Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown
Docked boat in Wilmington, NC
5 guests · 4 bedrooms · 3 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
High-end valuePrice for this property is higher than average in the area
About this docked boat rental
This beautifully 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 ideally located between the Convention Center and the new Live Oak Pavilion Amphitheater at Riverfront Park. Walk to shops, restaurants, 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 views and can be closed in inclement weather.
Onboard, you will enjoy all the comforts of home and far more amenities than a hotel room including a main salon (living room), full galley (kitchen) with glassware, dishes, full size fridge, 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 sofa with privacy curtains and
- Main salon sleeper sofa.
While there is ample room for more, we recommend three guests for maximum 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 night 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 updated 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 everyone!!
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 nearby.
The dock is situated 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 nearby. The boat is not suitable for children. 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.
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 views and can be closed in inclement weather.
Onboard, you will enjoy all the comforts of home and far more amenities than a hotel room including a main salon (living room), full galley (kitchen) with glassware, dishes, full size fridge, 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 sofa with privacy curtains and
- Main salon sleeper sofa.
While there is ample room for more, we recommend three guests for maximum 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 night 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 updated 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 everyone!!
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 nearby.
The dock is situated 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 nearby. The boat is not suitable for children. 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.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
TV
Map of Wilmington, NC
Reviews
5.0
We had a wonderful experience. I highly recommend.
5.0
We had the best time during our stay on Southern Cross! The owners were so welcoming and accommodating. The yacht is beautiful! It was the perfect little get away to celebrate our 14 year anniversary! We have already recommended Southern Cross to our friends and family.
5.0
A great experience and stay while moving my son into UNCW. Excellent way to spend family time.
5.0
We couldn't have imagined a better birthday getaway for her. This was an experience we'll never forget. 10/10 on all accounts.
5.0
This was once in a life time to be able to stay on a yacht in Wilmington. Created so many memories. I would recommend this to anyone. Owners were very nice.
5.0
Our stay on the Southern Cross was amazing. Having never spent time on a yacht, we were looking forward to a new experience. The inside of the yacht was cozy, comfortable and had every conceivable item you could imagine needing from kitchen to bath. The bottled water and basket of snacks graciously provided by our hosts were enjoyed over our one week stay. The Southern Cross offered several cozy areas inside and out to enjoy depending on our mood. Our favorite area was on the stern, a perfect area for morning tea and evening sunsets
The yacht is in a prime position in the marina, offering parking on the pier and amazing access to live music frequently available. If you’re in the mood for shopping or a special night out there are a ton of restaurants and shops, many within walking distance of the marina.
Our favorite memory from our stay was watching the 4th of July fireworks sitting on the stern. The yacht is so close to the barge where the fireworks were launched it seemed as if they were falling directly over our heads.
An amazing vacation, with two wonderful hosts, nothing can compare!!!
5.0
We enjoyed our stay on the boat for a week. It’s in a great location.
5.0
Lee and Christa's boat was perfect for my friend and I for a 2-night getaway to Wilmington. The boat is very comfortable and has everything you need including a/c, nice bathrooms and a small kitchen. The beds were very comfortable and it was very peaceful and private on the boat. It's an easy 15-20 minute walk to the center of downtown Wilmington. As it states in the listing, this is a boat which occasionally gently rocks with other passing watercraft and you do need to be able to navigate stairs and narrow passageways. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here!
5.0
First time staying on a yacht and will definitely do it again. The hosts were great and can’t wait to come back. A must stay.
5.0
This was such a fun stay! The hosts were by far the best we have ever interacted with during a VRBO rental. We want to stay again! Great location, clean, and a beautiful well-cared-for boat.
5.0
Well marked, great directions with good visuals to find the The boat boat. Host was very friendly and accommodating. Location was ideal, near historic center. The boat swayed ever so slightly for the most amazing sleep ever. Highly recommended.
5.0
We love the Wilmington riverfront! This was a very pleasant vacation for us. The accommodations were quite nice, and Lee and Christa were perfect hosts. The description includes warnings for anyone with mobility issues. I would say, take those seriously. Also, for anyone like us who needs a plush sleeping surface, maybe bring a topper. The bed is very firm. Luckily, the recliners were soft and we were able to rest there. We would definitely consider staying here again.
5.0
Christa and Lee are seriously the best hosts ever! Christa went above and beyond by picking us up from the airport and taking us to the beach. They even shared awesome restaurant and bar recommendations with us. Christa was super helpful and just a text away whenever we needed anything. When our flight got delayed on our last day, we were worried about checking out, but Christa and Lee were so understanding and let us stay until our late flight at 11 PM. They made our trip special!
