Your 2014 To-Do list from Boatbookings

The Boatbookings team would like to send everyone a very Happy New Year and best wishes for 2014! With so much to look forward to it’s never too early to be thinking about your holiday plans for the year. We’ve compiled a very simple list of things to ensure an unforgettable year of memories with family and friends.

1. Visit Sardinia!

Following a visit to Sardinia in 2013, Charles and Tom from our team cannot recommend it enough. Whether you’re looking to sail the beautiful east coast and experience the breathtaking National Park of La Maddalena, see the picturesque turquoise waters of Carloforte or enjoy the buzzing hot spot of Porto Cervo there’s something for you! If you’re stuck for where to see this summer, we guarantee Sardinia will provide you with an unforgettable charter holiday.

SAFRA is a sleek and sexy Azimut 86S, perfect for seeing Sardinia in style!

2. Book your Spring Break and Winter Vacations to get the top picks in the Caribbean!

With an ever-growing demand for yachts over the two busiest holiday periods in the Caribbean, the Boatbookings team recommend getting in early to gain access to the best yachts available. Whether you’re looking for a bareboat charter, crewed catamaran or luxury motor yacht someone on the team has the best knowledge and experience of cruising grounds and boats to help you fully experience the magic of this area.

There’s no better way to experience the Caribbean that by catamaran, and there’s no better catamaran than Lagoon 52 FREEDOM!

3. Try somewhere new!

Whether it be Thailand, the Maldives, Belize, Greece, Croatia or the beautiful Balearics we have someone who can help you organise the holiday of a lifetime. There really is no better way to see these beautiful locations than by water. From bareboat sailing vacations to luxury motor yacht charters we have the boat for you.

Contact us today, happy sailing awaits!

Posted on January 2, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Blue Peter – The Number One Yacht for Regatta Charters!

On Sunday, Tom from the Boatbookings Team was lucky enough to get out on the water for an afternoon of sailing on board THE BLUE PETER. Built in 1930, she has been under the ownership of owner/skipper Mat for 13 years. THE BLUE PETER and the ocean are evidently two of Mat’s greatest passions in life! He has nurtured her and restored her into the beautiful condition that she is now in – a true labor of love! THE BLUE PETER is currently undergoing a comprehensive refit following the installation of a completely new mast. Her new mast is 2.5m taller than her previous one and, with a larger mainsail, this makes her even faster and more spectacular than she was before!

She has had many successful regatta outings over the years, this year being no different. She has consistently been one of the top competitors with strong performances in the Monaco Classics Week, Regatta Royales in Cannes and Les Voiles de St Tropez. Mat and First Mate Gary welcome guests on board to join them for exciting Regatta Charters, their comprehensive packages ensuring that you will truly experience classic regatta racing on one of the most successful and prestigious boats in her class.

Mat, Gary and their crew are about to embark on a transatlantic crossing via Barcelona and the Seychelles before crossing the Atlantic to Antigua where she will be based over Christmas. In the New Year, THE BLUE PETER will sail to Barbados, Grenada, St Maarten, St Barths and the BVIs, entering regattas along the way, before returning to the Mediterranean in May for another exciting summer of racing on the Riviera!

Inquire today with one of our Charter Experts at Boatbookings who will be delighted to organize a regatta charter and this experience of a lifetime for you!

Posted on October 22, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Les Voiles de Saint Barth Regatta.

LES VOILES DE SAINT BARTH is a regatta that is barely four years old yet today has become a must-do on the event calender of all amateur and professional sailors. The diverse sailing, beautiful weather, and stunning scenery has become an addictive cocktail that lures the world’s best sailors from the still wintery continent to the barmy shores of the Caribbean. It takes place from April 8th – April 13th 2013 around St Barth in the Leeward Islands – known for its decidedly french flair and friendly atmosphere.

