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

Strategies to get the perfect rental experience:

Get the most from your vacation rental budget:

• Summer time is high season in the Cape Fear area area. Booking a rental in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons is our favorite way to save money on your vacation. Rental rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable properties. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• The earlier you can reserve a vacation rental, the easier your search will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are booked very early. Reserving your vacation home six to twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and reserve your rental property.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner if your vacationing group qualifies for a discount.
• Booking websites usually offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for more information.
• Look for your local Cape Fear area area magazine upon checking in. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great articles, visitor guide magazines contain discounts for nearby accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Use filters to search efficiently:

• Select your vacation dates and max budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your group requires. 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 Cape Fear area rental home search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is normally available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, call the host before you book the property. Note that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which often includes sofa beds and bunks. You will need to establish what is best for your vacation family.
• If there's a specific Cape Fear area attraction you love, look for rentals that are either nearby, or those that cater to your requirements.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. .
• If your family is bringing pets, you'll need to find a pet-friendly vacation rental. Ask for details on breed, size, and type restrictions. Be aware that some hosts charge additional pet fees.

More considerations:

• Add the owner's phone number to your smartphone. Take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• To ensure that no damages are linked to your family's stay, inspect the rental for any problem areas upon your arrival. Get in touch with the rental manager immediately to relay your findings. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be useful.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a hot tub, television set or washer/dryer. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief phone call can prevent quite a few concerns.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like loud vacationers bothering your quiet neighborhood. Employ the golden rule for best judgement. If they like you, locals might even recommend great local food and attractions you would've never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can often help. Who better to ask where to rent beach equipment, have a great night out, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your stuff!) by locking the property while you are away, just like you would back home.
• Double-check the vacation property to make sure that you've packed all of your belongings on check-out day. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental a final time and keep an eye out for damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager is not available, take photos and video of the property to record its condition.
• Did you have a wonderful vacation? Most rental management companies make it easy for clients to provide reviews. If your rental and/or host was fantastic, they will likely appreciate your kind words. If anything was imperfect and they failed to address it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.