Charter Provisioning: Purchase OR DIY?

There’s something about the sea air that revs an appetite. No wonder one of the most common questions when booking a bareboat charter is about provisioning.

There are two ways to stock the galley.

1. Do the shopping yourself.
2. Purchase a provisioning package.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages, yet both assure you’ll never go hungry.

Let’s take a look at both…DIY

“If you enjoy planning menus and preparing meals, it [a provisioning package] would take away this hands-on aspect as you’d be limited to what the charter company can provide,” explains Jules Norwood, vice president at Carolina Wind Yachting Center, in Washington, N.C. “Our charterers do their own provisioning.”

Shopping yourself allows the ultimate flexibility for both food and beverages.

“You pick exactly what you want and nothing more,” explains Ian Pedersen, assistant marketing manager at The Moorings, headquartered in Clearwater, Fla. “This is the best way to reduce cost and ensure there are not excessive amounts of food on board you may or may not consume.”

Over-shopping is a common mistake.

“It’s natural that you want a little bit of all of your favorites when you’re on holiday,” says Hannah Allison, base manager for Dream Yacht Charter’s base in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. However, “you do need to consider there is limited space onboard.”

It is good to find out in advance what your charter boat offers in terms of storage and galley equipment.

“You don’t want to plan for pizza and lasagna if the boat doesn’t have an oven, so it’s important to review the information about the boat and ask questions if needed,” says Carolina Wind’s Norwood.

Fortunately, most charter boats these days have galleys that are well equipped.

“All of the cooking equipment, utensils, pots and pans, cups and plates are provided with our charters,” says The Moorings’ Pedersen. “All of our yachts come equipped with a grill, oven and stove, and many also offer a microwave, toaster, blender, and coffee-maker. Our yachts also offer plenty of storage space, from the on-board refrigerator and freezer, to the complimentary portable ice chest included on every charter.”

Purchasing a Package

“Choosing a provisioning package can be a great way to maximize your actual sailing time during a limited vacation window, since the boat is stocked and ready to go when you arrive,” says Carolina Wind’s Norwood. “You don’t have to spend a morning or afternoon visiting a supermarket or chasing down the supplies you want.”

The Moorings, for example, offers a fairly comprehensive choice of provisioning packages. You can choose packages that provide everything you need to cook all meals onboard, or packages that stock only breakfast foods. Split provisioning packages, which provides for daily breakfasts, lunches and snacks and dinners for half the time aboard, are the most popular of the personalized provisioning options. The cost for a split provisioning package averages $29 per person per day.

“You specify how many guests will be on board and the duration of your charter, then you can choose your preferences for breakfast from eggs, bacon and sausage to cereal to yogurt and fresh fruit,” Pedersen explains. “Should you have special dietary needs, we have plenty of options to ensure everyone is accommodated. You can go so far as to specify your preference for type of milk, white or whole wheat bread, turkey bacon, etc. The same goes for lunch and dinner. We also offer a la carte options which allow you narrow down your selections even further.”

Beyond set packages, Dream Yacht Charters staff simply ask you for a shopping list via email prior to the charter. “The only thing you pay for is shopping time and the products bought,” Allison says.

Stop and Sample the Local Flavors!

No matter what your choice of provisioning, a highlight of any charter can be sampling the local fare. This means dining and shopping ashore.

“I would suggest once you have an itinerary in mind,” suggests Dream Yacht’s Allison, “discuss it with the base staff to get ideas for dining, and local markets to visit.”

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.