Race director Luc Poupon prepares a diverse portfolio of races – 28 in fact; departing from Gustavia’s harbor and finishing in the “petits saints” area. He does this just so on race day he can choose the four final courses according to the weather and the yachts racing – such is the meticulous organizing and preparation of this event! The courses range from 14 to 40 miles in length and with the dependable trade winds providing anything from 5 to 30 knot sailing and the variety of small islands, bays and headlands, there is a fantastic variety of sailing that can keep even the most experienced sailors on their toes.

Race Director Luc Poupon confirms “St Barth’s configuration is a real advantage for us: the coast landscapes of the island are very different from one another and there are about 15 small islands around St Barth, which give us the opportunity to organize diversified race courses, with multiple legs and sail angles and therefore a lot of manoeuvres for the crews“ The success of this Regatta is plain for all to see. The debut of this event in 2010 saw 28 entrants which swiftly moved to 48 in 2011 and 58 in 2012. This year there are currently 62 entrees competing and the window is still open.

Jim Swartz – one of the top sailors taking part this year maintains that the key to the events success comes down to the “fair division by rating in each of the classes, with deep competition within; the race courses, which are very distinct and class appropriate; and the professionalism of the race committee itself.”

Remarkably THE BLUE PETER is still available to charter for this race. She is a stunning, classic yacht, 19.65m in length and with skipper Matt Barker at the helm (who himself has won many regattas) still looking for crew members, this is a fantastic opportunity to take part in the Regatta!

If you are looking to charter a yacht to race in a regatta or simply to watch with cocktails in hand, get in touch with us at www.boatbookings.com. We organize all sorts of charters around the world with our highly qualified team that has intimate knowledge of the destinations and yachts that are available. We leave no stone unturned in matching not just the yacht and the destination to your requirements but also the crew, itineraries and all other subtle aspects that comes together to create a charter of a life time!

Watch this space for the latest industry show releases, news and gossip in the yachting world. If you liked the content on this page and our previous posts, please become a fan and like our Facebook page to receive up to date information on our publications. Follow us on Twitter and Google Plus too.

Posted on March 22, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Events and Celebrations In The Caribbean Over Christmas and New Year!

If you’ve booked your yacht, and you’re not sure what islands you want to visit and when, have a look at what events are taking place throughout the Caribbean, and decide where you want to be based on what party you like the sound of the most! Each island has its own traditions for all the festivities.. So why not sample something new! For more information on all the events taking place, click here.

In Carriacou there is the famous Parang Music Festival. This annual event is one of the most beloved in the Caribbean and attracts fantastic musicians. (carriacoupetitemartinique.com)

In St. Vincent, there are caroling competitions and what is known as the Nine Morning Celebration. Celebrations start early every morning (4 am!) and include sea bathing, street parades, vendors selling everything imaginable, and lots of singing and dancing. (www.discoversvg.com).

In Mustique, on New Year’s Eve, there is a famous party with two bands and celebrities galore at Basil’s Bar (www.basilsmustique.com). Right after Christmas is the famous Blues Festival at Basil’s Bar.

See our St Vincent and the Grenadines Charter Yachts

In Antigua, there is a Christmas Masquerade Party at the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. On Christmas Day, there is a Champagne Celebration in Nelson’s Boatyard at the Antigua Yacht Club. Locals and tourist gather to listen to live bands, quaff champagne and enjoy the colorful, festive atmosphere. Proceeds benefit the Hourglass Foundation Charity.

See our Antigua Charter Yachts

In St. Martin on there is the “Lighting Parade”, a show of Christmas costumes in the streets of Grand-Case. On the following day there is the Annual Christmas Lights Competition and Christmas Eve, dancing, dining and Midnight Mass. On New Year’s Eve, the Réveillon de la Saint Sylvestre, there is a festive celebrations with noisemakers, balloons, and late-night dancing at hotels and restaurants.

See our St Martin Charter Yachts

In Guadeloupe, there is a Jazz Festival in mid December in Pointe a Pitre, on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass with French and Creole carols and on Dec. 28, the Young Saint’s Day Parade for children carrying Christmas toys.

See our Guadeloupe Charter Yachts

In Martinique, there is a Rum Festival at the St. James Museum in Sainte Marie (Rum Museum). There is also a Christmas Caroling Festival in Saint Joseph (Association Mazincouin) Tourists can join locals in celebrating Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and festive dining and dancing at hotels and restaurants on New Year’s Eve.

