You may have read about political changes and demonstrations in the Maldives capital of Mali this past week. We’ve spoken with our key Agents and Fleet Operators in the Maldives, and they assure us that it’s relaxation and sun as usual for all charters. In fact, we have a guest there right now on an Azimut 98 and the Captain reports all is well!
If you’re thinking about booking a last minute charter to the Maldives, now’s the time! We have a great selection of Maldives charter yachts, and the beauty, serenity, diving, marine life, and sunny weather await you!
As a new year arrives, we’re often asked about what we see for the upcoming charter seasons. Having been at numerous shows (many of them chronicled here), seen hundreds of charter yachts, and spoken to Captains, Crew and Owners – here are some of the trends we see for 2012.
Wellness: Whereas once it was a novelty to have exercise equipment or a massage table on a yacht, we’re now seeing yachts that rival even the best land-based Spas. Wet and dry saunas, masseuses and wellness crew members, aroma therapy, manicures/pedicures and yoga classes are all common now on many of the top yachts.
Green Chartering: Environmental awareness has become a big issue in the charter business. Using Water Makers instead of bottled water, avoiding plastics wherever possible, sailing instead of motoring and buying carbon credits are all trends. CYBA, The Charter Yacht Brokers Association has denoted 2012 as the “Going Green to Save the Blue” year, with emphasis on reducing bottled water consumption on charters. They’ve sponsored taste testings with desalinated water to show that its taste is virtually indistinguishable from regular water. For further details, we’ve created a new page dedicated to Green Yacht Chartering.
Exotic Locations: More and more yachts are circling the world, and offering charters in locactions such as Vanuatu, Tahiti and SE Asia. This is often at the owner’s desire, but when the yachts are in the regions, they are normally available for charter as well. We’ve heard from several captains that Vanuatu offers the best diving and most amazing marine life anywhere!
Focus on Service: The customer is king in 2012 – yachts are doing whatever they can to make the charters a great experience. Extra attention is being paid to all parts of the charter experience, from cuisine to onboard amenities to water toys. You can expect service with a smile in 2012 on any crewed yacht charter you’re interested in!
When it comes to land lodging, discriminating yacht charter clients often seek more than a simply convenient hotel room. For yachtsmen who need to be on or near the water, here are some amazing properties that are especially enchanting.
Guiding ships into port may be where lighthouse hotels got their start but now they offer lodging, from budget to posh, guaranteeing dramatic landscapes and locations on some of the world’s most exciting and perilous harbors. If you are planning a
Guests will snuggle down in luxurious private bungalows 40 feet below the water line at the proposed Poseidon Undersea Resort, Fiji. Spend a couple of days in a fantasy environment characterized by vast amounts of clear acrylic for stunning underwater views. Or, if you are chartering a yacht in Florida and the Keys, step back in time at the Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo. Operated as a “living museum” from the Golden Age of Diving, the lodge offers guests of today a one-of-a-kind experience of yesteryear.
For an exotic adventure above the water line a houseboat offers comfort and cultural rewards. The Houseboats of Kerala provide a glimpse of rural Indian life. Located near the Malabar coast of India, These comfortable, converted rice boats are designed for overnight stays and daytime exploration of scenic waterways.
Scandinavia is an increasingly popular yachting destination due to its breathtaking scenery, quaint harbors and endearing culture. Before or after a yacht charter in Sweden the adventuresome traveler can book a hotel suite at the Sala Silvermine, or in a grounded Boeing jet, or a former prison.
Why go for the ordinary when you can opt for the extraordinary? Extending your yacht charter with an alternative lodging option provides a unique opportunity to connect with a region’s culture and history in a way that is both intimate and exhilarating.
The Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, February 16 – 20, 2012, will feature more than 500 vessels valued at more than a billion dollars and covering more than 1.2 million square feet of space. Attendees will have access to yachts and superyachts from the world’s most extraordinary custom boat builders. The show is free and open to the public.
Show producers provide a free smartphone app, MyBoatShow, available on iPhone and Android platforms. Attendees will be able to access show maps, search for exhibitors, manufacturers, product categories and boats by specifications and size, show schedule, seminar information, show transportation schedules and maps, food and drink locations, restroom locations and emergency services.
Diamond Girl
Also new to this year’s Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach is TrawlerPort, which will offer an impressive display of long-range cruisers in lengths ranging from 35 to 90 feet that are designed for long-term cruising of regional and worldwide destinations.
The Show features many yachts available for crewed luxury charter, including DIAMOND GIRL, a very popular Johnson 103 currently available for charter in the Virgin Islands and DAMRAK II a stylish and sophisticated Sunreef power catamaran. Please contact [email protected] to arrange for a personalized viewing of luxury charter yachts on display.
SECRET SPOT is a sophisticated yet lighthearted yacht with a talented crew and an amazing chef. This luxury charter yacht has a layout that is especially ideal for families with children, or the businessman who requires on board office space.
Entering the main deck salon and dining area there is a lovely bar to starboard with excellent views, making this spot an immediate lure to guests onboard.
The master suite on SECRET SPOT has notable features, especially generous closets inside the bathroom as well as a walk in closet for excellent storage capacity. Adjacent, a cozy office or lounge area with two means of egress can be converted for children or nanny quarters.
While we are visiting SECRET SPOT, the talented sous-chef, Tom Williams, is extremely busy creating delicacies for the guests onboard in the spacious country kitchen. Today we are served jumbo shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and lobster; jerk chicken, baked stuffed jalapeños, conch fritters and tortilla shells with guacamole and sour cream. Besides his tempting culinary abilities, charming Captain John Costenbader explains that he is also the skilled First Officer onboard.
The sundeck on luxury yacht SECRET SPOT has a very happy vibe about it, from the vibrant upholstery to the central Jacuzzi, the area is exceedingly inviting. Spacious sun pads beckon sun worship while protected seating offers a cool alternative.
SECRET SPOT is based out of Rybovich Marina in Palm Beach and offers cruising destinations in South Florida and the Bahamas.
You may have read about political changes and demonstrations in the Maldives capital of Mali this past week. We’ve spoken with our key Agents and Fleet Operators in the Maldives, and they assure us that it’s relaxation and sun as usual for all charters. In fact, we have a guest there right now on an Azimut 98 and the Captain reports all is well!
