Charter Guest 101: How to be a More Eco-Conscious Guest

Being a charter guest onboard a luxury charter catamaran is an incredible experience, being able to cruise the world’s oceans while being looked after by a professional crew with all the amenities. But, today, charter guests must consider the impact that boating is having on the environment. 

This environmental impact of yachts can no longer be ignored, and at Boatbookings, we advocate for a more sustainable boating industry, choosing to work with yachts that implement sustainable initiatives into the build process and operations. 

Aside from choosing from one of our greener crewed charter catamarans, there are plenty of other ways to ensure you are a better, more eco-conscious and responsible charter guest. 

Here are some tips on how to enjoy your yacht charter while minimizing your impact: 

Better Preferences

Crews ensure they always go above and beyond when running a yacht charter, and this extends to ensuring guests have what they ask for onboard a crewed charter catamaran. When filling out a preference sheet, there are a few things to consider to have a greener charter. Minimize plastic waste by drinking from refillable bottles, and utilizing the onboard water filtration system instead of requesting branded water bottles. Toiletries are another factor to consider; you can request that there be reef-friendly and environmentally safe toiletries onboard.

When it comes to food, the chefs are heavily involved in preferences. If guests request something, they will be sure to fly it in, which contributes significantly to the yacht’s carbon footprint. Be sure to request locally sourced and seasonal menus when onboard. Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint, but it also allows you to savor the freshest produce and local specialities. 

Respect the Underwater World 

Getting underwater is a big part of a yacht charter, especially in tropical locations where the underwater world is pristine, such as Tahiti, the BVIs, and the Bahamas! To preserve these ecosystems, minimize your disruption when partaking in any watersport. Avoid feeding or touching marine life, and keep a safe distance when swimming.

Reduce Consumption 

While crewed catamarans have an array of luxury amenities and facilities, this doesn’t mean that there needs to be excessive use of them. Guests can easily conserve energy and resources by switching things off when not in use. This reduction in consumption can also help reduce the yacht’s carbon footprint. You should also always embrace vacation mode and cruise at a leisurely pace; not only does this allow you to take in the destination better, but a slower cruising speed further reduces emissions. 

Support Local 

Practicing responsible sailing doesn’t just stop on the ocean. When you step ashore, it is important to support the local economy. If you go on excursions ashore, consult the crew to ensure you participate in ones that benefit the community. There are always plenty of organizations and initiatives you can get involved with ashore that are helping minimize environmental impact, such as beach clean-ups. 

Listen to Your Crew 

The yacht crew onboard our charter catamaran ensure that the boats are run extremely safely to adhere to all rules and regulations, including the environmental aspect. The crew will ensure you recognize the environmental impact that the yacht and operations will have and the correct waste disposal practices you can do while onboard. 

Spread Awareness

Never hesitate to ask the crew about any small changes you can make to minimize your impact onboard. You can inspire positive change throughout the charter community by spreading awareness about eco-friendly swaps. 

Every small change contributes to a greener future for boating. It is a collaborative effort, and as guests, you can play a vital role in preserving and protecting our oceans. Contact the Boatbookings team today to find out which greener crewed charter catamaran you can book for your next vacation!

Charter Sustainbly: Spotlight on our new Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril

We are excited to announce an addition to our crewed charter catamarans. This Sunreef 50 Eco, Tiril, is perfect for those wanting a quiet luxury and a lighter carbon footprint on their charter. 

What makes Tiril more sustainable? 

This isn’t just any charter catamaran; the Sunreef 50 Eco range is electric, innovative, and eco-conscious in design and operation. 

One standout feature is that you can cruise silently with Tiril. The Sunreef is fitted with solar panels, and with energy produced by these and the hydro-generators and wind generators, it boasts silent cruising. The energy is stored in ultralight battery banks, custom-engineered for the Eco range. 

The onboard air conditioning system is revolutionary, designed to keep you cool while conserving energy efficiently and not requiring a noisy generator.

Where will Tiril be?

Tiril will be available for charter across French Polynesia. An incredible, once-in-a-lifetime destination, the islands have plenty to offer. From lush islands and pristine waters to an abundance of tropical marine life. Cruising them in a Sunreef is perfect due to the shallow draft – well suited to easily navigating the atolls and idyllic anchorages. 

