The Yacht Charter Preference Sheet: How to Use It Well
Most first-time guests have never heard of the preference sheet. It's the single most powerful tool you'll be handed — if you use it well.
Once your yacht charter is booked, your broker will send you a document called a preference sheet. It looks like a questionnaire. It is actually the brief from which the entire week is built. The guests who get the most out of a yacht charter are almost always the ones who spent an hour on this single document.
What it is — a questionnaire that becomes your week
The preference sheet is a detailed form covering food, drink, daily rhythm, special occasions, water sports, music, allergies, and more. The crew — captain, chef, chief stewardess — build the entire yacht charter around your answers.
Think of it less as paperwork and more as designing your holiday in advance.
Don't rush it the night before you board. The care you put into it comes back to you tenfold onboard.Our founder, on the water
Food & drink — be specific, then be more specific
'We like good food' tells the chef absolutely nothing. The dishes you love, the ones you never want to see, allergies, the wines you actually drink at home, how you take your coffee, the children's favourite breakfast, the snack you crave at 4pm — this is the difference between nice meals and meals made for you.
Name actual dishes. Name specific brands of spirits, mixers, coffee. What you share tells the chef exactly how to amaze you.
The pace — how you want your days to feel
Early starts and active days, or slow mornings and long lunches? Lively and social, or quiet and private? Three swim stops a day, or one anchorage held for three nights?
None of this is set in stone — you're always free to change your mind on the water. But it gives the crew a direction to shape the tempo around.
Describe an ideal day, from waking to dinner. A direction, not a rulebook.Our founder, on the water
Easily forgotten — the details that make the difference
A birthday or anniversary to mark. A surprise you'd like quietly arranged. A specific dietary need. The water toys that matter to you, and the ones no one will touch. A favourite song for sunset. A flower someone loves. A spirit you always end the evening with.
These small notes are where the magic of a tailored week hides. If it matters to you at home, it matters onboard.
Be honest — there are no wrong answers
Guests sometimes hold back, not wanting to seem demanding. Don't. A good crew genuinely wants to know exactly what you like — it's how they do their best work. The more honest the sheet, the more effortless the week feels.
The preference sheet isn't a wish you're imposing on the crew. It's the brief they're hoping you'll give them.
Fill it in like you're designing the week. Because you are.
The preference sheet is where a yacht charter quietly becomes yours. An hour spent on it thoughtfully is the best investment you'll make in the whole trip — and the crew will love you for it.
Talk to the FounderQuick answers
When do I get the yacht charter preference sheet?+
Your broker typically sends it once your booking is confirmed and the contract signed, roughly six to eight weeks before embarkation. You'll be asked to return it two to three weeks before the yacht charter to give the crew time to provision.
Can I change my preferences once onboard?+
Absolutely. The preference sheet is a starting point, not a contract. The crew will happily adjust the menu, pace or itinerary as your week unfolds — just ask.
Is there a template for a yacht charter preference sheet?+
Each broker and yacht uses a slightly different format, but most cover the same areas: guest details and allergies, food and drink preferences, daily pace, special occasions, water toys, dietary requirements and any surprises to arrange.
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