Charter Luxury Yacht ICARUS for Christmas 2012!

What are you doing this Christmas? Are you fed up of the cold and want to treat your family and friends to some winter sun? The British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean make the perfect destination for Christmas with white sand, turquoise waters and beautiful weather! Check out ICARUS, one of our favourite crewed Sailboats for this Winter.

For more information on how to charter your very own luxury yacht, please enquire via the link above or send an enquiry email to [email protected]. We would be delighted to help you to organise your winter vacation! Watch this space for more destination information, yachting news and gossip.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Watersports on a Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter in the BVI

Whether you wish to try your hand at water-skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, knee boarding, windsurfing or Seabobs (among other sports), there are always boats on offer that meet all the necessary water sport requirements. Chartering a crewed yacht with a variety of sea toys is a fantastic way to ensure a family vacation with plenty of excitement and adventure. Below you will find brief descriptions of just some of the fantastic water sport opportunities on offer.

Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

The beautiful waters of the Caribbean are the perfect place for exploration and discovery. Dive down to sites that include the wreckages of Spanish galleons and British warships, or snorkel through the stunning coral reefs that are home to a host of tropical fish and other rare species of marine life.

Many crewed yachts offer diving instructors on board who will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable scuba-diving experience. Rendezvous diving means that you are joined by a professional diving company who bring their own boat and diving equipment. These companies offer only the most experienced diving staff who have unrivalled knowledge of all the best local dive sites.

As the only coral reef island in the Virgin Islands, Anegada is an extremely popular charter destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Other popular diving and snorkeling destinations include the Maldives, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding

The easiest and quickest way to learn how to ski is by starting on a kneeboard. Kneeling on the board gives you a much lower centre of gravity than conventional waterskiing, which makes it easier to balance and keep control when you are being towed at speeds of around 30-50km/h.

In contrast, water skiing not only requires exceptional upper and lower body strength but also extremely good balance. Many boats offer both adult and children’s waterskis. Children often find learning to waterski easier than adults due to their lower centre of gravity.

Wakeboarding was originally developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Wakeboards are usually made of foam or honeycomb, which is mixed with resin and coated with fibreglass.

Given the obvious dangers of falling into the water at speed, a third person is required as a spotter for the person in the water. The spotter’s job is to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken.

Interesting fact: The most skiers towed behind one boat is 145. This world record was set by the Horsehead Water Ski Club in Strahan, Tasmania, in January 2012.

Personal Water Craft / Water scooter

Personal Water Craft (PWCs) are often referred to by their more well-known brand names such as Jet Ski, WaveRunner and SeaDoo. These vehicles are normally designed for one or two people, although three- and four-man models do exist.

PWCs are popular because they are small, very fast and easy to manoeuvre. They are also an extremely fun way to explore the ocean and are safer around swimmers because they do not have external propellers.

Riders should probably try their best not to fall off though, as there is a risk of similar injuries to those that can be picked up on waterskis.

With accommodation for 6 guests in 2 cabins, the Jongert 27m crewed sailing yacht ICARUS is ideal for sailing charters around Europe and the Virgin Islands. ICARUS offers a variety of exciting water toys including snorkelling equipment, waterskis, tube, towing ring, wake board and fishing gear, while rendezvous diving is also an option.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI Catamaran Charter Guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

QUATTROELLE, a new 88m Lürssen Luxury Super Yacht Charter!

QUATTROELLE is a 88m Lürssen Luxury Super Yacht, designed by Nuvolari Lenard was recently delivered to the Moran Yacht Group. She is a stunning 6 deck modern Super Yacht, providing great interior and exterior proportions for both entertaining and relaxation. The interior is fitted with the very latest technology and contemporary styling to attract even the most discerning clientele. She is available this Christmas in the Caribbean, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to charter one of the most exciting yachts on the market.

One of our favourite Lürssen Luxury Charter Yachts is TITANIA. She has 7 elegant staterooms for your closest friends and family, as well as a fantastic array of water toys, swimming pool and its own nightclub! Available for summer charters in the West Med, TITANIA is one of our favourite Super Yachts to explore the natural beauty of the French and Italian Riviera’s.

