Boatbookings FLIBS Preview on TOUCAN TOO

Are you fortunate enough to be attending this year’s prestigious Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show? Spread over 7 locations and covering 3 million square feet of space, FLIBS 2014 promises to be bigger and better than ever! Even though the show does not start for another day, the Boatbookings Team were lucky to get a sneak preview of this year’s event while cruising the stunning water ways of Fort Lauderdale. If you’re looking for a fun day on the water out of Fort Lauderdale with family and friends, the 41’ power catamaran TOUCAN TOO would be the perfect yacht for you.

Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

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Fall into TEMPTATION this Winter in Florida and the Bahamas

At Boatbookings, we love bringing you the newest charter yachts in the most exciting and sought after holiday destinations. With just over 3 weeks until the start of the 55th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), we wait in great anticipation to critique some of the very best charter yachts for your next charter in Florida and the Caribbean. The show has not even started, yet we are able to bring you one of the most talked about yachts in Fort Lauderdale at the moment in the Palmer Johnson 123′, TEMPTATION.

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Palm Beach International Boat Show 2014!

With more than $1 billion worth of yachts water toys on show, the 29th Palm Beach International Boat Show is the place to be for yacht enthusiasts this March. Allison, one of the newest members of the Boatbookings team and a senior charter broker, specialising in American charters, will certainly not be missing out. She is particularly excited about seeing some of her favourite yachts taking stage amongst the worlds’ finest example of yacht building.

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VIVEREa stunning Azimut 116 will certainly be turning heads. Designed in Italy, with beautiful lines and a striking blue hull, she really is wonderfully elegant.

VIVERE -  View from Above

From the first glance, you will find that her interior is similarly impressive. Indulgently furnished with rich mahogany and plush sofas, the salon is refined and luxurious. With natural light streaming in through large windows to create a light and airy atmosphere, this is a wonderfully relaxing space to relax and get away from it all.

Vivere salon

Above deck you are spoilt for choice. With plenty of areas to relax and soak up some rays, as well as a jacuzzi and drinks bar, each of your guests can settle down in their favourite spot and enjoy an unforgettable charter off the coast of Florida.

vivere deck

Toys and water sports are of course a highlight on any charter and some of the newest and coolest technology is to be found in Florida this week. Not the least of these will be the Quadski. Featured just a couple of weeks ago in Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson raced against Richard Hammond’s Alfa Romeo 4C, this revolutionary transforming quad bike / jet ski will be sure to draw a crowd.

quadski

Allison has also been impressed by the breath-taking KATYA. With such an embarrassment of luxury available on board, it’s no hard to understand why. Spread over 4 decks and lavishly finished throughout, once you step aboard you will never want to leave.

katya main

Feel like James Bond as you sip a martini in the classically cool sky lounge bar or enjoy a relaxing evening with a film in the supremely comfortable salon.

main salon ktya

Above deck admire the beautiful Caribbean sea around the Bahamas while you dine al fresco in one of a number of spots or feel like a rock star while you sun yourself in the jacuzzi. The choices are endless and you would be doing well to discover all of KATYA‘s treasures in a week.

katya jacuzzi

See it all for yourself this weekend at the boat show or if you miss out, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Boatbookings team here.

Unforgettable Florida – Our Managing Director’s Account

Capucine, Managing Director at Boatbookings.com has just returned from an unforgettable trip to Fort Lauderdale. Apart from welcoming our wonderful new US Charter Director Allison Cecilio, she also re-discovered what makes the Floridian coastline the enchanting holiday and charter destination it is. This blog is her account of three key moments that made her fall back in love with Florida!

1. Alligator spotting tour in the Everglades.

everglades

A little bit of drama here as we were skimming in an airboat over the sawgrass swampland, having seen a number of alligators, and our airboat broke down! Now I’m not shy when it comes to an adventure but having been told these six foot alligators could jump three times their length a slight nervousness came about…

Luckily the rescue boat arrived quickly and we all made it back to base! I couldn’t help but think this wouldn’t have happened on a luxury yacht charter, but an incredible experience. With around 1.5 million crocodiles in Florida it’s a must-do trip!