5.0
My husband & I had a short business trip to attend and rather than stay in a hotel, we opted to try the boat life for a couple of nights. What a great adventure. We really enjoyed the relaxing, peaceful nights on the water. Christa met us at the boat and gave us a tour and showed us the important info. The place was clean and tidy and had all the amenities of a 5 star hotel. She even had lots of snacks to enjoy while we sat outside and relished the sun set with our glass of wine. It was a great experience and will definitely be staying here again.
5.0
Being on the boat makes for a unique stay. I recommend this if you just want something different out of trip.
5.0
The boat had everything we needed and it was in a perfect location in Port City Marina in Wilmington. Lee & Christa were great hosts: Good communication; Met us at the boat at check in; reached out several times to make sure we had everything we needed; and made some great suggestions.
5.0
Southern Cross is a beautiful lady(in the Navy, boats and ships are female!). She is much more than her pictures depict. You have to experience her charm and good looks.
She is extremely well equipped and her hosts are a delight to work with.
You can’t beat the location either. If you want a unique experience, want an optimal spot to explore Wilmington and the Cape Fear area, and want to feel like a Captain of the seas(even though you don’t get underway), we highly recommend the Southern Cross as your destination accommodations.
5.0
This was our first time staying on the Southern Cross, but it will not be the last. Everything you could need is provided in this awesome 48 ft. Private Yacht. So many more amenities than you get from a motel room. This is a really nice boat located at a really nice marina. The host were very thorough in providing an orientation session to familiarize you with all the comforts. Christa & Lee were just a text away if you have any questions. They were very helpful and a pleasure to work with. Walking distance to restaurants, shopping and so much more. Thank You Christa & Lee for an enjoyable, memorable weekend.
5.0
This was an amazing experience. The hosts were thorough, great communicators, and helped us feel right at home. It was close enough to walk to several restaurants and shops yet quiet and private at night, with just the sound of the waves. We were able to watch the sun set over the river each night and drink our coffee on the aft each morning. This was an experience of a lifetime.
5.0
Amazing experience and the bests hosts ever. Cannot say enough about views, the location, and all of the extra touches these hosts provided to make sure our stay was perfect!!
5.0
The yacht was clean and full of many amenities. The owner provided meticulous details on how everything works and shirred us if we needed anything and she was just a phone call away. The view was spectacular!
5.0
This was our second stay on the Southern Cross, and it was just as great as the first time! This yacht is very cozy and comfortable, and is packed with amenities. Lee and Christa ensure that all of our needs are met, and that we are always comfortable. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset with a great view of the battleship, right from the boat. Easy walking on the Riverwalk to Downtown Wilmington. Highly recommend staying here!
5.0
The only thing better than the experience on the 51 foot yacht “Southern Cross” after the Crosby Stills and Nash song, were the owners of the yacht Lee and Christa!
We’ve never been on a boat like this and they met with us for an hour as we checked in and showed us everything about the boat. The experience was absolutely perfect.
Location is in the center of town.
It really gives you an experience that you’re living on a boat. They were able to help us with so many different decisions.
We have stayed at many VRBO properties, but never had such a unique and supportive experience that we will never forget.
We cannot think of any property that would’ve given us this type of experience near Wonderful Wilmington where we called it WW.
5.0
Great location , owners were very friendly will definitely stay again
5.0
We had a great stay on the Southern Cross despite weathering a tropical storm the first night of our stay! Christa and Lee were incredible hosts attending to every single detail! Our girls trip was relaxing, adventurous, and a "rockin" great time! We enjoyed the Marina Grill and walking to great restaurants and bars. This was an easy Five Star review! We will definitely be back!!! Better than a hotel room for sure!
5.0
Such an awesome experience! Right next to the concert we could walk to it! Can walk downtown, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the boat! Such a fun time.
5.0
We loved staying aboard Lee and Christa’s Southern Cross. Well appointed, comfortable, and accommodating (we own a boat, so are familiar with the smaller spaces aboard ). Communication with the owners was excellent. With a wonderful front row seat on the river and situated very close to downtown and all of the restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and shops, we felt we were in the best place to stay in Wilmington.
5.0
The Southern Cross is a wonderfully unique destination, Docked at the best marina in Wilmington it is perfectly located in Wilmington to the best restaurants, bars, breweries and music venues. We look forward to our next visit on this gorgeous 48’ Hatteras yacht.
