Allison’s Favourites at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2014

Yesterday saw the closing of the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2014, another great year according to our Charter Director Allison Cecilio in Fort Lauderdale. The show featured favourites winning over others with their fantastic crews and inventive chefs, along with some very welcome newcomers to the US charter market. As the show drew to a close Allison has reflected on her top recommendations for winter in Florida and the Bahamas, and summer sun in New England.

Allison’s first favourite was a popular choice with all the brokers at the show. DA BUBBA is 100′ Hargrave yacht, with elegant and stylish interior combined with extensive water sports list to truly mix relaxation and thrill-seeking. Allison highly recommends this yacht already due to her sterling crew and the fact she’s still offering free delivery to a location of your choice in the Bahamas for Spring Break charters!

Previous guests have left flawless reviews and commended their crew on their keen eye for safety and fun, perfect for family groups. An impressive buffet showcasing vegan options, including curried pumpkin bisque and vegetable spring rolls with ponzu dip, really highlighted the talent of the chef onboard for Allison.

Allison’s next favourite was the much anticipated return of GRAVITAS. The 52 metre Feadship has undergone an extensive re-fit with her new owners and is in pristine “as-new” condition inside and out, whilst still offering the trusted quality of a classic Feadship build. The crew are already well-known and are led by the reputable force of Roy and Stephanie Hodges who have a rich and full charter history and exemplary feedback from guests throughout their career. GRAVITAS will spend April in the Bahamas before heading towards to New England for the summer holidays.

To keep up with the latest industry news and reviews follow us on Twitter, and for more information on chartering throughout the US, Bahamas and Caribbean contact our expert broker team in Fort Lauderdale.

Posted on March 24, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

It’s All About Events on the French Riviera!

Events on the French Riviera have kicked off to a flying start, with MIPIM last week being recognised as one of the biggest and best yet we have many more to look forward to and big shoes to fill! MIPTV is next up in April, followed by the glitz of the Cannes Film Festival, the Monaco Grand Prix and last but certainly not least: the Cannes Lions.

Event charter is an experience like no other. There’s no better way to treat your colleagues, network with counterparts or get yourselves recognised than on a yacht! MIPIM proved this with the Old Port of Cannes attracting as many numbers at the Palais des Festivals itself, and we have a magnificent selection of event boats perfect for lavish cocktail parties or intimate business gatherings alike and also some fantastic last minute offers for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix!

NAMELESS is one of our favourite new boats on the charter market for 2014. Not only does she have beautifully executed interior design; she has also already gained a fabulous reputation throughout the yachting industry for events, having executed an unforgettable party at the Monaco Yacht Show 2013 for brokers to see the huge array of qualities she has on offer. Without a doubt one of the most handsome boats on the charter market today, she’s available for the Monaco GP at the rate of €25,000 per day.

If it’s a deal you’re looking for, look no further than LE PETIT BATEAU! Her expansive flydeck is the perfect vantage point for up to 50 guests to watch all the Grand Prix action whilst her seasoned event charter crew will ensure glasses are topped up and delicious food is served throughout. She also accommodates a massive 12 guests sleeping. A beautiful, light and modern boat which provides excellent value when she’s available at the special rate of €5,000 per day for the Monaco Grand Prix (min. charter 5 days)!

These yachts are also available during the Cannes Film Festival and French Riviera events in 2015. For expert advice on planning unforgettable and flawless events no matter how big or small – contact our expert team in Cannes today.

Posted on March 21, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Palm Beach International Boat Show 2014!

With more than $1 billion worth of yachts water toys on show, the 29th Palm Beach International Boat Show is the place to be for yacht enthusiasts this March. Allison, one of the newest members of the Boatbookings team and a senior charter broker, specialising in American charters, will certainly not be missing out. She is particularly excited about seeing some of her favourite yachts taking stage amongst the worlds’ finest example of yacht building.

VIVERE, a stunning Azimut 116 will certainly be turning heads. Designed in Italy, with beautiful lines and a striking blue hull, she really is wonderfully elegant.

From the first glance, you will find that her interior is similarly impressive. Indulgently furnished with rich mahogany and plush sofas, the salon is refined and luxurious. With natural light streaming in through large windows to create a light and airy atmosphere, this is a wonderfully relaxing space to relax and get away from it all.

Above deck you are spoilt for choice. With plenty of areas to relax and soak up some rays, as well as a jacuzzi and drinks bar, each of your guests can settle down in their favourite spot and enjoy an unforgettable charter off the coast of Florida.

Toys and water sports are of course a highlight on any charter and some of the newest and coolest technology is to be found in Florida this week. Not the least of these will be the Quadski. Featured just a couple of weeks ago in Top Gear when Jeremy Clarkson raced against Richard Hammond’s Alfa Romeo 4C, this revolutionary transforming quad bike / jet ski will be sure to draw a crowd.

