Hot Yachts from the Monaco Yacht Show – SHERAKHAN – Verkerk 228 – 13 Cabins

SHERAKHAN is the most extraordinary Dutch owned charter yacht! She is 228 feet long (70 Metres) and offers 13  cabins so she can carry a much larger party than most charter yachts.

Do not be fooled by her sober exterior When you first enter, the main dining area is a vast open room surrounded by an oval balcony, and the overall volume feels immense. The table is also laid lengthways, and together with the elaborate and slightly funky décor, it calls to mind a fairytale or the mad-hatter’s banquet! She is wildly eclectic, a bizarre and fabulous mixture of 1970s kitsch, solid Dutch pragmatism, dark woods and heavy drapes, mixed with silvery balls of glass hanging from on high.

The master is vast with his and hers bathrooms with quaint Victoriana bath tubs and a separate shower room. To add to the experience, the entire length of the deck on every level is convex, as it was built, so you feel you’ve entered the Golden age and ended up in Wonderland! It is a most fantastic and unusual place, perfect for a party or a charter with more adventurous guests who would appreciate her bohemian nature!

Other strong points include a large lower level spa, with mosaic floors, with fluorescent lighting emanating from the bath tub and basins, and a mosaic mermaid on the rear wall. Another key point is that she can sleep up to 26 guests, making her ideal for special family occasions and corporate charters.

Click here to for additional infomation on SHERAKHAN

Cannes Boat Show opens

A view of Cannes during the Cannes Boat ShowBoatbookings will be scouring the Cannes Boat Show this week looking for great new charter yachts, and seeing all the new models that are being launched. From the looks of the setup last night, the show should be hopping despite the recession. We’ll keep you updated on any great new developments.

We’re especially looking forward to seeing the Sunreef Power Cats – as we’re seeing increasing demand for this type of charter yacht.

One recommendation already – the view of Cannes from the terrace bar/restaurant at the 1835 White Palm hotel (formerly the Sofitel) is fantatic! It’s located at the west end of the Old Port, looking straight down on the boats. The views are gorgeous in all directions – which is why the bar is called 360 (this photo was taken from the terrace).

The restaurant is excellent (a full menu with all the trimmings costs EUR 55 plus wine) and it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the show. If you need to track us down at the show, we’ll probably be there!

Summary of the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix

The stands are being taken down in Monaco and the screens have gone dark in Cannes. You can walk the Croisette again in peace, and no earplugs are required in Monaco. Although everything for these two events went well, and the weather was fantastic, by all accounts both events were slower than in past years.  Not surprising, and totally expected.

The star power of the Cannes Film FestivalHowever, we’ve already seen a pickup in yacht charter enquiries for 2010 for both of these events. The financial situation has stabilised, and many people are realising that the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix are still two of the world’s most appealing marketing and entertainment venues.  And for those who are planning now, they’re finding that this is the best time in years to charter a yacht for these events.  There are great yachts available, reasonably priced berths in the ports, and fewer competitors to deal with.  They may want a lower priced boat, with slightly less glitz, but you can now find a yacht for one or both of these events that provide real value.

Contact us if you want to know more about chartering yachts for these glamorous events in 2010, be it for a private party, family holiday, corporate entertainment, celebration, or if you just want to see the stars!

What’s new in the French Riviera for Summer 2009?

The sun has returned, the Film Festival is in full swing, Monaco Grand Prix stands are assembled and ready for the race this weekend – which means that the French Riviera is fully up and running for the high season! We thought we’d devote this post to what is new for 2009, in anticipation of your visit to St Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or anywhere in between.

First of all perhaps the major difference vs 2008 is that we now have a buyer’s market, which is great news for all of you charterers out there!  While there have lately been signs that the business is returning back to normal levels, there is still the opportunity to get good deals if you book your yacht before the end of May.  After that, many of the best yachts will be full, and the deals will evaporate.  So if  you are seriously considering a yacht of any size this summer in the Riviera, please let us know in the next couple of weeks. We’ve listed some of our best French Riviera Yacht Charter Deals here.

Party Boats for up to 56 people in the French RivieraEvent and Celebration Boats.  In the past, we’ve had to turn away many groups that had more than 12 people because, due to Maritime Law and insurance reasons, there are very few yachts on the Riviera that are qualified to carry more then 12 people.  The good news this summer is that we have several fantastic Event Catamarans that carry up to 56 people!  They are reasonably priced, designed with groups in mind, and are happy to add catering, DJs, water sports, etc.  So if you have a business meeting, birthday, wedding reception, stag party, team building event or any other reason to put a large number of people on a boat, we now have several great alternatives for you (we of course also offer motor yachts that carry up to 150 people if that’s what you’re looking for!). Click here to see one of our Event Catamarans.

More information about great new yachts for charter in our next post!

Day Charter to St Tropez – Part II – Along the coast from Cannes to St Tropez Old Town

The Castle at la Napoule, French RivieraLeaving Cannes, you will continue along the coast on the Bay of Cannes toward the beautiful red rock outcroppings and cliffs in the distance.  One of the first seaside towns you will come to is La Napoule.  You will see the distinctive and quirky Castle of la Napoule – if you have time you can stop and see the museum and gardens if you wish. There’s a small beach near the castle as well. La Napoule also boasts a 3* Michelin restaurant called “the Oasis”, if you’re in the mood for a gourmet lunch.

The Castle is a replica of a 10th Century Saracen tower, built by Henry Clews, an eccentric American Millionaire in the 1920s. They furnished it with medieval and Renaissance furniture, and it includes many of with Henry’s sculptures.  Gargoyles guard the treasure throughout the castle.

Just past La Napoule is the quaint hillside town of Theoule-sur-Mer, which has several beaches and beach restaurants popular for their fish.

The rocky cliffs of the EstorelYou’ll continue past beautiful small port towns perched on the side of rocky cliffs, as you approach the Esterel Massif, an enormous and stunning rock formation. These rocks are famous for their rugged beauty as well as hiking and climbing.  At the bottom of the cliffs are a number of beautiful swimming holes, with perfectly clear water that has a red tinge from reflecting the rocks above. We highly recommend a quick swim to refresh everyone on your way to St Tropez.

After your swim, you’ll head past Agay, nesteled into a cove in the rocks, past the port town of St Rafael, and then see the long expanse of white beaches at Frejus. If you have plenty of time and enjoy Roman Ruins, Frejus has a fairly well preserved Roman town, complete with aqueduct and theater.  It was on the Appian way and the area was once a major port in the Roman Empire.

At this point, you can decide whether to go straight to Pampelonne Beach, or if you want to first spend a few hours in the old town of St Tropez.  If you head to St Tropez old town, you will enter the Golfe of St Tropez, a renowned sailing and yachting bay. On the north is the seaside town of St Maxime, a typical French beach town with seaside restaurants, apartments and villas on the hillside and plenty of watersports.

The charming old town of St TropezAt the South side of the Golfe is the quaint and world famous old port town of St Tropez.  You may want to stop for a coffee on the quai to watch the people and yachts go by. There are ramparts to discover, plenty of shopping (from designer brands to local crafts) and of course the beautiful old port itself, where Mangustas mix with classic sailing and motor yachts. You could easily while away the entire day here, and many do, however the main beach attraction is still around the corner.

Next up, Pampelonne Beach and Club 55.