You’ve found the perfect yacht to rent in Turkey, agreed on a route along the turquoise coast — and then a mysterious line item appears on your invoice: APA. The amount is substantial. Is it a hidden fee? A mandatory commission? And will you get the money back if it isn’t spent?
In this guide, the Brilions team breaks down the Advance Provisioning Allowance from A to Z: what it is, why it exists, what it covers, and exactly how it works in the Turkish yacht charter market — in Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Göcek, Antalya and other popular charter bases.
What Is APA in Yacht Charter
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance — an advance deposit to cover the operating expenses of your cruise. In simple terms, it is your money, handed to the captain before the charter begins, to be spent on provisions and services for guests throughout the trip.
The most important point — and the one that causes the most confusion — is this: the APA is not income for the yacht owner and not a broker commission. It is your money, held by the captain and spent strictly on your behalf. Whatever is left unspent is returned to you on the final day of the charter.
This mechanism is enshrined in the standard MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) charter contract — the international body that governs the majority of professional yacht charters in the Mediterranean and Turkey.
Why the Operating Budget Exists
When you rent a yacht, the base charter fee covers the vessel itself, the crew, and insurance — nothing more. Everything else — fuel, food, drinks, marina berths — represents variable costs that cannot be predicted in advance. They depend on your route, the appetites of your guests, the wines you choose, and how much you plan to motor between destinations.
The advance provisioning allowance solves this elegantly: you fund the budget upfront, the captain manages the spending during the cruise, and at the end you receive a full report with receipts.
APA vs Security Deposit: a Common Confusion
Many clients renting a yacht for the first time confuse two distinct payments. Here is how they differ.
Security Deposit (Caution) — a refundable insurance deposit held against accidental damage to the yacht or equipment. It is blocked on your credit card or paid in cash. If the charter ends without any incident, it is returned in full. The amount is fixed per yacht and typically ranges from €1,000 to €10,000. It is most common on bareboat (skipperless) sailboat rentals.
Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) — the operational fund for cruise expenses: food, fuel, drinks, marina fees. It is not a security deposit. It applies primarily to crewed luxury motor yachts and gulets.
| APA | Security Deposit | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Cruise operating expenses | Insurance against damage |
| Managed by | Captain | Blocked on card / held by broker |
| Refund | Unspent balance after charter | Full refund if no damage |
| Amount | 20–40% of charter fee | Fixed sum per yacht |
How the APA Is Calculated: Real Numbers
The size of the provisioning fund depends on the type of yacht and the charter standard.
Motor yachts: typically 25–40% of the charter fee. Large and premium vessels with high fuel consumption tend toward 40%.
Gulets: usually 20–30%. Gulets burn far less fuel, so the operating deposit is lower.
Under the MYBA standard, the baseline APA is 25% of the charter fee, though for large motor yachts this frequently rises to 30–40%.
Calculation Examples
Motor yacht charter in Bodrum or Göcek:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Yacht rental fee | €30,000 |
| APA (30%) | €9,000 |
| Total due before departure | €39,000 |
Gulet charter in Fethiye or Marmaris:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Yacht rental fee | €18,000 |
| APA (25%) | €4,500 |
| Total due before departure | €22,500 |
A Real Example: One Week on a Motor Yacht, Bodrum to Göcek
After eight years in the charter business, we have gathered real expense data from hundreds of captain reports. Here is a typical operating budget breakdown for a seven-night cruise on a 20–24 m motor yacht along the Bodrum — Gulf of Gökova — Göcek route:
| Expense | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Fuel (5–6 passages) | €2,000 – €3,500 |
| Provisions (8 guests, 7 days) | €1,500 – €2,200 |
| Soft drinks & water | €300 – €500 |
| Alcohol (moderate consumption) | €600 – €1,200 |
| Marina berths (3–4 nights) | €800 – €1,800 |
| Miscellaneous (ice, sundries) | €200 – €400 |
| Total | €5,400 – €9,600 |
On a €30,000 charter, an APA of 30% (€9,000) comfortably covers this range in virtually any scenario.
If you prefer anchoring in secluded bays and drink modestly — expect a refund of €1,500–€2,500. If you plan daily passages and premium wines — a small top-up may be required.
What the APA Covers
Fuel
The single largest expense on motor yachts. The total depends on vessel size, cruising speed, route length, and how frequently you move between locations.
Spending a week at anchor in the quiet bays of Gökova is a world apart from motoring daily between Bodrum, Yalıkavak and Göcek. On gulets, fuel consumption is far lower — they sail more slowly and anchor more often.
Food and Provisions
The captain uses the provisioning fund to purchase everything for the guests: meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, fruit, and desserts. Before the charter, guests complete a Preference Form listing favourite dishes, allergies, and dietary requirements — all purchases are made based on this form.
Drinks and Alcohol
Still water, juices, soft drinks, tonics, wine, Champagne, beer, and spirits — all covered by the operating budget. One important note: alcohol is expensive in Turkey due to high excise duties, making this line item noticeably higher than in Croatia or Greece. If you plan a serious wine list or a well-stocked bar, factor this into your budget from the start.
Marina Berths
If your itinerary includes marina nights — D-Marin Göcek, Yalıkavak Marina in Bodrum, Netsel Marina in Marmaris, Port Göcek — the berth fees are paid from the provisioning fund. Premium marinas typically cost €200–€600 per night depending on yacht size and season.
