Another reason to Charter a Luxury Yacht!

Yesterday, we published our first blog trying to convince you that chartering a luxury yacht was one of the best experiences in the world. Today – we will show you another reason, especially if you’re a ‘foodie’, why you should charter a luxury yacht in 2013! We were recently inspired by the food on show at the Antigua Yacht Show 2012, having experienced some of the best gastronomy that would match the food in top European kitchens! No matter whether you were on a 60ft Monohull or a 60m Super Yacht and sampling homemade breads and cupcakes to poached lobster and champagne, the food at this years show was truly stunning.

Do you prefer a light lunch? Two of our favourites were a stunning carpaccio of wahoo with a soy dressing and a very simple prawn salad with fresh herbs and bulgar wheat tabbouleh.We were also very impressed with the poached lobster, served on a timbal of mango and cilantro salad with a lobster claw tempura. Charterers with a sweet tooth would have loved the banana cake, which was served with flambeed bananas and homemade vanilla ice cream. The food on board was truly scrumptious!

If you are looking for Luxury Crewed Catamaran with great food, look no further than the Privilege 75, MATAU. This crewed catamaran features 4 cabins, accommodating up to 8 guests with a fantastic can-do crew. The master cabin is quite something and offers incredible space for a Catamaran of this size. There is nothing better after a relaxing days sunbathing than to enjoy a cocktail and canapes whilst watching the sunset before a private lavish dinner. She is in great condition and the open-plan layout makes her a very sociable yacht and therefore, one of the finest in the Caribbean.

Do you need some inspiration where to charter? One of the most popular destinations is the BVI, using Tortola as a start destination. Many people choose to charter in the BVI for the following reasons:

1) There are plenty of islands to explore
2) The weather around Christmas makes for the perfect destination.
3) The water is crystal clear and tranquil
4) Great choice of yachts, including some of the worlds best crewed catamarans.
5) Easily accessible from the U.S.

Have you never chartered before? At www.boatbookings.com, we welcome everyone from sailing professionals to complete novices and will help you at every step of the way to make your dreams a reality. We have a team of highly skilled professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in their destinations and will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

Posted on December 12, 2012 by admin

Charter a Luxury Yacht with Amazing Cupcakes!

With our Managing Director, Capucine de Vallée and Charter Director, Mimi Andain at the 2012 Antigua yacht show, inspecting the finest boats in the market, they told us about LADY ALLIAURA, a Privilege 75 Catamaran which they ranked as one of their top 3 favourite catamarans from Day 1 of the show. They were very complimentary about the food that they were served on board, made by LADY ALLIAURA’s Italian chef; this included home-made bread and cupcakes, and the latter made us start thinking creatively…Boating Baking!

Cupcakes are fast becoming a great power in the culinary world; it makes sense that the luxury yachts are going to start serving them on board. If you’re looking to charter a yacht as part of a celebration, whether a birthday, anniversary or wedding, being able to serve mini celebration cakes on board is fantastic! So, to get the process started,
we have had a look around for nautical and yacht themed baking treats.

So, if you’re looking to charter a luxury yacht with us and want something to get you excited, here is a simple recipe to make cupcakes:

100g caster sugar
100g unsalted butter
100g self raising flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C, line a cupcake tray with cases
Cream the caster sugar and butter, until light and fluffy.
Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl, then add gradually to sugar and butter, making sure they are mixed in well
Fold in the flour
Divide between the cupcake cases.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until they are springy to the touch

For the buttercream icing:

250g icing sugar
80g unsalted butter at room temperature
25ml milk
A few drops of vanilla essence

Mix together the icing sugar and butter (carefully!)
Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla essence, here you can add food colouring if you want (preferably blue to match the nautical theme!)
Ice your cakes!

If you would like to receive more information with regards to booking your luxury 2013 charter yacht, please enquire through our website, www.boatbookings.com, where one of our Charter Specialists will be happy to help you plan the experience of a lifetime. You can also send your charter enquiries to [email protected], and one of the team will get back to you shortly with some proposals.

Watch this space for the latest industry show releases, news and gossip in the yachting world. If you liked the content on this page and our previous posts, please become a fan and like our Facebook page to receive up to date information on our publications.

Posted on December 6, 2012 by admin

Luxury Yacht Charter in Belize!