Watch this space for the latest news releases, yachting trends and gossip. For more information on how to charter a yacht, please enquire via the link above to our website. We look forward to helping you organise an experience of a lifetime.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Sampling the finest Caribbean Gastronomy on your Luxury Yacht Charter

The Caribbean is often described as the crossroads of the world, thanks to the trade winds that lead many from all over the world to the British Virgin Islands. History has seen a succession of conquerors and cultures pass, bringing with them many distinctive foods, flavours and styles of cookery that remain very popular today. The Arawaks were followed by the Caribs, who saw explorers and sea captains knock on their door as they travelled in the search of the New World. Colonists, settlers and descendants of Spanish, Dutch, English and French origin brought with them their respective cultures and cuisines. The East Indian population left their mark on the local cuisine with their distinctive curries [Colombos}, condiments [Chutneys] and Roti, which remain present to this day.

The African Slave population brought many exotic foodstuffs, such as Okra and Yams, as well as many greens, beans and roots. These ingredients combined with their cooking techniques and seasonings created Creole cookery and famous dishes such as Gumbo, which can be found all over the Caribbean and southern United States. Whilst browsing the Internet, we came across a fantastic recipe on the Sugar Apple Blog for a Spicy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, which we thought we would share with you. The combination of the holy trinity [Celery/Bell Pepper/ Onion] with the spice of the chilli pepper, smoky sausage and okra is a match made in heaven!

Spicy Caribbean Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
1 pound okra, cut into 1/4? slices
6 tablespoons cooking oil
1 large green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 medium onions, peeled and diced
1 scotch bonnet or other hot pepper, minced (optional)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 pound andouille sausage or smoked kielbasa, cut in half lengthways and cut crosswise into 1/2? slices
6 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced OR 2 tins diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
5-6 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 1/2? cubes

Not much of a cook? Want your own private chef to cook you a taste of the Caribbean? Want to sample some of the best Caribbean cuisine on your own luxury yacht charter? We would love to make both of these things a reality and arrange an experience of a lifetime on a crewed catamaran, motor or sailboat. We have a great selection of boats for all budgets and one of our favourites this month is MOONSTONE, a 62ft Sunreef Catamaran with 4 fantastic cabins. There is no better way to enjoy her this Winter than to host a private dining event with close friends and family in her open-plan saloon. Accommodation is provided in 3 double en-suite cabins and a twin, which are decorated in a contemporary, yet classic style.

For more information on how to charter this yacht, please follow the link on the yacht and contact one of our senior brokers. Alternatively, send an email enquiry to [email protected]. Watch this space for more information on the Caribbean and which yachts to charter this Winter.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Chartering a Crewed Catamaran in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

The smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is found roughly 5 miles northwest of Tortola. The island covers just 4 square miles and is home to just under 300 inhabitants. However, it is thought that government population figure could be too high; some citizens who actually live in St. Thomas may have been included in the last census.

Jost Van Dyke has been a popular destination for those seeking adventure for more than 400 years. A Dutch settler/pirate (the man after whom the island is named) settled and used the island as a base in the 17th century, but it did not become really popular with tourists until recently. The island only got electricity in 1991 and proper roads were introduced a few years later. There are no banks, and many businesses shut down completely in September and October.

Jost van Dyke is home to many fantastic beaches. White Bay, which is protected by a huge reef that extends out from the beach, is the perfect point for snorkeling and scuba-diving. The bay is also fantastic for dolphin and whale watching. From mid-January until the end of March, the humpback whale passes through the waters just off Jost Van Dyke as part of its annual migration patterns.

The most frequented point on the island is Great Harbour, which is one of the busiest ports in the BVI. Great Harbour is lined with many small bars and beach restaurants, of which Foxy’s Tiki Bar is undoubtedly the most famous.

Philicianno Callwood (a.k.a “Foxy”), is known for strumming his guitar and singing humorous songs every afternoon, and ensuring that everyone has a great time if they arrive at his establishment. Foxy’s is also well known for hosting fantastic parties late into the night on Halloween and New Year’s Eve (known on the island as “Old Year’s Night”).

The Soggy Dollar Bar, which is found in White Bay, is another very famous beach bar and the birthplace of the Painkiller. The Painkiller is a rum cocktail that contains a blend of Pusser’s Rum mixed with 4 parts pineapple juice, 1 part cream of coconut and 1 part orange juice, served over the rocks with a generous amount of fresh nutmeg.

One of our most popular yacht charters in the BVI is the Privilege 615 Catamaran JERI. This fantastic crewed catamaran offers accommodation for up to 8 guests in an exquisite Owners Suite and 3 luxurious Guest Cabins.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI yacht charter guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