Frequently Asked Questions

No. Competent Crew is designed for complete beginners. We teach in a practical, supportive environment.

At Yacht Haven Marina in northern Phuket. Boarding is available from Sunday evening before the course.

Onboard accommodation is included on our five-day CC, DSP and CSP practical courses.

Initial courses are delivered in English. Simplified Chinese support and content will follow.

You will receive the relevant RYA course certificate when you complete the course and demonstrate the required standard. Practical courses such as Competent Crew and Day Skipper are continuously assessed. Yachtmaster Preparation is training rather than a qualification; the Yachtmaster certificate is awarded only after passing the separate examination.

Our initial practical courses use Andaman Cruise 2, a well-maintained Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS based at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. She has three double cabins, a galley sofa, two heads and air conditioning, and is equipped and operated for RYA training. Your confirmed course run and joining instructions identify the assigned yacht.

Our students come from around the world, with an expected mix of roughly 60% from Europe and the Americas and 40% from Asia-Pacific. You may train alongside complete beginners, developing skippers or experienced sailors, depending on the compatible courses running that week.

RYA sail-cruising practical weeks are limited to a maximum of five students aboard our training yacht. Yachtmaster Preparation and examination programmes have a maximum of four candidates. Actual groups may be smaller, and the school may further limit advanced-course numbers to protect training quality.

The training yacht has a practical galley and onboard dining space. Meals, drinks and personal provisions are not included in the standard course price unless specifically selected. We collect dietary needs and allergies through the participant form and confirm provisioning arrangements in your joining instructions.

Bring lightweight quick-drying clothing, non-marking shoes with good grip, sun protection, a hat, a reusable water bottle and a light waterproof layer. Use soft luggage rather than a hard suitcase, and bring any personal medication and required travel documents. Your joining instructions provide the complete course-specific list.

Your instructor gives feedback throughout the course and helps you work on any weaker areas. An RYA course certificate can only be issued when the required standard is demonstrated. If you need more experience, we will explain what to practise and recommend appropriate additional training or a future course; Yachtmaster examinations are assessed separately by an independent examiner.

Online card bookings are paid securely through Stripe. Bank transfer is also available; when a course starts at least 90 days after booking, an eligible transfer booking may pay a 30% deposit with the remaining 70% due 60 days before the course. Otherwise, full payment is required. The checkout shows the payment methods and currencies currently available for your booking.

Courses depart from Phuket Yacht Haven Marina, around 20 minutes by road from Phuket International Airport. You can travel by taxi or pre-arranged transfer, and an airport pickup can be added during booking for €30 per trip. Exact arrival, marina and boarding information is provided in the joining instructions.

Yes, subject to course suitability and availability. Couples can book the same course run and select the two-person shared-cabin tariff. If you have different experience levels, compatible courses such as Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical may sometimes train aboard the same yacht during the same week.

Private yacht charters in Phuket start from around 29,900 THB (≈ US$1,000 / €800) for a day trip and from €1,000 per night for overnight cruises. The final price depends on yacht type, group size, and season. Contact us for a tailored Phuket yacht charter quote.

Yes, absolutely. Day charters are the most popular option and perfect for exploring destinations like Phi Phi, Racha, or Phang Nga Bay. Check our Phuket day yacht charters.

It depends on the vessel. For day charters, boats can accommodate anywhere from a few people up to 100+ guests. For overnight charters, capacity usually depends on cabins — a typical catamaran sleeps around 8, while larger yachts and superyachts can host much bigger groups. Explore our fleet for exact capacities.

Phuket has two main seasons: – High season (Nov–Apr): Dry weather, calm seas, northeast winds — this is generally the best time for charters. – Green season (May–Oct): More rain (often at night), southwest winds — fewer crowds and lower prices. Both seasons have advantages depending on your preference. Read our Phuket yacht charter guide for more details.

It depends on the vessel. With Cruise Asia, we always include a chef, meals, and soft drinks on day charters. On overnight charters, food is included but drinks can vary by yacht. Alcohol and special requests can be arranged at extra cost. Learn more about our Phuket yacht catering options.

The easiest way is to WhatsApp or email us. WhatsApp is usually the fastest, but we reply to emails within a few hours. To speed things up, let us know your group size, travel dates, and what type of experience you're looking for — we’ll then suggest the best yacht and itinerary. Start your booking here: contact Cruise Asia.

All our Phuket yacht charters include yacht rental, professional crew, fuel allowance, fresh water, drinking water, and snorkeling gear. Higher-end yachts often include more, such as alcohol or hotel–marina transfers. With Cruise Asia, a chef and high-quality meals are always included on selected charters, which many guests highlight as one of the best parts of their trip. Learn more about our Phuket yacht services.

Yes, and this is our specialty. Only a portion of Phuket's yachts are fully equipped and maintained for high-quality overnight charters. Cruise Asia is one of the operators focusing on multi-day charters. See our overnight yacht charter options.

This depends on the vessel type and trip duration. – Day sailing catamarans: Nearby islands like Koh Racha, Koh Mai Thon, or Coral Island. – Day power catamarans: Longer range — Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Racha Noi. – Overnight trips: Similan Islands, Butang Islands, and in some cases even up to Myanmar when conditions and regulations allow. Discover more about our Phuket yacht charter destinations.

We offer sailing monohulls, sailing catamarans, power yachts, superyachts, and platform catamarans. For most guests, catamarans are recommended: they’re more stable, comfortable, and spacious due to their two-hull design. See our Phuket catamaran charters.

Yes. For all our regular charters, a licensed captain and professional crew are always included. The only exception is bareboat charters, which require proper sailing licenses and experience. Explore our Phuket bareboat charters.