5.0
Hosts Christa & Lee met us on arrival, gave us a comprehensive tour of the boat, highlighted local attractions/restaurants, and remained on call throughout the duration of our stay. Location is very accessible to quaint downtown boutiques and delicious eateries. We even had unexpected fireworks display over the river one evening. Accommodation was truly a unique to experience and enjoy Wilmington. We look forward to doing it again on our next trip to the area.
5.0
My husband and I stayed on the Southern Cross for 2 nights to attend the Darius Rukus concert. Our experience was perfect! Lee and Christa communicated with us well prior to check-in and met us at the boat to show us around. The tour was thorough, and Lee and Christa were great! Due to the extreme heat this weekend, and their worry about the A/C keeping up, they communicated with us a couple of times to be sure all was going well. The boat was clean, very comfortable, and well stocked. We loved the extra touches provided by the owners to make our stay special. The location was perfect to attend the show, and to walk to historic downtown Wilmington. The sunset from the boat was beautiful! We definitely look forward to a stay here again!
5.0
I can’t begin to explain how much we enjoyed our stay on the Southern Cross! It is definitely a unique experience that I would suggest to any and everyone! Lee and Christa were some of the best, most interesting people we’ve ever met and we cannot wait to come stay again!
5.0
Great hospitality. Unique location. Lee and Christa are great hosts. They made check in a breeze. Facility was clean and inviting. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!
5.0
This was a great location at the marina. Perfect for watching 4th of July Fireworks. Enjoyed a relaxing, peaceful time watching all the different boats passing by and all the different waterfowl, especially the pelicans. Lee and Christa's personal attention was above and beyond what is normally expected. Would highly recommend a stay on the Southern Cross!
5.0
First time visiting Wilmington and could not have chosen a better place to stay. The yacht is so close to everything you might want to do in downtown Wilmington. Easy access to the riverfront walk which is a must to do. After a day of exploring Wilmington it was very relaxing to come back to the boat and spend the evening relaxing on the water, would highly recommend it!
5.0
Our long weekend stay on the Southern Cross was just what we needed to relax and enjoy the ambience around the marina, water and historic Wilmington. The accommodations are very comfortable offering more amenities than one needs, as well as different areas to enjoy morning coffee, afternoon reading and napping, cocktails in the evening and peaceful nights to see beautiful sunsets and listen to music wafting from nearby live venues. The master stateroom was large with a comfortable bed and bathroom. We also enjoyed the convenient location to the Riverwalk with multiple restaurants, the Marina Grill at the end of the pier, and the nearby shuttle providing multiple trips around the Historic downtown area. Thank you Lee and Crista for your kind hospitality and the welcoming toast you provided upon our arrival! We look forward to returning.
5.0
This was one of the best stays I've ever had. The boat was absolutely perfect, and we all had a blast. This was for father's day / my dad's birthday, and he said it was an amazing trip.
Lee and Christa were absolutely wonderful and made the trip an entire step better than any of us expected.
5.0
Everything was perfect from the time we arrived until we departed. The Yacht was so well appointed and the hosts had everything covered (all those things you always forget to bring). The dock location was excellent - close to all the restaurants & entertainment downtown. We were there to attend our nephews wedding on the Riverfront, so the location worked out super for us. We took Christa's recommendation and ate at the Marina Grill and it was very good and just a short walk from the pier. We were lucky to be able to catch a free concert on the pier which we watched from the boat. It was our first time trying something "different" and we were not disappointed. Lee & Christa were excellent hosts and checked in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. Thanks again and since we have family in the Wilmington area we, will return and will definitely stay at The Southern Cross! Mike & Bette, Virginia Beach, VA
5.0
Everything about this stay was amazing!!
5.0
We loved this unique getaway experience. The boat had plenty of space for our group of 3. You cannot beat the location if you are wanting to spend time in downtown Wilmington. Walking distance to restaurants, bars and the perfect location if attending a concert at Live Oak Pavilion. The hosts were very communicative and answered all questions we had during our stay. Will certainly be back!
5.0
I loved my stay on the boat! The location was terrific!! Anyone staying onboard needs to be nimble and able to manage lots of steps (as with all boats). Welcoming hosts! Nicely supplied with water and snacks. Make sure you adhere to policy of no pets or children; could be dangerous with all the water.
FAQs
How much does this docked boat cost compared to others in Wilmington?
The average price for a rental in Wilmington is $347 per night. This rental is $6 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this docked boat?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this docked boat?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this docked boat. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this docked boat is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Private Yacht - On The River - In Heart of Downtown?
We found 7 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, and laundry.