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 gorgeously 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 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

Tricks and tips to get the perfect Wilmington vacation property experience:

When to book & When to go:

• Reserve your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules usually become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer rentals during holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To get the best value, consider shifting your group's trip dates to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and even October offer warmer temperatures, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special rate.
• Management companies and individual rental owners often offer customers an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which normally costs 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Often, management companies and vacation rental houses supply Cape Fear area area travel guides which include special deals, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a partnership between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Narrow your Search:

• Start by selecting your vacation dates and a spending budget.
• Determine how many beds and the bed configuration your group needs. 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 rental home search.
• Precise information regarding bedrooms and bed counts & types is often accessible online. Otherwise, email the host before you reserve the vacation property. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds and bunks. You'll need to establish which bed configuration is right for your vacation family.
• If your family is traveling with pets, you'll need to find a rental that allows animals. Request specifics on breed, weight, and type requirements. Note that some property managers charge pet deposits and fees.
• Visiting for a specific attraction or event? If so, use a map search to locate nearby rentals.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair accessibility, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.

Advice for your stay:

• Put the host's contact information in your smartphone.
• Hosts are there to help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your things!) by locking the property when you are out, just like you would at home.
• Record any issues with the property upon arrival, and immediately contact the owner. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain time stamps that can be beneficial if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. You will magnify your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often a great resource to find the best local scenic spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to find the best bike paths, have a great night out, or the best spots for shopping?
• On check-out day, complete a final walk-through to make sure you did not forget anything. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Clean out 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.
• Remember to leave a review! Property managers rely on excellent feedback to inspire future reservations. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationing families will appreciate that you share your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to remedy it.