There's a moment on every holiday charter when someone in the group goes quiet and just looks out at the water. The champagne is poured. The skyline is behind you. The sun is doing something extraordinary on the horizon. And it becomes clear that this is the best holiday decision they've ever made.
We've been running holiday charters in Fort Lauderdale for over 15 years. Thanksgiving dinners on the Intracoastal. Christmas morning runs to the Bahamas. New Year's Eve countdowns with the Fort Lauderdale skyline glittering in the background. Every one of them is different. Every one of them is memorable in a way that a restaurant reservation or a hotel party simply isn't.
Here's how to plan yours.
Why the Holidays Are Perfect for a Charter
The logic is simple: the holidays are when you most want to do something special, and Fort Lauderdale in November and December is at its absolute best.
The weather is ideal — temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s, low humidity, clear skies, and the kind of light that makes everything look like it was shot for a travel magazine. The water is calm. The Bahamas are 50 miles away. And unlike a restaurant or a venue, a private yacht gives you complete control over your experience — the guest list, the menu, the itinerary, and the pace.
There's also something genuinely freeing about spending a holiday on the water. No traffic. No crowds. No waiting for a table. Just your group, your crew, and the open Atlantic.
Thanksgiving on the Water
Thanksgiving is one of our most popular charter days, and it books out early. The appeal is obvious: instead of cooking for hours and cleaning up afterward, you board a 60-foot yacht, your crew handles everything, and Chef James prepares a full Thanksgiving spread on the water.
A typical Thanksgiving charter runs as a full-day experience — departing mid-morning, cruising the Intracoastal or heading offshore, and sitting down to dinner as the sun sets over the water. The menu is fully customizable: traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings, or something more adventurous if your group prefers.
For families with children, the half-day option works beautifully — a morning or afternoon on the water, with the flexibility to continue the celebration ashore in the evening.
Thanksgiving availability is extremely limited. We typically have only two or three slots open on the day itself. If you're planning a Thanksgiving charter, reach out as early as possible.
Christmas Charters: Morning, Afternoon, or Overnight
Christmas charters have a different energy than Thanksgiving — more intimate, often smaller groups, and frequently oriented around a specific experience rather than a meal.
Some of our most memorable Christmas charters have been:
- Christmas morning Bahamas runs — departing at sunrise, crossing to Bimini or the Berry Islands, and spending Christmas Day anchored in turquoise water with snorkeling, swimming, and a champagne lunch.
- Christmas Eve sunset charters — a three-hour golden-hour cruise along the Intracoastal, with the Fort Lauderdale mansions lit up for the holidays and a bottle of something excellent.
- Multi-day Christmas getaways — for groups who want to spend several days on the water, an overnight charter to the Bahamas over Christmas is an experience that becomes a family tradition.
The catamaran is particularly popular for Christmas charters — the wide beam and spacious deck make it feel like a floating living room, and the stability is ideal for guests who aren't regular sailors.
New Year's Eve: The Most Spectacular Night of the Year
If there's one night when a private yacht charter is the obvious choice, it's New Year's Eve.
Fort Lauderdale's waterfront comes alive on December 31st. Fireworks launch from multiple points along the Intracoastal and the beach. The mega-yachts are lit up. The city is celebrating. And from the deck of a private yacht, you have a front-row seat to all of it — without the crowds, the noise, or the $500-per-person restaurant minimums.
A New Year's Eve charter typically runs from around 8 PM to midnight or beyond. We position the yacht for the best view of the fireworks, your crew handles the champagne service, and you ring in the new year exactly the way you want to.
New Year's Eve is our most requested date of the year. We often have a waiting list by October. If this is on your list, don't wait.
Planning Your Holiday Charter
A few things to know as you plan:
Book early. Holiday dates — especially Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve — fill months in advance. We recommend reaching out at least 6–8 weeks before your preferred date, and earlier if possible.
Customize the menu. Chef James works with each group to design a menu that fits the occasion. Dietary restrictions, preferences, and special requests are all accommodated. For holiday charters, we recommend finalizing the menu at least two weeks in advance.
Choose your vessel. The 60 ft Prestige Flybridge is ideal for groups who want a full salon, twin staterooms, and a flybridge for panoramic views. The 60 ft Fountaine Pajot catamaran offers more deck space and is particularly well-suited for larger groups or guests who want a more open-air experience.
Consider the itinerary. For most holiday charters, we recommend discussing your preferred experience with Captain Vasquez before the day — whether that's a Bahamas crossing, an Intracoastal cruise, an offshore run, or a combination. He'll advise on what's realistic given the weather and timing.
Pricing and Availability
Holiday charter pricing follows our standard rates:
- Sunset Charter (3 hours): From $1,350
- Half-Day Charter (4–5 hours): From $1,800
- Full-Day Charter (8–10 hours): From $3,200
Overnight and multi-day charters are priced separately — contact us for details.
All charters include professional crew, fuel, and standard provisioning. Gourmet catering by Chef James is available for full-day and overnight charters and is highly recommended for holiday bookings.
Reserve Your Holiday Date
The best way to secure a holiday date is to call us directly. We can check availability immediately and hold a date with a deposit while you finalize your plans.
Phone: (754) 223-9657
Email: info@azureyachtcharters.net
Hours: Monday–Sunday, 7 AM–7 PM EST
View our current winter charter packages and availability — holiday dates are listed and can be reserved directly through the inquiry form.
The holidays come once a year. Make this one count.