Yacht charters are booked on a whole-boat basis. This means whether your group consists of 2 people or 12, the fee paid will be for the yacht charter itself and is not determined by the number of occupied staterooms. Private yacht charter peaks at 12 guests per yacht because a charter is considered a “private yacht charter” according to the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) rules and regulations which state it carries 12 or fewer people. Cruise ships and other multi-cabin ships carry more than 12 guests, and operate under a different set of regulations.