Americans Prefer Yachts Over Private Jets and Even Disney World — New Study Finds

The dream of sailing on a luxury yacht is an experience few would pass up. A new survey of over 1,000 Americans from Yacht.com finds that while only 13% of Americans have sailed on a yacht, nearly everyone (94%) would jump on board if cost weren’t a factor.

Yachting captures the imagination in ways that few other forms of travel do. Our data reveals where Americans most want to yacht, what appeals most about the experience, who they would bring aboard, and how much they would be willing to pay for it. Together, these findings offer a glimpse into the state of yacht dreams across the U.S.

Key Findings

• Only 13% of Americans have sailed on a yacht, but 94% would if it were offered for free.
• Americans, on average, are willing to spend a total of $4,181 for a one-week private yacht trip.
• A majority (81%) would rather sail on a private yacht than fly on a private jet, and 69% would rather travel on a yacht than visit Disney World.
• The celebrities Americans associate most with yachting are #1 Leonardo DiCaprio, #2 Jeff Bezos, #3 Beyoncé, #4 Kim Kardashian and #5 Elon Musk.
• If Americans could pick a captain for their dream yacht trip, they would want #1 an experienced captain, #2 Captain Jack Sparrow or #3 spouse/partner.

What Americans Would Do With a Free Yacht Trip

When imagining the perfect yacht voyage, the Mediterranean tops the list of dream destinations for Americans. Just over 40% name it as their first pick. The Caribbean (20%) and Northern Europe (8%) are the next two top choices. At the bottom of the list are the Middle East (0%), South America (2%) and Central America (2%).

When it comes to how long and who they’d charter a yacht with, most Americans would bring the same kinds of people and stay for the same amount of time at sea. The majority would take either a significant other or a friend (54%), while another 39% would take other family members. As far as the perfect amount of time at sea? That would be a full 14 nights. Gen Z would opt for the shortest trip, at 11 nights, while Gen X would choose the longest, at 15.

What Americans Would Do With a Free Cruise

Cruises, on the other hand, are far more familiar to many Americans. Almost half (42%) have ever taken a cruise. That’s over 3X as many Americans who have sailed on a yacht. Of all Americans, 90% would take a cruise if it were offered for free, which is less than the number that would accept a free yacht trip. In fact, 1 in 10 Americans would turn down a free cruise, but only 1 in 20 would turn down a free yacht trip.

The top dream cruise destinations are the same as the top yachting destinations, just in slightly different order. At #1, with 25% dreaming, is the Caribbean. In a close second is the Mediterranean with 24% dreaming. Then Northern Europe lands a distant third at 10%. The bottom of the dream cruise list is the same as for yachts, in the same order — Middle East, South America and Central America.

In a head-to-head of free luxury travel experiences, yachting wins a lot of the time. When asked if they would choose a free yacht trip or a free ride on a private jet, over four-fifths (81%) of Americans would opt for the yacht experience. Well over two-thirds (69%) would choose yachting over a free trip to Disney World. Only a five-star resort would get Americans to change their stance. Over half (55%) would choose a free stay at a five-star resort over a free yacht trip.

Life on Board the American Dream Yacht Experience

Digging deeper into the life on board the American dream yacht experience, it’s clear that food and service are #1 priorities. Almost one-third (31%) said that if they could only pick one major onboard perk for their dream excursion, it would be a private chef with tasting menus. The #2 and #3 most-popular perks are a full crew tending to your needs (24%) and a panoramic underwater observation lounge (8%).

Contrary to the association of status that many hold when it comes to yachts, most Americans say the status hardly appeals. Only 1 in 10 find the sheer status of being on a yacht to be the most appealing aspect. What comes in #1? A majority (60%) say exploration is by far the most appealing aspect. Simply “fun” is the #2 most appealing aspect. Similarly, the top activities Americans would look forward to most on a dream yacht excursion are #1 exploring the ocean, #2 privacy and relaxation and #3 partying with friends and family.

The Cost of Yachting: Expectations Vs. Reality

We’ve ignored the elephant in the room this long. Of course, cost is the largest factor in yachting, and it is the single biggest barrier preventing Americans from taking their dream excursion. More than four-fifths (83%) said cost is the main reason they are not planning to book a yacht trip within the next few years.

