One of the Best Yachts Available for Charter on the French Riviera!
LADY AMANDA is the perfect yacht for a fun-filled week on the French Riviera with family and friends or a group of 4 couples! Her outstanding crew led by Captain Ashley, they are ready and waiting to show you the highlights of the French Riviera
With an amazing selection of water toys including jet ski, 2 sea bobs, 5m waterslide from the bridge deck, ocean pool for jellyfish protection, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, waterskis, wakeboard, wakeskate, donut, balloon blast and more to come for 2020!
She offers accommodation for up to 10 guests in 4 double cabins, 2 with Pullman berths and a stunning saloon area with a dining table on the interior complemented by her well-presented sundeck complete with dining, sunbathing area, and jacuzzi! LADY AMANDA really offers everything you could wish for!
Contact Cordy now to book your French Riviera Yacht Charter.
Thinking about having a holiday on the water, or planning to upgrade on your Bahamas cruise? Read here!
Price
Roughly speaking, you are looking roughly between £750 – £2,000 per cabin, 7 days, for a cruise liner. If you are going away with family, this could amount up to £2,250 – £6,000 – before you even start to factor in the extortionate dinner prices, and excursions.
For £6,000 you can charter a 2019 Catamaran with a skipper and have the yacht to yourselves. Of course, there are other costs to factor in but as a whole, when wanting to have a holiday on the water with the family, a private charter is more often than not, a better choice economically compared to a cruise liner.
Itinerary
Cruise liners are very good at having a set itinerary. You know where you will be on what day, and at what port. Due to the size, and with the number of bodies on board, it is imperative that they stick to a schedule (yes they leave people behind if they are not on board!)
Cruise liners are absolutely huge, often referred to as ‘death’ by sailors sailing past them and can pretty much go through any weather (within reason) allowing them to stick to their schedule.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d say I stick to a holiday itinerary about 40% of the time. I always seem to discover parts that I would like to explore more – with a private charter, it gives you the flexibility to do so. On your valuable week off from work, do you really want your week to be so structured to the minute? The answer is probably no…
Food and drink
How can I put this politely….. there are roughly 3000+ guests on one cruise ship, so expect mass-produced, soulless food. Now if that’s your cup of tea – great!!! A cruise is for you. If you, however, want personalised meals, often made with local produce, in a local way then a private charter is for you. The private charter chef will have received your preference sheets and created a bespoke menu based on your dietary requirements, likes, dislikes, allergies etc. Why would you ever opt for anything less?!
Comfort and atmosphere
Cruise liners, similarly referred to as a hotel on water, really does equate to what you pay for. The interior rooms are like a small motel, while the suites offer a more luxurious vibe (they do come with a hefty price tag). On a yachting vacation, regardless of it being a private charter or a cruise, you won’t really spend a lot of room in the bedroom. However, you will spend a lot of your time on the decks. If this is on a private charter, there is no better place to hang out than on the bow, or flybridge (if your yacht has one). On a cruise liner, you have the inside entertainment areas and outside areas such as the swimming pool. The seating works just like a hotel -first come first serve with 8 am sprints needed to ensure you get a place around the pool.
The bottom line
If you want to get up close and personal with the desired country that you visit, a private charter is for you. The flexibility and adaptability to your needs surpass anything that cruise liners could ever give you. To find out more, chat to one of us today!
Forget the crowded ferry type boats and create your own whale watching tour. See these marvelous creatures from the comfort of your own Sailing Yacht. There are several elements that you need to take into consideration before galavanting off to greet the peaceful giants. The WhitsundaysEscape has created the picture below, but this applies to pretty much everyone and everywhere!
Make as little impact to the whales as possible. If the whales are ‘logging’ (sleeping) do not rev your yacht and do circles around them.
Admire them from at least 10-15 boat lengths apart.
Donate to a local charity that is protecting the Whalesso generations ahead can still view these magnificent giants.
