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 delightfully 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 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

Strategies to get the best Carolina Beach vacation rental experience:

How to get the best value:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in the Carolina Beach area. To get the best value, try changing your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and October offer great weather, , and reduced traffic. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• Book your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules often open twelve months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacations during holiday gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• Property management companies sometimes offer discounts for active duty military and veterans. Remember to ask your host or property manager if special offers are available for your family.
• Booking websites often offer guests an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which generally will cost between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel overnight or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for more information.
• Many rental management companies supply Carolina Beach area visitors guides which often include coupons, either offered directly by local companies, or through a relationship with the management company and the business itself. You can also find Carolina Beach area magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Planning, selecting, and booking the right Carolina Beach vacation home:

• Start by selecting your trip dates and a maximum budget.
• Note the number beds and what type of bedroom configuration your group needs. 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 rental home search.
• Specific information regarding bedrooms and bed counts is often available on booking pages. If not, contact the property owner before you book the rental. Note that most property listings specify maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull out couches in living rooms. You will need to work out which bed configuration is best for your group.
• If there's a certain Carolina Beach destination you are crazy about, search for rentals that are either near by, or those that cater to your desires.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or break a vacation for the less-mobile. Make certain to ask about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• 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 host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Extra fees or costs applied to your contract.

More tips for your stay:

• Take a copy of the property manager's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your . Put the host's information in your smartphone and wallet.
• To ensure that damages aren't attributed to your family's visit, inspect for any problem areas upon your arrival. Call the rental manager right away to report any damages. If there is a dispute about legal responsibility later, having a record of issues and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a fireplace, television set or washer/dryer. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief text message prevents a lot of problems.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will enhance your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors can be a fantastic source for finding the best local beaches and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help. Who better to ask where to find the best bike paths, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Protect the owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up when you are out, just like you would at home.
• Re-check every room of the rental property to confirm that you've packed everything at departure. Check bathrooms, dressers, and closets for hidden treasure. Remove everything from 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.
• Did your family have a wonderful time? Most rental home management companies make it easy for travelers to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property manager was terrific, they always love to hear your praise. If anything was inoperable and they failed to correct it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your review.