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 attractively 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 savor 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 appreciate) 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

Booking the best Wilmington rental home experience:

When to visit & When to book:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months in the Wrightsville Beach area. To find the best value, change your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and even October offer warmer temperatures, fewer crowds, and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to find larger homes within budget, or to book an oceanfront rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wrightsville Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with friends and family at the beach.
• Reserve your vacation rental as early as possible. Rental schedules often become available 12 months in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many families reserve their Summer vacation rentals during Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Veterans and Active Duty Military members may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property manager whether your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Property management companies often offer renters an option to buy trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which costs anywhere between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for missed trip time as a result of personal medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra gas expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local Wrightsville Beach visitors guide magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local information, visitors guides have coupons for nearby accommodations and attractions.

Choosing the perfect rental home in the Wrightsville Beach area:

• Begin by choosing your potential vacation weeks and a budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your group needs. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Precise details about bedrooms and bed sizes & counts is generally accessible on booking websites. If not, reach out to the host before reserving the rental. Remember that most properties list the max. guest capacity, which typically includes pull-out couches. You will need to determine what bed configuration is suitable for your vacation family.
• Are you visiting for a specific attraction or event? Use a map search to find nearby rentals.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for guests with disabilities. Confirm all necessary amenities are available before reserving a rental.
• Some rentals allow pets, but some don't. Acceptable types of pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the property management company about pets before booking.

More tips for your stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Add a note with the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed backup.
• During check-in, document any damages to the rental property and immediately contact the owner. Keep records of all correspondence just in case a dispute arises.
• Property managers are available to help! Feel free to ask questions during your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking policies can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. You will increase your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are often a terrific source for finding the best local beaches.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Local residents can typically help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to get the best breakfast in town, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Ensure you protect the property owner (and your stuff!) by keeping the rental locked up while you are gone, just like you would back home.
• Just before checking out, complete a walk-through to make sure you did not forget anything. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden items. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Inspect the rental a final time and look for any damage. We advise inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host isn't available, take photos of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• Leave feedback! Property managers rely on good reviews to stimulate new bookings. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't right, 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 could control the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.