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 delightfully 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 appealingly 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. Battleship North Carolina and Live Oak Bank Pavilion are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Wilmington Railroad Museum and Children's Museum of Wilmington. 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

Tips and Tricks for getting the best Wilmington, NC vacation home experience:

Getting the most from your spending budget:

• To find the best value, change your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and October offer warmer temperatures, fewer crowds, and reduced traffic. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Book your vacation home as early as possible. Rental schedules usually open a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rentals during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Some property management companies offer special rates for veterans and active duty military. Check with your host or property manager to see if special discounts are available for your group before you book.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer customers an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which usually costs 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for more information.
• Find a copy of your local Wilmington, NC area magazine upon checking in. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local information, travel guides contain discounts for nearby restaurants, attractions, and tours.

Use filters to search efficiently:

• First, have your family select the best dates and a max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your group needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed types is commonly accessible online. If they are not listed, reach out to the property manager before reserving your home. Remember that most listings specify the max. guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds in living rooms. You'll need to work out what is suitable for your vacation family.
• If there's a certain Wilmington, NC attraction you love, keep an eye out for rentals that are either close by, or those that cater to your desires.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for the less-mobile. .
• Are you bringing the family pet? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your rental agreement! Pet fees or may be applied to your invoice.

Tips to have a great stay:

• Put the owner's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• At Check-in, note any damages to the property and immediately alert the host. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Feel free to ask questions during your stay.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disagreeable vacationers bothering your peaceful neighborhood. Employ the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and places you would've never otherwise known!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can often 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?
• Lock your rental home while you are out and about. Protect your property!
• Double-check every room of the rental property to make sure that you've packed all belongings on check-out day. Make sure to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Leave a review! Hosts rely on good feedback to inspire future bookings. They'll be thankful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other families will will be grateful for your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.