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 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 savor 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 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

How to get the best Wilmington vacation rental experience:

When to go & When to reserve a rental home:

• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups book their Summer rental homes during holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To get the largest vacation home for your budget, we highly recommend booking in Fall or Spring months. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, greater selection, beautiful weather and the absence of large crowds at Brunswick area restaurants, tours, and activities. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Brunswick area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with loved ones at your favorite beach.
• Property managers sometimes offer discounts or promotional rates for veterans and active duty military. Remember to ask your property manager if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Booking websites frequently offer renters an option to obtain vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for more information.
• Look for your local Brunswick area area magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental property doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great information, visitor guide magazines contain deals for nearby accommodations and attractions.

Planning and picking the best Brunswick area rental home:

• Start by having your group select dates and a max budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your family needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is almost always available on booking pages. Otherwise, call the property management company before you reserve your home. Remember that most properties list maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds and bunks. You will need to work out which bed configuration is suitable for your vacation family.
• If your family is traveling with pets, you must book a rental that allows animals. Make sure to ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Usually, property managers require additional pet deposits and fees.
• If there's a particular Brunswick area attraction you love, look for rentals that are either nearby, or those that cater especially to your desires.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Remember to confirm all necessary amenities are included before booking

Advice for a terrific stay:

• Add the property manager's information to your phone. Take a copy of arrival/departure procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, television set or WIFI setup. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents a lot of difficulties.
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your things!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are out, just like you would at home.
• Record any damages to the property upon arrival, and immediately contact the property manager. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that can be beneficial if a dispute arises.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay more pleasurable. You will increase your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are usually an excellent resource to find the best local spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can frequently help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Re-check every room of the property to confirm that you've packed all of your belongings at departure. Remember to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Remember to leave a review! Property managers rely on great reviews to compel more bookings. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something went wrong, other vacationers will will be grateful for your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.