Tag Archives: Caribbean

Catamarans For Your 2020 Yacht Charter

As most people within the yachting industry do, I was sailing in Devon in the summer and sailed past a late 1990’s Fountaine Pajot catamaran. It looked old, battered but well-loved, painted bright yellow with a hand-painted tiger on the side. I sailed towards this boat and instantly wanted to be on board. This struck me that the basis of this catamaran is how the charter and yacht design market has come into play.

People bought catamarans for maximisation of space and for comfort, it took the rest of the world 10 years more to figure out that catamarans were an excellent choice for families and first-time sea-goers. Over the course of the last 10 years, catamaran popularity has gone beyond expectations. Catamaran charters are both popular in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Bareboat catamaran charters allow for a taste of luxury without a superyacht price tag.

Catamarans are well known for their maximisation of space, sleek interiors and stable sailing. Catamarans are becoming more commonly regarded as the perfect charter vessel across the world. I would recommend a catamaran charter for exploring either the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, the Greek Saronic Islands, Croatia or the Amalfi Coast.

Catamarans to choose from for a 2020 yacht charter:

The last few years have witnessed the release of a lot of different catamaran models, the models are getting bigger and better by the year. After having travelled across the global boat shows and reviewed the yachts in person, the below are my favourite catamarans for a 2020 yacht charter across the globe.

The Lagoon 46

Brand new for 2020, the Lagoon 46 promises to bring harmony onboard and is considered to be the next stage of yacht charter. The exterior has a new design and combines modular front and aft cockpits a cooking area at the back and safer access to the bow. The Flybridge is larger and is dedicated to manoeuvring and relaxation. The interior has also had a refresh, the design is more elegant than the previous Lagoon 450 and the cabins maximise space more efficiently than previous Lagoon models. This is the most renowned catamaran brand in the world and has kept up with their reputation via the release of the Lagoon 46.

The Saona 47 (Fountaine Pajot)

This Saona 47 model catamaran was launch to celebrate Fountaine Pajot’s 40th anniversary. She was launched in April 2017 and boasts, safety, comfort, space maximisation and strong performance in heavy winds. Her lines are distinctive and the Fountaine Pajot aesthetically French touch is obvious throughout. Her saloon boasts natural light and the storage onboard is unrivalled. She is a great choice for a family charter and puts safety above all.

The Dufour 48

Dufour 48 is my personal favourite catamaran for a 2020 yacht charter. This catamaran encompasses innovation and beautiful interiors. Her features are spacious, light and gripping. She is the perfect family 2020 charter boat both in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. If you want to sit back and relax, add a skipper and a hostess for your yacht charter. If you are looking for a catamaran with style, the Dufour is the best choice possible.

To conclude, from the three new models choose the Lagoon 46 for quality and comfort, the Saona 47 for value for money, space and safety and importantly the Dufour 48 for unrivalled catamaran style. Her design is chic and modern, if you want to sip on a glass of rose with canapés on a gorgeous bow, this is the boat to choose for your next catamaran bareboat or skippered yacht charter.

Find out more about the Boatbookings team or contact broker Alice directly to help you plan your 2020 charter experience on one of the best catamarans!

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Super Yacht of the week: KING BABY

Why Choose KING BABY

KING BABY is our royal Super Yacht of the week! Her intriguing interior and superb deck space with endless amenities are just some of our favourites. She is a 43m IAG Yacht, designed by the infamous Evan Marshall, who has ensured the interior and exterior are to the highest standard with a provoking style.

KING BABY cruises the Bahamas and Caribbean, both tropical and delightful exploration grounds for superyachts. The sparkling sea, jaw-dropping beaches, and tasty local cuisine are just some of the things you will experience.

Climb on-board to immerse yourself into the rock ‘n’ roll vibe that oozes through the yacht, and party the night away with your friends and family on this musically oriented amazing yacht!

