On a July afternoon in the Saronic Gulf, a guest arrived at the gangway of a 30-metre Sanlorenzo carrying two 35kg hard-shell Rimowa suitcases. The crew, despite their training, could not hide the logistical challenge ahead. These cases, while durable for baggage handlers at Athens International, are the enemy of yacht interiors. They do not fold, they cannot be tucked into under-bed lockers, and the rigid wheels can easily chip the delicate teak of the swim platform. By the second day, the guest’s master cabin felt cramped because the luggage occupied the floor space intended for movement.
A yacht charter is an exercise in high-end spatial management. Whether you are on a 20-metre catamaran in the British Virgin Islands or a 50-metre motor yacht in Monaco, the principles of packing remain the same. The crew wants you to bring items that respect the vessel’s surfaces and the limited storage available in guest staterooms.
The Soft Luggage Mandate
The most important decision you make occurs before you put a single item of clothing into a bag. You must use soft-sided luggage. Duffel bags from brands like Helly Hansen, Patagonia, or North Face are standard. Once unpacked, a soft bag can be rolled up and stored in a small drawer or the yacht’s bilge area. Hard cases frequently have to be ferried back to the charter base or stored in the crew mess, causing unnecessary work for the stews.
If you are flying business class and require suit carriers or structured bags, ensure they are high-quality leather or heavy canvas that can still yield to a tight locker space. Avoid anything with black rubber wheels that leave scuff marks on white gelcoat or light-coloured carpets. Replacing a section of stained carpet in a refit can cost upwards of 5,000 EUR, a cost often deducted from the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA).
Footwear and the Barefoot Rule
Most yachts operate a strict "no shoes" policy inside. You will likely be asked to leave your footwear in a basket on the aft deck or the passerelle upon boarding. If you feel uncomfortable walking barefoot, bring a pair of clean, dedicated indoor slippers with soft suede or rubber soles that have never touched a pavement.
For time spent on deck, high-grip boat shoes with non-marking soles are acceptable, but only if they are kept for onboard use. When you go ashore in destinations like Hvar or Porto Cervo, you will need a separate set of walking shoes. * **Deck shoes:** Sperry or Dubarry (ensure "non-marking" is specified). * **Shore shoes:** Leather loafers or sandals for dinner. * **Water shoes:** Essential for rocky beaches in the Cyclades or the Amalfi Coast. * **Technical sandals:** Brands like Teva for shore excursions involving hiking.
Curating the Onboard Wardrobe
Over-packing is the hallmark of an amateur charterer. Life on the water is informal. During the day, you will spend 90% of your time in swimwear and a linen cover-up or t-shirt. Even in the highest-end Mediterranean hubs, the "smart casual" code is significantly more relaxed than in London or New York.
Linen is the primary currency of yachting. It breathes well in the 30°C heat of August and dries quickly. For a seven-day charter, six high-quality linen shirts and three pairs of tailored shorts are sufficient for any male guest. For women, soft silk dresses and linen trousers transition easily from the flybridge to a seaside bistro.
Avoid heavy denim; it is bulky to pack, slow to dry, and uncomfortable in humid sea air. If you are chartering in the shoulder seasons—May or late September—pack an technical windbreaker. Even in the Caribbean, the breeze during a crossing at 20 knots can feel surprisingly cold.
Skin Protection and the Spray Tan Ban
The crew’s primary maintenance task is protecting the yacht’s upholstery. Sunscreen is the most common cause of permanent damage to outdoor cushions. Most professional crews ban the use of spray-on sunscreens entirely. The fine mist travels in the wind, settling on stainless steel railings and teak decks, creating a slippery, yellow-stained residue that is nearly impossible to remove without chemicals.
Pack high-quality cream-based sunscreens. Look for "reef-safe" brands like Stream2Sea or Sun Bum, especially if you are chartering in protected waters like the Exumas. Additionally, be cautious with self-tanning lotions and bronzers. These will instantly ruin 1,000 EUR Frette linens and silk pillowcases. If the crew finds bronzer stains on the bedding, you may find a professional cleaning fee on your final 2026 invoice.
Electronics and Power Logistics
Modern yachts are equipped with universal sockets and USB-C ports, but older vessels may still rely on local standards (typically Type C/F for European builds and Type A/B for American builds). * **Dry Bag:** A 10-litre waterproof bag for carrying phones and cameras in the tender during beach landings. * **Noise-Cancelling Headphones:** Essential for the drone of the engines during long transits. * **Multi-Port GaN Charger:** Allows you to charge a laptop, phone, and watch from a single outlet, saving space in the cabin. * **Polarised Sunglasses:** Maui Jim or Costa Del Mar are preferred by professionals for their ability to see through the glare on the water to spot reefs.
Avoid bringing hair dryers or straighteners unless they are dual-voltage, though almost every yacht over 24 metres provides high-end Dyson or GHD tools in every stateroom. Using a high-wattage personal hair dryer from home can sometimes trip the cabin’s circuit breaker or damage the yacht’s inverter system.
The Personal Pharmacy
While every commercially flagged yacht carries a Category B or C first aid kit and the crew are trained in STCW elementary first aid, they are not allowed to dispense "prescription-strength" medication in many jurisdictions. If you are prone to seasickness, do not wait until you are in the middle of a 30-mile crossing to ask for help.
Bring a personal supply of scopolamine patches or antihistamine-based motion sickness tablets (like Stugeron). The Mediterranean is generally calm in July, but the Mistral winds in the South of France can create an uncomfortable swell. Including a basic kit of rehydration salts, paracetamol, and any specific allergy medication will save the crew from having to launch a tender to find a pharmacy in a remote anchorage.
FAQ
**Can I bring my own scuba diving gear?** Most yachts prefer you use the equipment provided or rent from a local dive centre to ensure all gear is serviced to 2026 safety standards. If you must bring your own, bring only your mask, snorkel, and computer. BCDs and tanks take up too much deck space and require specific storage.
**Is there a limit on how much laundry the crew will do?** On a crewed yacht, the stews will typically handle laundry daily. However, "crew use only" machines are often small and run constantly. It is best to pack enough for three days and rely on the crew for small batches. Avoid bringing delicate dry-clean-only items, as yachts do not have dry-cleaning facilities on board.
**Do I need to bring cash for the crew tip?** While the APA covers fuel and food, the tip (typically 10-20% of the base charter fee) is usually handled via wire transfer to the captain or lead broker. However, having 2,000 EUR to 5,000 EUR in cash is useful for spontaneous port fees, small onshore purchases in remote islands, or tipping local guides in places like Turkey or Montenegro where card machines are unreliable.