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 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 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 Wilmington Historic District, 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

Our top Rental booking tips and tricks:

Finding your perfect rental home:

• Reserve your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules often become available twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many groups reserve their Summer vacation rentals during Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Reserve your Carolina Beach vacation home in the Fall or Spring to enjoy warm weather while saving money and avoiding crowded roads, restaurants, and activities. Many vacationers use this method to reserve larger homes, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Hosts sometimes offer special rates for active duty military and veterans. It's always a good idea to check with your property manager to see if special discounts are available for your family before you book.
• Property managers often offer renters an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed days as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Find a copy of your local Carolina Beach visitors guide magazine upon checking in. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, travel guides have deals for nearby accommodations and attractions.

Planning, picking, and booking a perfect Carolina Beach rental home:

• Begin by choosing the best vacation week and a spending budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly accessible on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, reach out to the property owner before you reserve your home. Note that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes pull out couches in living rooms. You will need to work out what bed configuration is best for your vacation family.
• 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. Ask your property manager before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional pet fees or might be applied to your invoice.
• Visiting for a specific event or attraction? Try a map search to locate nearby rentals.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for persons with disabilities. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available and included before reserving a rental

More considerations:

• Add the property manager's phone number to your phone. Take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or washer/dryer. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief call prevents quite a few concerns.
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your things!) by locking the rental while you are gone, just like you would at home.
• Upon arrival, document any issues with the rental property and immediately alert the host. Record all correspondence in case a dispute arises.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations 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 beaches and restaurants.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Local residents can frequently help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the rental to confirm you've collected everything. Make sure to check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden treasure. Clean out the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Remember to leave feedback! Property owners rely on good reviews to drive new bookings. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, other families will appreciate that you share your review and help them have the best future vacation. Be fair with your review. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to fix it.