Cabins before the itinerary
List which guests can share and which need separate beds or bathrooms. Day passenger capacity is not sleeping capacity. Ask for the actual cabin plan and crew accommodation, and discuss storage, air conditioning and access between decks where these affect the group.
Agree where the yacht can operate
Begin with Dubai and describe whether you prefer days cruising from a base or a trip that moves between permitted overnight locations. Wider cruising areas, port calls and one-way plans need separate confirmation for the vessel and dates. A week does not automatically include another emirate or an international itinerary.
Understand the full expense arrangement
Check the hire period and fee alongside fuel, provisions, berthing, crew services and any advance expense allowance or deposit. Ask how additional expenses are approved, documented and settled. Set a budget for the whole trip so meals, shore plans and time underway can be considered together.
Decide what a week aboard should feel like
A weekly enquiry can describe very different holidays. One group wants the yacht as its main living space, with meals and evenings aboard. Another expects frequent time ashore for restaurants, shopping or visits. Start with that preference before focusing on individual destinations.
Explain how often you would like to leave the yacht and whether each guest enjoys the same pace. This helps identify suitable accommodation, service and shore arrangements. A series of day cruises with hotel nights may meet some groups' needs more naturally than a liveaboard charter; compare the practical experience before choosing.
Allocate cabins before inviting everyone
Agree who shares which cabin while the booking is still being planned. Couples, children and friends may have different expectations about beds, privacy and bathroom access. A total sleeping capacity cannot explain whether the arrangement works for your particular party.
Request the berth configuration and usable cabin details for the specific yacht. Ask about storage and any shared facilities that matter to the group. If someone is expecting a private room, make that a requirement from the start. Reallocating cabins after invitations have been sent is much harder than choosing a suitable layout first.
Plan supplies around habits, not a shopping list
Provisioning is easier when the crew understands how you normally eat. Give an indication of breakfasts aboard, relaxed lunches, formal dinners and anticipated meals ashore. Separate essential dietary requirements from preferred brands or occasional treats, and name one person to consolidate the information.
Discuss how changes during the week are handled, including additional purchases and any costs that need your approval. Guests arriving with large quantities of their own food can create storage or preparation problems. A shared plan gives the crew a clearer basis for provisioning while leaving room for sensible adjustments.
Treat shore visits as part of the itinerary
Time ashore involves more than pointing to a place on a map. The yacht needs an agreed way for guests to disembark and return, and the group's plans must fit the vessel's operating arrangements. Restaurant reservations and transfers should follow the confirmed itinerary.
If some guests want separate evening plans, raise this before booking. Agree how the party will stay in contact and which return arrangements are available. Do not assume the yacht can wait at any waterfront venue or collect people wherever they finish their evening. A workable shore plan makes the week easier for both guests and crew.
