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Cruise Ship Charter and Lease

Cruise ships, cruise ferries, expedition ships and accommodation vessels for bareboat lease, time charter or full-ship charter, listed by stock number

QPS Marine Ships is an independent, licensed and bonded shipbroking firm. Alongside sale and purchase, we arrange charters of cruise ships, expedition ships, cruise ferries and accommodation vessels worldwide. We act for shipowners and charterers, and we coordinate the deal from first enquiry through contract and delivery of the vessel. Some ships available for charter are off-market; we share their details with qualified charterers after an NDA.

"Cruise ship charter" can mean very different things. A cruise line taking a ship on a five-year bareboat lease and an event organiser booking a ship for four nights are both chartering, but the contracts, costs and responsibilities have little in common. This page sets out the main types so you can see which one fits your project, then lists the ships we currently have for charter.

The three main types of cruise ship charter

Bareboat charter (cruise ship lease)

Under a bareboat charter, also called a demise charter, the charterer takes over the ship and runs it as if it were their own for the charter term. The charterer appoints the crew and manager, runs the hotel, pays all running costs and arranges insurance cover as agreed in the contract. The owner keeps legal ownership and receives charter hire. This is what most people mean by a cruise ship lease. It suits established operators with the people and systems to run a passenger ship. Standard forms such as BIMCO's BARECON are commonly used as a starting point.

Time charter

Under a time charter, the owner keeps the ship crewed, maintained and insured, and the charterer directs where it goes and how it is used for a set period. Fuel and port costs are usually for the charterer's account. Hotel operations can sit with either party, depending on the deal. A time charter suits a company that wants control of the itinerary and product without running the marine side.

Full-ship charter (voyage or hospitality charter)

In a full-ship charter, the charterer books the entire ship, fully operated, for a specific voyage or period. The operator supplies the crew, hotel and catering staff, and usually fuel and port arrangements, for an agreed price. The charterer supplies the guests and the programme. This is the usual choice for events, conferences, incentive groups, festivals and themed sailings.

For a longer explanation, read Bareboat vs. Time Charter for Passenger Ships.

Comparison: who supplies what

Every contract is negotiated, so treat this as a general guide rather than a rule.

  • Marine crew – Bareboat charter: Charterer; Time charter: Owner; Full-ship charter: Owner / operator

  • Hotel operations – Bareboat charter: Charterer; Time charter: Negotiated; Full-ship charter: Owner / operator

  • Hull and machinery insurance – Bareboat charter: Usually charterer, per contract; Time charter: Owner; Full-ship charter: Owner / operator

  • P&I (liability) insurance – Bareboat charter: Charterer; Time charter: Owner, with charterer's cover for its own risks; Full-ship charter: Owner / operator

  • Fuel – Bareboat charter: Charterer; Time charter: Usually charterer; Full-ship charter: Usually included in price

  • Port costs – Bareboat charter: Charterer; Time charter: Usually charterer; Full-ship charter: Negotiated, often included

  • Typical term – Bareboat charter: Months to several years; Time charter: Weeks to years; Full-ship charter: Days to weeks

  • Best for – Bareboat charter: Cruise operators; Time charter: Operators and brands without a marine team; Full-ship charter: Events, groups, one-off projects

Cruise ships currently available for charter

Charter rates are quoted on request and depend on the term, type of charter, season and location. The type of charter (bareboat, time charter or full-ship) is open to negotiation with each shipowner.

Large cruise ships (1,500+ passengers)

Mid-size cruise ships and cruise ferries (400–1,300 passengers)

Small and boutique cruise ships

Expedition and ice-class cruise ships

Accommodation vessels

See all accommodation vessels for charter. Looking for a ferry instead? See ferry charter and lease.

Who charters cruise ships

  • Cruise operators adding capacity, testing a new market, or covering a gap before a newbuild delivers.

  • Governments and public bodies needing temporary accommodation for workers, evacuees or security personnel, or a vessel for a national event.

  • Event organisers running conferences, sporting events, festivals and themed cruises.

  • Accommodation projects such as construction, energy and mining sites, or cities short of hotel beds during a major event. Accommodation vessels, barges and cruise ferries with many cabins are often a better fit here than a cruise ship.

  • Investors who own a ship and want to employ it. For investors, QPS can advise on employment strategy, find charters and recommend vessel managers.

What to consider before you charter

  • Berth and passenger numbers. Lower-berth capacity and maximum capacity differ. Plan on the figure you can sell or house comfortably.

  • Location and positioning. Moving a ship to your port takes time and fuel. Ask who pays for delivery and redelivery voyages.

  • Flag and certification. These affect where the ship can trade and, in some countries, whether it can carry passengers between domestic ports.

  • Port compatibility. Check draft, length, berth availability, shore power and any tender requirements.

  • Condition and redelivery terms. Agree the ship's condition on delivery, and what state it must be in when returned.

  • Off-hire and breakdown. Understand what happens to hire payments if the ship cannot perform.

  • Lead time. Larger ships and longer terms need more time to arrange, so contact us as early as you can.

For what drives the price, read How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Cruise Ship?

Charter with an option to buy

Some owners will consider a charter with a purchase option, or a charter where part of the hire counts toward a later purchase. These are negotiated case by case and are not available on every ship. If you are interested, ask us. Many of the ships above are offered for either sale or charter. To buy outright, see cruise ships for sale.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bareboat charter and a time charter?

In a bareboat charter, the charterer takes over the ship and supplies the crew, runs operations and pays running costs. In a time charter, the owner keeps the ship crewed, maintained and insured, and the charterer decides how the ship is employed and usually pays fuel and port costs.

Can I charter a whole cruise ship for an event?

Yes. A full-ship charter gives you the entire ship, fully crewed and operated, for a voyage or set period. The operator runs the ship and hotel, and you supply the guests and programme.

Is a cruise ship lease the same as a bareboat charter?

Usually, yes. A lease of a cruise ship normally means a bareboat or demise charter, where the charterer operates the ship as its own for the term.

How much does it cost to charter a cruise ship?

It depends on the type of charter, the ship's size and age, the term, the season, and positioning costs. We quote rates for specific ships once we know your requirements.

Can a charter lead to a purchase?

Sometimes. Some owners will consider a purchase option or a charter-to-buy structure. These are negotiated case by case, so ask us about specific vessels.

Do you only offer the ships listed on this page?

No. Some cruise ships are available off-market, and their details are shared with qualified charterers after an NDA. Send us your requirements and we will tell you what is available.

Next step

Send us your requirements: vessel type, number of passengers or berths, type of charter, dates, region or port, and budget. We will reply with suitable ships, including off-market options.

Capt. Ken Caine, Managing Broker – +1-516-647-5129 (mobile/WhatsApp), sales@qpsships.com
Jeff Garcia, Managing Broker, Mediterranean Sea Area – +1-954-296-9066, Jeffgarcia@qpsships.com
Office: 4000 Island Blvd, Suite 1506, Aventura, FL 33160

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