Sometimes it all starts with a photo of a catamaran. Sometimes with the wish to celebrate a birthday by the islands or spend a day on the water with your family. You do not need a detailed plan at this stage: it is enough to tell us when you want to go to sea and how many of you there will be.
From there, we help you choose a yacht, discuss the route and the cost, agree the terms and prepare for the trip. This guide explains how booking a private charter with Star Sailing Club works and what is worth deciding before you pay the deposit.
What to Write in Your First Message
You can start with the request form on our site or a WhatsApp message. If you have already found a yacht you like, send the link to its page. If you are still choosing, tell us about your group and your wishes.
If you are planning a celebration, mention it straight away. A dinner for two, a birthday with a big group and a family outing may need different preparation.
You do not need to know the names of the islands. Wishes like "we want to swim a lot", "we love cliffs and caves" or "we need a calm day with a child" are already enough to start.
Step 1. Choosing the Yacht and the Route
It is easier to choose a yacht together with the plan. Nearby islands suit a short trip; for a more distant destination, the passage time and the boat's speed matter. If you want to spend several days around the islands, cabins, guest accommodation and meals matter too.
For an unhurried day of swimming and time on deck, consider a sailing catamaran. If the main goal is to reach more distant islands in a single day, we will compare motor yachts and catamarans.
You can start getting to know the fleet with our Lagoon 42 Silver Moon and Bali Catspace Siva. For a different group or plan, we will suggest options from our yacht catalogue.
When choosing, look at where the shaded seating, the dining area and the lounging space are. For an overnight trip, check the number of guest cabins and how the beds are arranged. That makes it easier to picture how your group will settle on board.
We also agree the departure point in advance. More on that on our Phuket marinas page.
Step 2. Confirming the Cost of the Whole Trip
The price on the yacht's page helps you get a sense of the budget. The final offer is calculated for your dates, your group, the length of the trip and the route.
Before confirming, it is important to understand exactly what the quote includes:
- yacht hire and the crew's work;
- fuel for the agreed plan;
- food and drinks;
- the equipment and activities available;
- a transfer, if you need one;
- applicable fees and any extras you order.
The list depends on the yacht you choose. For example, celebration decorations, a special menu or extra equipment may be charged separately.
If you are travelling overnight, discuss meals for every day, the cook's work and the accommodation on board separately. The starting price of a day charter does not determine the cost of a multi-day trip.
Before paying, also check the currency, the available payment methods, and whether taxes and possible fees apply. All these details are best agreed together with the final amount.
A detailed breakdown of costs is in our article on what is included and the extras.
Step 3. Checking the Details and Documents
Once the yacht and the plan are chosen, gather the main agreements in one place. This can be a written offer, a booking confirmation or an agreed message thread.
Check the yacht's name, the date, the number of guests, the boarding point and the start and end times of the charter. For an overnight trip, it is especially important to check both dates and the return time.
On the financial side, the total cost, the prepayment amount, the remaining balance and how it is paid should all be clear. The cancellation and rescheduling terms are also worth reading before you pay.
If we need the details of the person booking or of the guests for the paperwork, we will tell you exactly what is needed. At the first inquiry, the information that helps us plan the trip is enough.
In the documents you may see the name Siva Charter Co., Ltd. This is the legal name of the company operating under the Star Sailing Club brand.
Step 4. Paying the Deposit and Securing the Date
A booking is confirmed once the main terms are agreed in writing and the agreed deposit is received.
A request on the site or a conversation about a yacht you like is the start of the search. Until the booking is confirmed, the date should not be considered reserved for your group.
The deposit amount and how the balance is paid are set for each charter. Go by the terms of your offer: arrangements for another yacht or another trip may differ.
Before paying, check the amount, the currency and the bank details. After paying, keep the confirmation and wait for our message that the payment has been received and the booking confirmed.
If some time has passed between receiving the offer and deciding to pay, first check whether the yacht is still available on your date.
Step 5. Preparing the Trip Details
After booking, you can take care of the things that make the day comfortable for your group in particular.
Meals and Guest Requests
Tell us in advance about allergies, dietary restrictions and a children's menu. Special dishes and extra services are agreed separately, including whether they can be arranged and their cost.
If you plan to bring your own food or drinks, check the terms for your yacht.
A Celebration on Board
A cake, flowers, decorations and a photographer are best discussed before the day. If you are preparing a surprise, tell us how you picture it: when to hand over the gift, serve the cake or invite the guests to the table.
The clearer your wishes, the easier it is to prepare the details for your arrival.
Transfer and Meeting Point
Before the trip, check the meeting point and the time you need to arrive. If you booked a transfer through us, we will agree the pickup place and time at your hotel.
If you are making your own way, use the meeting point we send you. One marina or pier can have several different boarding spots.
Our list of what to pack for a day on a yacht will help you get ready.
If Plans or the Weather Change
If you want to change the date, the group or the plan, write to us as early as possible. Any change has to be agreed for your booking.
Cancellation terms depend on the yacht and the season and are stated in the confirmation. Before paying the deposit, check what applies if you cancel, reschedule or cannot go to sea.
The captain may change the stops and the schedule if the weather and sea conditions require it. If the planned trip is unsafe, we will discuss an alternative route or another date. What happens with the payment is set by the terms of your booking.
The general terms are published on our charter terms page.
Booking FAQ
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as you have settled on your date. This is especially useful if you want a specific yacht, are preparing a celebration or are travelling over Christmas and New Year.
For requests in the coming days, we will check actual availability. The choice will depend on which yachts are free.
Can I get in touch if I have not chosen a route yet?
Yes. Tell us what you like: beaches, snorkelling, fishing, cliffs, dinner on board or a day with children. We will suggest a plan based on that.
Can I get a quote first?
Yes. First we clarify your request, check availability and agree the offer. The deposit is needed to confirm the chosen booking.
Can I add guests after booking?
Such changes need to be agreed in advance. We will check the yacht's capacity and whether the new group size affects meals, the plan and the cost.
Start With a Date and an Idea
A few lines are enough for your first message: when you want to go to sea, how many of you there will be and how you picture the day.
At Star Sailing Club, we will help you choose a yacht and a route and discuss the arrangements and the cost. Once the main details are agreed, all that is left is to get ready for the trip and arrive at the meeting point.
