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 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

Tips and Tricks to get the best Wilmington vacation home experience:

When to visit Wilmington & When to book:

• Summertime is high season in Wilmington. To get the best value, change your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and October offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and greatly reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during June, July, and August. 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? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• The earlier you can reserve a home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are reserved very early. Reserving your vacation home six - twelve months before your vacation is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to plan and reserve your rental.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special rate.
• Booking websites frequently offer guests an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed trip time as a result of medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for specifics.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Cape Fear area area travel guides which often include special offers, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of a relationship between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Narrow your rental Search:

• Choose your vacation dates and maximum 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.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly accessible on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, call the host before booking the property. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Looking for unique amenities? Most rental search websites include amenity lists and search filters. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with a disability. Confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental.
• If your group is bringing pets, you must book a rental that allows animals. Ask for details on breed, weight, and type requirements. Often, property owners require additional pet deposits and fees.

More considerations:

• Review check in & check out procedures before traveling. Add a note with the directions to your smartphone, and take a printed copy.
• Note any damages to the rental during check in, and immediately e-mail them to the host. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are useful if damages are attributed to your stay.
• Hosts are available to help! Feel free to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are often a fantastic source for finding the best local attractions.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Locals can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to grab the best tacos, have a great night out, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Keep the property locked while you're out! Don't let crooks spoil your holiday.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, walk through the rental to make sure you've collected all personal items. Check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Did you have a fantastic vacation? Many rental management companies make it easy for guests to provide reviews. If your property and/or host was terrific, they always love to hear your praise. If anything was inoperable and they failed to fix it within reason, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make it a point as part of your comments.