See our Martinique Charter Yachts

In St. Barth’s, there are gala parties in the hotels and restaurants for New Year’s Eve…and don’t forget about having a Jimmy Buffet cheeseburger at the famous “Hamburger in Paradise” restaurant!

Our St Barths Yacht Charter Guide

On Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands (BVI), on New Year’s Eve there is the grand daddy of all New Years parties at Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant where hundreds of boats lash themselves together and the harbor is turned into one large floating party. This celebration is said to be one of the three best places to be in the world on New Year’s Eve, along with Times Square and Trafalgar Square!

See our BVI Charter Yachts

Looking to charter a yacht? Head to www.boatbookings.com, the leading online yacht charter broker, or email us at [email protected] and one of our Charter Specialists will get back to you shortly.

Posted on December 20, 2012 by admin

10 Simple Steps to Luxury Yacht Charter!

Chartering a luxury catamaran, motor or sailing yacht has never been so simple, thanks to our dedicated team of charter brokers who will help you plan the trip of a lifetime anywhere in the world. Here at Boatbookings, we pride ourselves on customer service and we will not stop until we find you the perfect yacht. There are 10 simple steps from turning a dream into a reality.

Step 1 – Most importantly, guests must decide where they would like to start their charter and what sort of yacht they would like. We offer charters from all around the world, including the United States, the Caribbean, French & Italian Riviera’s and the Far East. We have access to a vast amount of motorboats, sailboats and catamarans in each of these destinations.

Beautiful Beaches of the BVI — The natural beauty of the BVI

Step 2 – Once you have decided where and how you want to travel, contact us. Please enquire via our website or send an email to [email protected]. Once we have received your enquiry, one of our brokers will assist you and start searching for suitable yachts.

Step 3 – We ask guests to provide the following information, so that we can gain a clearer idea of what you really want. Are you looking for a bareboat or a crewed charter? Are your dates flexible and how long would you like to charter for? Do you have a particular budget in mind for your charter? If you are looking for a sailboat, please be aware that you must start on a Saturday for a weeks duration.

Van Dutch 40 — The stunning VanDutch 40, PURE DUTCH

Step 4 – Once we have received this information, our brokers will then start the search for possible yachts that meet your criteria. We will then find which yachts are available for your charter dates and propose at least three options which are suitable for you to review and compare.

Step 5 – Once you have reviewed and compared the yachts that you have been sent, our broker will then arrange the charter for you. For example, you have chosen to charter M/Y MOSKING, a stunning Mangusta 108 from Antibes, France for 4 days.

M/Y MOSKING, Mangusta 108 Luxury Motor Yacht

Step 6 – Our broker would then reserve this for you and start preparing the charter agreement and invoice. Once all the paperwork has been signed and the invoice has been paid by either bank transfer or credit card, we can start to make some final itinerary plans.

Step 7 – Our broker will arrange all the meeting details, can arrange restaurant reservations and help to organise an itinerary. For example, guests wills depart from Antibes and spend one day cruising slowly towards Monaco, enjoying a long lunch in St Jean Cap Ferrat. Then guests could head towards Portofino and along the Italian Riviera before heading back to Antibes.

The magnificent Italian Riviera town of Portofino

Step 8 – We will send a preference sheet to you to note down all the provisions you would like on the yacht. This can cover anything from champagne and wine, to food and flowers. All provisions will be bought before you step foot onboard and therefore ready for you to enjoy immediately.

Step 9 – The final meeting place and timings will be sent for your embarkation. You will be given the captains details for any last minute requests or discussions on itinerary.

Sunset — The end to a perfect day onboard a Luxury Yacht

Step 10 – Guests will board and start their charter. The crew will do everything that they can to make sure that you have a successful charter. They will be able to arrange any emergency provisions and last minute restaurant reservations, leaving guests to relax fully and enjoy the natural beauty that is the French and Italian Riviera.

Posted on September 20, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