The house
How booking works
From a sentence to a boarding day — what happens at each step, who you contract with, and how payment flows. Quietly, and well.
Tell us the trip
Describe what you have in mind to our concierge — a place, a date, a party, an occasion. You'll see live availability and guide pricing where we have it, or our specialists will source options by hand. Browsing and enquiring costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
We hold it for you
When something fits, we place an option with the operator — a short, free hold on the yacht for your dates, typically a few days. That keeps your choice safe while you decide, with no obligation.
Your proposal
You receive a written proposal with the full price, what's included, and the charter terms. The price you see is the operator's client price — our commission is paid by the operator within it, so you pay the same as booking direct, with a specialist on your side.
Securing the booking
To confirm, you sign the charter agreement with the operator or owner and pay a deposit — typically 50% — against our invoice, by bank transfer. The balance is usually due four to six weeks before departure. Your payments are held in a dedicated client account, separate from our own operating funds, and released to the operator under the agreed schedule — your booking is confirmed in writing at each step.
Before you board
We handle the practical details — crew lists, provisioning preferences, transfers, and the touches that make it yours. A refundable security deposit is usually taken by the operator at the base (or insured in advance). Then the journey is yours; one specialist stays with you until it's done.
Who you contract with. Yacht charters are agreements between you and the yacht's operator or owner, arranged under recognised terms (such as MYBA forms where applicable). Flights are performed by licensed air carriers, and your contract for carriage is with the operating carrier. Blue Meridian arranges, curates and stays accountable to you throughout.
Common questions
How do I pay?
By bank transfer, against an itemised invoice — the standard for charter worldwide. Invoices are typically in euros for Mediterranean charters. Other payment methods may be available by arrangement; ask your specialist.
Where does my money sit before the operator is paid?
In a dedicated client account, held separately from Blue Meridian's operating funds. Your payments rest there untouched and are released to the operator under the charter's payment schedule — nothing else is done with them.
Is the price more because I'm using Blue Meridian?
No. Our commission is paid by the operator from within their published price. You pay the client price; we earn by arranging it well.
What does the charter price include?
The yacht, equipped as listed in your proposal. Depending on the yacht and terms, running costs — fuel, berthing outside the home marina, provisioning, crew gratuities — may be additional; your proposal states exactly what applies before you commit.
What about cancellation?
Cancellation terms are set by the operator's charter agreement and passed through to you unchanged — they're stated in your proposal before you pay anything. Charter cancellation insurance is available and often sensible; we can point you to providers.
When is my booking actually confirmed?
When the operator confirms receipt of your signed agreement and deposit — you'll have it in writing from us the same day.
What is the security deposit?
A refundable sum held by the operator against damage, usually taken by card at the base on boarding day or replaced by deposit insurance. It's separate from the charter price and returned after the charter, subject to the yacht's condition.
I'd like to plan something beyond a charter.
Safaris, villas, occasions — our concierge arranges experiences through vetted partners under the same one-point-of-contact approach. Start with a sentence.