Special Requests
Premium Champagne, rare wines, live lobster, a birthday cake, flowers on board — all bespoke requests are covered by the operational deposit. The key is to discuss them with your captain or broker in advance.
Port Dues
Depending on your specific charter agreement, port dues may run through the APA or be invoiced separately — check your contract.
What Is NOT Included in the APA
To avoid surprises during your yacht rental, it is important to know what is billed separately:
- Base yacht charter fee — always a separate line in the contract
- VAT — where applicable and listed separately
- Crew gratuity — traditionally 10–15% of the charter fee, handed to the captain at the end
- Airport transfers — unless included in a package
- Security Deposit — a separate insurance payment, not to be confused with APA
How the APA Works: From Booking to Final Day
Before the Charter
The provisioning fund is paid together with the final charter instalment — usually 4–6 weeks before departure. At the same time you receive your Preference Form: fill in dietary preferences, favourite drinks, allergies and any special wishes. The crew shops for everything based on your form before you even step aboard.
During the Cruise
The captain keeps a meticulous record of all spending: supermarket receipts, marina invoices, fuel bills. You can request a current balance at any point during the trip.
If it becomes clear mid-cruise that the fund is running low — for instance, because guests have ordered more alcohol than planned — the captain will let you know in advance and request a cash top-up.
After the Charter: Refund or Top-Up?
On the final day, the captain presents a full financial report with all receipts attached.
If you spent less than the APA:
- APA paid: €6,000
- Actual spend: €4,800
- Captain returns: €1,200 in cash
If you spent more than the APA:
- APA paid: €6,000
- Actual spend: €6,700
- You pay: €700 in cash before disembarkation
Cash refund of any unspent balance on the final day is standard practice. Make sure this is explicitly stated in your charter contract.
Turkey-Specific Considerations for Yacht Rental
Turkey is a market with its own nuances — important to understand when comparing offers.
Gulets: The All-Inclusive Alternative
For gulets in Turkey — particularly in Marmaris, Bodrum and along the Bodrum–Göcek route — it is common to encounter a scheme without a separate APA. The charter fee already includes crew, fuel for the standard route, and full board (three meals a day).
The client pays additionally only for alcohol, premium provisions beyond the standard menu, and private marina berths.
The headline price with full board may look higher at first glance, but the total budget under this scheme is far more predictable — especially for guests who want a relaxed holiday without complex routing.
Motor Yachts: The MYBA Standard with Separate APA
Motor yacht charters in Turkey — in Bodrum, Göcek, Fethiye, Antalya and Kemer — operate predominantly under the international MYBA standard with a separate operational deposit. This is a transparent system: you see exactly where your money goes and receive the balance back.
Alcohol and Marinas: The Turkish Factor
Two factors significantly affect the final APA spend in Turkey specifically:
Excise duties on alcohol. Turkey is one of the most expensive destinations for alcohol among Mediterranean charter markets. A decent bottle of wine in a supermarket costs €20–€50; spirits are priced even higher. When budgeting for a yacht rental in Turkey, allow roughly double what you would for Croatia.
Marina fees. Turkish marinas — Yalıkavak, D-Marin and Netsel — rank among the finest in the Mediterranean and are priced accordingly. If you want to save, anchor overnight in a bay: it is free, and often more beautiful than any marina.
Frequently Asked Questions About APA
Is the APA refunded if the charter is cancelled? Yes. If the yacht rental is cancelled in accordance with the contract terms, the advance provisioning allowance is returned in full — unlike the base charter fee, which is subject to the cancellation policy.
Can the APA be reduced? The APA is set by the yacht owner or management company and is generally fixed. However, if you have a modest route with minimal passages and no alcohol, it is worth discussing a reduction with your broker — especially on gulet charters.
What currency is the APA paid in for Turkey charters? Usually euros or US dollars. Payments in Turkish lira are uncommon in the crewed charter segment.
When and how is the unspent balance returned? In cash on the final day of the charter, after the captain presents the expense report. Make sure this is clearly written into your contract.
Are crew gratuities included in the APA? No. Gratuities are a separate item and are not reflected in the APA report. The industry standard is 10–15% of the charter fee, handed to the captain personally.
What happens if the APA runs out before the end of the trip? The captain will notify you in advance. You top up the shortfall in cash on board.
What is the difference between APA and a security deposit? A security deposit is an insurance payment held against accidental damage to the yacht; it is blocked on your card and returned in full if the boat is undamaged. The APA is the operational fund for cruise expenses. They are entirely different payments.
Can I get a more accurate APA estimate before booking? Absolutely. Share your intended route, number of guests, and food and drink preferences with us and we will put together a realistic line-by-line estimate before you commit to booking a yacht rental in Turkey.
In Summary: A Transparent Tool for a Carefree Cruise
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is not a trick and not a way to earn extra money from clients. It is a standard international mechanism that makes yacht charter comfortable for everyone: you enjoy your holiday without thinking about petty cash, and the captain always has the resources to deliver outstanding service.
A well-calibrated APA means your week on the Turkish coast will have no financial surprises — and any unspent balance comes home with you in cash.
Planning a yacht charter in Turkey? The Brilions team will find the right vessel for your budget and route, prepare a realistic APA breakdown by category, and help you complete your Preference Form so that your holiday exceeds every expectation.
We operate across the entire Turkish coast: Bodrum · Göcek · Fethiye · Marmaris · Antalya · Kemer · Kaş
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