Educate yourselves on the whales. Some are shy, some are more inquisitive.
Be respectful. If there are several yachts surrounding one whale its time to go. Don’t be that person. Lead by example.
Every year, thousands of Gray whales travel between Mexico and Alaska, this is one of the longest migrations in the water! From December to March/April time, they give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the Baja California, Mexico.
This picture was taken in front of Pico Island, Azores.
You name it, the biggest ones are there! Blue whales are the biggest animals to have ever lived on this planet – they are breathtaking large. There are only a few places in the world where you are able to see them, and the Azores is one of them! Blue whales pass the Azores on their way to the north – best time: between April and May. Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including Sei, Fin and the resident Sperm whales.
This picture was taken at Cape Cod. This is a bubble feeding technique whales use to catch a lot of fish in one time. They are doing this mostly in groups.
As the summer begins, any of the North American coasts are a great option! Specifically, around Newport, you have access to the Cape where sea wildlife is in abundance. Quebec, British Columbia, New England, Washington, and Oregon are among the best places in the world for whale watching. Most likely to see: Humpbacks, Fin whales and Minke whales on the east coast.
Whales visit Australia from the cold seas of the Antarctic to give birth in the warm, shallow protected waters of the stunning Whitsundays. They can be seen from June – September. Whales are a common sight playing around the islands, and even far as the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to see the happy newborns joyfully breaching, the north-east coast really is the place to be!
If you are looking to incorporate seeing these stunning animals into your charter please get in contact today so we can advise the best yacht and area to visit! If you have already planned your charter and looking for inspiration please take into consideration the 5 points listed above.
The age-old question which we as yacht brokers are asked on an almost daily basis.
When chartering in the Mediterranean, you must hold a sailing certification (and in some cases like Croatia, a VHF license). Almost all of the charter companies will not necessarily ask you for a sailing resume, but they will definitely ask you what license you carry.
Ultimately, port authorities in the Meditterenian need to see “Sailing license” written on your certification, any others like the USCG, or “Bareboat certification” that are sometimes issued by Flotillas will not be allowed. The best and foolproof certification you can get is the ICC or the SLC. These licenses are internationally recognised and can guarantee that you will be able to charter.
How can I get an ICC license?
To get an ICC, you must complete an ICC application form (LINK HERE) You can download the application form, from the website above or request a copy from the RYA Certification Department. You can get an ICC if you have done one of the below:
If you haven’t done any RYA licenses, don’t worry. You will just have to do a short assessment with an Approved Training Center.
What is the SLC’
The International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) is a recreational sailing license valid for all yacht charter companies worldwide – you guessed it including Europe and the Seychelles!! To obtain an SLC, the candidate must already hold a national government boating license examples to follow:
National Coast Guard License (USCG)
ICC
RYA Day Skipper
NASBLA State Boater License for the USA
PCOC for Canada
Holding a government license means the holder already meets the technical legal requirement that many hosting countries require.
You will have to pass an online suite of theoretical knowledge courses and tests appropriate for bareboat chartering, log previous sufficient sailing experience and demonstrate sailing skills according to internationally established sailing standards.
If you have any queries with your license, please do not hesitate to check with us here!
There’s a special place in my heart for the Ionian. I have lived, sailed, swam, and grew as a person there. From Lefkas to Kefalonia, these islands are what I called home onboard a 2015, 37ft Bavaria called PARIS.
She may not look like much, but this girl got us through some bad weather, sticky situations, and above all, our refuge.
Like many sailors who have sailed in one particular area, you tend to have your favourite anchorages – your ‘go-to’ place which is versatile and enjoyed by many a ‘crowd-pleaser’ if you will! Below I talk about my top three anchorages and why you should incorporate them in your itinerary.
Number 1. KIONI – Ithaki Island.
The pretty bay and harbour of Kioni on the small island of Ithaki.
Check out our 7-day bareboat sailing itinerary here!
