Yachting Destination Bimini Bay Resort Joins Shark-Free Intitiative

The island of Bimini in the Bahamas has long been a paradise for yachtsmen, sport fishermen and water sports enthusiasts. Reputedly discovered by Ponce de Leon in his quest for the Fountain of Youth, Bimini remains an unspoiled place of beauty and serenity.

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, an elegant complex that welcomes charter guests, is the third resort in Bimini to join the Shark-Free Marinas initiative. A popular destination and leading employer on the island, they hope to educate both tourists and locals with a goal to raise awareness of the need to protect Bimini shark populations.

Shark-Free Marinas participate in a voluntary program that prohibits fisherman from bringing sharks they have caught into their facilities. Participating members support tagging programs and promote catch-and-release techniques. The aim is to reduce the mortal take of sharks and encourage responsible use of the ocean.

The world-renowned Bimini Biological Field Station is a place of interest for those concerned with the health of the oceans. Known as Sharklab, the research facility located on South Bimini studies the many species of shark in the unique habitat of the surrounding waters.

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina welcomes luxury charter yachts to dock and take advantage of their four-star facilities and amenities. For additional destination and yacht charter information Boatbookings.com is an excellent resource. Here is a helpful link: Bahamas Yacht Charter

Boatbookings Visits Luxury Yacht CLARITY: A Spacious and Stylish Johnson 87

Recently Boatbookings was delighted to have the opportunity to visit luxury motoryacht CLARITY, an elegant 87’ Johnson available for charter in the Bahamas and Caribbean. CLARITY is a superb yacht for family charter or a romantic adventure, featuring a magnificent master stateroom and three spacious guest cabins. With a 24-foot beam, CLARITY has extraordinary interior volume without sacrifice to generous exterior living spaces including walk around side decks.

Captain Warren Thompson and Mate/Engineer Gary Hallas, consummate gentlemen helping the ladies board gracefully due to the unusual height of the top starboard step, greeted us. Entering the main salon we were immediately impressed by the voluminous interior, augmented by the surround of windows. The space is open, airy, unobstructed by partitions except the handsome columns and cabinet that suggest a separate formal dining area.

The master suite onboard motor yacht CLARITY is both stylish and functional, featuring a delightful sweep of panoramic windows and elegant his and her facilities reached a couple of steps down. The flybridge has it all, Jacuzzi, bar, an unusual array of three helm chairs and comfortable built-in settee at the elegantly polished table with exotic burl inlay.

The aromas issuing forth from the galley made it impossible for us not to sample the gourmet delicacies prepared by Amy Thompson, the Chef/Stew onboard CLARITY. We can attest to her culinary talent.

CLARITY is a delightful yacht for charter families with children. The twin stateroom is bright and cheerful and the toy chest has an array of options to keep everyone amused. The experienced and talented crew knows how to pamper and please charter guests of all ages.

Boatbookings is pleased to offer CLARITY as part of our expansive selection of charter yachts. Please see Crewed Yacht Charter for comprehensive listings or visit  Florida and Bahamas Yacht Charter for destination information.

Trinity 164 WHEELS: An Elegantly Tailored and Distinctly Polished Luxury Superyacht

Despite ownership by a NASCAR investor, WHEELS is endowed with the elegance of a Bentley rather than the pizzazz of a Ferrari. When Boatbookings stepped into the main salon and formal dining area we were immediately impressed by the masculine, tailored style of design.

A blend of deep rich walnut and cherry woods, caramel leather upholstery and pale custom carpeting with a delicate geometric pattern, serve as integrating design elements throughout the luxury yacht.

WHEELS has an impressive 200-year-old Carolina walnut wood dining table that defines the formal dining area. Here up to 12 guests may dine in Old World splendor. During our visit we were delighted by the exquisite table settings so artistically arranged by the crew for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Table Top Challenge competition.

The skylounge deck of superyacht WHEELS also seats 12 guests at the custom made, high gloss round table. This area can be air-conditioned or heated, is equipped with surround sound, and beckons casual al fresco dining or an impromptu party. To connect all levels, an interior circular stairway topped by a skylight is notable as a stunning sculptural work of art.

The main deck owner’s suite on luxury yacht WHEELS is designed to make excellent use of the full 28-foot beam. Other guest accommodations include two VIP staterooms, one king guest stateroom and a spacious twin, each occupying the lower deck, and a queen stateroom located on the skylounge level.

