Yacht Charter Glossary
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance)
Also known as: Advance Provisioning Allowance · Provisioning Allowance
Full explanation
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is the single most misunderstood line item in yacht chartering.
It is not a deposit, a tip, or a tax.
It is a working float held by the captain in trust to pay the operating expenses of the yacht while it is under your command.
On a Greek charter in 2026, APA is normally set at 30% of the base charter fee under the MYBA contract - though it can range from 25% to 40% depending on the yacht's fuel consumption profile (a 60-metre superyacht doing 20 knots burns dramatically more than a 24-metre sailing yacht under canvas).
What APA covers: diesel, gasoline for the tender, drinking water, food and beverages provisioned to your preferences, port and marina fees, harbour clearance, customs costs, communications, and laundry.
What APA does NOT cover: the crew gratuity (separate), personal expenses ashore, dive certifications, and any third-party services the captain books on your behalf (e.g. a private chef ashore).
At the end of the charter the captain produces a full reconciliation.
If you spent less than the APA, the balance is refunded in cash or wire.
If you spent more, you settle the difference on the day of disembarkation.
UHNW buyers should expect to see every receipt - a serious captain hands over a folder, not a verbal summary.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
APA is the difference between a quoted charter price and the actual cash you will commit. A €120,000 weekly charter in the Cyclades comes with €36,000 of APA before you board - a 30% addition to your budget. If your broker is not framing APA, season, and gratuity in the same conversation as the base fee, you are not talking to a UHNW broker.
Worked examples
Motor yacht, 35m, Mykonos → Santorini, 7 nights
Base charter fee: €105,000. APA at 30%: €31,500 wired 14 days before embarkation. Actual consumption: €27,800. Refund on disembarkation: €3,700 cash.
Sailing yacht, 28m, Ionian, 7 nights, low-consumption profile
Base charter fee: €58,000. APA at 25%: €14,500 wired 14 days before embarkation. Actual consumption: €13,200. Refund: €1,300.
Frequently asked
About apa (advance provisioning allowance)
Is APA refundable if I spend less than the deposit?
Yes. Any APA not consumed during the charter is refunded to you at disembarkation, either in cash or via bank wire within 7 days. The captain provides a full receipt-backed reconciliation.
Can the captain ask for additional APA mid-charter?
Yes, if the yacht's consumption exceeds the initial estimate (long passages, heavy guest hospitality, premium spirits). A professional captain flags this 24–48 hours in advance and shows the running ledger before requesting a top-up.
Is APA the same on a sailing yacht as on a motor yacht?
No. Sailing yachts consume less fuel and typically operate on 25% APA. Motor yachts run 30% as standard, and high-performance motor yachts (planing hulls, large displacement above 50 metres) can require 35% or more.
Who controls how APA is spent?
The captain spends APA in line with your stated preferences, agreed in the preference sheet before embarkation. You can request specific wines, brands, dietary restrictions, fuel limits - the captain is bound by your direction but has full discretion within it.
Is APA paid to the broker or directly to the yacht?
Under MYBA contract, APA is wired to a designated escrow or yacht-management account, never to the broker personally. George Yachts uses MYBA-standard escrow flow on every Greek charter we contract.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
Gratuity (Crew Tip)
Gratuity is a separate cash tip paid to the yacht's crew at the end of a successful charter, customarily 5–2…
MYBA Charter Contract
The MYBA Charter Agreement is the industry-standard contract for luxury yacht charters worldwide, published …
Charter Fee (Base Fee)
The charter fee is the base weekly rate paid for the use of the yacht and its crew. It excludes APA, VAT, de…
Greek VAT on Yacht Charters
Greek yacht charters are taxed at a reduced VAT rate of 12% (half the standard 24% Greek VAT rate), applied …
Provisioning
Provisioning is the pre-charter stocking of the yacht with food, drink, and consumables according to the gue…
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Ready to charter in Greece?
George P. Biniaris and the George Yachts team broker yachts in Greek waters under MYBA-standard contracts. Speak with us directly.