REHAB – A Gem in the French Riviera

The French Riviera is a part of the world which simply oozes style and class. Nothing encapsulates this quite in the same way that Sunseeker does. REHAB, a Predator 68 is absolutely no exception.

Michael and Kirsten have proved a real success and the onboard crew and have a flawless reputation. Experienced as well as welcoming and personable, they will ensure that you don’t miss any of the hot spots along the Côte d’Azur, whether it be lunch at the inimitable and exclusive Club 55 or seeking out the newest and coolest of the undiscovered treasures. Whether you charter Rehab for a long weekend or just for the day, the crew will ensure that your time aboard is truly unforgettable.

The yacht herself is a classic example in unrestricted luxury. Supremely fast, with a top speed of 40 knots, she will get you to the hottest spots in no time. Once you arrive, the outdoor spaces on REHAB are spectacular. The open-plan, teak-lined aft deck is vast. Lined with fine leather sofas, there is ample space for groups of up to 12 people to dine al fresco or sit back with cocktails.

For the more dedicated sun gods and goddesses out there, the top deck is the place for you. Attract envious glances whilst lying back in the hugely comfortable lounge area; the perfect place to enjoy the stunning provençal views.

When the mood for something more adventurous takes you, REHAB is fully stocked. The tender, a superfast Williams 325, is great for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Fun for all the family is taken care of courtesy of 2 donuts and plenty of snorkelling equipment.

Here at Boatbookings, REHAB is regarded as an absolute gem. She receives massive of interest every summer so get in there quickly to avoid missing out. Enquire about chartering her here

Posted on March 10, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Best in Cannes for MIPIM 2014!

Cannes is heating up this weekend, and with a Spring heatwave just in time for MIPIM 2014 it’s set to be one of the best weeks yet. The biggest and best in property are on their way to Cannes for one of the biggest events in their calendar. An opportunity to showcase developments and achievements worldwide, and what better way to showcase success than by hosting colleagues and partners on one of the world’s finest super yachts in the hub of yachting that is the Old Port of Cannes.

The Boatbookings team are down at the port welcoming clients and ensuring events run smoothly and successfully, and we’ve seen a couple of favourites perfect for events in Cannes and also the Monaco Grand Prix 2014.

Towering above all others was LATITUDE, a stunning 2008 52 metre Benetti. We love Benettis, the outside space they offer and a wide beam allowing you to host large events on expansive decks. Her interior is modern and elegant, with a fun splash of red to add a wonderful energy that surrounds her interior. She has multiple private meeting spaces, including dining options that comfortably seat twelve, Portuguese Bridge, private owner’s balconies and of course a spacious flydeck with large jacuzzi and breakfast dining.

When wanting to stand out on a static charter, the stern of a yacht is of huge importance for the wow factor. On departure today we saw BARON TRENCK, a stunning 2011 Eurocraft with a beautifully striking exterior arriving in the port. Volume on her flydeck is completely unrivalled allowing wonderfully private parties for business groups. Her interior is classic and offers accommodation for up to 10 in complete comfort, also offering excellent work space for productive working days.

If you’re looking to charter for events such as MIPIM, MIPCOM, MAPIC, the Cannes Film Fesitval, Cannes Lions or the Monaco Grand Prix, contact one of our event specialists on the French Riviera today.

We wish all our clients, and everyone at MIPIM 2014 a very successful week of exhibitions and networking!

Posted on March 9, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The 5 Most Expensive Super Yachts in the World

When you have the ability to buy almost anything you want, within or occasionally without reason, the world of super yachts is generally quite attractive. The billionaires of today’s society look to the seas to demonstrate just how wealthy they are, and where both compromise and budget are not in the dictionary you end up with some marvellous creations.

A recent internet rumour suggested that there might be a completely bizarre yacht out there, known as HISTORY SUPREME. This has a rumoured cost of $4.8 billion, that’s $4,800,000,000.00 just to put the figure into perspective. It was rumoured to have a gold and platinum hull, and furnished with rare meteorites, precious gems and dinosaur bones. We can now confirm that this was in fact just a rumour, and unfortunately (or fortunately) no such yacht exists just yet! So here is the top 5 in the real world…

5. AL SAID. Build cost of $300 million. A Lürssen creation, this yacht stands at 155 metres and currently boasts the record of being the world’s highest displacement super yacht. She had the rather humble code name of “Project Sunflower” during her build in 2006 and 2007 and upon delivery in 2008 was the world’s second longest super yacht. She’s rather charismatically named after her owner, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said of Oman.

4. A. Build cost of $323 million. Commissioned by Russian billionaire Andrei Melnichenko, A is one of the world’s largest super yachts that constantly divides opinion. She stands at 119 metres, one metre larger than originally planned at the renowned Blohm + Voss shipyard where she was ordered in 2004 and delivered 4 years later! Critics compare it to submarines or stealth warships, whilst others commend the inverted bow design. We’re not sure here at Boatbookings, but she’s certainly a head turner!

3. DUBAI. Build Cost of $350 million. This yacht comes with quite a story! Originally commissioned in 1996 by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, a joint project between Lürssen and Blohm + Voss the Prince cancelled its build due to insufficient funds. 5 years on in 2001 Shiek Mohammd bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE took over and finally completed her at Platinum Yachts. She stands at 162 metres.

