Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 5
• 2 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 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.

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. 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

Tips to get the optimal Cape Fear area rental experience:

Money saving strategies:

• Summer months are high season in Wilmington. To get the most suitable vacation home for your budget, we suggest reserving in Fall or Spring. You'll enjoy lower rental rates, greater selection, gorgeous weather and the absence of giant crowds at popular Cape Fear area attractions and restaurants. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the Summer. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday near the ocean? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• The earlier you can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The best properties are reserved early. Booking your rental property 6-12 months before your travel dates is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to plan and book your vacation home.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective host whether your group qualifies for a special promotion or discount.
• Booking websites often offer their guests an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance might be a a welcome relief if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Look for your local Cape Fear area visitors guide magazine upon arrival. If your rental property doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local stories, visitor guide magazines have offers and deals for local restaurants, attractions, and tours.

Finding the best vacation home in the Cape Fear area area:

• Select a designated group leader, choose your dates, and select a max budget.
• Determine how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration you need. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts & types is often accessible on booking pages. If they are not listed, contact the property management company before you reserve the vacation home. Remember that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches. You will need to work out what is optimal for your vacation group.
• Are you looking for unique amenities? Most websites include amenity lists and search filters. Use these to your advantage to find the perfect rental home.
• Appropriate accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Make certain to ask about wheel chair accessibility, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.
• If your family is bringing pets, you'll need to find a pet-friendly rental. Make sure to ask for specifics on breed, size, and type restrictions. Often, hosts charge additional pet fees.

Some things to know before you go:

• Put the manager's contact information in your smartphone.
• At Check-in, make note of any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the host. Record all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Property managers are there to help! Feel free to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Don't forget to respect your neighbors. Often times, adjacent homes are filled by local residents. Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking policies reduces conflict and allows everyone to enjoy their day.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to get the best seafood, have a great night out, or the best spots for fishing?
• Ensure you protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are out, just like you would back home.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before departing, walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all of your things. Re-check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Please make sure to walk through the rental a final time and keep an eye out for damages to contents or the property itself. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take photos and video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave feedback! Property managers rely on great feedback to compel new bookings. They'll be much obliged for your review. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other 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 host had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to fix it.