What's Actually Included in a Miami Yacht Rental? (2026 Guide)
Planning · By The VCYC Team · August 14, 2026 · 7 min read
Every Vice City Yacht Club charter includes a USCG-licensed captain, fuel, ice, coolers, sound system, and safety gear. You bring food, drinks, and gratuity.
What's Included in a Miami Yacht Rental
Every Vice City Yacht Club charter includes a USCG-licensed captain, fuel for standard cruising, ice, coolers, a Bluetooth sound system, and all required safety equipment. You bring your own food and drinks (cans and plastic only—glass is prohibited), and crew gratuity is paid separately on charter day. Tax is roughly 7%—6% Florida sales tax plus a 1% Miami-Dade surtax on the first $5,000 of the sale, capped at $50. Gratuity is 10% minimum of the charter price (18% on holiday charters), with 15–20% customary.
The number on each yacht page is the base charter price. Add tax and gratuity, and that's your walk-away total.
What's Included in Every Vice City Yacht Club Charter
Five items are covered in every charter price, with no surprise add-ons at the dock.
1. USCG-Licensed Captain Every charter is operated by a United States Coast Guard licensed captain. The captain handles navigation, docking, weather decisions, and all safety protocols. You never drive the boat yourself.
2. Fuel for Standard Cruising Fuel is included for typical itineraries—cruising to Haulover Sandbar or Nixon Sandbar, touring Star Island and the Venetian Islands, or anchoring in Biscayne Bay for a sunset cruise. A 6-hour charter reaches Haulover or Nixon with approximately 30 minutes of cruising each way and the rest anchored.
3. Ice and Coolers Every boat carries coolers stocked with ice. You load your drinks and perishables into the coolers when you board. Bring provisions in soft-sided bags or reusable grocery totes—the crew will help transfer everything.
4. Bluetooth Sound System All boats are equipped with a Bluetooth-enabled sound system. Pair your phone, play your playlist, and control the volume from your device. If you want a dedicated DJ or upgraded speakers, those are available as add-ons.
5. Safety Equipment and Insurance Every vessel carries all Coast Guard required safety gear—life jackets for every passenger (including children and infants), fire extinguishers, flares, and navigation lights. Our boats carry $1M general liability coverage and $10M hull coverage.
What's NOT Included: Food, Drinks & Crew Gratuity
Three categories are always guest-provided or paid separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the captain included in the yacht rental price?
Yes. Every Vice City Yacht Club charter includes a USCG-licensed captain at no additional charge. The captain handles all navigation, docking, and safety decisions. You never drive the boat yourself.
Do I need to tip the crew, and how much?
Gratuity is not included in the charter price. The minimum crew gratuity is 10% of the base charter cost (18% on holiday charters), and industry standard is 15–20%. Gratuity is paid directly to the crew on charter day.
Is fuel included, or do I pay separately?
Fuel is included for standard cruising—trips to Haulover Sandbar, Nixon Sandbar, Star Island tours, and typical Biscayne Bay itineraries. A 6-hour charter reaches Haulover or Nixon with approximately 30 minutes of cruising each way and the rest anchored.
Can I bring alcohol on board?
Yes. Alcohol is allowed on all Vice City Yacht Club charters because they are private rentals. However, glass containers are prohibited on most boats—bring cans or plastic bottles only.
What happens if I show up late to the marina?
Your charter time starts at the scheduled hour, whether you are on board or not. Boarding and the safety briefing count as part of your reserved time. If you arrive 30 minutes late to a 4-hour charter, you have 3.5 hours remaining. If you do not arrive and do not contact us, the charter is cancelled without refund.
Are food and drinks provided, or do I bring my own?
You bring your own food and drinks. Most guests pack coolers at home or stop at a grocery store on the way to the marina. If you prefer not to shop, we offer onboard catering with delivery directly to the boat—browse the menu at vcy.club/catering.