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 charmingly 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 charmingly 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 conveniences 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

Tricks and tips to get the very best Wilmington, NC vacation property experience:

Sticking to a rental home budget:

• To find the best value, change your family's Wilmington, NC vacation week to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and October offer great temperatures, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic.
• In the Wilmington, NC area, The earlier your group can book a rental home, the easier your search will be. The most desirable rental homes are booked early. Reserving your vacation rental up to twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to plan and book your rental home.
• Property management companies sometimes offer discounts for veterans. Check with your property manager to see if special discounts are available for your family before you book.
• Property managers typically offer renters an option to add trip insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly costs between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed days as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for additional information.
• Often, rental management companies and vacation rental houses supply Wilmington, NC area visitor guide magazines which include coupons, either offered directly by local businesses, or by way of a partnership between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Filter your search:

• Start by choosing vacation dates and a spending budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the configuration your family requires. 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.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed counts is regularly accessible on booking websites. If not, email the property owner before reserving the vacation home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks.
• If there's a certain Wilmington, NC beach you love, keep an eye out for properties that are either near by, or those that cater to your needs.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.
• Some rental properties allow pets, but some don't. Allowable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added costs may apply. Ask the property management company about allowable breeds and types before booking.

Tips for your stay:

• Store the owner's information in your smartphone.
• At Check-in, make note of any damages to the property and immediately alert the host. Record all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, A/V setup or appliance. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief phone call can prevent lots of concerns.
• Don't forget to respect your neighbors. Often, surrounding homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting noise limits and parking rules reduces conflict and allows everyone to enjoy their day.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Local residents can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to find the best seashells, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are away, just like you would at home.
• At departure, complete a walk-through to confirm you have not leave anything behind. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We suggest walking through with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the manager is not available, take video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did your group have a great time? Many rental home management companies make it easy for vacationers to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or host was terrific, they would love to hear about it. If anything was wrong 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.