Our first impressions when setting foot on board LIONSHARE during the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show were of an incomparably handsome yacht dedicated to enjoying life at sea without too much distraction, in other words, an excellent yachtsman`s yacht. Spaces are distinctly free from clutter creating a serene environment. Walkways are generous and the orderly design and placement of furnishings facilitates circulation throughout the yacht.
The interior of this luxurious Heesen 130 was designed by Clifford Denn and features contemporary architecture and furnishings in opposing dark and pale tones with dark wood highlights and rich hardwood floors. The atmosphere is sophisticated and stunning. The main deck on LIONSHARE features a plush lounging area with only the suggestion of separation from the dining area produced by two columns and a buffet cabinet.
LIONSHARE features accommodations for 11 guests in five ensuite staterooms. Crisp white linens, soft lighting and minimal furnishings create a zen-like environment conducive to relaxation.
LIONSHARE features plenty of open deck living space and an especially awesome, forward facing Jacuzzi with a generous surround of sun pads. It was easy to imagine sitting in the Jacuzzi, making a grand entrance into a new and exciting port of call, tropical cocktail in hand, magnificent view all around.
LIONSHARE is currently available for charter in the Caribbean with plans for summer 2012 charters in the Eastern Mediteranean region. This is an excellent yacht for discriminating guests who require the utmost in service and appreciate nautical tradition with a contemporary aesthetic.
Please follow this link for detailed information about chartering LIONSHARE.
Here is a useful link to explore all the possibilities of Luxury Superyacht Charter in destinations worldwide.
HemisphereIn the past decade, Turkey has become a leader in the yachting industry, evidenced by the presence of numerous prominent superyacht shipbuilders, superbly constructed and equipped marinas with adjacent upscale resort and retail amenities and state-of-the-art dockage facilities. Perhaps for these reasons, along with economic incentives and a desirable climate, next year’s World Superyacht Awards is relocating from London to Istanbul.
The annual World Superyacht Awards, held in London for the last three years, are moving to Istanbul, Turkey. Next year’s event will be held on May 5 in Çiragan Palace Kempinski, a former Ottoman palace situated on the European shores of the Bosphorus.
Nominated yachts include the 70.5m (231ft) Talisman C, built by Proteksan Turquoise, the 63m (207ft) Feadship Lady Britt, the 50m (164ft) Satori by Heesen Yachts and the 44.2m (145ft) Pendennis-built Hemisphere.
The basic requirement for the awards is that the nominated yacht must be of over 30m (98ft) in length and have been completed and delivered to its owner between January 1st and December 31st, 2011.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the big difference. With more than 100 yachts open for viewing the details become paramount in choosing which of these stunning yachts and skillful crews to highlight. Here are some of the favorites thus far:
MELINKA is a classic Sparkman & Stevens 80ft. sailing yacht that is an ideal choice for friends who really enjoy sailing together. The crew on board MELINKA makes this yacht really stand out from the crowd. They share a synergy that is infectious and a team spirit that is reflected in the soul and spirit of MELINKA.
DONA LOLA, named for the family’s much-adored grandmother, is a stunning Westport 130. When we stepped on board we were immediately impressed with the oversized windows that flood the main salon with daylight. White furnishings enhance the cool, contemporary style that is soothing to the soul. Captain Adam Crooks is looking forward to a fabulous yacht charter season in the Caribbean and confided that when DONA LOLA returns to the Mediterranean for the summer season he would love to do a Monaco Grand Prix (May 24-27, 2012) charter.
Lunch on board DAMRAK II, a sleek and stylish Sunreef 70 power catamaran, gave guests the delightful opportunity to experience the amazing culinary creations of Chef Sharon “Shaz”, who is well known for her gourmet talent. The first course of delicately seasoned scallops was accompanied by a savory banana chutney and pared with a crisp Pouilly Fuisse, which also complimented the sumptuous main course of Caribbean lobster tails.
More inside views aboout the participating charter yachts at the Antigua show will be available shortly. Please follow this link to explore all aspects of Caribbean Yacht Charter.
It is the 50th anniversary of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show and reasons for the longevity of the popular event abound. The show sets the stage for charter agents to view the stunning array of availabilities for the forthcoming Caribbean charter season, to meet with captains and crews, and to sample the delicacies of the many remarkably talented chefs.
The attending yachts, which range in length from 46 feet to 245 feet, are berthed in three marinas, Falmouth Harbour, English Harbour and Nelson`s Dockyard. Our charter experts have been on board several of the yachts in all three locations.
At English Harbor top yachts included the magnificent 184ft. Perini Navi, PANTHALASSA, a high-performance sailing yacht with a James Bond flare. BLISS, a striking 121ft. Dubois features stunning interiors embellished by exotic elements such as stingray skin and glass-embedded metal. The attractive crew of BLISS ranks highly for enthusiasm and charm.
The week-long annual event also features the popular Concours De Chef and table-setting competition. This year chefs are asked to prepare a Caribbean banquet celebrating the Antigua Charter Show’s 50th anniversary.
Piper Heidsieck is sponsoring the Steward/Stewardess Table Setting Challenge with a prize for the most imaginative and elegant Caribbean-themed anniversary table decoration incorporating the number 50.
Check back for continuous updates about top yachts and show events!
Follow this link for excellent information about Antigua and Caribbean Sea Yacht Charter and to launch your charter adventure through these breathtaking islands.
Long Island is known as the most scenic island in the Bahamas. Ideally our guests will arrive by private or charter plane, rather than make the crossing by yacht from Nassau. We anchor OLGA offshore from the Flying Fish Marina. It’s a funny thing; we never see any other superyachts here but many people spending big money to fly fish. This is a charming little marina, very friendly, easy to get in and out and really well protected. You see nurse sharks and other marine species found in the Exumas, and tons of turtles all the time. There is a stunning stretch of beach here.
