OCEAN EMERALD, the new Lord Foster – designed 41m superyacht is now available for a limited charter period in the Italian Riviera!

For the first time ever, you can charter the just launched OCEAN EMERALD this year. There are only three blocks of time available for general charter: 3-13 July and 4-13 August in the Mediterranean, and the Xmas/New Year period in the Caribbean.

Standard Charter Rates: 120,000 eur per week plus expenses (off-peak) 160,000 eur per week plus expenses (peak). You can get a 25% discount off the standard charter rate if you book soon! The yacht currently features on the front of BOAT INTERNATIONAL, July edition; and featured on the cover of the Financial Times` magazine on June 20.

Click here for more about OCEAN EMERALD and this special offer.

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

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.

Event 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!

Posted on May 18, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

Americans chartering closer to home for great charters at less cost

Gorgeous Sandy Beaches of Florida For those of you who want to charter in 2009 but are on a tight budget – many of our clients are saving on airfare by chartering closer to home, while keeping the same quality of yacht and charter experience. Similar to land based “staycations”, here are some ideas for an amazing charter experience without long flights.

South Florida and the Keys – America’s Sunshine State offers everything you’d want from an exotic charter – islands (the keys), coral diving and snorkeling, beach bars and restaurants, glorious sunsets – all a quick stop from Miami.

Bahamas – The Bahamas offer clear turquoise waters teeming with life, gorgeous beaches on hundreds of coral islands, quiet anchorages, renowned ports, and a swashbuckling history that dates from Columbus’ times. Just 100 miles off the coast of Florida you can be on a yacht with a minimum of hassle, making the Bahamas both a perfect charter holiday destination and great for events such as weddings, celebrations, honeymoons, or business meetings.

New England – New England offers both rugged rocky coastlines and gorgeous sandy beaches, destinations including Newport RI, Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard, Boston, and the thousands of islands, coves and lobstering towns of Maine. It always provides history, charm, understated elegance and a seafaring culture. Many yachts that normally return to the Mediterranean during the summer will instead cruise up the Atlantic coast, so this may be a great year for a charter in New England! San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge

Pacific Northwest – San Francisco, Seattle, the gorgeous Pacific Coastline, Vancouver and all the way up to Alaska – the richness and grandeur of the Pacific Northwest are second to none. If you haven’t seen the Golden Gate, Space Needle or a live glacier, think about the Pacific Northwest this year.

Great Lakes – For fresh water sailing with the feel of an ocean, the great lakes offer excellent charter itineraries with plenty of great yachts – both motor and sail. From the wilderness of Northern Michigan, to the cosmopolitan city of Chicago, the Great Lakes can deliver a charter that meets your summer holiday needs

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Tom Virden — No Comments ↓

Boatbookings.com offsets 25 Tons of CO2 in December

Save this penguin! Boatbookings.com ran a first-of-its-kind promotion in December 2008, where we bought carbon credits for each of its charters booked from 15 December to 31 December. Through this program, we offset 25 tons of CO2, and most importantly, our charterers could enjoy themselves on their yachts knowing that they were not contributing to global warming.

The promotion is likely to be rerun several times throughout the year – Boatbookings.com is committed to taking the lead against climate change.

Posted on January 7, 2009 by admin

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Caribbean Christmas Here, at Boatbookings, we love Christmas, and hope that you have all had a spectacular one, especially if you have been floating around on a fantastic yacht enjoying the thrills of Christmas on board; The wonderful views, the ever attentive crew, the excitement of a Christmas Day cruise and the feeling of the sea on your toes as you dangle them over the side.

If you didn’t manage it this year, you can always arrange for New Year or for next year, we have boats all over the world, but our favourites for Christmas and New Year’s are the Caribbean and Singapore.

Here’s to a bright New Year from all the team at Boatbookings, and to finding you a boat, anytime and anywhere!

Posted on December 27, 2008 by admin — No Comments ↓