Private Charter Vs Cruise

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!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Alice Newnham

Top 3 sailing destinations for newly qualified skippers.

So, you’ve just passed your skipper qualification and you’re looking for somewhere to test out your new skills. The only things is; where?! Seeing as 71% of the world is covered in water you have a lot of choices, but it’s making the right choice that will better your first experience as a skipper.

Number 1. The Ionian, Greece. (July and August).

The Ionian is the perfect place to shake out the sails on your own! With protected anchorages and steady calm winds during the high season, it’s the perfect alternative to the Cyclades.

Most of the sailing is done by line of sight, so don’t worry too much if your chart reading isn’t slick yet.
Various anchorages offering great holding and even better protection from prevailing winds.
There are many town quays which means free moorings! If you cant get onto that, then you can always moor up to a restaurant for a free night. (You will have to eat in the restaurant).
Winds are very consistant F1/2 in the morning F2/3 in the afternoon and 90% of the time they will be north westerlies.
The Ionian is less saturated with yachts compared to the Cyclades meaning maneuvering/mooring is less stressful.

Number 2. French Riviera, France. (June and September).

The French Riviera is not just for the rich and famous, its also for bareboaters too! You have the stunning Lerins islands or the picturesque Île de Porquerolles, located southwest of St Tropez.

Coastal sailing, always line of sight.
Protected anchorages between the Porquerolles islands. The water around there is similar to the Caribbean!
June and September is less crowded and less competition with the big superyachts
Enjoy beautiful french cuisine along the Cote d’Azur.

Number 3. Split, Croatia. (June and September).

Croatia is becoming one of the fastest-growing yachting areas in the world and it’s not hard to understand why. The island-hopping, line of sight sailing and picturesque anchorages creates a perfect place for you to test out your new skills.

Steady winds throughout the morning and afternoons
Warm weather, and ever warmer seas!
Easy anchoring, with mooring buoys at almost every anchorage.
Island hopping sailing, so you are able to do short stints and no exhaust your new crew.

If you are a newly qualified skipper, and need some advice on sailing locations do not hesitate to get in contact with us. We are all sailors, and travel experts, this means we are better to advise on your perfect charter holiday!

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Alice Newnham

Whale Watching Charter Destinations

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!

Rules for whale watching in the Whitsundays

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 Whales so 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.

FEBRUARY – MEXICO!

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.

7 day Mexico Itinerary

APRIL – AZORES!

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.

7 day Azores Itinerary

JUNE – NEW ENGLAND!

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.

7 day Newport and Cape Cod sailing Itinerary

SEPTEMBER – AUSTRALIA! (Whitsundays)

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!

7 day Whitsundays sailing itinerary

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.

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Alice Newnham

Sustainable Sailing

Broker Alice gives her insights about how to enjoy the most beautiful corners of the world on your yacht charter without causing damage to the environment. #catchsunsetsnotcarbon

What is eco-tourism?

Ecotourism refers to a country’s effort to conserve the environment, wildlife and natural resources. Many countries have invested in many schemes to increase eco-tourism and to encourage visitors to act responsibility and to respect the environment.

For those who are eco-conscious and want to steer away from mass tourism, a sailing yacht or catamaran is a perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint and to explore some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. A sailing yacht, without or without your own skipper onboard is the best way to visit many countries without making a negative impact on the environment. Greta Thumberg even recently tried out sailing to make a statement on reducing her carbon footprint.

The Boatbookings team built a Carbon offset calculator tool so that you can see the carbon you are putting into the environment and remain conscious of the effects of high carbon emissions during a yacht charter!

To keep carbon emissions to a minimum during a yacht charter, I would advise the below charters:

Alice’s 5 Eco-friendly charter destinations

1- The Atlantic Crossing

Capelinhos Volcan view from above – Azores

The Atlantic Crossing is one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions. The crossing also distances you away from everyday life as phone signal is limited. Many larger boats do this crossing twice a year and require crew.

The Azore Islands are a part of the crossing and make this one in a lifetime opportunity even more exciting! These islands offer a break from weeks of open water. Many yachts offer the ultimate Atlantic Experience as they cross the ocean once a year. Be like Greta and live the ultimate green travel experience.

2- The Bahamas national park explorations on a lower-carbon emission catamaran

Yacht owners across the Bahamas use their initiatives wisely and try to reduce the charter carbon emissions. You can do a beach clean in the Bahamas and sail into the national parks. Ensure to try to use the engine as little as possible here. Natural wildlife such as iguanas, marine life, nurse sharks and pigs are prevalent throughout. If you have the chance, head over to the Abacos Islands to support the distraught community following the hurricane destruction and help the Bahamas become cleaner than ever. These waters are the bluest in the world and require high maintenance to avoid pollution and to reduce the negative effects of mass tourism.

3- Northern Sardinia Conservation Charter

Northern Sardinia is known for its national park La Maddalena. Take a sailboat or a sailing catamaran around this beautiful island and sail to Corsica to see some undisturbed beauty. This itinerary will allow you to discover some of the beauties of the natural world, including bright blue waters, marine life and plastic-free beaches. Efforts have been made to ensure that these waters remain unspoiled and that the area conserves all of the natural resources. Be sure to participate in a local scheme if you decide to visit Northern Sardinia on your yacht charter.

4- The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are renowned for eco-tourism and for containing some of the rarest, most endangered species on the globe. Before it is too late be sure to book your next yacht charter here to witness one of the remaining, unspoilt beauties of the world. Explore the widest selection of bio-diversity both on land and below water in the world.

5- Beach Clean-up in the BVI

As well as supporting the community and the effects of hurricane IRMA, take time to review the beautiful British Virgin Islands and to ensure that the islands remain green, clean and emission free!

Tips to improve your Carbon Footprint on your charter

1- Use the engine as little as possible

2- Limit fishing or put fish back in the water

3- Reduce plastic consumption onboard including excess packaging often found in the Caribbean.

4- Take water bottles on the charter and fill up at local facilities.

5- Participate in local schemes such as beach cleans to reduce your impact on the environment.

Speak to the Boatbookings team to discuss an eco-friendly yacht charter today.

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Alice Newnham

What Sailing License Do I Need In The Mediterranean?

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.

If you have chartered around the Bahamas or Caribbean, you will know that you only need a sailing resume to charter, but this is not the case in the Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy, Croatia, French Riviera and so on.

So what license do I need?

Image result for ICC sailing license — A copy of an ICC license

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!

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Alice Newnham