By Mandy Walker, owner of Wlms Yacht Charters and CYBA charter broker · Updated October 2026
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is money you pay before a crewed yacht charter to cover your running costs during the week: food, drinks, fuel and port fees. Your captain manages it, keeps every receipt and gives you a full accounting at the end. Anything you don’t spend is refunded.
The APA is standard on yachts booked on MYBA terms, which includes most crewed yachts in Greece, Croatia, Turkey and along the Italian coast, as well as elsewhere in the Mediterranean. It is usually 20–30% of the charter fee on a catamaran and 30–40% on a motor yacht. In the Caribbean, any yacht priced all-inclusive does not use an APA, and in The BVI nearly all crewed yachts are all-inclusive. The exception is large motor yachts: nearly all of them use an APA, no matter where in the world they charter, including the Caribbean.
Watch: APA explained on our YouTube channel
What the APA Covers
| Paid from the APA | Not paid from the APA |
|---|---|
| Food and groceries for your meals on board | The charter fee for the yacht and crew |
| Drinks, wine and spirits | VAT on the charter fee |
| Fuel for the yacht, tender and water toys | Crew gratuity |
| Port, marina and mooring fees | Relocation or delivery fees, if your charter starts away from the yacht’s home port |
| Other running costs during your week, as agreed with your captain | Meals and activities you pay for yourself ashore |
The APA is your money, spent on your behalf. Nothing is marked up, and you see exactly where every euro went.
How Much APA Should You Expect?
Each yacht sets its own APA as a percentage of the charter fee. The biggest factor is fuel.
| Yacht type | Typical APA | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran | 20–30% of the charter fee | Catamarans generally use less fuel than motor yachts |
| Motor yacht or superyacht | 30–40% of the charter fee | Larger engines burn far more fuel, especially on longer cruising days |
Example: a Lagoon 55 catamaran in Greece with a high-season charter fee of €30,500 and a 25% APA means you send €7,625 before the charter. If your group spends €6,900 during the week, the remaining €725 is refunded to you.
Your itinerary and your tastes matter as much as the percentage. Long days under way use more fuel. Premium wines and spirits cost more than local Greek wines. A few dinners ashore mean fewer groceries on board.
How the APA Works, Step by Step
- You pay the APA before the charter. It is listed on your contract and is typically due 30–45 days before your charter starts.
- You share your preferences. A preference sheet tells the captain and chef what you like to eat and drink, any dietary needs and the kind of trip you want.
- The crew provisions the yacht. The chef shops for your meals and drinks, and the captain fuels the yacht and plans your stops.
- The captain tracks spending during the week. You can ask for an update at any time. A good captain will keep you informed so there are no surprises.
- You get a full accounting at the end. Before you leave, the captain shows you the receipts and the balance.
- The balance is settled. Any unused APA is refunded to you. If you spent more than the APA, you pay the difference before you disembark.
Tips for Managing Your APA
- Fill out your preference sheet in detail. The more the chef knows, the less is wasted.
- Choose local wines and spirits. Greek wines are excellent and cost far less than imported labels.
- Plan your route with the captain. Fewer long passages mean less fuel, especially on a motor yacht.
- Mix meals aboard with a few tavernas ashore. You’ll enjoy the islands and use fewer groceries on board.
- Ask for a mid-week update. It’s easy to adjust plans when you know where the balance stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does APA stand for?
Advance Provisioning Allowance. It is typically paid 30–45 days before a crewed yacht charter and covers food, drinks, fuel and port fees during the week.
Where do yacht charters use an APA?
Most crewed yacht charters in Greece, Croatia, Turkey and along the Italian coast use an APA, as do most charters elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Nearly all large motor yachts use an APA, no matter where they charter, including the Caribbean. The percentage and the currency are set by each yacht and shown on your contract.
Is the APA included in the charter fee?
No. The APA is paid in addition to the charter fee and VAT. It is your money, spent on your behalf.
What happens to unused APA?
It is refunded to you at the end of the charter, after the captain shows you the receipts and the balance.
What if we spend more than the APA?
You pay the difference before you leave the yacht. A good captain will keep you updated during the week so there are no surprises.
Does the APA include the crew tip?
No. Crew gratuity is separate and at your discretion.
Do Caribbean yacht charters have an APA?
Only if the yacht is not all-inclusive. Any Caribbean yacht priced all-inclusive has no APA, because meals, drinks and normal fuel are already in the rate. In The BVI, nearly all crewed yachts are all-inclusive. Large motor yachts are the exception: they use an APA in the Caribbean, just as they do in the Mediterranean.
Questions About Your APA?
We walk every client through the charter fee, VAT and APA before they book, so you know exactly what to expect.
Browse crewed yachts where the APA applies: Greece · Croatia · Turkey