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 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. 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. 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

Tips to get the best rental experience:

How to get the best value:

• June, July, and August are the most expensive months along the coast of NC. To find the largest rental home within budget, we recommend reserving in the Fall or Spring shoulder seasons. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, greater selection, warm weather and the absence of giant crowds at the beach and popular Wilmington, NC attractions. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook the holidays for a Wilmington, NC vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Years Eve are great times to gather with friends and family at your favorite beach.
• In the Wilmington, NC area, The sooner you can book a rental home, the better your selection will be. The most desirable properties are reserved very early. Booking your vacation rental 6-12 months before your vacation dates is recommended. Winter holidays are excellent times to search for and book your vacation home.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective vacation rental company or host if your group qualifies for a discount.
• Property managers usually offer their guests an option to obtain vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which will generally cost anywhere between 1% - 5% of the base stay price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed vacation time as a result of medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as evacuation charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance might be a a life-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask your host for additional information.
• Look for your local Wilmington, NC visitors guide magazine when you check-in. If your rental home doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores, shopping centers, and visitor centers. In addition to great local information, visitor guide magazines have discounts for nearby accommodations, tours and attractions.

Narrow your Search:

• Start by having your family choose date ranges and a max budget.
• Decide 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 rental home search.
• Specific descriptions of bedrooms and bed counts is commonly available on booking pages. If you don't see them listed, reach out to the property management company before you reserve the vacation home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes pull out couches in living rooms. You will need to establish what is optimal for your vacation.
• If there's a certain Wilmington, NC beach you are enamored with, keep an eye out for homes that are either nearby, or those that cater especially to your requirements.
• Suitable accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with disabilities. Make certain to inquire about specialized equipment and wheel chair accessibility.
• Remember to include your furry companions! Many vacation homes allow animals, but guidelines and restrictions apply. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Remember to ask your host before booking, and study your rental agreement! Additional pet fees or charges may be applied to your agreement.

Some things to know before you go:

• Get the property manager's contact number and arrival/departure procedures for your rental property.
• To ensure that damages aren't attributed to your visit, record any problem areas upon check in. message the property manager immediately to record your findings. If there is a dispute, having the recorded concerns and contact attempts will be valuable.
• Ask questions. You may want instructions for a fireplace, stereo or coffee maker. Contact your host. They are there to help! A brief telephone call can prevent a lot of issues.
• Respecting quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will enhance your chance to make local friends, and resident neighbors can be a terrific resource to find the best local beaches.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! Residents can frequently help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to charter a fishing boat, have a great night out, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Lock your vacation home while you're out. Protect the owner's property and your things!
• Don't leave anything behind! Just before you drive away, take a walk through the property to make sure you've collected everything. Remember to check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden belongings. Remove everything from the refrigerator and take or dispose of leftovers.
• Go through the property a final time and scan for any damage. We advise walking through with the property manager whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the host is not available, ensure that you take pictures of the property to record its condition.
• Leave feedback! Property owners rely on excellent reviews to drive new bookings. They'll be thankful for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationing families will will be grateful for your feedback and help them have the best future vacation. 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.