Miami Yacht Rental Deposits: How Much & When Money Gets Charged
Pricing · By The VCYC Team · August 26, 2026 · 8 min read
Vice City Yacht Club charges a 35% deposit or $250 minimum to confirm your yacht rental in Miami. Learn exactly when you pay, what's refundable, and how the free 24-hour hold works.
How Much Is a Yacht Rental Deposit in Miami?
Vice City Yacht Club requires a 35% deposit—or a $250 minimum, whichever is greater—to confirm your yacht charter. The remaining balance is due on the day of your trip. Any available date can be held free for 24 hours with no credit card and no deposit required, giving you time to coordinate your group before any money changes hands.
The deposit policy is published on every yacht's detail page and confirmed in your booking email. The deposit secures your date; the balance completes the transaction on charter day.
The Standard Deposit Structure: 35% or $250 Minimum
The deposit formula is straightforward: 35% of the total charter price, with a floor of $250. If 35% of your charter comes out to less than $250, you pay $250. If 35% exceeds $250, you pay the calculated percentage.
Here are real examples across the fleet:
- BALI (26ft, 4 hours at $650): 35% is $227.50, so the deposit is $250. Balance due on charter day: $400. - Habana (37ft, 4 hours at $1,050): 35% is $367.50. Deposit: $367.50. Balance: $682.50. - VanDutch (40ft, 4 hours at $2,450): 35% is $857.50. Deposit: $857.50. Balance: $1,592.50. - XTSEA (55ft, 4 hours at $3,500): 35% is $1,225. Deposit: $1,225. Balance: $2,275. - Spysea (70ft, 4 hours at $5,950): 35% is $2,082.50. Deposit: $2,082.50. Balance: $3,867.50. - Astonish (97ft, 4 hours at $6,750): 35% is $2,362.50. Deposit: $2,362.50. Balance: $4,387.50.
The deposit calculation is applied uniformly to every charter length. Whether you book a 3-hour sunset cruise or an 8-hour sandbar day, the same 35% or $250 minimum rule applies.
When the Deposit Is Charged (and When It's Not)
Vice City Yacht Club offers a free 24-hour hold on any available date. During that hold, no credit card is required and no deposit is charged. You can lock in your preferred date, coordinate with your group, and confirm details before any payment is processed.
If you decide to proceed after the hold period—or if you choose to pay immediately rather than use the hold—the deposit is charged at the moment you confirm the booking. You will receive an email confirmation with the deposit amount, balance due, pickup marina, and charter details.
The deposit is never charged automatically or in advance of your confirmation. There are no pre-authorizations, no silent holds, and no surprise billing cycles. You control when the deposit is processed by choosing when to finalize your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much deposit is required to book a yacht in Miami?
Vice City Yacht Club requires a 35% deposit or a $250 minimum, whichever is greater, to confirm your charter. For example, a 4-hour charter on BALI at $650 requires a $250 deposit, while a 4-hour charter on Astonish at $6,750 requires a $2,362.50 deposit. The remaining balance is due on the day of your trip.
When does Vice City Yacht Club charge the deposit?
The deposit is charged only when you finalize your booking. You can hold any available date free for 24 hours with no credit card and no deposit; the charge occurs when you decide to confirm the reservation. There are no automatic holds, pre-authorizations, or surprise billing cycles.
Can I hold a yacht date without paying a deposit?
Yes. Vice City Yacht Club offers a free 24-hour hold on any available date with no credit card required and no deposit charged. This gives you time to coordinate your group, confirm details, and finalize plans before any money changes hands. After the 24-hour window, you can either confirm the booking with a deposit or release the hold.
Is the yacht rental deposit refundable if I cancel?
Customer cancellations are final, and the deposit is forfeited. However, if weather or mechanical issues prevent safe departure, the Perfect Day Guarantee applies: you choose either a free rebook to any future date (with the deposit carried forward) or a 100% refund including the deposit. Light rain alone does not trigger a cancellation—only genuinely unsafe conditions as determined by the captain.
What payment methods can I use for the deposit and final balance?
Vice City Yacht Club accepts card (including Apple Pay), Zelle, cash, and Bitcoin for both the deposit and the final balance. All methods are available at both payment stages with no surcharges or processing fees. You can use different methods for the deposit and balance if you prefer.
What happens to my deposit if weather cancels the charter?
If the captain determines that weather or mechanical issues make departure unsafe, the Perfect Day Guarantee gives you two options: rebook to any future date with your deposit carrying forward at no additional cost, or receive a 100% refund including the full deposit. You choose which option works best for your group.