What's included in every charter, no exceptions
Every Imperial Yachting charter, regardless of yacht or duration, is booked as an all-inclusive package covering the essentials you need for a comfortable trip.
- A licensed captain and crew for the full duration
- Fuel for standard cruising routes (Marina skyline, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Burj Al Arab, Bluewaters)
- Soft drinks, bottled water, and ice throughout the charter
- Fresh towels and basic safety equipment for all guests
- Onboard sound system for your own playlist
- Standard water toys where fitted (varies by yacht — ask when booking)
Why these are included and extras aren't
The logic is simple: crew, fuel, and basic comfort items are fixed costs of running any charter and are the same whether you're celebrating a birthday or doing a quiet sightseeing trip, so they're baked into the hourly rate. Catering, entertainment, and add-on activities vary enormously by group — a couple wanting a quiet sunset cruise needs none of it, while a group of 18 celebrating a milestone birthday might want all of it — so pricing them separately keeps the base rate fair for everyone rather than forcing quiet charters to subsidise elaborate ones.
The extras menu, with typical prices
These are the add-ons our guests request most often, arranged in advance so everything is ready when you board.
- Catering — light mezze/finger food AED 80–120 per person; full BBQ or seafood spread AED 150–250 per person
- DJ or sound host — AED 600–1,200 for a 3–4 hour set
- Jet ski rental (brought alongside) — AED 300–450 per 30 minutes, subject to weather and calm-water conditions
- Wakeboard or towable tube session — AED 250–400 per session, requires the crew to tow from the yacht
- Decoration and theming (balloons, table setup, banners) — AED 500–1,500 depending on complexity
- Photography or videography (1–2 hours) — AED 800–2,000 via our in-house Cinematographic Bureau, edited and delivered within days
- Birthday or celebration cake — AED 250–600 depending on size and design
How to add extras without last-minute stress
The best results come from confirming extras at least 3–5 days before your charter date, since catering and decor both need lead time from our partner vendors, and jet skis or wakeboard equipment need to be scheduled and confirmed as weather-dependent. When you book with us — by WhatsApp, phone, or the contact form — simply tell us which extras you're interested in alongside your date and guest count, and we'll send an itemised quote covering the base charter and every add-on before you pay the 50% deposit, so there are no surprises on the day.
One tip: bundling extras into the initial booking, rather than adding them the day before, gives us more room to negotiate better rates with catering and entertainment partners on your behalf, since we can plan logistics further ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drinks included in a Dubai yacht charter?
Soft drinks, bottled water, and ice are included as standard in every charter. Alcohol and specialty beverages are not included and must be arranged separately.
How much does catering cost on a yacht charter?
Light catering typically costs AED 80–120 per person, while a full BBQ or seafood spread runs AED 150–250 per person, depending on the menu and guest count.
Can I add a photographer or DJ to my yacht charter?
Yes, both can be arranged in advance. A photographer or videographer typically costs AED 800–2,000 for 1–2 hours of coverage, and a DJ or sound host runs AED 600–1,200 for a 3–4 hour set.