2. AZZAM. Build Cost (to date) of $605 million. You’ve seen it, read about it and heard the gossip. AZZAM has knocked Abramovich off the top spot in super yacht building with quite a magnificent creation. Managing to come cheaper, quicker, longer and faster AZZAM translates as “dedication” and this is dedication in its highest form. Mystery surrounds this yacht’s interior, currently being executed by Christophe Leoni, which is why we are currently unable to confirm her final cost.

1. ECLIPSE. Build Cost of $800 million. Blohm + Voss’ trophy creation for Roman Abramovich still claims the number 1 trophy at this stage. Everything is staggering on board ECLIPSE, most surprising is perhaps its defence system which is made up of intruder detection, camera detector to keep prying eyes away and an anti-paparazzi laser shield. You couldn’t make it up, but you will regularly see ECLIPSE anchored off the Cap d’Antibes or Marina del Rey, Los Angeles depending on the season.

For more information on super yachts, motor yachts, sailing yachts or even bareboat charters contact the Boatbookings team today!

Posted on March 7, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Unforgettable Florida – Our Managing Director’s Account

Capucine, Managing Director at Boatbookings.com has just returned from an unforgettable trip to Fort Lauderdale. Apart from welcoming our wonderful new US Charter Director Allison Cecilio, she also re-discovered what makes the Floridian coastline the enchanting holiday and charter destination it is. This blog is her account of three key moments that made her fall back in love with Florida!

1. Alligator spotting tour in the Everglades.

A little bit of drama here as we were skimming in an airboat over the sawgrass swampland, having seen a number of alligators, and our airboat broke down! Now I’m not shy when it comes to an adventure but having been told these six foot alligators could jump three times their length a slight nervousness came about…

Luckily the rescue boat arrived quickly and we all made it back to base! I couldn’t help but think this wouldn’t have happened on a luxury yacht charter, but an incredible experience. With around 1.5 million crocodiles in Florida it’s a must-do trip!

2. Visiting Port Everglades

One of the largest cruise ship ports in the world, I counted no less than 8 large cruise ships in the port, each one taller than every building around. Quite a spectacular sight! I couldn’t help but think that a cruise is the perfect opportunity to arrive in port and enjoy a private and thoroughly relaxing day out on the sea. Whether you head down to Miami or just enjoy the sights and sounds of Florida a day boat rental allows you to do all this and escape the crowds.

3. The variety on offer!

Whilst sat in my hotel, I look outside my window to see quite an awe-inspiring sight. It was motor yacht TATS, one of my favourites by Alloy Yachts launched in 2009. Although I was impressed by the yacht, what was most impressive was its proximity to the coast! Fort Lauderdale is America’s own Venice with over 165 miles of navigable intracoastal waterway, meaning you can spend days enjoying the wonderful climate and friendly atmosphere with the option of heading out and enjoying the privacy of the ocean as and when you feel like it! A truly unforgettable vacation experience on offer here.

Another personal highlight was visiting the newly re-fitted VICTORIA DEL MAR II. A stunning yacht with elegant beach house styling and ample space for al fresco dining for 12 on the expansive sun-deck. The great news is she’s available for charter in Florida and the Bahamas at the moment, and will be heading to the glorious French Riviera for the summer. An option I cannot recommend highly enough!

For more information on chartering in Fort Lauderdale and on the Florida coastline, contact our expert broker team today.

Posted on March 6, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

The Arrival of the New Benchmark for Superyachts

Leonardo di Caprio was in the news again this week after his quest to win his first Oscar once more ended in disappointment. Nominated for his role in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, di Caprio plays Jordan Belfort. For most of the 3 hour film, Belfort lives a life of staggering decadence, epitomised not in the least by his luxurious superyacht, known to us as LADY M. Belfort lost his ship in a storm before losing everything else when convicted and sentenced to prison.

Belfort’s life of indulgent luxury is now at an end… Your’s doesn’t have to be.

In February of this year Mangusta launched the latest of their 165 range. This 8th hull in the series, the 165 E (standing for Evolution) is Mangusta’s most refined yacht to date. The 50m flagship is capable of doing up to 40 knots, making her not only the fastest yacht to come out of the Overmarine Group’s wharf, but the fastest Maxi Open yacht ever to be built.

Since 2007 , Mangusta 165 superyachts have been the industry benchmark and this 8th incarnation is no different. Overmarine said of her that, “She knows no rivals in terms of comfort; the volumes of the yacht can be compared to a three-deck vessel of the same dimension, although this cannot be gleaned from the outside owing to her pure lines and sporty profile. The extraordinary combination of linear stress and expression of line gives this model an elegant character which is simultaneously distinctive and powerful. She is a masterpiece of distinctive, elegant, timeless design, conveying balance and dynamism.”

From the outside the 165 E is stunningly beautiful. She is elegantly simple yet sleek and sporty. It is the interior where the Evolution really takes your breath away though. More than 10 different kinds of rare and valuable wood and lacquering, at least 7 types of marble, mother of pearl and onyx, to name but a few, all contribute to an interior of unreserved luxury.

Much has been written about the salon windows. Requested specifically by the new owners, the single pane of glass provides unrestricted, panoramic views whilst letting in plenty of natural light. The entire yacht is created entirely at the Overmarine Group’s own plants, as is standard for all Mangusta yachts, ensuring only the best quality. The new 165 boasts the pinnacle on onboard quality and comfort: soundproofing, vibration control, ergonomic layouts. Everything has been painstakingly designed, built and tested to create one of the most unforgettable yachts. See it for yourself later this year at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Posted on March 5, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