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 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 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. 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

Finding the best Wilmington vacation rental experience:

Sticking to your spending budget:

• In the Southport area, The earlier you can book a rental home, the easier your search will be. The most desirable vacation rentals are reserved very early. Booking your rental home six to twelve months before your vacation dates is recommended. Holiday gatherings are excellent times to search for and reserve your rental home.
• To get the best rental for your budget, we suggest reserving in Spring or Fall. You'll benefit from lower rental rates, greater selection, warm weather and the absence of giant crowds at local restaurants, tours, and activities. Many vacationers use this method to find larger homes within budget, or to book a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unaffordable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation near the ocean? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with loved ones at your favorite beach.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may qualify for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property owner or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a price reduction or discount.
• Management companies and individual rental owners usually offer guests an option to add vacation insurance. Trip insurance, which commonly will cost between 1% - 5% of the booking price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for any missed days as a result of personal medical-related emergencies or weather disasters, as well as hurricane evacuation costs or charges, such as an unexpected hotel overnight or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance is definitely a bank account-saver if the unforeseen happens. Ask the property owner for specifics.
• Look for your local Southport visitors guide when you arrive at the rental property. If your rental doesn't have one, you can find them at local grocery stores and visitor centers. In addition to great local information, travel guides have deals for local accommodations, tours and attractions.

Planning, picking, and booking the rightvacation home:

• Begin by selecting vacation dates and a maximum budget.
• Decide how many beds and the bed configuration your family 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 Southport rentals search.
• Specific information about bedrooms and bed counts is normally accessible online. If not, email or call the property owner before you reserve your rental. Note that most property listings specify the max. guest capacity, which frequently includes sofa beds.
• Some rentals allow pets, and some don't. Allowable types of family pet, weight and breeds may be restricted, and additional charges may apply. Ask the owner about pet restrictions before booking.
• Visiting for a single attraction? Use a map search to browse nearby properties.
• Proper accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for those with limited mobility. Make certain to inquire about wheel chair entry, pool lifts and specialized equipment needs.

Advice for your stay:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before leaving home. Save the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed backup.
• Property managers are there to help! Feel free to ask any questions before, during, or after your stay.
• Lock your rental home while you're away. Protect your property!
• Note any issues with the property during check in, and immediately contact the property manager. We especially recommend e-mails and text messages, as they usually contain built-in time stamps that are useful if there is a dispute.
• Respecting late-night quiet hours and parking restrictions can make a stay significantly more pleasurable. Be a good neighbor. You will increase your chance to make some new local friends, and resident neighbors are a great source for finding the best local beaches.
• Don't forget to... Ask a local resident! 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 out, or the best spots for BBQ?
• Double-check the rental property to confirm that you've packed all personal items on check-out day. Re-check garages, decks, and cabinets for hidden items. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Go through the rental a final time and scan for any damage. We advise walking through with the host whenever you can (often this isn't possible). If the property manager isn't available, ensure that you take video of the rental to record its condition at check-out.
• After your trip, leave a review! Property managers rely on good ratings to propel future bookings. They'll be much obliged for your feedback. Alternatively, if something wasn't as described, other vacationers will appreciate that you share your experience and help them have the best future vacation. Remember to be objective. If something fell short of expectations, consider whether the manager had any control over the issue, and if so, whether they responded reasonably to remedy it.