Miami Yacht Rental: What to Bring & What's Already Included
Guides · By The VCYC Team · August 27, 2026 · 8 min read
Every Miami yacht rental includes a USCG captain, fuel, ice, coolers, and sound system. Food, alcohol, gratuity, and add-ons are extra—here's the complete list.
What's Included in Every Vice City Yacht Charter
Every Vice City yacht charter includes a USCG-licensed captain, fuel for standard cruising, ice and coolers for your provisions, a Bluetooth sound system, and all Coast Guard–required safety equipment including life jackets, fire extinguishers, and distress signals. These are baseline inclusions across the entire 32-boat fleet, from the 26-foot BALI starting at $500 for three hours to the 135-foot Matrix at $9,450 for four hours.
The captain holds an active USCG Merchant Mariner Credential and is solely responsible for navigation, vessel operation, and guest safety. Fuel is included for standard cruising—trips to Haulover Sandbar, Nixon Sandbar, Monument Island, and scenic routes around Star Island, Fisher Island, and the downtown skyline. The ice and cooler setup is ready before you board; bring your drinks and food in bags or boxes, and the crew will transfer everything into the onboard coolers stocked with fresh ice. The Bluetooth sound system connects to any smartphone.
Every yacht carries $1 million in general liability coverage and $10 million hull insurance; all vessels are fully Coast Guard compliant. The inclusions are identical whether you book a four-hour sandbar run on the 37-foot Habana at $1,050 or an eight-hour cruise on the 105-foot Sale Vita at $14,200. Included in Every Charter — What It CoversUSCG-Licensed Captain — Navigation, vessel operation, guest safety Fuel — Standard cruising throughout Biscayne Bay Ice & Coolers — Fresh ice provided; coolers ready for your provisions Bluetooth Sound System — Connects to any smartphone; most yachts have multiple zones Safety Equipment — Life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals Insurance — $1M general liability, $10M hull coverage What You Need to Bring (Food, Alcohol & Personal Gear)
Guests provide all food and beverages. Miami yacht charters operate as private events, so you control the menu and bar—no preset packages, no markups. Most groups stop at a Publix, Whole Foods, or Total Wine near the marina and load coolers with sandwiches, fruit trays, chips, and drinks 30–60 minutes before departure. Alcohol is allowed; the captain and crew never drink, but your group can bring beer, wine, cocktails, and mixers without restriction.
Glass containers are prohibited on most boats in the fleet. Bring cans or plastic bottles only—no glass beer bottles, no wine in glass, no liquor fifths. The no-glass rule protects decks and prevents injuries on a moving vessel. If you arrive with glass, the crew will ask you to leave it in your car or transfer liquids into plastic cups before boarding.
Bring sunscreen, towels for every guest, non-marking shoes, sunglasses, hats, and a Bluetooth-ready playlist downloaded to your phone. Cellular service is strong within a few miles of shore, but streaming can cut out near the sandbars—offline playlists ensure uninterrupted music. Pack a drybag or ziplock for phones and wallets if your group plans to swim.
Most departure marinas—Miami Beach Marina at 300 Alton Road, Sea Isle Marina at 1635 North Bayshore Drive, and Regal Marina at 2215 Northwest 14th Street—have convenience stores nearby, but prices run higher than grocery rates.
What's Never Included: Gratuity, Tax & Add-Ons
Three line items appear beyond the posted charter price: crew gratuity, Florida sales tax, and any optional add-ons you request during booking.
Crew gratuity is not included in the charter rate and is paid directly to the captain and crew on the day of your trip. Minimum gratuity is 10% of the charter price; 18% is required on holiday charters; 15–20% is customary for attentive service. For a four-hour charter on the 50-foot Kilauea at $2,550, standard gratuity runs $255–$510. The gratuity goes entirely to the working crew—captain, mates, and deckhands.
Florida sales tax is 6% statewide plus a 1% Miami-Dade County surtax on the first $5,000 of any sale, which works out to roughly 7% on most charters. The surtax caps at $50, so a $10,000 charter pays 6% on the full amount plus $50 surtax. Tax is calculated automatically during online checkout and included in the final invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is food and alcohol included in a Miami yacht rental?
No. Guests bring their own food and beverages; alcohol is allowed on private charters. Vice City provides ice and coolers, but all provisions—sandwiches, snacks, drinks—are your responsibility. You can also add catering through the onboard menu, with pricing and options listed at /catering.
Do I tip the captain and crew, and how much?
Yes. Crew gratuity is not included in the charter price. Minimum gratuity is 10% of the charter cost; 18% is required on holiday charters; 15–20% is customary for good service. Gratuity is paid directly to the crew on charter day.
Can I bring glass bottles on board?
No. Glass containers are prohibited on most boats in the Vice City fleet. Bring all drinks in cans or plastic bottles. If you arrive with glass, the crew will ask you to leave it in your car or transfer liquids into plastic cups before boarding.
What happens if I arrive late to the marina?
Your charter time starts at the scheduled departure hour, and late arrivals use only the remaining window—no extensions or refunds. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early to complete parking, meet the captain, finish the safety briefing, and load provisions before departure.
Are decorations, DJs, or photographers included in the charter price?
No. These are optional add-ons with separate pricing: DJ service is $120 per hour, birthday or bachelorette decoration packages run $200–$325, and a full-charter photographer costs $720. All extras are booked during the reservation process or added up to 48 hours before departure, and pricing is listed in full at /add-ons.
Is sales tax charged on top of the listed yacht rental price?
Yes. Florida charges 6% sales tax plus a 1% Miami-Dade surtax on the first $5,000 of the sale, which works out to roughly 7% on most charters. The surtax caps at $50. Tax is calculated automatically during checkout and included in your final invoice.