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 savor 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 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 Wilmington Historic District, 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

Tricks and tips to get the perfect Wilmington rental experience:

Cost saving strategies:

• Reserve your Wrightsville Beach rental home in Fall or Spring to get the benefit of gorgeous weather while saving money and avoiding crowds. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to reserve a beach front rental that would otherwise be unavailable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Wrightsville Beach vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are great times to gather with family and friends at the beach.
• Reserve your rental as soon as possible. Rental schedules generally become available a year in advance (or in September just after the Summer season ends). Many groups reserve their Summer rentals during Winter holiday gatherings. Reserve before these holidays for best selection.
• Owners sometimes offer promotional rates for veterans. Remember to ask your property manager if special discounts are available for your group before you book.
• Property managers typically offer their guests an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unanticipated hotel stay or additional fuel expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for program terms and fees.
• Find a copy of your local Wrightsville Beach visitors guide upon arrival. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local shops and fuel stations. In addition to great local information, visitor guide magazines have coupons for local tours, shops, and attractions.

Selecting the best vacation home in Wilmington:

• Begin by selecting your a vacation week and a maximum budget.
• Note the number beds and the configuration your group requires. Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown has 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts is usually accessible on booking pages. If they are not listed, call the property manager before booking the home. Remember that most property listings specify the maximum guest capacity, which often includes pull out couches in living rooms.
• Are you looking for unique amenities? Most websites include amenity lists and search filters. Filtering by amenity will allow you to quickly find your ideal rental home.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or break a vacation for those with limited mobility. Confirm all required amenities are available before reserving a rental.
• Some rentals allow pets, but some do not. Acceptable types of family pet, size and breeds may be restricted, and additional charges may apply. Ask your host about pets before booking.

Tips to have a wonderful stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before leaving home. Add a note with the directions to your smartphone, and take a printed copy.
• To make sure that no damages are linked to your stay, record any problem areas during arrival. Call the property manager right away to report your findings. If there is a dispute, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be helpful.
• Property managers are great sources of help! Feel free to ask questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking rules can make a stay more pleasurable. You'll enhance your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are often an incredible resource to find the best local restaurants, beaches, and hangouts.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Neighbors can frequently point you in the right direction. Who better to ask where to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for fine dining?
• Lock your rental property while you are out! Don't let burglars ruin your vacation.
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the property to reconfirm you've collected all belongings. Remember to check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Inspect the rental one final time and scan for any damage. We suggest inspecting the property with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager isn't available, remember to take photos of the property to record its condition.
• Did you have a terrific vacation? Many rental websites make it easy for clients to provide comments. If your rental property and/or host was wonderful, they would love to hear about it. If anything was defective and they failed to correct it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't as described, you'll want to make a note as part of your review.