01
Crew
Eight crew for the length of the charter — captain, deck crew, chef and English-speaking guide, employed directly rather than hired per trip.
Pricing
Riley Phinisi charter pricing
How a whole-boat rate is put together, what sits inside it, and what you should still be budgeting for.
The short answer
You pay for the boat, not the seat
Riley is priced per charter, not per person. The rate depends on the duration and which guest band you fall into — 1 to 8, or 9 to 10 — and covers the vessel, the crew and full board.
That structure is why the maths favours a full boat. A 3D2N charter costs the same whether two people or eight are on it, so the per-head figure falls sharply as the group grows.
Below is how the rate is built, what changes it, and the published card. If you only want the numbers, go straight to rates & availability.
Published rates
2026 private charter
Whole-boat rates in US dollars, direct from the operator. Later seasons are published on the booking page as they open.
| Duration | 1 – 8 guests | 9 – 10 guests |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Days / 1 Night | USD 3.350 | USD 3.600 |
| 3 Days / 2 Nights | USD 4.350 | USD 4.650 |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights | USD 5.600 | USD 6.050 |
Park entrance, ranger and activity fees are paid separately in cash. See rates & availability for every published season.
Inside the rate
What the number is actually paying for
A crewed liveaboard rate is mostly people and provisioning, not the hull.
02
Full board
Every meal, provisioned fresh in Labuan Bajo before you board, plus mineral water, coffee and tea throughout.
03
Fuel & operations
Fuel for the route, generators running overnight for air conditioning, fresh water, and the harbour and mooring costs across the park.
04
Maintenance & safety
In-house maintenance between charters, safety equipment for full capacity, and the documentation kit the crew shoot with.
What moves the number
Four things change what you pay
The published card is the starting point. What actually lands in your quote depends on a small number of variables, and none of them are hidden.
- Duration
- 2D1N, 3D2N or 4D3N — the single biggest factor
- Group size
- Two bands: 1 – 8 guests, and 9 – 10 guests
- Season
- Peak months and the Christmas–New Year window price higher
- Add-ons
- Diving, drone permits and extra nights are quoted on top
Value
Where a private charter beats a cabin booking
On a shared departure you buy a cabin and inherit everyone else's schedule. On a private charter you buy the vessel: the sun deck is yours, the jacuzzi is yours, and the route is negotiable.
For two travellers, a shared cabin is usually cheaper. From about six guests up, taking Riley outright is commonly the better deal per head — and it is a completely different trip.
Budgeting
In the fare, and on top of it
Included in the fare
- Accommodation on board Riley Phinisi for the full itinerary
- All meals, prepared fresh by the on-board chef
- Mineral water, coffee and tea throughout
- Professional documentation — drone, GoPro and mirrorless
- English-speaking cruise guide
- Snorkelling equipment and life vests
- Pick-up and drop-off within Labuan Bajo
Budget separately
- Flights to and from Labuan Bajo (LBJ)
- Komodo National Park entrance and ranger fees
- Crew gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal snacks and expenses
- Drone permit, where required
- Travel insurance
Pricing
Questions about cost
Is the rate per person?
No. It is the price of the whole charter for that duration and guest band. Divide by your group size for the per-head figure.
Why are there two guest bands?
Above eight guests the boat carries more provisioning, more crew hours and more fresh water. The 9 – 10 band reflects that. Ten is the maximum.
How much are the park fees?
They are set by the park authority, paid in cash per person, and change from time to time. We confirm the current amount when you book rather than publishing a figure that goes out of date.
Do prices change between seasons?
Yes. Each season is published separately, and later years are usually higher. Both currently published cards are on the booking page.
What is the payment schedule?
A 50% deposit confirms the booking; the balance is due 30 days before departure. Both by bank transfer.
Are the rates in dollars or rupiah?
Published in US dollars. Payment in rupiah can be arranged — ask the reservations desk for the rate applied on the day.
Keep reading
Where to go next
Reservations
Get a written quote
Dates, guest count and duration is all we need. The quote comes back with the route, the inclusions and the total in writing.