Basic on board savoir vivre:
In general, charter guests should not wear shoes on board the yacht. It is a good idea to inform your guests (first time cruising and ladies used to high heels) accordingly.
Pets are generally not allowed on board, unless specified.
Smoking is not allowed on board in the interior of the yacht. Mostly smoking is permitted in the outdoor areas.
Children should be taken care of and watched at all times by members of your charter party. Your crew cannot be substituted babysitters. Infants are allowed as supernumeraries up to 12 months. Over 1 year of age, your child is officially counted as a guests even if you have it sleep in an extra child bed.

You should know:
Most countries are very strict on motorized toys handling and allow the use of jet-skis, tenders and motorized toys only to holders of proper operating license. Your captain will risk serious fines and suspension anytime he would let a guest operate a watercraft without a proper license.
Your crew cannot be found responsible of any loss of valuables that you would not have declared upon embarkation. Therefore, it is suggested to advise your captain of your high value items and make use of his safe for safekeeping.
Gratuities are customary but not obligatory. However, a crew that has performed a good charter for you will be happy to be gratified with anything between 5 to 15% of the charter rate.
You are always welcome to hand the sum to the captain who is used to do the share within his crew. Otherwise, you can give him precise instructions or also gratify each member individually… it is totally up to you.
You broker would preferably not be implicated in the gratuities in order to avoid misunderstandings. This is the only case that should remain to be dealt directly between the charter and the crew.

Familiarize to the meaning of cruising ….
Respect the sea and trust your captain: Your charter captain is in principle doing the utmost to please you and to make your cruise be memorable and perfect.
But he is also in charge of your safety and the safety of the yacht and crew.
So you should be prepared that anything you may have planed in advance might be experiencing changes if the weather and conditions decide otherwise.
Prepare yourself to some % of surprise and changes… this is among the beauties of cruising anyhow.