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 appealingly 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. 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

Wilmington rental home booking tips and tricks:

When to book a Carolina Beach rental & When to go:

• Summer months are the most expensive season in Wilmington. Book your vacation home in Fall or Spring months to get the benefit of warm weather while saving money and avoiding crowded roads, restaurants, and activities. 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, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Book your vacation home as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open twelve months in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families book their Summer vacations during Winter holiday get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Property management companies sometimes offer discounts or promotional rates for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if special offers are available for your group.
• Property management companies usually offer customers an option to purchase vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for days missed as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather, as well as evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your property manager for program terms and fees.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Carolina Beach area visitor guide magazines which will include coupons, either offered independently by local companies, or by way of a partnership between the management company and the business itself. You can also find Carolina Beach visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Narrow your Search:

• Begin by selecting a vacation week and a max budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and the bed configuration your family requires. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Precise information regarding bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is commonly available online. If you don't see them listed, call the host before you book the rental. Note that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You will need to determine what is right for your trip.
• Is your group looking for particular amenities? Most rental search websites include search filters for amenities. Amenity filters help you quickly remove less-optimal properties.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are included before reserving a rental
• Remember to include your furry companions! Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Remember to ask the property manager before booking, and study your agreement thoroughly! Additional fees or charges applied to your contract.

Some things to know before you go:

• Get the owner's contact number and check in/check out procedures for your rental property.
• During arrival, note any damages to the property and immediately alert the owner. Keep records of all coorespondence.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, television set or coffee maker. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief call prevents lots of concerns.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking regulations can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. You will enhance your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors can be a fantastic resource to find the best local scenic spots.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local resident! Residents can often 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 bird watching?
• Lock your vacation home while you're out and about. Protect the owner's property and your things!
• Don't leave anything behind! Before departing, take a walk through the rental to confirm you've collected all personal belongings. Remember to check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden belongings. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the property one final time and scan for any damage. We recommend inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, remember to take pictures of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• Remember to leave feedback! Property owners rely on great feedback to drive more reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your review and help them have the best future vacation. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to solve it.