LONDON , England ( CNN ) -- A U.S. company is offering a rare chance to holiday on a mega-yacht once used by a Hollywood star and her husband -- and thanks to the recession it 's actually affordable . The 100-foot Katania normally would attract an additional $ 49,500 charter fee for a week 's use . The 100-foot Katania was chartered by Hollywood star Hilary Swank and her husband , Chad Lowe . Seattle , Washington-based mega-yacht rental business CEO Expeditions usually charges around $ 100,000 a week to charter their 100-plus-foot yachts , but they have introduced a deal waiving the charter fees -- meaning guests will only need to pay for the running of the vessel . The move to make such vessels more affordable comes as the recession continues to put pressure on the luxury holiday and mega-yacht industries . Although the costs of crew and luxury food are n't extremely cheap , it is expected this move will open up the recession-strained market to many more potential holiday-makers . The Katania now costs less than $ 3,000 per day . Normally it would attract an additional $ 49,500 charter fee for a week 's use . At the $ 2,950-per-day special rate , four people can stay on the Katania -- but with the maximum six on board ( $ 450 extra per person ) the cost per person is a slightly better $ 642 . The price includes full crew , premium wines , gourmet food prepared by a private chef , amenities such as kayaks , hot tub , fishing/crabbing/shrimping equipment , and even a 30-foot whaler for guest use . According to the company , Swank said of her charter holiday : `` We had an absolutely enchanted time aboard the Katania . A more beautiful yacht does not exist . '' There is one small catch with the deal -- the boat is based in the San Juan islands off the coast of Washington and British Columbia , and any cruises to other destinations will attract an additional charge to cover fuel costs . The company 's owner , Bruce Milne , released a statement saying the deal was largely a result of the impact of the recession . `` Travel is down , agents and brokers need deals , so rather than just a few full-price charters , we decided to stay busy , put more people to work , and help island tourism by doing charters at cost . `` Since we started chartering 10 years ago , we have been looking for a chance to provide our 'Expeditions to the Extraordinary ' in the San Juan Islands at a price any luxury traveler can afford -- this recession provides that opportunity , '' he said . Tim Wiltshire , director and sales broker at international yacht company Burgess Yachts , said the charter market is n't a complete disaster , so he was surprised to see such a discount . `` I would n't have expected to see that , '' he said . `` We are seeing discounts on average of about 25 percent . Although some people are trying interesting gimmicks to inspire new business . '' Wiltshire said CEO Expedition 's fleet is n't among the biggest or most luxurious on the market , and this deal appears to be clever marketing stunt . His opinion is that other larger vessels still warrant their greater price tags .
U.S. mega-yacht charter company waives massive $ 50,000 charter fees . The impact of the recession is reason given for the discounted deal . Comment: