Sailing with a Child

Even for the most seasoned of sailors, choosing the right yacht that meets your family’s needs on holiday is essential, whether in Greece, the Amalfi Coast or the Caribbean. We are often asked whether it is safe to take a young child sailing. This does, of course, depend on the yacht and location, but here are our top tips for sailing with children.

The Boat

It’s important to select a boat that is going to work for the kids. You don’t want them to get scared with the boat heeling over too much or them feeling unsafe. Therefore, I’d recommend a catamaran for first-timers, particularly as these are considerably more stable than a monohull. With a catamaran, the salon is spacious, providing the kids with a good amount of space in case of bad weather. In a monohull, the salon is downstairs with little outside visibility, which may result in seasickness.

Safety Net

If you have very young children on board, it may be a good idea to install a safety net before you start sailing. If you need this, it is best to add this option well in advance to avoid the yacht manager running out. The safety net offers good protection for children playing or sunbathing on the deck, and it stops any sliding overboard. A harness is an extra safety measure you might consider for protecting your kids when sailing.

Air conditioning

It is becoming more and more common for modern sailing yachts to have a generator, allowing them to have air conditioners and ceiling fans. This is of huge importance when with children as it allows you to quickly regulate their temperature in particularly hot weather and during the warmest part of the day.

Life jackets

It is essential to advise your broker about the age of your children to ensure the owner has life jackets in your child’s size. It is always a good idea to consider buying your own life jackets, particularly as children will wear these more than adults. A more comfortable life jacket that fits well will encourage children to wear life jackets at all times outside.

Itinerary Planning

Depending on your location, there may be long distances between certain destinations. Therefore, it’s always good to consider your itinerary to allow often breaks. In case of bad weather, it is always good to have a back-up itinerary. In situations where cruising does not permit stops, consider playing games with your children or giving them colouring.

Contact a Boatbookings Broker Today to book your family yacht charter.

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Ben Sutton

Charter a Yacht for the 2020 Monaco Grand Prix

Are you looking for an exhilarating weekend getaway with friends in 2020? Look no further than the Monaco Grand Prix which takes place between the 21-24th March 2020. Monaco is the most exciting Formula 1 race of the calendar and the after-race events match the action on the track. There is no doubt that you will enjoy the best weekend of the year!

2020 Monaco GP Facts

Nelson Piquet famously compared driving at Monaco to ‘riding a bicycle around your living room’. The Monte-Carlo street circuit is renowned for being one of the most difficult race tracks to overtake in the world. The drivers will make 5000 gear changes over the course of 78 laps, making Monaco one of the most physically demanding challenges of the season!

The party atmosphere is electric throughout the weekend, which also coincides with the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. The world’s elite, celebrities and jet-set travel from all around the world to attend these iconic events. With exciting nightlife dotted throughout the city, your Boatbookings Broker will ensure you go to the most exclusive events.

Your 2020 Monaco GP Yacht

The Cerri 102 Flyingsport TOBY is one of our favourites for your 2020 Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter. With accommodation for 10 guests in 3 double and 2 twin cabins, TOBY is the perfect choice for private or corporate groups looking to host their Monte-Carlo event.

TOBY has a fantastic open layout for welcoming guests aboard. Imagine sitting on the bow with your best friends as Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen race past your private yacht! 2020 will see Hamilton will be gunning to match Michael Schumacher’s seven world titles but will face his toughest competition yet.

TOBY and the best yachts will be booked by the end of January so move fast to avoid missing out! Speak to the Boatbookings Broker Team today to plan an unforgettable experience.

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Ben Sutton

Private Charter Vs Cruise

Thinking about having a holiday on the water, or planning to upgrade on your Bahamas cruise? Read here!

Price

Roughly speaking, you are looking roughly between £750 – £2,000 per cabin, 7 days, for a cruise liner. If you are going away with family, this could amount up to £2,250 – £6,000 – before you even start to factor in the extortionate dinner prices, and excursions.

For £6,000 you can charter a 2019 Catamaran with a skipper and have the yacht to yourselves. Of course, there are other costs to factor in but as a whole, when wanting to have a holiday on the water with the family, a private charter is more often than not, a better choice economically compared to a cruise liner.

Itinerary

Cruise liners are very good at having a set itinerary. You know where you will be on what day, and at what port. Due to the size, and with the number of bodies on board, it is imperative that they stick to a schedule (yes they leave people behind if they are not on board!)

Cruise liners are absolutely huge, often referred to as ‘death’ by sailors sailing past them and can pretty much go through any weather (within reason) allowing them to stick to their schedule.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d say I stick to a holiday itinerary about 40% of the time. I always seem to discover parts that I would like to explore more – with a private charter, it gives you the flexibility to do so. On your valuable week off from work, do you really want your week to be so structured to the minute? The answer is probably no…

Food and drink

How can I put this politely….. there are roughly 3000+ guests on one cruise ship, so expect mass-produced, soulless food. Now if that’s your cup of tea – great!!! A cruise is for you. If you, however, want personalised meals, often made with local produce, in a local way then a private charter is for you. The private charter chef will have received your preference sheets and created a bespoke menu based on your dietary requirements, likes, dislikes, allergies etc. Why would you ever opt for anything less?!

