charter rate with meals added separately, another may offer Half Board or Full Board, while a larger or more luxurious yacht may operate on a plus-expenses or APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) basis. That is why comparing two weekly charter prices without looking at what is included can be misleading.
The exact list varies, but the charter fee commonly covers:
However, “usually included” does not mean “always included.” The contract for the individual yacht is what determines the actual inclusions.
This is where the total cost of a private gulet charter can change considerably.
1. Food and beverages
Food is one of the most important variables. Depending on the yacht, you may have a choice between:
Some yachts do not use HB or FB packages at all. Instead, food and beverages are purchased according to the guests' preferences and consumption, sometimes through an APA arrangement. This is particularly relevant on some larger or more luxurious yachts. The cost will therefore depend not only on the number of guests, but also on what they actually want to eat and drink. A family that prefers simple Mediterranean meals and soft drinks has a very different provisioning budget from a group requesting premium seafood, champagne, imported wines and specific products.
2. Alcohol and premium drinks
Alcohol is often one of the areas where the word “all-inclusive” can cause confusion. Some charter packages include certain drinks; others include soft drinks and water but charge alcoholic beverages separately. Premium wines, champagne and spirits are particularly likely to be treated separately. Always check exactly what the beverage package includes rather than assuming that “Full Board” means unlimited drinks.
3. Port, marina and harbour fees
A standard itinerary may include certain mooring costs, particularly in the yacht's usual cruising area. However, entering a private marina, using a particular harbour or changing the itinerary can create additional charges. This becomes particularly important when your cruise crosses from Turkey into another country. For example, a Turkey–Greece itinerary will involve additional Greek port, customs, agency or other local charges.
4. Fuel
Fuel arrangements depend on the yacht and the contract. Some Turkish gulets include fuel for a standard cruising itinerary or a specified number of cruising hours. If guests request significantly more cruising or a route outside the agreed programme, additional fuel costs may apply. This is another reason why your itinerary matters when calculating the real cost of a charter.
5. APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance
APA is more common in certain yacht charter structures, particularly on larger and more luxurious yachts. Instead of including every variable expense in the charter price, the guest pays an advance amount that is used for expenses such as provisioning, fuel, port fees and special requests. The captain or management keeps track of the expenditure, and the final account is reconciled at the end of the charter. Any unused balance is normally returned, while additional expenditure may require a further payment. Not every gulet uses APA. Many gulets operate with different arrangements, such as a charter rate plus a defined food and beverage package.
6. Special requests
Anything outside the standard charter setup can affect the final cost. Examples can include:
These are not necessarily “hidden costs”. They are simply costs created by additional services or preferences.
There is no single percentage that can be added to every gulet charter to calculate the extras. The final cost depends on several variables:
This is why a realistic charter quotation should be based on your actual group, dates, yacht, destination and plans, rather than simply multiplying a weekly yacht price by the number of weeks.
There is no reliable “one-size-fits-all” figure. For one private gulet charter, most of the expected holiday expenses may already be built into the quoted price. For another, food and drinks may be separate. A third yacht may use an APA system. The same headline charter price can therefore produce very different final totals. The best approach is to ask for an itemised quotation showing exactly what is included and what is not.
Before booking, you should know:
Once these questions are answered, you can compare yachts based on their real expected charter cost, rather than just the number shown next to “per week”.
It is also important not to confuse a private gulet charter with a cabin charter. With a cabin charter, you purchase individual cabins or places on a yacht and the operator generally sells the trip as a package with a defined schedule and inclusions. With a private charter, your group rents the whole yacht exclusively. The charter arrangements are therefore based on the specific yacht, your group and your preferences. This article is specifically about private gulet charters.
Tell us your dates, number of guests, preferred destination and the type of experience you have in mind. We can recommend suitable gulets and provide a clear breakdown of the expected charter costs, including the items that may be charged separately. Contact us to start planning your private gulet charter.
