10 Top Tips To Get The Best From Your Crewed Yacht Charter Experience – and Enjoy Yourself More!

We have just launched a page on Boatbookings.com designed to help the charterer understand how to work better with the crew so that everyone is comfortable and the charter goes more smoothly.  A synopsis is included below -for full text see Tips To Get The Best From Your Crewed Charter Experience.

1. Make your desires clear before the charter

This generally involves filling out your preference sheets and telling your broker exactly what you want (and don't want) on your charter.

2. Talk to the Captain at the beginning, and regularly throughout the trip

Captains have excellent local knowledge as well as a good sense for itineraries that appeal to different types of clients.  Talk to him regularly, and don't let issues fester – discuss them early!

3. Treat the crew with respect

Yacht Charter Crews are not servants, and should not be treated as such. A bit of courtesy goes a long way!

4. Be flexible on your itinerary

If your captain recommends against a destination, it's probably because he has assessed the risks and believes it is a bad idea. A bit of flexibility on your part can reduce the tension significantly.

5. Remember you're on a boat

Safety has to come first on a yacht – please don't ask the crew to shade the rules.

6. Treat your broker as a partner

Good yacht brokers provide you with free advice based on their experience and knowledge of yachts and crews.  If you establish a trusting relationship with the broker you will find that the process is enjoyable and you may learn about new yachts or destinations that you hadn't heard about.

7. Don't try to do too much on your charter

One of the greatest joys of being on a yacht is relaxing – you don't have to hit three destinations every day like you are on a tour. Plan a day or two of slack in the itinerary, be flexible, and don't hesitate to stay an extra day in a location if you're enjoying it.

8. Don't put the crew or captain in a difficult position

The most stressful position to be in for a captain and crew is when there is a conflict between what you want to do and their judgment of safety or regulations. Please listen to them and understand their reasoning.

9. Babysitting is your responsibility, not the crew's

Most crews love taking care of kids, but it is not their responsibility to be babysitters. They will often offer to help, but bottom line the children are your responsibility.

10. Relax and enjoy!

You are on holiday and have paid for a helpful crew. Let them make some decisions for you, and enjoy the ride!

Send us yours!

We'd love your suggestions as well, please comment on this blog post or add them on our Boatbookings.com facebook page.

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Newfoundland Marina To Attract Yachts From Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes

Channel-Port aux Basques, a quaint fishing village nestled on the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada, is finally realizing plans for a recreational marina. According to a report in the local Gulf News, the marina will expand the existing government wharf with the addition of several floating docks and new wharves.

Channel-Port aux Basques is the gateway to Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, full advantage of the strategic location of the town has not been developed. Annually visited by half a million tourists that include many yachts from the Great Lakes and locations along the Eastern Seaboard, improvements in facilities are aimed to increase tourism and boost economic development.

The easternmost Canadian province comprises the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador. Newfoundland and the surrounding smaller islands offer an intriguing destination to adventuresome yachtsmen. Small communities sprinkled along the coast maintain French, English and Irish dialects and cultural traditions. In Labrador, Innu-aimun and Inuktit dialects are also spoken due to a significant presence of founding Algonquin and Inuit cultures.

For a dramatically beautiful and culturally rewarding charter itinerary, consider Newfoundland, Labrador, the  Great Lakes and amazing destinations along the Eastern Seaboard on your next charter.  We'd be happy to help!

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Feadship’s Luxury Charter Yacht GO To Debut in Cannes

Feadship anticipates making a big splash at their debut at the Cannes International Yacht and Boat Show this September 8-13, with plans to reveal the newest build in the SL39 modular series, the 128-foot luxury charter yacht GO.

GO is a superb Feadship charter yacht featuring stylish interiors, a variety of outdoor living areas and an extremely attentive crew. The pre-determined hull construction, technical systems and equipment of the series insure extraordinary seaworthy capability synonymous with the brand. Completely customized above the waterline, modern interiors are characterized by bright spaces and a relaxing earth-tone palette.

