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

About this Property

• Sleeps 5
• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• House boat

This charmingly 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

Tricks and tips to get the best Wilmington rental home experience:

Sticking to your spending plan:

• Book your vacation rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules often open a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups book their Summer vacations during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• To find the best value, shift your vacation week to the Spring or Fall months. May, September, and October offer warmer weather, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy 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 Cape Fear area vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with loved ones at your favorite beach.
• Owners sometimes offer rate reductions for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if special offers are available for your family before you book.
• Property managers often offer renters an option to buy vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local articles, visitor guide magazines contain coupons for local accommodations and attractions.

Selecting and booking yourvacation home:

• Select a group lead, choose your vacation week, and select a budget.
• Decide how many bedrooms and the configuration your family needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our Cape Fear area vacation rental search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts & types is often accessible online. If not, call the property management company before booking the vacation property. Note that most listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which frequently includes pull-out couches.
• Some properties allow pets, and others don't. Allowable types of dog or cat, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added charges may apply. Ask the property management company about pet restrictions before booking.
• If there's a certain Cape Fear area beach you love, look for properties that are either nearby, or those that cater to your desires.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for persons with a disability. .

Have a wonderful stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Add a note with the directions to your phone, and take a printed copy.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or thermostat. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief phone call can prevent lots of problems.
• Keep the property locked while you're gone! Don't let crooks spoil your holiday.
• Upon check-in, document any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the host. Record all coorespondence.
• Don't forget to respect your neighbors. Often, adjacent homes are occupied by local residents. Respecting quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay significantly more pleasurable.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Local residents can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed all personal items at departure. Re-check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden items. Clean out 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.
• Leave feedback! Hosts rely on excellent ratings to inspire future reservations. They'll be grateful for your review. Alternatively, if something went awry, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the property manager could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to solve it.