Our team can help you with bespoke and tailor-made itineraries, from Moorea to The Tuamotus, helping you explore the best of Polynesia while minimizing your carbon footprint. 

What does Tiril offer?

The Sunreef Eco 50 has four double ensuite cabins and a bunkbed cabin accommodating up to 10 guests. The yacht is fully equipped with everything you will need on a charter and has been finished with eco-responsible materials and sustainable decor.

You cannot cruise French Polynesia without plenty of watersports gear. Trill has sustainable sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and wing foiling equipment. 

Onboard Tiril, you will be well looked after by its crew. Captain Clement has a passion for sailing and sustainability. He has sailed extensively for years and the last few have been spent exploring French Polynesia. He has also created an eco-responsible cocoa trading company. Lili, the cook and host, is a native of the Tuamotus. She will show you the incredible warmth of the people and culture of the islands. She will also ensure the highest level of luxury and comfort onboard. 

Get onboard Tiril today! 

What are you waiting for? To enjoy a greener crewed charter catamaran on Tiril in French Polynesia, contact the Boatbookings team today. We are passionate about our oceans and the impact the boating industry is having; that’s why we make sure we champion these greener alternatives going forward. Make a difference today and book a more sustainable charter option. 

Green Yacht Charters: Top Five Tips 

The demand for a green, sustainable yacht charter has risen significantly over the past decade. At Boatbookings, have been leading this trend for 17 years and are thrilled to see it gaining momentum. While yacht designers embrace greener technology and innovative solutions to help the industry transition toward a more sustainable fleet, there are various other ways to ensure you leave a lighter footprint when chartering.

Whether you choose to charter a crewed motor yacht or crewed catamaran, from selecting a yacht that minimizes your carbon emissions to reducing single-use plastics and waste, take a look at our five top tips for you to have a greener yacht charter.

1. Choose a greener yacht 

The first step is to choose a yacht that has been built or retrofitted with sustainability in mind. Today there are more and more yachts out there that boast greener credentials regarding the materials they were built with, how they are run, and their features to enhance energy efficiencies, such as solar panels and hybrid and electric technology. Another way to reduce your impact is to focus on the yachts that use limitless resources, such as the wind. Crewed catamaran charters are an easy way to ensure you have a lower footprint.

2. Minimize your waste 

The first step of waste management is to start by reducing the amount of waste you produce. Eliminating single-use plastic is fundamental to this – request and update your charter preference list to reflect that you want to use reusables. Correct waste management is essential throughout a yacht charter. On crewed catamarans, they take additional steps to ensure the yacht’s waste is disposed of correctly in each marina. On a bareboat charter, you can take these steps yourself to recycle onboard and then appropriately discard waste when ashore.

3. Lower impact activities 

Rather than zooming about the ocean on fossil fuel-powered water toys, why not take your yacht charter a little slower and enjoy the activities that are better for our oceans? There are lots of lower-impact activities. For example, kayaking around picturesque BVI bays, snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of Tahiti, or standup paddleboarding in the calm, shallow waters of the Bahamas. Today, there are also a whole host of environmentally-minded toys. For that adrenaline rush, request water toys onboard such as hydrofoils and electric-powered ones.

4. Greener charter menus

Whether on a crewed or bareboat charter, you can easily lessen your environmental impact through what you eat. Firstly, buying and sourcing local produce supports the local economy and significantly reduces your food miles. Eating locally and seasonally is better for your carbon footprint due to the lower transportation emissions. Not only is it better for our planet, but the food will be fresher, and you will get to try different countries’ produce, whether that be fresh fish from a local fisherman or an exotic fruit from the market.

5. Ocean-friendly products

Products onboard are literally poured into our oceans. To ensure that you reduce harm to the marine ecosystem, be mindful of what you use. For a crewed charter, you can request the use of guest toiletries and products, such as reef-safe suncream and other products, such as organic shampoo, not to include toxic ingredients.

We have ever-increasing options for greener charter yachts. Choices that can help move our industry toward a lower-carbon future. To find out more, contact the Boatbookings team today to explore the green credentials of our huge fleet.