Mallorca Yacht Charter APA Explained: What Does It Cover?
Introduction
When booking a Mallorca yacht charter, you will often see an additional amount called APA, or Advance Provisioning Allowance.
APA is not an extra fee paid to the yacht owner. It is a spending account used to cover the variable costs of your charter, such as fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, and other guest-related expenses.
For most luxury yacht charters in Mallorca, APA is typically around 25% to 35% of the base charter fee, although some yachts may require more.
What Does APA Mean on a Yacht Charter?
APA stands for Advance Provisioning Allowance.
Before your charter begins, you transfer an agreed percentage of the base charter fee into an account managed by the captain.
The captain then uses this money to pay the expenses created specifically by your trip.
This means the yacht can be provisioned and operated according to your itinerary, food preferences, cruising plans, and marina choices.
How Much Is APA on a Mallorca Yacht Charter?
APA is commonly around:
25% to 35% of the base charter fee
For example:
Base charter fee: €100,000
APA at 30%: €30,000
You would therefore transfer €30,000 as the initial operating allowance before embarkation.
Larger motor yachts, fuel-intensive itineraries, or charters involving premium marinas may require a higher APA.
What Does APA Cover?
APA usually covers most variable expenses generated during your charter, including:
Yacht fuel
Tender fuel
Food
Soft drinks
Wine and other beverages
Marina and berthing fees
Shore transfers
Special provisioning
Local transport
Certain activities arranged through the yacht
Other guest-related expenses
The amount ultimately spent depends entirely on how you use the yacht.
Is Fuel Included in APA?
Yes.
Fuel is usually one of the biggest expenses paid from the APA.
A sailing yacht or catamaran cruising gently around Mallorca may use relatively little fuel.
A large motor yacht cruising frequently between Palma, Port d'Andratx, Port de Sóller, Cala d'Or, Cabrera, or even Ibiza and Menorca can consume considerably more.
Cruising speed also affects fuel costs.
Is Food Included in APA?
Yes.
Food and drinks requested for your charter are generally purchased using the APA.
Before embarkation, you will usually complete a preference sheet covering:
Favourite foods
Dietary requirements
Allergies
Drinks
Wines
Champagne
Children's preferences
Special requests
The chef and crew then provision the yacht accordingly.
Premium wines, Champagne, specialist ingredients, and other luxury requests can increase provisioning costs.
Are Marina Fees Included in APA?
Yes.
Marina and berthing fees are normally paid from the APA.
This can be an important expense in Mallorca, particularly in premium marinas around Palma, Puerto Portals, Port Adriano, Port d'Andratx, and other popular destinations during peak summer.
Larger yachts generally pay higher berth fees.
Spending more nights at anchor can help reduce marina costs.
Does APA Cover Restaurants and Activities Ashore?
Sometimes.
If the captain or crew arranges transfers, activities, or other services on your behalf, these expenses may be paid from the APA.
However, personal shopping, restaurant bills paid directly by guests, nightlife, and other private expenses are usually separate.
Your captain or charter broker can explain how specific arrangements will be handled.
What Happens If You Do Not Spend the Full APA?
Any unused balance is normally returned to you after the charter.
The captain keeps records of the charter expenses and prepares a final account.
For example:
APA deposited: €30,000
Actual expenses: €24,000
Unused balance: €6,000
The remaining €6,000 would normally be returned.
What Happens If the APA Runs Out?
If your expenses exceed the original allowance, you will be asked to add more funds.
This can happen if you:
Cruise longer distances
Use a large motor yacht extensively
Stay in premium marinas
Request expensive wines or provisions
Add extra transfers or activities
Change the itinerary significantly
The captain will normally keep you informed if spending is approaching the original APA amount.
Is APA the Same as VAT?
No.
APA and VAT are completely separate.
For a standard Mallorca yacht charter, Spanish VAT is generally charged at 21% on the base charter fee.
APA is then added separately to cover your variable operating expenses.
A typical payment structure may therefore include:
Base charter fee + 21% VAT + APA
Crew gratuity is generally considered separately.
Is APA the Same as a Crew Tip?
No.
APA pays for charter expenses.
Crew gratuity is discretionary and is normally considered at the end of the charter if you are happy with the service.
The tip does not come from the APA unless specifically arranged.
Imagine you charter a yacht for:
Base charter fee: €150,000
If the APA is 30%:
APA: €45,000
That money might be used for:
Fuel
Food and beverages
Marina fees
Tender operations
Shore arrangements
Other charter expenses
If only €38,000 is spent, approximately €7,000 would normally be returned.
If expenses exceed €45,000, the allowance would need to be replenished.
How Can You Keep APA Costs Lower?
If controlling your total charter budget is important, discuss your priorities before embarkation.
You can reduce operating expenses by considering:
Shorter cruising distances
More nights at anchor
Moderate cruising speeds
Fewer premium marina stays
Clear provisioning preferences
A catamaran or sailing yacht instead of a large motor yacht
Your broker and captain should be able to give you a realistic idea of expected spending based on your itinerary.
How Much APA Should You Budget in Mallorca?
As a simple guide:
€30,000 yacht: approximately €7,500 to €10,500 APA
€60,000 yacht: approximately €15,000 to €21,000 APA
€100,000 yacht: approximately €25,000 to €35,000 APA
€250,000 yacht: approximately €62,500 to €87,500 APA
The actual percentage depends on the yacht.
Remember that APA is not automatically spent in full. It is simply money placed on account for the expenses generated during your charter.
Ready for an Unforgettable Yacht Charter in Mallorca?
At All Blue Yachting, our expertise comes from genuine experience at sea. Many of our brokers have lived and worked aboard yachts themselves, giving them first-hand insight into every aspect of the charter experience.
From your initial enquiry to the final day of your journey, we’re here to guide you through every step with trusted advice, personalised recommendations, and seamless support throughout your charter.
- We take the time to understand your vision and bring it to life.
- We handpick the finest yachts tailored to your preferences.
- We manage all paperwork and secure transactions for complete peace of mind.
- We design personalised itineraries built around your travel style.
- We support you every step of the way, from enquiry to final accounts.
