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 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. 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. 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

How to find the best Southport vacation rental experience:

Getting the most from your spending budget:

• In the Southport area, The earlier your group can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable rental properties are reserved early. Booking your rental home up to 12 months before your travel dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and reserve your vacation home.
• Booking in Fall or Spring is our best tip for saving money on your vacation rental. Rates are lower, and you'll find a larger selection of acceptable homes.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner or host if your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer customers an option to buy trip insurance protection. Trip insurance, which commonly costs between 1% - 5% of the base booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related catastrophes or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your property manager for more information.
• Look for your local Southport visitors guide magazine when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and visitor centers. In addition to great local articles, travel guides contain deals for nearby accommodations, restaurants and tours.

Finding the perfect rental home:

• Choose your vacation week and max budget.
• Determine how many beds and the bed configuration you need. 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 search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is normally available on booking websites. If not, call the property management company before you reserve the home. Note that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which oftentimes includes sofa beds.
• Some rental properties allow pets, and others do not. Acceptable types of pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and added fees may apply. Ask the host about your furry family members before booking.
• If there's an individual Southport destination you simply love, keep an eye out for homes that are either nearby, or those that cater to your needs.
• Proper accessibility amenities can make or ruin a vacation for guests that require the use of a wheelchair. Make certain to ask about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.

More tips for your visit:

• Add the owner's information to your phone. Understand and take a copy of check in/check out procedures.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a garage door opener, stereo or coffee maker. Contact your owner. They are there to help! A brief call can prevent lots of difficulties.
• Protect the rental owner (and your stuff!) by locking and securing the home while you are out, just like you would back home.
• To ensure that damages aren't linked to your family's visit, note any problem areas during arrival. Make contact with the host immediately to document any issues. If there is a dispute about who is responsible, having a record of problems and contact attempts will be very helpful.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like disrespectful vacationers disrupting your home life. Practice the golden rule for common sense. If they like you, locals might even recommend great local food and scenic spots you would have never otherwise known!
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Residents can usually help you find the best spots in town. 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?
• When it's time to leave, take a final walk-through to confirm you have not leave anything behind. Check dressers, closets, and bathrooms for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Document the condition of the property at check-out. We recommend taking a video during your final walk-through.
• Remember to leave feedback! Hosts rely on excellent ratings to inspire future reservations. They'll be grateful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something went awry, other families will appreciate that you share your review find their best vacation rental. Please be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the owner had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded expeditiously to solve it.