Category Archives: Expert Commentary

Chartering for Events and Celebrations in Cannes, France

Cannes is perhaps the only city in the world that boasts a world-class conference facility directly adjacent to a port capable of handling superyachts.  This is why so many conferences and festivals such as MIPIM, MIDEM, MIPCOM, Cannes Lions, and of course, the Cannes Film Festival, come back to Cannes each year.

Cannes, with its two ports, nearby islands, quaint Old Town and ample restaurants is also the ideal setting for corporate events, team building and family celebrations.  Put simply, Cannes provides a superb backdrop for virtually any meeting or celebration.

The numerous events in Cannes have spawned a wide selection of yachts that specialize in events of all types.  If you have an event to plan, there are catamarans that holds 56 day passengers for a day cruise to a superyacht that can hold an event for 250, and everything in between. Whereas most luxury yachts can hold a maximum of 12 guests, these yachts have special licensing and insurance so that they can meet your large party’s needs.  Please see our current list of recommended Cannes Event Yachts.

We are releasing this week a newsletter dedicated to Events in the French Riviera, featuring our current selection of top event yachts.  You can get a preview by clicking on our February Newsletter – Events in the South of France. And take a serious look into having fun with your group on the French Riviera, it will be the event of a lifetime!

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Yacht Charter Trends for 2012

Happy New Year to our Readers!

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.

We think this makes great sense, of course!  It’s hard to imagine a better environment to focus on wellness than the serene atmosphere of a yacht anchored in a quiet, beautiful, secluded bay.  Click here to see a selection of our yachts that emphasize Wellness Chartering.

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!

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From the Deck to the Dock: Specialty Onshore Lodging For Ocean Lovers

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

Jules Verne LodgeGuests 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.

Here is an excellent link to explore the innumerable options for Luxury Yacht Charter and Yacht Charter Destinations worldwide.

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Our Yacht Charter Experts On Board Lazzara 106 SECRET SPOT: Vibrant and Fun for Everyone

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.

Please follow this useful link for detailed information on chartering SECRET SPOT. Here is a helpful link to explore Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter Worldwide.

 

 

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139ft. Holland Jachtbouw Charter Yacht CALLIOPE: Innovative Build, Inspired Design

CALLIOPE is an elegant 139ft. Holland Jachtbouw, whose majesty is reflected in her name. CALLIOPE in Greek mythology is the muse of epic poetry, the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. The goddess was Homer’s muse, said to inspire his epic works. CALLIOPE, with transoceanic range and capability, navigates the seas of today with elegance and assurance, inspired by a distant past when Odysseus roamed the oceans of the world.

On board CALLIOPE, the immediate impression of sophistication and refinement is augmented by impressive design innovations that are the result of input from an experienced Owner. On CALLIOPE the details are as remarkable as the overall ambiance. For example, the custom made, graceful mermaid door pulls, which stand alone as works of art, were designed by the Owner.

Other subtleties on board CALLIOPE, not immediately visible, raise the level of livability and service. The main deck salon is furnished in understated elegance featuring neutral tones with touches of delphinium blue, and connects to the formal dining room. The space can be left open for entertaining or separated by sliding shoji doors for a more intimate setting. Cleverly concealed cabinetry allows for easy access to tableware and the crew can provide discreet service through an electronic pocket door leading to the pantry and commercial galley.

The guest staterooms on board luxury yacht CALLIOPE, located on the lower deck, are finished in a soft lime oak with French provincial decor. The crew is able to service the guests by way of a secret, soundproof door in the paneling that leads to the crew quarters.

The bridge deck is a very popular area with guests and the main social area on CALLIOPE. State-of-the-art equipment allows the space to transition from a library to a media room to a party deck. The salon’s full width folding French doors open up to the aft deck providing a seamless transition from interior to exterior creating an even larger al fresco dining and entertaining area.

CALLIOPE is an intrinsically chic yacht that even the most demanding charter clients will recognize as superior in all respects. This unparalleled superyacht is an excellent charter option for corporate retreats, or families and friends that demand five star service and luxurious accommodations aboard a prestigious vessel.

Follow this link for detailed information about charter on board CALLIOPE.

These useful link provide information about Luxury Superyacht Charter and Charter Destinations worldwide.

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