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 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 savor 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 appreciate) 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

Tips and Tricks to get the best Wilmington rental home experience:

Find your perfect vacation home:

• Summer months are the most expensive season in the Wilmington, NC area. To get the largest rental home for your budget, we strongly suggest reserving in Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, better selection, beautiful weather and the absence of large crowds at the beach and popular Wilmington, NC attractions. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer. 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 friends and family at the beach.
• Reserve your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many families book their Summer vacations during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Property managers sometimes offer special rates for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Property management companies usually offer renters an option to purchase trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed days as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for details.
• Many rental management companies supply Wilmington, NC area visitor guide magazines which include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of a relationship between the management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local gas stations and shopping centers.

Filter your search:

• First and foremost, have your family decide on a vacation week and a max budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the bed configuration your group requires. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific details about bedrooms and bed types is regularly accessible online. If not, contact the property owner before booking the vacation property. Remember that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• Looking for particular amenities? Most websites include search filters with amenity lists.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. .
• Some rental properties allow pets, and others do not. Acceptable types of family pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and additional charges may apply. Ask your host about allowable breeds and types before booking.

More tips for your stay:

• We recommend storing the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• To make sure that damages aren't attributed to your stay, make note of any problem areas during arrival. Contact the rental manager immediately to relay any pre-existing damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Hosts are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Be a good neighbor. Often, surrounding homes are filled by permanent residents. Respecting late-night noise limits and parking rules reduces conflict and allows everyone to enjoy their day.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help. Who better to ask where to find the fresh catch of the day, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Lock your vacation home while you are away. Keep your property safe!
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the rental to reconfirm you've collected everything. Remember to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the property a final time and look for any damage. We suggest walking through with the host whenever possible. If the host isn't available, ensure that you take photos of the property to record its condition.
• Leave a review! Hosts rely on great feedback to propel future bookings. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your experience find their best rental home. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to fix it.