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DIRECT BOOKING DISCOUNT
Found us on Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, or Sailo? You're looking at the source. Book direct with Big Apple Charters — same yacht, same crew, no platform markup.
If you found Big Apple Charters on Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, or Sailo — you've already found the best private yacht charter in New York City. Now do yourself one favor: book directly with us instead. Those platforms add 10–25% in booking fees on top of our charter rate. When you book direct, you get the same yacht, the same USCG-licensed crew, the same concierge experience — and you save hundreds of dollars that stay in your pocket, not theirs.
We’re New York City’s only woman-owned private yacht charter company, and we’ve been the preferred vendor for the city’s top hotels, concierge services, and event planners for years. Whether you’re planning a proposal, a birthday celebration, a corporate event, or simply want a private evening on the water, Big Apple Charters is the direct booking option — no broker, no markup, no runaround.
To lock in your direct rate, call or text us at 212-401-4031. Our team responds within the hour. Share your date, group size, and occasion — we'll match you with the right vessel at the best possible price.
THE DIRECT BOOKING ADVANTAGE
Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, and Sailo are legitimate discovery platforms — we list there because it's how guests find us. But those marketplaces charge booking fees of 10–25% that get layered on top of our charter rate. When you book directly through bigapplecharters.com or call us at 212-401-4031, you skip the markup entirely. On a $1,200 sunset charter, that's $150–$300 back in your pocket. Same boat. Same captain. Better price.
Our fleet covers every group size and occasion. The Manhattan Mermaid (up to 8 guests) is ideal for intimate experiences — date nights or small group sunset cruises. The Hudson Star (up to 12 guests) handles luxury gatherings with ease. The Skyline (up to 30 guests) is our flagship — a custom 2026 yacht with an indoor lounge, 65" TV, 10-foot bar, beautiful bathroom and Starlink internet. All three are available at direct rates when you book with us.
We're USCG-licensed, fully insured, and trusted by the concierge desks at Manhattan's most prestigious hotels. You can bring the food and drinks, or we can arrange full catering. And unlike what you see on the booking platforms, there are no surprise fees at checkout.
Chelsea Piers is one of the most convenient departure points in Manhattan — easily accessible from the West Village, Midtown, and beyond, with direct water access and a professional marina environment. We depart from Pier 59, right on the Hudson waterfront.
HOW IT WORKS
Call or text 212-401-4031, or submit an inquiry at bigapplecharters.com. Unlike booking on Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, or Sailo, you're talking directly to the owner and crew — not a platform. We respond within the hour and can answer any question about vessels, dates, and what's included.
Tell us your date, group size, and what you're celebrating. We'll confirm availability and send you our direct charter rate — no platform surcharges, no booking fees added on top. The most popular window is sunset (6–9 PM in summer), when the Manhattan skyline turns gold and city lights emerge on the return. Weekend dates fill fast from May through October.
Once you're happy with the details, we send a simple booking agreement and secure your date with a deposit. Add-ons — catering, florals, custom decor, photography — are all available. On the day of your charter, arrive at Chelsea Piers and step aboard. The crew handles everything from there.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
When you book direct with Big Apple Charters, what you're quoted is what you pay — period. No booking platform percentage tacked on at checkout. The Manhattan Mermaid, Hudson Star, and Skyline all have premium sound systems, coolers, and ice. BYOB is welcome on all vessels. Catering, florals, custom decor, and photography are available as add-ons. No marina fees, no broker surcharges, no platform markups.
Book direct. Keep the platform fees. Best price — guaranteed.
WHAT GUESTS SAY
★★★★★
"We booked the Hudson Star for a client entertainment evening and it was flawless. The captain was professional, the vessel was spotless, and the skyline views had everyone speechless. Our clients are still talking about it. This is the gold standard for luxury yacht rental in NYC."
— Derek W., Corporate Client, Midtown Manhattan
★★★★★
"I’ve chartered boats in Miami and the Hamptons and nothing compared to this experience. The team at Big Apple made our sunset cruise feel completely private and tailored — from the music to the route to the little touches that made it special. Worth every penny for a private yacht rental in NYC."
— Priya S., Private Charter Guest, Westchester
★★★★★
"I proposed on the Hudson and it was perfect. The captain kept to our plan exactly, the timing with the sunset was incredible, and my fiancée had no idea what was coming. Booking was easy, the communication was excellent, and the whole thing felt genuinely luxurious without being pretentious."
— Marcus T., Proposal Charter, Dallas
COMMON QUESTIONS
Yes — and you save money doing it. Those platforms add booking fees of 10–25% on top of our charter rate. When you book directly at bigapplecharters.com or call 212-401-4031, you pay our base rate with no platform surcharge. Same yacht, same licensed captain, same experience — at your best possible price. Direct booking is always the better deal.
On a typical charter ranging booking platform fees add $200–$600, or more. When you contact us directly, you pay no surcharges, no booking fees, no broker markup. It's the same boat, the same crew, the same experience, at a meaningfully better price. Many guests save hundreds simply by picking up the phone.
All Big Apple Charters depart from Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. It’s centrally located with easy subway and rideshare access, parking nearby, and dock facilities for boarding. We’ll send you a full logistics brief once your reservation is confirmed.
Yes — BYOB is welcome on all vessels. You’re free to bring your own beer, wine, spirits, and food. We provide coolers and ice. We can also arrange catering if you’d prefer not to bring your own.
Weekend dates during summer (June–September) book up 2 months in advance. Weekdays and shoulder-season dates are more flexible. We recommend booking as early as possible for milestone events like proposals, birthdays, or corporate outings — popular dates go fast.
Yes. All vessels are USCG-inspected and fully insured. Our captains hold active USCG master licenses and our company carries full commercial marine liability coverage. Big Apple Charters is a woman-owned business operating out of Chelsea Piers with a strong safety record across thousands of voyages.
BOOK DIRECT & SAVE
Call or text 212-401-4031 to book directly with Big Apple Charters. Found us on Boatsetter, GetMyBoat, or Sailo? Booking direct saves you hundreds in platform fees — same yacht, same crew, no markup. Tell us your date, group size, and what you're celebrating and we'll handle everything from there. Our team responds within the hour.
USCG-licensed · Woman-owned · No broker fees · No platform markups · Departing Chelsea Piers, Manhattan
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