Allison has also been impressed by the breath-taking KATYA. With such an embarrassment of luxury available on board, it’s no hard to understand why. Spread over 4 decks and lavishly finished throughout, once you step aboard you will never want to leave.

Feel like James Bond as you sip a martini in the classically cool sky lounge bar or enjoy a relaxing evening with a film in the supremely comfortable salon.

Above deck admire the beautiful Caribbean sea around the Bahamas while you dine al fresco in one of a number of spots or feel like a rock star while you sun yourself in the jacuzzi. The choices are endless and you would be doing well to discover all of KATYA‘s treasures in a week.

See it all for yourself this weekend at the boat show or if you miss out, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Boatbookings team here.

Posted on March 19, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

More Time to Book WILD THYME!

WILD TYHME is hands-down our favourite classic Benetti for charters on the French Riviera. Her owners are meticulous about her upkeep and she’s just back from a fresh hull re-paint, looking as pristine as she was when she first came out of the shipyard. We’ve just heard from her manager that due a surprising cancellation she’s now available between 29th July and 29th August out of Antibes.

WILD THYME‘s reputation in yachting comes from both clients and brokers alike who fall in love with her clean classic styling and renowned crew.

Captain Peter is a true yachting professional who’s experience in charter is extensive and repeat clients alone show how much fun and what a great service this crew offers.

Expansive outdoor areas common on Benetti yachts are undoubtedly present on WILD TYHME with jacuzzi, sunbathing areas, bar and dining space. As well as this, she’s a register jet ski school meaning the crew can issue your licenses to use the jet skis onboard when on charter! Following re-upholstering, new linens and her re-paint in 2013 and 2014 she’s a an excellent charter opportunity not to be missed this summer. The availability won’t last long, so enquire now for a wild time on WILD THYME.

Posted on March 13, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Charter luxury motor yacht SASCHA from Sardinia to Corsica!

At Boatbookings we think Sardinia and Corsica are two of the most beautiful and underrated cruising areas in the Mediterranean, read on to find out how to combine the two islands into a week long charter of a lifetime on board a luxury motor yacht SASCHA, currently including VAT on charters booked before 31st March!

SASCHA is a beautiful Dominator 780, perfect for families.

Getting to Sardinia is easy. Fly directly to Olbia International Airport and just 20 minutes after leaving the arrivals you’ll be sipping a well deserved cocktail on SASCHA’S aft deck, served to you by the excellent crew who will remain at your complete disposal for the rest of the week guiding you safely from port to port in total comfort and providing exquisite food along the way!

Enjoy a drink or soak up the sun on the fore deck.

Once settled, cruise out of Olbia and enjoy your first views from SASCHA’S luxurious flybridge of the beautiful Costa Smeralda, characterised by stunning rock formations, idyllic coves and crystal clear turquoise waters. After a relaxing cruise why not dock into Porto Rotondo a beautiful port and village surrounded by luscious Mediterranean vegetation and overlooking the emerald coloured sea.

Sardinia's spectacular coastline! — Sardinia’s spectacular coastline!

The next stop off on your charter should be Porto Cervo. A famous hang out of the rich and famous, a place for film stars and sports stars to come together often arriving on some of the finest Super Yachts, much like the glamorous towns of Cannes and St Tropez on the French Riviera. Porto Cervo is a place for partying the night away in chic bars before returning to your yacht for a day of recovery and relaxation!

Porto Cervo is one of the Mediterranean's top night spots. — Porto Cervo is one of the Mediterranean’s top night spots.

Continuing to cruise north you’ll come across the beautiful island archipelago of La Maddalena, until recently not open to tourists these beautiful islands remain one of the few relatively ‘untouched’ parts of the Mediterranean. The waters around the island and famed for their cleanliness. Spend a quiet night or two moored off the islands or in La Maddalena harbour before setting off for Corsica the next day!

Crystal clear waters surround La Maddalena

After leaving La Maddalena and Sardinia within a matter of a few hours you will arrive in Southern Corsica docking in Bonifacio on the southern tip of the island. Why not go ashore and explore the town and sample some delicious local food and take an opportunity to practice your French – just try and remember to say ‘Merci’ and not ‘Grazie’ at least!

From Bonifacio cruise north up the eastern coast of Corsica stopping as you go to enjoy coves and islands before arriving in Porto Vecchio where sadly it will be time to say good by to your crew and yacht before flying out of one of Corsica’s International airports.

Porto Vecchio a picturesque port with plenty of old fashioned charm — Porto Vecchio is a picturesque port with plenty of old fashioned charm

Get in touch today and talk to one of our experts about a charter just like this one, or something completely different anywhere in the world!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