Miami Yacht Rental: What's Included & What You Pay Extra For
Pricing · By The VCYC Team · August 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Every Miami yacht rental includes captain, fuel, ice, coolers, sound system, and safety gear. You pay extra for food, alcohol, gratuity, and add-ons. Here's the real breakdown.
What's Included in Every Vice City Yacht Charter
Every Vice City yacht rental in Miami includes six core components at no additional charge: a USCG-licensed captain, fuel for standard cruising, ice, coolers, a Bluetooth sound system, and all required safety equipment. These inclusions apply across the entire 32-boat fleet, from the 26-foot BALI at $500 for three hours to the 135-foot Matrix at $9,450 for four hours.
The captain handles navigation, docking, and safety briefings. Every captain carries an active Coast Guard license and manages the vessel for the duration of your charter. Fuel covers typical cruising patterns — a round trip to Haulover Sandbar from Miami Beach Marina, sunset tours along Star Island, or coastal cruising through Biscayne Bay.
Ice arrives pre-loaded in marine-grade coolers. The Bluetooth sound system connects to any smartphone, and guests control the playlist directly. Safety equipment includes life jackets for every passenger, fire extinguishers, flares, and first-aid kits — all Coast Guard compliant.
Every yacht also carries $1 million in general liability coverage and $10 million in hull insurance. You board knowing the vessel meets federal safety standards and the operation is fully licensed.
What You Pay Extra For
Three categories fall outside the base charter price: provisions, gratuity, and optional add-ons.
Food and alcohol are not included. Miami yacht charters operate as private rentals, so guests bring their own provisions or arrange catering. You can pack coolers with beer, wine, cocktails, sandwiches, and snacks — most boats prohibit glass containers, so cans and plastic bottles only. If you prefer catering, Vice City offers an onboard catering menu with options from appetizer platters to full seafood spreads.
Gratuity is not included in the charter price and is paid directly to the crew on the day of your trip. The minimum is 10% of the charter rate, rising to 18% on major holidays. Industry standard runs 15–20%, and most guests tip toward the higher end when the crew delivers exceptional service. On a four-hour charter aboard the 57-foot Monaco at $1,750, expect to budget $175 to $350 for gratuity.
Optional add-ons cover everything from jet skis to photographers to birthday decorations. These extras are selected during booking and billed separately. Popular choices include jet ski rentals at $150 for 30 minutes, DJ service at $120 per hour, bachelorette packages from $225 to $325, and full-charter photographers at $720. The complete catalog with retail pricing is available at /add-ons.
How Miami Yacht Rental Pricing Actually Works
The formula is straightforward: base charter rate plus tax plus optional add-ons, with gratuity handled separately on charter day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gratuity included in the charter price?
No. Gratuity is paid separately, directly to the crew on the day of your charter. The minimum is 10% of the charter rate, rising to 18% on major holidays. Industry standard is 15–20%, and most guests tip at the higher end for exceptional service.
Can I bring my own food and alcohol on board?
Yes. Miami yacht charters are private rentals, so you can bring your own provisions. Most boats prohibit glass containers — cans and plastic bottles only. If you prefer catering, Vice City offers an onboard menu with options from appetizers to full seafood spreads.
What payment methods does Vice City accept?
Vice City accepts credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Zelle, cash, and Bitcoin. The 35% deposit is charged when you confirm the booking, and the balance is due the day of the charter before you board.
Are there any hidden fees or surprise charges?
No. The price you see on each yacht page is the base charter rate. Add 7% tax, any optional add-ons you select, and gratuity paid separately to the crew. The cart shows the full total before checkout, with no hidden line items.
What's covered by the deposit, and when is the rest due?
A 35% deposit or $250 minimum — whichever is greater — confirms your booking and is charged immediately. The remaining balance is due the day of the charter, before boarding. You can also hold any available date free for 24 hours with no card and no deposit.
What happens if the weather is bad on my charter day?
If weather or mechanical issues prevent safe departure, Vice City's Perfect Day Guarantee gives you two options: a free rebooking to any future date with no fees, or a 100% refund of all payments. Light rain alone does not trigger cancellations; only genuinely unsafe conditions qualify, and the captain makes the final safety call.