What Is the APA and Why Is It Your Best Ally on a Superyacht?

If you are looking at our fleet of superyachts or large catamarans for a week exploring the coves of Ibiza and Formentera, you will have seen three letters that appear again and again: APA.

At first glance, it may sound like a boring technical term or, worse, a hidden extra charge. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the world of high-end yachting, the APA — Advance Provisioning Allowance — is the tool that allows you to stop worrying about money from the moment you step onto the passerelle.

Here is why, if you are looking for exclusivity, the APA is your best friend.

The yacht charter covers the boat and the crew. But what about that French champagne you love so much? Or the caviar for dinner under the stars? And the fuel to reach that secret corner of Tagomago?

The APA is a fund — usually 30% or 35% of the charter price — that is deposited before departure. With that money, the captain makes sure that when you arrive on board, your favourite gin is cold, the water toys are fully fuelled and the pantry is stocked exactly to your taste. You do not take out your wallet throughout the entire trip.

Here on the island, we like things to flow. The captain is the administrator of that fund. He keeps meticulous accounts of every litre of diesel and every beach club reservation he manages for you.

• If there is money left over: every last cent is returned to you at the end of the charter. As simple as that.
• If you get carried away: because in Ibiza it is easy to let yourself go with the moment, the captain will let you know if the fund is running low so you can top it up. No surprises at the end.

Imagine that halfway through the week you decide you do not want to have dinner ashore, but would rather have the chef prepare a private barbecue on deck while the sun sets over Es Vedrà. With the APA, the captain simply makes it happen. No interim invoices, no urgent bank transfers. The APA is your freedom to improvise.

For us, the APA is the secret to a successful charter. It allows our crew to work ahead of time so that, when you arrive at Marina Botafoch, the boat feels like your own home, with your favourite brands and personal touches ready and waiting.

Do not see it as an expense; see it as the engine that makes everything you imagine happen without you having to lift a finger. Because on an Eivillas superyacht, your only job is to decide whether you would rather swim before or after the aperitif.