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 handsomely 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 attractively 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

Finding the best Cape Fear area rental experience:

When to book a Cape Fear area rental & When to go:

• Booking your vacation rental in Spring or Fall is a great way to save money on your vacation. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of desirable properties. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with loved ones at the beach.
• Book your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally open 12 months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property managers often offer renters an option to obtain trip insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for additional information.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide upon checking in. If your rental home doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, travel guides contain offers and deals for nearby accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Planning and picking your Cape Fear area rental:

• Select dates and budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. 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 vacation rental search.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed types is often available on booking pages. If not, email or call the property owner before booking the vacation home. Remember that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds.
• If there's a particular Cape Fear area beach you simply love, keep an eye out for properties that are either near by, or those that cater to your needs.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Make certain to ask about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• Do your family pets travel with you? Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional fees or might be applied to your contract.

Tips for your stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before leaving home. Take a printed copy, and add a note with the instructions to your phone.
• Upon check-in, record any issues with the property and immediately contact the host. Record all coorespondence.
• Property managers are available to help! Feel free to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will enhance your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are usually a great resource to find the best local beaches.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Locals can frequently help. Who better to ask where to find the fresh catch of the day, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for crabbing?
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your things!) by locking the property while you are gone, just like you would at home.
• Just before checking out, complete a final walk-through to make sure you haven't forget anything. Remember to check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Please make sure to walk through the property one final time and scan for damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the host whenever you can. If the host isn't available, take video and pictures of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Hosts rely on excellent feedback to inspire more reservations. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will will be grateful for your experience find their best vacation rental. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.