WHEELS is a stately yacht that will accommodate 12 charter guests in a very roomy setting. We feel that one of her many strong features is excellent circulation flow and appropriation of space, which allows everyone to socialize together comfortably. WHEELS is an excellent vessel for a corporate retreat or an extended family gathering with destinations in Florida and the Bahamas.

Boatbookings.com features extensive information on luxury charter yachts and destinations worldwide at Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter and Florida and Bahamas Yacht Charter.

Boatbookings Visits 161 Trinity ANJILIS: A World Class Luxury Charter Yacht

Boatbookings had the pleasure of boarding ANJILIS (AHN-zha-lee) during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to experience firsthand what this sophisticated yacht has to offer to discriminating charter clients. We were delighted with everything about the elegant yacht, from the Deco-inspired interiors to the warm and humorous crew, ANJILIS made a stunning impression.

ANJILIS, a 161-foot Trinity completed in 2009, is a custom collaboration between interior designer Glade Johnson and Trinity Shipyard. The result is a masterpiece of defined spaces with an uplifting atmosphere that is at once refined and playful.

The exotic stonework, custom marquetry, sculptural stainless steel and dramatic lighting onboard ANJILIS are stunning. Equally impressive are innovative features not readily apparent such as radiant panels that warm the aft decks on chilly nights, or cooling air conditioning on the main aft deck.

Gracious accommodations on ANJILIS are in the full-beam master, three king suites and one twin with full length Pullman berth, perfect for charter families with children. Soft custom furnishings in muted tones and backlit Shoji screens impart a comfortable ambiance of tranquility.

While onboard ANJILIS we were treated to exotic cocktails designed by the charming crew, and canapés so amazing we had to meet Chef  “Robear”, affectionately so-called by crew and guests in honor of his heartwarming bear hugs. Although he was in the midst of preparing dish after dish of superb hors d oeuvres, he kindly took a moment to demystify his culinary genius.

He explained that he studied with Julia Child, he was sous chef with Anthony Bourdain, the chef de cuisine at the Black Sheep in Manhattan, and chef at Café Tabac, which he described as “a big celebrity/model hang out”. He just got off a yacht doing a round-the-world tour and spent the past year and a half in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. A recent visit to the Monaco Yacht Show from his home in Italy proved to be fortuitous. ANJILIS and Robear found each other in an instance of perfect timing.

ANJILIS has a 7.5-foot draft, a cruising speed of 18 knots and Quantum 2X Active Fin and Zero Speed stabilizers to ensure that guests can reach almost any destination swiftly, stylishly and comfortably. ANJILIS, a splendid charter yacht with an endearing crew, is as ideal for a romantic charter couple as she is for charter families and friends ready to embark on a Caribbean excursion.

Boatbookings.com is an excellent resource for exploring the world’s finest charter yachts and learning more about the greatest yachting destinations. Here are a couple of links to get you started: Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter, Yacht Charter Destinations

FLIBS 3rd Annual Tabletop Challenge 2010: And The Winners Are…

This annual event at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show highlights the extraordinary talents of individual crews in creating a lavish presentation that demonstrates their unique skills and creativity in table dressing.

This year the theme of the formal interior setting was Dress to Impress and the outdoor theme was Going Green Eco Extravaganza. The event took place on Friday, October 29, with stews on 17 yachts participating in the contest, which provided a delightful experience for those of us who toured the yachts that day.

First place in the formal category was awarded to Chief Stew Tonya Witchel, 2nd Stew Claire Robertson and 3rd Stew Meaghan O’Neill of ONE MORE TOY, for their spectacular wedding table design that had a Victorianopulence with a modern flair. The centerpiece included a delicate birdcage decorated with butterflies, white roses and strewn petals. MI SUENO took second place and WHEELS earned a well-deserved third place award.

Katy Carter on MR. TERRIBLE won first place for her eco-friendly design that made use of humanitarian, recycled and sustainable products. Chief Stew Coty Strabley, Stew Haley Kurtz and Junior Stew Jodie Phillips of MIA ELISE took second place with a bountiful centerpiece in which everything was either edible or recyclable. The team on LADY SHEILA was awarded third place.

Best Use of Theme was awarded to Capt. Patrick Anderson and 2nd Stew RebeccaThomas on ELLE. The interior formal setting on ELLE was also one of our favorites, a completely private dining room with a retro elegance that was truly enchanting.

In fact, there were so many impressive displays it must have taken great deliberation for the judges to come to a consensus, and as far as we were concerned they were all winners!

Boatbookings.com features extensive information on chartering these and other luxury yachts at Super and Mega Luxury Yacht Charter