Comfort and atmosphere

Cruise liners, similarly referred to as a hotel on water, really does equate to what you pay for. The interior rooms are like a small motel, while the suites offer a more luxurious vibe (they do come with a hefty price tag). On a yachting vacation, regardless of it being a private charter or a cruise, you won’t really spend a lot of room in the bedroom. However, you will spend a lot of your time on the decks. If this is on a private charter, there is no better place to hang out than on the bow, or flybridge (if your yacht has one). On a cruise liner, you have the inside entertainment areas and outside areas such as the swimming pool. The seating works just like a hotel -first come first serve with 8 am sprints needed to ensure you get a place around the pool.

The bottom line

If you want to get up close and personal with the desired country that you visit, a private charter is for you. The flexibility and adaptability to your needs surpass anything that cruise liners could ever give you. To find out more, chat to one of us today!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Alice Newnham

Your need-to-know guide to yachting in 2020

Boatbookings is recognised for its industry knowledge and professionalism. We are independent and our sole focus is to ensure you charter a yacht which matches your requirements. Don’t leave your vacations and corporate events to chance, leave it to the professionals. We are proud of our client testimonials and look forward to working with you in 2020.

Charter Broker Ben has highlighted the experiences you should book in the first 3 months of 2020 to make this year extra special. We can’t wait to supercharge your holidays!

January 2020

With almost 80% of the prime summer dates and reputable catamarans already booked, it’s essential to move forward in January and proceed with your summer island-hopping adventure in Greece, Croatia, and the Amalfi Coast.

Choose Greece’s Saronic Gulf for warm hospitality, Croatia’s Kornati National Park for isolated anchorages and the Amalfi Coast for mouthwatering cuisine. Selecting a catamaran will provide extra stability, low fuel consumptions and massive volumes to holiday in style.

February 2020

The half-term holidays are just around the corner and it’s time to start planning the major 2020 holidays. You have to book your BVI Crewed Catamaran and St Barths Motor Yacht charters for New Years now, or you will miss out on the quality yachts, experienced crews and your flights!

If you want to try something different, go diving in Indonesia’s iconic Raja Ampat, try surfing in New Caledonia or embark on a Thai culinary adventure from Phuket. There’s still time to book your last-minute Spring Break 2020 getaway to swim with the pigs in the Bahamas.

March 2020

You really should have finalised your dates for your summer Mediterranean motor yacht charter by March, or you will only have a handful of yachts to review.

Private yacht charters are bespoke and everyone has their own style. We can adapt any itinerary to suit your group; the French Riviera can cater to those looking for everything from Provencal farmhouse dining to Michelin starred restaurants in Monaco. Alternatively, escape the jet-set and explore the fortified towns of Corsica and dive into Sardinia for peace and tranquillity.

The world is your oyster and we want you to make the most of it in 2020. Our Broker Team continues to travel the world in search of the most picturesque anchorages for water sports, sampling the best regional restaurants and making helpful contacts so your ideas become reality. 2020 will prove to be the best holiday season yet!

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Ben Sutton

Whale Watching Charter Destinations

Forget the crowded ferry type boats and create your own whale watching tour. See these marvelous creatures from the comfort of your own Sailing Yacht. There are several elements that you need to take into consideration before galavanting off to greet the peaceful giants. The WhitsundaysEscape has created the picture below, but this applies to pretty much everyone and everywhere!

Rules for whale watching in the Whitsundays

Make as little impact to the whales as possible. If the whales are ‘logging’ (sleeping) do not rev your yacht and do circles around them.
Admire them from at least 10-15 boat lengths apart.
Donate to a local charity that is protecting the Whales so generations ahead can still view these magnificent giants.
Educate yourselves on the whales. Some are shy, some are more inquisitive.
Be respectful. If there are several yachts surrounding one whale its time to go. Don’t be that person. Lead by example.

FEBRUARY – MEXICO!

Every year, thousands of Gray whales travel between Mexico and Alaska, this is one of the longest migrations in the water! From December to March/April time, they give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the Baja California, Mexico.

7 day Mexico Itinerary

APRIL – AZORES!

This picture was taken in front of Pico Island, Azores.

You name it, the biggest ones are there! Blue whales are the biggest animals to have ever lived on this planet – they are breathtaking large. There are only a few places in the world where you are able to see them, and the Azores is one of them! Blue whales pass the Azores on their way to the north – best time: between April and May. Plenty of other big whales pass by the islands, too, including Sei, Fin and the resident Sperm whales.

7 day Azores Itinerary

JUNE – NEW ENGLAND!

This picture was taken at Cape Cod. This is a bubble feeding technique whales use to catch a lot of fish in one time. They are doing this mostly in groups.

As the summer begins, any of the North American coasts are a great option! Specifically, around Newport, you have access to the Cape where sea wildlife is in abundance. Quebec, British Columbia, New England, Washington, and Oregon are among the best places in the world for whale watching. Most likely to see: Humpbacks, Fin whales and Minke whales on the east coast.

7 day Newport and Cape Cod sailing Itinerary

SEPTEMBER – AUSTRALIA! (Whitsundays)

Whales visit Australia from the cold seas of the Antarctic to give birth in the warm, shallow protected waters of the stunning Whitsundays. They can be seen from June – September. Whales are a common sight playing around the islands, and even far as the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to see the happy newborns joyfully breaching, the north-east coast really is the place to be!

7 day Whitsundays sailing itinerary

If you are looking to incorporate seeing these stunning animals into your charter please get in contact today so we can advise the best yacht and area to visit! If you have already planned your charter and looking for inspiration please take into consideration the 5 points listed above.

Posted on January 2, 2020 by Alice Newnham