Belize combines a mixture of Central America and Caribbean influence, with the lush rainforests in the west to the crystal clear waters in the east. Many regard the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea as the world’s ultimate diving and snorkeling destinations, but you cannot forget about Belize, which possesses the second longest barrier reef in the world. This is home to over 100 types of coral and around 500 species of fish, as well as turtles and underwater caves, making this a spectacular dive spot. Belize is also the perfect location for those who enjoy kayaking, windsurfers and for sailors, who are able to pass from one paradise island to another. If you prefer to take things a little slower on vacation, there are many white sandy beaches for you to relax and sunbathe on. Foodies will be amazed at the quality of the local seafood and fresh fish, which is best cooked simply on a BBQ whilst watching the sunset.

Further inland, you will be amazed by the natural lagoons, rivers and national parks, which are home to over 500 species of birds. You will have to have a keen eye or a great pair of binoculars to see these. Belize is also home to spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles and iguanas. The national bird of Belize, the keel-billed toucan may also make an appearance. If you find that you still have time left on your Belize holiday, it would be a shame to miss out on the mysterious Mayan archaeological sites and artifacts. You will find stone temples with 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding jungles, as well as tombs, hieroglyphics and caves which were used for Mayan rituals and sacrifices.

If all this has taken your fancy, we cannot recommend chartering a luxury crewed catamaran in Belize highly enough. There is no better way of exploring this paradise destination than by having your own private yacht to entertain your friends and family. Graced with a beautiful climate, people and so many attractions, what could be better than chartering in Belize? Our luxury yacht charter of choice would be LOLALITA, a stunning 65 ft Privilege, accommodating 8 guests in 4 cabins. She is lavishly appointed and has a young, dynamic and can-do crew who will attend to your every need to make your trip as memorable as can be.

If you would like to receive more information with regards luxury charter yachts in Belize, please enquire through our website, www.boatbookings.com, where one of our Charter Specialists will be happy to help you plan the experience of a lifetime. You can also send your charter enquiries to [email protected], and one of the team will get back to you shortly with some proposals. Watch this space for the latest industry show releases, news and gossip in the yachting world. If you liked the content on this page and our previous posts, please become a fan and like our Facebook page to receive up to date information on our publications.

Posted on December 5, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Highlights of the 2012 Antigua Yacht Show, Day 1

The 2012 Antigua Yacht started yesterday, exhibiting 97 of the worlds finest motor yachts, monohulls and catamarans. We are proud to have our Managing Director, Capucine de Vallée and Charter Director, Mimi Andain at the show, who have ranked their top 3 yachts from the opening day. Day 1 belonged to the crewed catamaran, as all three had an excellent crew and offered clients the very highest standards of luxury, gastronomy and attention to detail.

1) MATAU – Privilege 745 Catamaran – 10/10

– Immaculate condition with great entertaining areas.

– Attention to detail was outstanding, from the decor to the food.

– Fantastic Chef, Robert Thompson who created an incredible lunch of Mushroom Soup with a homemade Foccacia, Marinated Shrimp with Safron Rice & Caribbean Slaw and a sumptuous Baileys and coffee desert. Lunch served with a beautiful Sancerre.

– Young, professional and fun crew

– Summary: The perfect yacht and crew all round.

2) LADY ALLIAURA – Privilege 75 Catamaran – 9/10

– Available for Caribbean charter all year round.

– Extremely professional and talented crew with very extensive attention to detail and high standards in every area.

– PADI qualified and the whole crew are diving fanatics. Very sporty crew who will interact and entertain the charterers guests and children.

– Italian chef who spent 8 years in St Tropez. She made delicious cupcakes, breads and the finest presented platters of fresh fruit.

– “Queen of the Cats”

3) ELYSIUM – Privilege 615 Catamaran – 7/10

– She has 3 crew which is unusual for this sized Catamaran, providing better attention to detail and service.

– Very attentive and professional crew. They were extremely friendly with a new stewardess who is very passionate and keen to provide an outstanding service.

– Looking to spend the summer season in Croatia, making ELYSIUM the perfect choice for charterer’s in the East Med.

– Great choice for families as the crew are excellent with children. They recently did a double charter with a strictly adult yacht and the kids were with the crew and they had an amazing charter.

– Summary: Energetic crew, good condition and great for families.

Watch this space for the latest gossip from the show, including extensive reviews of the best charter yachts available. If you would like to receive more information with regards to booking your luxury 2013 charter yacht, please enquire through our website, www.boatbookings.com, where one of our Charter Specialists will be happy to help you plan the experience of a lifetime. You can also send your charter enquiries to [email protected], and one of the team will get back to you shortly with some proposals.

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