3 November 2026 · 5 min read
APA explained: what the Advance Provisioning Allowance really covers
The single most misunderstood line on a charter proposal, decoded with real numbers from a week in Gökova.
Every charter proposal has a line that newcomers stare at: APA. It is not a fee and it is not a tip; it is your running account on board.
What goes in
Fuel for the yacht and its tenders, food and drink exactly as you request it, port and marina fees, water, electricity ashore, laundry, communication charges beyond the standard Wi-Fi, and shore excursions the crew arrange for you.
What a week looks like
On a 40-metre motor yacht in Gökova, a family of ten that cruised moderately and dined on board most nights used roughly 22% of the charter fee: half of it fuel, a third provisioning, the rest marina nights in Yalıkavak and Bodrum. On a gulet with a sail up, the fuel line shrinks dramatically.
How it is settled
The captain keeps every receipt. On the last evening you review the statement together, and the unspent balance is refunded to you. If spending exceeds the allowance, a top-up is requested in advance, never as a surprise.
