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

Strategies to get the optimal vacation home experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer is the most expensive season in Wilmington. Booking a rental in Spring or Fall is our best tip for saving money on your rental home. Rates are lower, and you'll find a better selection of acceptable properties. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during June, July, and August.
• In the Wilmington, NC area, The sooner you can book a vacation home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked early. Reserving your vacation home six - twelve months before your vacation is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to search for and book your vacation rental.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host if your family qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for specifics.
• Often, management companies supply Wilmington, NC area travel guides which will include money-saving offers, either offered independently by local businesses, or through a partnership between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Make a plan and choose yourvacation home:

• Start by selecting your potential vacation weeks and a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group 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 rentals search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly accessible on booking websites. If they are not listed, reach out to the property management company before booking the vacation home. Remember that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull-out couches and bunk beds.
• Visiting for a single event? Use a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Confirm all necessary amenities are included before booking.
• Traveling with pets? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Remember to ask the property manager before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional pet fees or charges could be applied to your contract.

Have a fantastic stay:

• Add the owner's information to your smartphone. Understand and take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• To ensure that damages aren't attributed to your family's stay, record any problem areas when you arrive. Contact the property manager immediately to document your findings. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having a record of issues and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a hot tub, television set or appliance. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent many difficulties.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud vacationers bothering your peaceful home. Use the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great local food and attractions you would have never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can typically help. Who better to ask where to order the best nachos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fishing?
• Protect the property owner (and your stuff!) by locking the property while you are out, just like you would at home.
• Double-check every room of the rental property to make sure that you've packed all of your belongings at check-out. Make sure to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Did your group have a excellent stay? Most rental websites make it easy for clients to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property management company was fantastic, they would love to hear about it. If anything was imperfect and they failed to correct it in a reasonable manner, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.