The Bahamas crewed itinerary

Exterior

KING BABY boasts a tri-deck which provides an enhanced luxury yacht experience like no other. The sundeck is truly a sight to behold; it is spacious, with a tranquil blue colour scheme and contemporary furnishings. Choose to lounge on the comfortable semi-circle lounge areas, take a dip in the Jacuzzi with cascading waterfalls, or perch by the bar sipping on a funky cocktail.

This is a deck where you will spend a huge amount of time as you can gaze at the views of hidden beaches, lively towns or remote islands, whilst soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the breeze whilst cruising. After a fun-filled day island-hopping around the BVI, you will be raring for a delicious dinner cooked by your private and talented chef.

The British Virgin Islands Crewed Itinerary

Food, drinks and everything social

The aft deck dining is a prime spot for enjoying the sunset. Food is an essential part of the charter! On KING BABY you can be assured it will make rather than break the trip due to the prestige and capability of the chef and crew.

Above is an example of creative cuisine and culinary expertise you could experience on-board. The colours, aesthetics, and taste will all blend to make for a memorable and delicious dinner.

After you have laughed, drunk and dined to your heart’s content, the sun deck is calling you again. The decks are air-conditioned, so you can enjoy being outside with the coolness of the interior. Enjoy a sun-downer at the bar, take another dip in the Jacuzzi or look back on the photographs and be nostalgic on a fun day.

Interior

KING BABY’s interior is what adds to its original and distinguished look. The glamour and atmosphere of a sassy and stylish yacht spilling throughout. With musical elements, plush furnishings and the owner’s photography hung up in many rooms, adds to the personality and character of KING BABY. The lavishly appointed cabins are inviting and further add to the value of a comfortable and exclusive experience.

Water toys

Last but not least, the plethora of water equipment is what you will remember long after the charter as the adrenaline and excitement that derives from going at speed on new toys is unbeatable! The water slide is a thrilling experience; the jet ski will get your heart racing the hoverboards are trickier than they look!

If KING BABY is as appealing to you as it is to us, enquire today and a charter broker will guide you through the process.

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Vegan Yacht Chefs

A rise of veganism worldwide has meant that there is more demand than ever for chefs that can cater to a vegan diet. A vegan diet involves cutting out animal products like meat, fish, dairy and eggs and in Great Britain in 2016, there are estimated to be around 540,000 vegans. Therefore, we have found our favourite yachts with chefs that can cater to vegan clients in the Bahamas, the Amalfi Coast, the French Riviera and Greece.

NITSA

NITSA is based in Fort Lauderdale and available to charter in the Bahamas. Chef Katie grew up baking long before she learned to cook. Over the years she’s been able to study a wide variety of cuisines, including time in Florence, Italy and has developed an appreciation for myriad styles and flavour palates. At the same time, she’s seen the effects (good and bad) of how food & nutrition relate to the quality of life—personally, professionally, and medically. It encouraged her to leave New York City after a decade in the book publishing industry to study with renowned vegan chef, Alexx Guevara, at his culinary center at The Ranch at Live Oak in Malibu, California.

From there, she worked with Chef Alexx at Sanctuary Treatment Center, where she co-directed the nutritional and culinary program at this boutique women’s residential rehabilitation, including teaching classes, where the focus was on restoring clients’ dietary and nutritional health alongside their own recovery. Currently, Katie directs the culinary program for GroundSea Fitness, a yoga & wellness retreat held several times each year in the Berkshire Mountains, where she creates and executes this ovo-vegetarian program, including the addition of tonics, house-made teas and elixirs, and locally-sourced bone broths.

SOLO

Based in Genoa in summer and Antigua in winter, SOLO Chef Gionata was born in Italy and has been a Chef for 25 years, working for many VIPs in some of the best restaurants in the world. He received a Michelin star and have been reviewed in the best gourmet guides. As a superyacht Chef, he believes that the cuisine served is not only a showpiece but nutrition as well.

