If you’re going to be by the water on your next vacation, you could take the typical tourist route and board a sightseeing tour like the Circle Line in New York City, but there are far more exciting ways to enjoy time along the coast. Why not consider chartering a yacht or mega yacht instead? By chartering a crewed yacht with friends and family, you can relax in luxury while enjoying the beautiful surroundings and getting a taste of how the rich and famous live.

What’s more, chartering a yacht is no more difficult than booking any other tour or activity on your vacation, so why not give it a try? Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your experience on board.

Know Your Surroundings

When you charter a yacht, you’ll get in touch with a company or broker who’s your go-between, and who will help you set up the experience, but this person isn’t your tour guide. That’s why you need to have some idea of what you want to see when you leave the marina.

For example, if you’re in San Francisco, you may mention that you want to pass by the Palace of Fine Arts, whereas if your yacht is leaving from the nation’s largest marina, the Lauderdale Marine Center which has 180 yacht berths, let your agent know if you hope to head towards nearby Caribbean islands.

Don’t Overdress

Although we tend to think of yachts as quite fancy, yachting isn’t really a dressed up activity. While of course you can dress how you wish, people will know you don’t spend much time on yacht if you’re overdressed. Most importantly, though, know that you’ll leave your shoes behind when you get on board, so don’t make them a key part of your outfit.

Talk To Your Captain

Although you’ll have discussed what you want out of your yacht charter before you get on board, it’s best to be flexible about your itinerary. Chatting with your captain is a great way to learn about lesser known sights that you shouldn’t miss, find out if your main destination is likely to be crowded, or just learn more about the area. You may even get some great tips on what to do during the rest of your trip.

Prepare For Childcare

There’s no rule that you can’t take children on board a yacht, but you shouldn’t expect the crew to act as babysitters. Unlike cruise lines that may offer a kids club to entertain the young ones, any kids on board are your responsibility. Bring games and activities for them to do and don’t leave children unattended. Though some crew members may enjoy interacting with children and even offer to watch them for a short time or show them around the boat, don’t expect this and make sure to offer an extra tip if you receive this help.

Better than a cruise or your standard tour, the yacht experience is about relaxation and luxury, so sit back, have a drink, and enjoy the breeze, so why not consider one during your next vacation? A day of pleasure is just a phone call away in destinations across the country, so make the call. You’ll be glad you did.