Among the notable features that contribute to make GO an exquisite charter yacht is the clever flexibility of space. The modular sofa in the main salon rotates to enjoy panoramic ocean views aft or a flick on the state-of-the-art entertainment system. On the lower deck, two of the four guest suites can be reconfigured as full-beam VIP suites. The bridge deck features adaptable seating and a quadruple sliding door that joins interior and exterior areas.

After debuting in Cannes, GO will join larger Feadship yachts on display at the Monaco show. Currently for sale, GO is available for summer charter in the Mediterranean and winter in the Caribbean. This exciting luxury yacht promises to be extremely popular on the charter circuit, especially over the holidays. Contact a Boatbookings professional now to reserve this splendid yacht for an incomparable yachting experience.

LOA: 128’

Beam: 30’

Draft: 9’

Fuel: 10,568 GAL.

Water: 3,170 Gal.

Engines: MTU 12V 2000 M70

Maximum speed: 14 knots

Guests: 10 in 5 cabins

Crew: 7

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146 SIRIUS: Feadship's Newest Luxury Yacht Available For Charter

Just launched from Feadship Royal Van Lent, SIRIUS is destined to make a serious splash on the superyacht charter circuit. SIRIUS, the fourth in the F45 Vantage custom series, incorporates impressive styling and features that make it an optimal choice for the discriminating charter client.

Interior design by Sinot Design Associates features classic art deco styling in a modern context. Clean lines and contrasting woods define spaces and create a stylish beach house ambiance that is elegant yet understated.

Innovative architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects positions five spacious suites with on the main deck. The full-beam master suite has an unusual 10’6 central ceiling capped by a skylight. Four ensuite staterooms are equipped with queen size beds that can be converted to twins. Over-size windows provide superb views and flood these private areas, including bathrooms, with natural light. The main-deck office features a full-size Murphy bed for additional accommodation.

Charters guests will especially enjoy many outdoor options on SIRIUS, from dining al fresco on the decks to a plethora of watersports activities from the boathouse platform. The Jacuzzi forward on the sundeck offers a perfect place for sun worshippers to relax and enjoy panoramic views.

This beautifully engineered and executed yacht is just one example of the many extraordinary luxury yachts available from Boatbookings.com. Please contact a Boatbookings charter professional to reserve the perfect yacht for you and your guests. Prepare to experience the ultimate vacation.

LOA: 146’6

Beam: 30’2

Draft: 8’10

Fuel: 10,500 GAL.

Water: 2,600 GAL.

Engines: 2 x MTU 12V2000M70

Maximum speed: 14.5 knots

Range: Transatlantic

Stabilizers: VT Naiad Marine zero-speed

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Sri Lanka to promote luxury yacht charter, "boat safaris"

Sri Lanka’s English newspaper, the Sunday Observer, highlighted plans to promote yacht chartering from the island’s cities of Galle and Colombo. In a brief interview with the country’s Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation, Dayasritha Tissera, it appears that the government is enthusiastic about immediate investment in the marine sector.

The South Asian island country, located about 20 miles off the southern coast of India, is a destination of primal forests, pristine beaches, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural traditions. The Ministry hopes to entice both local and foreign tourists to depart from hotel stays and embark on œluxury boat safaris to destinations around the exotic island. To this end, Tissera outlined plans to purchase four luxury yachts with four to six cabins, suitable for up to 20 guests.

The Ministry also wants to launch a luxury passenger liner yacht service to connect the harbors of Colombo, Trincomalee, Kankesanturai and Galle, with extended service to neighboring India. Plans also include construction of a first-class yachting center and marina in the old port area of Galle.

The Ministry is undertaking these initiatives with confidence that the now peaceful country’s lighter security restrictions will enable passenger travel unencumbered by red tape. The Ministry has set a November goal for the luxury yacht launch, however exact dates remain uncertain. Perhaps this is because, according to Tissera, the Ministry is presently seeking investors for the projects.

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