His passion for food varies from creating the perfect roast dinner to a 7-courses degustation menu to show a whole range of different cooking techniques and products. He also specialises in vegan, vegetarian and low-calorie diets. He is also up to date with all the latest cooking techniques, methods & equipment so that he can keep up with the best and latest restaurants. Cooking demonstrations with the guests either at the table or in the kitchen are also a special touch he likes to offer the charter guests.

MINOU

Marco is a native of Sardinia and after graduating from the Italian Chef Academy, he began working on the Costa Smeralda. His passion and curiosity led him to enrol in masterclasses of vegan and vegetarian cooking, bakery and pastry-making and gather a growing following. Marco has also taught classes of Italian and Sardinian cooking. To this day he is often invited to cook private dinners abroad.

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Scuba Diving in the British Virgin Islands

When someone says “tropical island paradise” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Sandy beaches as far as the eye can see stretching mystically beneath the satisfyingly sapphire water?
Perhaps the beach in mind is paired with a nestling of sun-strengthened palms; a melange of white gold complemented beautifully by the emerald, carelessly natural presence of the proud standing palm trees; such a scene, glistening with subtle pride, reminiscent of a piece of royal jewelry boasting a plethora of colorful stones… We can all picture our ideal Island Haven, but you may not know that you can find such timeless scenes just around the ocean’s corner.

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Broker Alice’s Top 5 Insights for Your 2019 Charter

1. Book your sailing boat to beat the winter blues and head to the Bahamas before its too late! Some of my top recommendations for the Bahamas are the Lagoon 42 and 450 catamarans and Pegasus, a 40 foot Jeanneau. Either charter in Nassau, island hop around the Exumas and visit pig beach or in Marsh Harbour to anchor upon amongst the idyllic Abaco Islands.
Catamaran – Lagoon 42
Catamaran – Lagoon 450
2. Get your friends together to book the ultimate vacation sailing around Croatia this summer. Starting from Split or Trogir a two-hour sail a day in crystal blue waters can take you from quaint fishing villages to the party islands of Hvar. I would suggest the Lagoon 52 for a skippered experience, the Saona 47 or a Sun Odyssey 449 for the ultimate sailing experience.
3. Guadeloupe- find France within the Caribbean. Navigate around the archipelago of islands and immerse yourself amongst the green landscapes of this fascinating mixture of the Caribbean and French influences.
Be sure to visit the waterfalls of Grande Terre, eat Creole dishes with the friendly locals and visit Jaques Cousteau’s dive site at Bouillante which offers some of the best diving in the world, the instructors will even pick you up from your yacht to take you diving!
Sailing around this island is rugged, inspiring and sophisticated at the same time. I would suggest the Sun Odyssey 509 for exploring and sailing performance or the spacious Catana 47 catamaran for the ultimate Guadeloupe sailing trip with friends and family.
Visit my Guadeloupe blog to see why this Caribbean island needs to be on your 2019 sailing to do list!
4. August on the French Riviera – Sail from Cannes to Monaco and spend the nights at anchor overlooking some of the most glamorous locations in Europe or in the slightly smaller ports of Golfe Juan or Villefranche to avoid the busy ports of Cannes or Nice. Boats to charter are the monohulls such as the Sun Odyssey 349  or the Oceanis 48 for a romantic break or a family holiday or add a hostess on a catamaran such as the Lagoon 450 to receive the five-star treatment of the French Riviera.
5. Summer island hopping the Cyclades from Athens. Start your bareboat charter in the ancient city of Athens and spend a week exploring the iconic Cyclades islands. Spend each night on a different island and explore some of the finest Mediterranean beach clubs, ancient ruins and the traditional white rooftops of Santorini and Mykonos. Catamarans are the best way to explore these islands with friends and family but if you want to profit from some of the most idyllic winds in the world take the Oceanis 62 and profit from its sailing capabilities.
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