Yacht Charter Glossary
Megayacht
Also known as: Gigayacht (100m+) · Large Superyacht
Full explanation
'Megayacht' has no regulatory definition - it is a market term that captures the visual and operational distinctiveness of yachts above 50 metres.
Above this length a yacht has multiple guest decks, a dedicated beach club, often a helipad, owner's apartment with private terrace, a tender garage that swallows two large tenders plus jet skis and water toys, and crew quarters separated by a deck and a half from guest spaces. Megayacht charter economics 2026: weekly rates €450,000 to €1,800,000 in the 50–80m range.
APA scales to 25–30% (the absolute APA number can hit €450,000+).
Crews of 12–25.
Charter availability in Greece is shallow - most yachts at this size keep a French Riviera home base and only enter Greek waters for booked charters. Why megayachts cluster in the Mediterranean rather than the Caribbean: the Mediterranean has shorter port-to-port distances (so the yacht uses less fuel proportionally), better marina infrastructure for vessels above 60m, and the UHNW client base that books these yachts is summered in Europe.
The Caribbean megayacht season is shorter and yacht counts thinner. Megayacht service standard: the differentiator vs a 35m superyacht is not the food (both have a chef-quality kitchen) but the service ratios.
A 70m megayacht with 16 crew serving 12 guests means a 1.3:1 staff-to-guest ratio - closer to a five-star hotel than a yacht.
Why it matters for UHNW charterers
Megayacht is a different market than mid-tier chartering. UHNW buyers comparing a 35m superyacht to a 60m megayacht should know they are comparing two different products - the 60m delivers fundamentally more privacy, more amenity, and more service redundancy, not just 'more boat.'
Worked examples
Standard megayacht charter, 60m, 7 nights, peak Greek summer
Charter fee: €650,000. APA 30%: €195,000. VAT 12%: €78,000. Gratuity 12%: €78,000. Total fully loaded: €1,001,000.
Gigayacht charter, 100m+, 7 nights
Charter fee €2,200,000+. Limited Greek fleet - typically chartered through Monaco-based central agents. APA can exceed €600,000.
Frequently asked
About megayacht
What's the largest megayacht available for charter in Greece?
As of 2026 the largest yachts regularly available in Greek waters are in the 70–95m range. Yachts above 100m can be chartered to Greece on request but typically position from Monaco or Naples on a delivery basis.
How many guests can a megayacht host?
Under the 12-passenger rule, no charter-licensed yacht hosts more than 12 overnight guests regardless of size. A 70m megayacht with cabins for 16 guests will only sleep 12 on a charter - the extra cabins are for crew overflow or private-use owner family.
Are megayachts faster than mid-size superyachts?
Generally not. Most megayachts cruise at 12–15 knots, the same speed as a mid-size displacement-hull motor yacht. Speed comes from planing-hull design, which is rare above 50m due to fuel inefficiency at scale.
Can I charter a megayacht for less than a week?
Some owners accept 4–5 night charters in shoulder seasons. In July–August megayachts are essentially weekly-only. Short charters below 7 nights run at a 25–40% premium per day vs the weekly rate.
Related terms
Other definitions worth knowing
Superyacht
A superyacht is any private yacht of 24 metres (78 feet) or longer. Above 50 metres the term 'megayacht' is …
12-Passenger Rule
The 12-passenger rule limits any commercially chartered yacht to a maximum of 12 paying guests aboard at any…
Captain
The captain is the senior officer aboard a yacht - responsible for navigation, safety, crew discipline, an…
Motor Yacht
A motor yacht is a yacht propelled entirely by engines, with no sailing capability. Motor yachts dominate th…
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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.