Martina AsmusYacht charter broker, DMA Yachting
Sometimes. Outside the holiday peaks, and especially on larger yachts, managers will consider a serious offer. The way to do it is to make one through your broker: we know which managers negotiate, which have a strict no-discount policy, and what number is worth putting on the table.
Two things to know before you offer. First, an offer is treated as binding, so be ready to sign quickly if it is accepted. Second, shopping the same yacht through several brokers does not create leverage; managers see every inquiry and it works against you.
Watch out for one trick when comparing quotes: a competitor may look cheaper because they quoted a lower APA, not a lower price. The APA is your own onboard budget, and if it runs out you pay the difference on board, so a shaved APA is not a saving. Compare charter fee against charter fee.