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 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 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 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

Our top Wilmington vacation rental home tips:

Get the best rental home value:

• The sooner your group can reserve a vacation home, the better your selection will be. The best rental properties are booked early. Booking your rental home 6-12 months before your travel dates is recommended. Holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving are excellent times to search for and book your rental property.
• Summer is high season in Wilmington. To get the best value, shift your group's vacation to the Spring or Fall shoulder seasons. May, September, and October offer warm temperatures, , and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve an oceanfront vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the Summer months.
• Some property managers offer special rates for veterans. Ask your property manager if special offers are available for your group.
• Property managers frequently offer their guests an option to purchase trip insurance. Trip insurance, which usually will cost between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed vacation time as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather, as well as ensuing additional evacuation costs or charges, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or extra fuel expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a life-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask the property owner for details.
• Often, property management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area travel guides that include special offers, either offered independently by local businesses, or by way of a partnership between the management company and the business itself. You can also find visitors guide and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

Selecting the best vacation rental in Wilmington:

• First, have your family select trip dates and a maximum budget.
• Decide how many beds and what type of bedroom configuration your group requires. 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 search.
• Precise descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is regularly accessible on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, call the property manager before booking the home. Note that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which typically includes sofa beds in living rooms.
• Are you traveling with furry, four-legged family members? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Type of pet, size and breeds may be limited. Ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional fees or costs may be applied to your agreement.
• Are you visiting for a single attraction or event? Try a map search to find nearby properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. Make certain to ask about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.

Considerations for your stay:

• Review check in & check out procedures before traveling. Add a note with the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed backup.
• Ask questions. You may need instructions for a fireplace, intercom or appliance. Contact your property manager. They are there to help! A brief telephone call prevents lots of issues.
• Lock your rental property while you're gone! Don't let thieves ruin your vacation.
• Make a record of any damages to the property at check in, and immediately e-mail them to the property manager. We specifically recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are very helpful if there is a dispute.
• Be respectful. Often, surrounding homes are occupied by permanent residents. Respecting noise limits and parking policies is the right thing to do.
• Speaking of neighbors... Ask a local! Neighbors can usually help you find exactly what you're looking for. Who better to ask where to find the best seashells, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for shopping?
• Just before checking out, complete a walk-through to confirm you haven't forget anything. Check bathrooms, garages, and back yards for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did you have a fantastic vacation? Most rental home management companies make it easy for customers to provide feedback. If your rental property and/or property management company was wonderful, they always love to hear your praise. If anything was imperfect and they failed to address it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make it a point as part of your feedback.