What should be completed before the deposit is released?

• The principal has approved the guest group, cabin allocation and compromises.
• Passenger permissions and itinerary eligibility have been checked by the appropriate operator or adviser.
• Availability, option expiry and payment deadlines are recorded in writing.
• Expected spending, higher-spend exposure and cash advances are shown separately.
• Taxes and exclusions have a documented basis.
• Essential service and equipment commitments are addressed in the agreement as advised.
• Cancellation, breakdown, weather and yacht-sale questions have been resolved.
• Insurance has been evaluated against the actual payments and guest arrangements.
• Payment instructions have been independently verified.
• A pre-departure recheck of crew, equipment and embarkation arrangements is assigned.

Bottom line: keep the broker relationship if it works. Improve the decision by making the alternatives comparable, documenting what is known and withholding approval where a material condition remains unresolved.