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 elegantly 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

Tricks and tips to get the best Cape Fear area rental home experience:

Find your perfect rental:

• Reserve your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open a year in advance (or in September just after Summertime ends). Many groups reserve their Summer vacation rentals during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Book your Cape Fear area rental home in the Spring or Fall to get the benefit of beautiful weather while saving money and avoiding crowded roads, restaurants, and activities. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to book a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during June, July, and August.
• Some hosts offer promotional rates for veterans and active duty military. Ask your host or property manager if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Booking websites often offer customers an option to purchase trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which usually costs between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local Cape Fear area area magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental home doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great information, visitor guide magazines have offers and deals for local accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Narrow your rental Search:

• Select dates and 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.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed types is often accessible on booking websites. Otherwise, contact the property manager before booking the home. Note that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which often includes pull out couches in living rooms.
• Are you bringing the family pet? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your agreement! Additional pet fees or costs could be applied to your invoice.
• If there's a certain Cape Fear area beach you are enamored with, look for homes that are either close by, or those that cater especially to your desires.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Confirm all required amenities are available and included before booking.

More considerations:

• Review check in & check out procedures before traveling. Save the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed backup.
• Hosts are available to help! Don't be shy to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Lock your rental while you are out. Protect your property!
• To ensure that damages are not linked to your family's stay, make a record of any problem areas upon check in. message the rental manager right away to document any damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of concerns and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful visitors bothering your peace and quiet. Practice the golden rule for common sense. Happy residents may even recommend great local food and attractions you would've not otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can often help. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all personal belongings. Check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Please make sure to walk through the property a final time and look for any damage. We suggest walking through with the property manager whenever possible. If the host isn't available, remember to take photos of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Property owners rely on good reviews to compel future bookings. They'll be thankful for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will will be grateful for your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to fix it.