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 gorgeously 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 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

Finding the best vacation home experience:

When to book & When to go:

• Summertime is the most expensive season in the Carolina Beach area. Book your rental home in Fall or Spring to get the benefit of beautiful weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Carolina Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• In the Carolina Beach area, The sooner you can book, the easier your search will be. The most desirable rental homes are booked very early. Booking your rental home up to 12 months before your vacation is recommended. Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are excellent times to plan and reserve your vacation home.
• Some property management companies offer rate reductions for veterans. Check with your host or property manager to see if special offers are available for your group before you book.
• Management companies and individual rental owners typically offer customers an option to purchase vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost between 1% - 5% of the stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for days missed as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for more information.
• Find a copy of your local visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental home doesn't have a copy, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, visitor guide magazines contain money saving offers on local accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Planning, picking, and booking your Carolina Beach rental home:

• Select your dates and max budget.
• Determine how many bedrooms and what type of bedroom configuration you need. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. If you need a larger or smaller rental, use our rentals search.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is regularly available online. If they are not listed, email or call the property manager before booking the vacation home. Remember that most listings specify maximum guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches and bunk beds. You will need to work out what bed configuration is suitable for your group.
• Visiting for a specific attraction or event? Try a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Suitable accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all required amenities are available before reserving a rental.
• If your group is vacationing with pets, you must book a pet-friendly rental. Request specifics on breed, weight, and type restrictions. Note that some hosts require additional pet deposits and fees.

More tips for your stay:

• Add the host's phone number to your smartphone. Print and take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• Note any damages to the property upon arrival, and immediately e-mail them to the property manager. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are beneficial if damages are assessed.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a garage door opener, intercom or coffee maker. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief call can prevent lots of difficulties.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like unpleasant vacationers bothering your peaceful home. Practice the golden rule for best judgement. If they like you, locals might even recommend great beaches and attractions you would've never otherwise known about!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually help. Who better to ask where to get the best breakfast in town, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fishing?
• Lock your rental property while you are out! Don't let thieves spoil your trip.
• Don't leave anything behind! Before you drive away, walk through the property to confirm you've collected everything. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Please make sure to walk through the rental a final time and scan for damage. We advise inspecting the property with the property manager whenever you can. If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take photographs of the property to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave a review! Property managers rely on excellent reviews to drive future bookings. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your review find their best vacation rental. Please be fair with your feedback If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded quickly to remedy it.