Why?
Kioni, in my opinion, has the cleanest water due to how quiet it is. In the evenings you MUST go swimming! It’s absolutely teeming with phosphorescent algae which sparkle when disturbed.
You can, more often than not, find a place to drop anchor and tie off to a rock, and if there’s space, on the town quay.
The town is quaint, with a few stunning restaurants located along the harbour wall and up in the foothills overlooking the bay.
Fantastic holding, and normally fairly quiet.
Where?
Kioni pin drop.
Kioni is located on the northeastern tip, protected from the northwesterly prevailing winds. Many sailors tend to hot-foot it down to (big) Vathy located further south which subsequently means that Kioni is fairly quiet, even during high season.
In this lovely town, the time has stopped in the previous century
When?
This anchorage is best enjoyed overnight. It provides protection from the prevailing NW winds and is best viewed early morning!
Anything to watch out for?
A common phenomenon happens pretty much everywhere in the Ionian and that is the Katabatic winds. Most of the tiny anchorages in the Ionian are hidden and tucked away between hills. As the air cools, and the land is warm, it pushed air and funnels between the hills. From around 5:30 PM onwards it can get pretty breezy. It normally settles by about 7:30/8 pm so make sure your anchor is well dug before heading off for your fresh greek dinner!
Number 2. Foki Bay – Kephalonia.
Yes, before you ask it really is called that – and it is truly stunning.
White yacht moored in the bay of Foki beach with cypress trees in background, Fiskardo, Cefalonia, Ionian, Greece.
Why?
The Trees. I nicknamed this bay ‘Little Canada’ because of the Cypress trees that almost fall into the water.
The caves. Accessable by tender or simply swim in! Turn your outboard off just as you enter the caves as people swim in and out of them. The Caves were used for mining in the ’50s and still remain now. Don’t worry if you’re scared of small spaces as these caves are absolutely massive. They are so big you could easily fit a two-story house in them! Take a torch and enclosed shoes (don’t wear flipflops as some bits are quite steep).
The beach. Sometimes while sailing around you just need some time on a beach! Well, this bay has one. In the top right-hand corner is an adorable beach with a quaint taverna serving the best drinks!
You can walk into Fiskardo for some shopping, it’s around 1.5-2km walk.
The water is CRYSTAL clear!
Where?
Foki bay is based on the northeastern tip of Kephelonia, a stone’s throw (or 10-minute tender ride) into the famous Fiskardo, boasting up-market restaurants and beautiful jewellery shops.
When?
This is a perfect lunch spot, or evening stopover (if the winds are favourable). Great holding for lunchtime with the most stunning scenery to enjoy your freshly prepared lunch!
Foki Fiskardo with crystal clear and transparent water, Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece.
Anything to watch out for?
In the high season time, the beach is buoyed off to protect the swimmers, make sure you don’t get caught up in there. Try and head as far in towards the beach as possible as most of the superyachts take the entrance area as its deeper. This will also protect you from the swell that is created from the passing ferries.
Number 3. One house bay – Atokos
Beautiful bay in Ionian sea, called One house bay.
Why?
The pictures speak for its self. One House Bay, characterised by the one house which sits by its self in the foothills.
The crystal blue water and picturesque beach are just some of the reasons you should stop over here!
Gorgeous scenery.
Deep blue water.
Excellent walking.
Where?
One House Bay is on the Southeastern corner of Atoko Island, East of Ithica island. The island is only home to goats, which the shepherd attends to every 4th day.
When?
A perfect lunch spot when travelling from the eastern islands to the western islands. If the winds are favourable, you can possibly stay here overnight, please bear in mind it offers little to no protection.
Getting first-hand knowledge about the area is key to creating a memorable charter. I have traveled extensively throughout Greece and the Meditterenian to visit destinations to provide you with the best recommendations and advice. Looking to explore the Southern Ionian? Speak with Alice today at [email protected]!
