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 attractively 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 appreciate 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 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

Our top Vacation rental tips:

Getting the best value:

• In the Carolina Beach area, The earlier your group can book, the easier your search will be. The most desirable rental properties are booked early. Booking your vacation home up to twelve months before your vacation is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and book your vacation rental.
• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in Wilmington. To get the best value, change your trip dates to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and October offer excellent temperatures, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with loved ones at your favorite beach.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective host if your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property managers often offer their guests an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally costs between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed days as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Many property management companies supply Carolina Beach area visitor guide magazines which will include money-saving offers, either offered directly by local businesses, or through a relationship between the property management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers.

Choosing the best rental in Wilmington:

• Start by choosing a vacation week and a max budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the 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 search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is often available on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, contact the property manager before reserving the property. Note that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You will need to work out what configuration is suitable for your vacation family.
• If your family is vacationing with pets, you'll need to book a pet-friendly vacation rental. Ask for specifics on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Usually, property owners require additional pet deposits and fees.
• If there's an individual Carolina Beach beach you love, browse homes that are either nearby, or those that cater especially to your desires.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Remember to confirm all required amenities are available and included before booking

Advice for a wonderful stay:

• We recommend storing the host's contact information in your smartphone and wallet.
• Property managers are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask any questions during your stay.
• Keep the property locked while you are gone! Don't let burglars spoil your family vacation.
• Upon arrival, record any issues with the rental property and immediately contact the property manager. Record all coorespondence.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will increase your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors are often an excellent source for finding the best local spots.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Residents can typically help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to charter a fishing boat, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all belongings on check-out day. Re-check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden treasure. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the rental a final time and keep an eye out for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the host isn't available, ensure that you take photos of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Did you have a wonderful stay? Many vacation rental websites make it easy for guests to provide comments. If your rental and/or property management company was wonderful, they would love to hear about it. If anything was defective 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 comments.