While cost is by far the single biggest reason, there are other barriers as well. Over 20% said time and scheduling conflicts are a barrier, another 20% said safety and weather concerns are an issue, and 17% even said they’re concerned about scams or legal issues.

So, if you could pick your price for a yacht trip, how much are you willing to spend? The average American says they would be willing to fork over $4,181 for a one-week private yacht trip. That amount varies most with income level. At the low end, those making under $25,000 are willing to spend $2,764 for this experience. Those making over $150,000 would shell out $9,311.

We also asked Americans what they think a one-week yacht trip should cost, regardless of their willingness to pay it. That number comes in a little higher, with the average American saying it should cost $11,931. Those making less than $25,000 think it should cost $12,365, while those making over $150,000 estimate it at $18,018.

In reality, a one-week private yacht trip can cost anywhere from $10,000 for the smallest yachts to over $1 million for a superyacht.

The Celebrities Americans Associate with Yachting

It’s hard to think of yachts and the yachting lifestyle without thinking of celebrities and public figures. We all likely have a person who comes to mind when we think of a yachting lifestyle. We asked respondents to write in their answers for whom they most associate with a yachting lifestyle. The overwhelming winner is Leonardo DiCaprio, who is frequently seen sailing on yachts. Like many Americans, he prefers the Mediterranean, where he charters superyachts.

Jeff Bezos is the second-most associated figure with a yachting lifestyle. Rather than chartering like DiCaprio, Bezos usually prefers to spend time on his own superyacht, called the Koru. In third place, Americans associate Beyoncé most with the lifestyle. While she doesn’t own her own yacht, like DiCaprio, she frequently charters superyachts.

In fourth place is Kim Kardashian, who is also a frequent yachter. She was even spotted on a yacht with Jeff Bezos in 2024. Of course, Kardashian also sailed on yachts for the TV show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

Interestingly, in fifth place, Americans associate Elon Musk with a yachting lifestyle. Although he may be the richest person in the world, which would signal some sort of yachting lifestyle, Musk is rarely seen aboard one. He doesn’t even own a yacht. Instead, Musk would be in the minority of Americans, opting instead for his private jet.

Taking these celebrity associations and extending them into our dream yachting concept, we asked Americans if they could pick anyone (real or not) as their captain aboard their dream excursion, who would it be? The answers are both logical and eyebrow-raising.

By far, Americans’ #1 choice is a good, experienced captain. Out of anyone in the world, most would just want somebody who knows what they’re doing. However, in second place, the tides turn. Americans’ second choice is Captain Jack Sparrow, the fictional pirate from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Experienced? Maybe. However, his dubious morality might make the trip interesting. At least there would be no shortage of rum!

In third place? Americans would rather sweetly opt to have their spouse or partner as their dream yacht captain. Which, if you think about it, is smart — then they can pick a different +1 and have twice the company.

Charter Your Mediterranean Escape

For those who feel inspired to turn their yacht dream into a plan, we are here to make the extraordinary effortless. No matter where your dream yachting destination is, we have a ship for you. Whether you’re like the majority of Americans dreaming of a Mediterranean excursion or think you have an expeditious explorer in you, we have a world-class vessel for you.

We’re your concierge at sea. Imagine the elegance, service and experience of a five-star voyage combined with the simplicity, peace of mind and ease of modern booking. That’s what making the extraordinary effortless means to us. Stop by Yacht.com and peruse our curated collection of over 1,000 luxury yachts you can charter today. Sit back and relax because our full crew is here to cater to your needs. You’re in good company.

Sources and Methodology

On October 16, 2025, we surveyed 1,006 Americans about what they would do with a free yacht or cruise trip. We asked respondents to report if they’ve ever taken a yacht or cruise trip, if they would accept a free trip, where they would go, who they would take, what they would look forward to most, how much they think such a trip should cost and if they had to pay it, what they would be willing to spend on such a trip, plus much more.

Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 77 years old, ranged in income from <$24,999 to over $150,000, and were 49% female, 49.4% male, 1.3% nonbinary, and 0.3% preferring not to say.

Fair Use

When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing Yacht.com.