Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 5
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 Bathrooms
• House boat

This attractively furnished 48' Hatteras yacht offers a unique experience to stay directly on the Cape Fear River. In the heart of historic downtown Wilmington, it is on the famed "River Walk" and attractively located between the Convention Center and the new Live Oak Pavilion Amphitheater at Riverfront Park. Walk to stores, eateries, bars and live music.

Boasting one of the best docks in the private Port City Marina, you will have an unprecedented view of the river and the Battleship North Carolina. Sit on the aft deck and watch spectacular sunsets. The upper helm provides open air, lofty vistas and can be closed in inclement weather.

Onboard, you will appreciate all the amenities of home and far more amenities than a hotel room including a main salon (living room), full galley (kitchen) with glassware, dishes, full size refrigerator, microwave, stove and coffee maker. Boat includes ample storage/closet space, "shore power" (i.e., full electricity), AC and heat, hot/cold water, and linens/towels. There are three TVs with DVDs (master, aft-deck and salon) and two Firesticks.

There are multiple options for sleeping arrangements:
- The aft captains' quarters with a queen bed,
- Forward V-berth with 2 bunk beds,
- Aft deck sleeper couch with privacy curtains and
- Main salon sleeper couch.

While there is ample room for more, we recommend three guests for max. comfort. Only a total of four guests (five on a case-by-case basis with pre-approval) are allowed to sleep aboard. An additional fee of $50 per person per nighttime is added for a fourth or fifth guest.

It is imperative that we meet guests at the boat to give an orientation. Therefore, we kindly ask you arrive no later than 6:00 pm. We realize things can come, so we ask for refreshed ETA's on day of arrival.

While there are not a lot of steps on the Southern Cross, they are STEEP. It helps to be fit and flexible. If you have any knee, hip or other mobility issues, we recommend you choose other accommodations. When booking, if you would please include a note indicating "Yes, we are in good physical condition", we will be much quicker in accepting the reservation.

Port City Marina is just a short 10 mile drive to Wrightsville Beach and the ocean. Less than an hour drive to Fort Fisher, the NC Aquarium, South Port and so much more! Something for everybody!!

Guests will have full access to all areas of the yacht, but please do not touch any of the dials, knobs or instruments on the helm. We do not allow the boat to be taken out of the slip. Your rental is specifically for staying aboard overnight. Several boat charters are available close by.

The dock is located at the end of a pier so there are no boats on either side, offering unusual privacy. We ask that you limit the number of guests on the boat and/or dock to 8 (overnight guests 4; 5 with special permission). There is ample space off the boat for friends and family to gather close by. The boat is not suitable for kids. No guests allowed under the age of 16. Please note the boat is on water so seasickness can happen.

There are two heads (bathrooms) on board each with a toilet and sink. The captain's quarters also has a shower. The marina has a brand-new owner's lounge with bathrooms and showers. We ask (and savor) guests using the marina facility when possible to reduce the need for pump out of the boats onboard holding container.

About the Area

Located on the waterfront, this houseboat is in Downtown Wilmington, a neighborhood in Wilmington. Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Wilmington Railroad Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Children's Museum of Wilmington and Carolina Heights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College or Legion Stadium. With motor boating, surfing/body boarding, and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

Note from host: Non-shedding pets approved on a case-by-case basis

Finding the best rental home experience:

Finding your best deal:

• Summer months are high season in Wilmington. Book your rental in Spring or Fall to get the benefit of beautiful weather while saving money and avoiding crowded roads, restaurants, and activities. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• In the Wilmington, NC area, The sooner your group can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental properties are booked very early. Reserving your rental property six - twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to search for and reserve your rental property.
• Hosts sometimes offer discounts for active duty military and veterans. Make sure to check with your property manager to see if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Booking websites frequently offer their guests an option to purchase vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel stay or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for details.
• Find a copy of your local Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, travel guides contain discounts for local restaurants, attractions, and tours.

How to choose and book the perfectvacation home:

• Choose a designated group leader, choose your trip dates, and choose a max budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the bed configuration your family needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is regularly accessible on booking pages. Otherwise, email the property manager before you reserve the rental. Note that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull out couches in living rooms. You'll need to determine what configuration is best for your vacation family.
• Are you visiting for a single attraction? Use a map search to locate nearby rentals.
• Suitable accessibility can make or break a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before booking
• Remember to include your furry companions! Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Extra fees or costs may be applied to your contract.

More considerations for your visit:

• Take a copy of the property manager's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your rental. We recommend storing the manager's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• To ensure that no damages are linked to your family's stay, inspect the rental for any problem areas upon check in. Contact the host immediately to record any damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask any questions during your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disagreeable vacationers disrupting your life at home. Apply the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great restaurants and scenic spots you would have not otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can frequently help. Who better to ask where to get the best breakfast in town, have a great night out, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking and securing the home while you are away, just like you would at home.
• Double-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all belongings at departure. Remember to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and look for damage. We suggest inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take video and pictures of the property to record its condition.
• Did your family have a wonderful vacation? Most vacation rental websites make it easy for customers to provide comments. If your rental and/or host was great, they would love to hear it. If anything was out of order and they failed to correct it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.