2. Visiting Port Everglades

Portview

One of the largest cruise ship ports in the world, I counted no less than 8 large cruise ships in the port, each one taller than every building around. Quite a spectacular sight! I couldn’t help but think that a cruise is the perfect opportunity to arrive in port and enjoy a private and thoroughly relaxing day out on the sea. Whether you head down to Miami or just enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida a day boat rental allows you to do all this and escape the crowds.

3. The variety on offer!

TATS

Whilst sat in my hotel, I look outside my window to see quite an awe-inspiring sight. It was motor yacht TATS, one of my favourites by Alloy Yachts launched in 2009. Although I was impressed by the yacht, what was most impressive was its proximity to the coast! Fort Lauderdale is America’s own Venice with over 165 miles of navigable intracoastal waterway, meaning you can spend days enjoying the wonderful climate and friendly atmosphere with the option of heading out and enjoying the privacy of the ocean as and when you feel like it! A truly unforgettable vacation experience on offer here.

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Another personal highlight was visiting the newly re-fitted VICTORIA DEL MAR II. A stunning yacht with elegant beach house styling and ample space for al fresco dining for 12 on the expansive sun-deck. The great news is she’s available for charter in Florida and the Bahamas at the moment, and will be heading to the glorious French Riviera for the summer. An option I cannot recommend highly enough!

For more information on chartering in Fort Lauderdale and on the Florida coastline, contact our expert broker team today.

The Top 3 Locations To Celebrate The Fourth Of July On Board Your Luxury Yacht Charter

FIREWORKSFourth of July, or more commonly known as Independence Day, is a national holiday in the United States celebrating the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, from the United Kingdom. It is a time for celebrating and across the United States families and friends come together to enjoy this momentous occasion. Fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, concerts and speeches take place up and down the country and there is no better place to view these marvelous celebrations than on board a luxury yacht of your choice. Below, we shall list the top 3 places to watch the Fourth of July celebrations.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is one of the best spots to watch an Independence Day celebration in the country. The city of Boston is steeped in rich tradition since the Fourth of July celebrations originated here. The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular brings 200,000 spectators to the banks of the Charles River for an array of excellent musical acts and artistic performances. The annual free outdoor event will begin at 6pm, with the firework spectacle ending at 10pm.

SINCERITYCharter SINCERITY, a custom 95 crewed sailing yacht accommodating up to 4 guests in 2 cabins. Witness the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on board this luxury sailing yacht this July.

The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Display is a spectacular occasion, full of glitz and glamor. Every year guests are treated to performances from world class acts and solo singers, not to mention the famous firework display that lights up the Hudson River in New York. This year sees the likes of Usher, Mariah Carey, Tim Mcgraw and TV presenter Nick Cannon showcasing their talents to the masses. More than 40,000 fireworks will light up the sky, synchronized to a hand picked score.

Charter JUSTINE, a Guy Couach 97 crewed charter yacht JUSTINEaccommodating up to 8 guests in 5 cabins. JUSTINE is a professionally crewed luxury charter yacht that serves elite corporate groups and luxury lifestyle enthusiasts. It is ideal for charters around New York City and along the Hudson River.

Experience a vibrant and flamboyant Fourth of July celebration from on board your luxury yacht along Miami Beach. 'Fire on the Fourth' celebrates Independence Day in tremendous fashion, with live performances from Fred Thomas, South Florida Symphony Orchestra Quartet and DJ Maximus3000. The firework display commences at 9pm and lasts for a whole hour.

TIGERS_EYECharter TIGERS EYE, a luxury yacht that is supremely elegant and warmly welcoming. Sophisticated decor, sumptuous cuisine and an expert crew provide a superb chartering experience. Marvel at the fourth of July celebrations from on board this luxury yacht.

At www.boatbookings.com, we are here to help you plan your perfect luxury yachting holiday. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you bring together the yacht, the crew and all the other aspects that make your charter special.