Day 2: Eastern Jumentos
The first jump is the longest, 59 nautical miles from Long Island to the eastern point of Jumentos. Here we are only 50 or 60 miles from Cuba. The Jumento Cays are a rarely visited, beautiful group of islands rimming the southern edge of the 330-mile-long Great Bahama Bank in a hundred-mile arc. Only the southernmost island of the chain, Ragged Island, has about 40 inhabitants. There are several well-protected areas for mooring.
In the Exumas the water is shallow, but in Jumentos the water is very deep, so you can anchor very close to shore and be very well protected. There are reefs and coral heads everywhere on one side of the island and on the other the ocean floor drops from 700 feet to 7,000 feet, fantastic for fishing and diving. It’s the dream for the divers and fishermen to be that close, just a few hundred yards by tender. There are marlins, turtles, groupers, hammerheads and huge lobsters. We spend the first day here, fishing and diving in the morning and water sports after lunch.
Day 3: Water Cay
It’s only 20 miles to the next stop, Water Cay. Here guests are going to see the bank where you have three authentic blue holes. We anchor out in 20 feet of water and snorkel, or you can dive, and the holes are full of fish and marine life. People from Nassau now come here to pick up conchs because overfishing has left none close to Nassau. Here they are plentiful and Water Cay is also great for catching lobsters. It is easy to make our charter guests very happy here. We snorkel in the morning and catch 14 lobsters. Then we head for this pristine little beach. There is nobody here, no houses, and no yachts. Perfect for a lobster barbeque.
Day 4: Flamingo Cay
The next destination is just 9.5 miles and one of my favorite places. Flamingo Cay offers anchoring with total protection. Even in 20-knot winds the water in the bay is going to be flat. The island has an elevation of about 300 feet with lots of lush greenery. A powdery white sand beach rims the beautiful bay. We are all by ourselves. There is an old ferryboat sunken in seven to 12 feet of water that is great for snorkeling. It is the perfect distance to go with our guests from the beach to the boat and return to the beach. Chef Claire always makes a magnificent paella on this beach. This is also an amazing place for fishing because there are pinnacles that jut up from 7000 feet of water to just 26 feet. Here you are one hundred percent guaranteed to catch grouper and yellowtail because they like things that go up, so they live around the pinnacles. If guests want to catch really big grouper, anywhere from 30 to 80 pounds, we go out a little bit further and let the line drag down to 400 or 500 feet. We chum for yellowtail. When you know the area and know where to go the fishing is easy.
Holocene eolianite on Long IslandDay 5: Buena Vista
Today we cruise 28 nautical miles to another splendid spot, Buena Vista, again a well-protected area, although not as good as Flamingo because you are open to the north. We anchor in 11 feet and take the guests drift snorkeling along the wall. It takes about 45 minutes and is an ideal excursion, especially for children, because it is not tiring and islands on both sides make people feel safe. There is a small but stunning beach on the northwest side of the island. Divers enjoy the amazing reefs and coral heads and there is also a small yet marvelous beach. Nearby Nurse Cay is home to a lot of baby nurse sharks hiding in the rocks. It is really nice because the sharks are not deep and you can touch them and take pictures.
Day 6: Ragged Island
Ragged Island is part of the Jumentos Cays and Ragged Island Chain and lies about 20 miles from BuenaVista. In Duncan Town, the only settlement in the entire chain, most of the inhabitants are the direct descendants of the original settlers. These islanders rely heavily on the mail boat for transportation, freight and commerce. The island is renowned for great bone fishing and there are four or five of sunken fishing boats that provide interesting snorkeling. We like to go ashore for a walking tour of the island, which is culturally unique and distinguished from Nassau and the Exumas.
Ragged Island is located on the passage between the Bahamas and Cuba where currents from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean flow into the Gulf Stream. The amount of marine life here is astonishing. We ride the tender for 20 minutes to reach
Columbus Bank. There is a six-foot deep area that is surrounded by a depth of 60 feet, which then drops off to 4,000 feet. There are thousands of fish here including spectacular jumping tuna. South of Ragged are more sensational coral heads with a delightful sandbar in the center. Magalenese Bank is another great spot for deep-sea fishing.
This is an itinerary for families and friends that want to spend quality time together. There are no shops, no restaurants, no casinos and no bars. This is an unsurpassed charter itinerary for those interested in exploring nature and an environment that has changed little since Columbus sailed these same Caribbean bays.
Charter OLGA with Captain Bernard and enjoy a rare opportunity of discovery while living in absolute luxury.
Our first impressions when setting foot on board LIONSHARE during the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show were of an 
incomparably handsome yacht dedicated to enjoying life at sea without too much distraction, in other words, an excellent yachtsman`s yacht. Spaces are distinctly free from clutter creating a serene environment. Walkways are generous and the orderly design and placement of furnishings facilitates circulation throughout the yacht.
The interior of this luxurious Heesen 130 was designed by Clifford Denn and features contemporary architecture and furnishings in opposing dark and pale tones with dark wood highlights and rich hardwood floors. The atmosphere is sophisticated and stunning. The main deck on LIONSHARE features a plush lounging area with only the suggestion of separation from 
the dining area produced by two columns and a buffet cabinet.
LIONSHARE features plenty of open deck living space and an especially awesome, forward facing Jacuzzi with a generous surround of sun pads. It was easy to imagine sitting in the 
Jacuzzi, making a grand entrance into a new and exciting port of call, tropical cocktail in hand, magnificent view all around.
