On the evening of Monday 7th August, we went from the Boatbooking’s office down to the harbour, in order to watch Austria’s entry into the Cannes Festival D’Art Pyrotechniques fireworks competition on board Argo, one of our favourite boats, and paired with Gerard, one of our favourite captains!
It made truly such a big difference being able to view the fireworks display from a yacht; the atmosphere around us was buzzing and the fireworks felt so close that we could reach out and touch them!
Here’s just a few photos from the night:
Heading to port!
More and more boats gradually joined us, making it feel really communal even though we were all in different places!
It wouldn’t be a proper fireworks display without a bit of love in the air!
We all had such an amazing night, and no one thought seeing the fireworks display from a boat would make much of a difference- but how we were wrong! I think it’s safe to say none of us will ever want to go back to watching the fireworks on the land anymore, and we are more than ready to arrange the same experience for you next time!
There are still two dates left: 15th and 24th August,
I was reading an article, the other day, regarding the new technologies revolved around glass in construction on Superyachts; for example, some yachts now have an underwater viewing deck, such as Feadship’s SAVANNAH, which has a charter price of €1 million a week…
SAVANNAH’s underwater viewing lounge, photo courtesy of https://www.yachting-pages.com
At the sheer astonishment of such a hefty price tag for- well, no one can disagree that SAVANNAH illustrates the snowy peaks of haute-décor luxury, I began my descent down a marble-coated, golden-detailed, velvet-carpeted rabbit-hole with one burning question in mind: How far are these Superyachts going to go in order to obtain new standards of luxury?
I remember, when I was younger, a 50ft yacht was a very impressive sight; lining the harbours of Monaco, Greece and elsewhere around the world; I remember gazing in awe and wonder at any and every boat- big or small. Now, as I get older, I find myself only really looking for the larger yachts; the 100+ footers- the Megayachts. Gargantuan vessels, bright white, like icebergs jutting out of the ocean- an air of calm serenity floating around them, slowly moving across the horizon, dwarfing both people and other boats in comparison. Speculation over who owns them and what the interior is like is all part of the excitement upon encountering these yachts, and one can only imagine the swathes of leather, antiqued wood and Italian marble that spectacularly crowns the inside of these floating palaces.
The Boats during the Monaco Grand Prix, photo courtesy of https://www.f1i.com/infos/programme-tv-grand-prix-de-monaco/
Although, since working in the yacht industry, I have to admit I’ve become slightly desensitised to a lot of these ships. Superyachts like VICKY,a 73m Turquoise, and O MEGA, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 83m Megayacht, with all the bells and whistles one expects of a Superyacht, is perhaps starting to become the norm of the luxury industry. This is an industry that will always go by comparisons, with the same question in mind: How can we make it better?
VICKY’s helipad- don’t worry, there’s a plunge pool round back!
Does this mean more gold? More marble? Rarer wood, and fancier light fittings? Does this mean just bigger in general? Stretching 150ft to 250ft? I think, maybe, this means a lot of different things.
All yachts have to be manufactured under certain terms and conditions; such as SOLAS and PYC, which ensure the safety and structural integrity of the vessels. All of these conditions limit the extent to which Superyacht manufacturers can go regarding design, shape and size.
However, where manufacturers may be limited in some aspects of Superyacht design, it’s opened-up a Pandora’s Box of innovations within the technological side of manufacturing. Going back to SAVANNAH, with the underwater viewing salon, that was only made possible due to the advancements in glass technology and the invention of Gorilla Glass.
Progression in computing technology has allowed for much more precise navigation of these Superyachts, allowing the captains to get a more intimate feel for the waves and surroundings, meaning that sailing on through the night will be absolutely no issue! Advanced controls in the wheelhouse also means more control over the yacht itself; security measures such as locking systems, cameras and alarms are all computerised now, so, although you may not see it, it can almost certainly see you!
But, more advanced tech doesn’t just mean stronger glass and computerised security, it also means more fun, more luxury, more comfort- it just means more!
Wheelhouse on board POLARIS I
Stronger glass means that maybe, within a few years, it will become a standard for Superyachts to feature an underwater viewing deck- and maybe the top end ones will feature an entire glass panoramic viewing room! Imagine, wherever you travel, having a changeable, giant and most importantly all-natural aquarium for you to gaze into from the comfort of a plush, leather sofa…
Lightweight construction material such as aluminium has vastly reduced the weight of these ships whilst maintaining the strength of the superstructure, resulting in more room for the fun stuff: that bigger jacuzzi, more gym equipment, more toys and maybe even a bigger tender. It has also opened up a plethora of options for new designs, due to its malleability.
Some Superyachts nowadays look more like spaceships than boats, for example the Superyacht ADASTRA by John Shuttleworth Designs. With boats like this making full use of the modern technologies and new materials being created daily in the construction world, it really makes you think about the future of the luxury Superyachts we have become accustomed to!
Superyacht ADASTRA, photo courtesy of https://www.shuttleworthdesign.com
Whilst the future of Superyachts may be an open book, the one certainty is that- whatever the next move- Boatbookings will be ready to welcome the next generation of nautical vessels with open arms, and provide you with an experience of luxury, technology and innovation!
The Boatbookings team believes that a life of all work and no play is really not the way to live; especially when you’re in the yachting industry!
That’s why sometimes we all like to let our hair down and experience the luxuries and open freedoms that many of our clients have enjoyed in the past, and on Wednesday we went for a quick trip and dip to the Lerins Islands, off the coast of Cannes, on board the lovely BLUE PORT, with Capt. Michael at the helm!
The Lerins are two beautiful little islands about 15 minutes by boat from Cannes, but in my opinion they’re a world apart from France; more reflective of a tropical Caribbean island than anything else! On one of the islands there is an old castle that you can see from the beach of Cannes, and the other is home to an old Monastery with its own vineyards.
As an intern, the thing that has really struck me about working at Boatbookings is the atmosphere; it really does feel like a team; a community of people who act so professional, yet who also portray such a sense of amicability. It’s moments like this boat trip where I take a step back and realise that no, I’m not on some weird reality TV show; this is real life and I feel as much a part of the Boatbookings community as anyone else!
If you look closely at Eve’s sunglasses, you will see a reflection of yours truly; I was in charge of photography for the day!
Capucine is the Lady in Charge. The one that has made this all happen. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have this opportunity and if it weren’t for her Boatbookings wouldn’t be the successful, established community we know today.
This was the morning where I finally got to experience the rockstar lifestyle I’m destined for!
Considering we’re a boat company, I didn’t think this blog would be complete without a scenic landscape photo of some boats stretching off into the infinite horizon.
Coming back into port, you’re greeted by such a picturesque scene of Mediterranean colours: sun-kissed, red-tiled roofs reflected into the sparkling pool of blue; Cannes port is the home to all sorts of history; a plethora of stories from way back when- they, too, were once reflected into the same, timeless water that we see as the Millionaire’s Playground today.
BLUE PORT was the perfect boat in which to have this day out. There was enough space on the bow for me to really make the most of our time out of the office and a chance for me to work on my sun-burn, so I have to admit I was a little disappointed when we had to come back!
Ben is one of those people who can take a really professional looking candid photo (infuriating isn’t it?!); this one of him watching BLUE PORT sail away is one of many examples of Ben looking naturally suave… I guess that just comes with living the Superyacht Lifestyle!
It was such an amazing experience to get a taste for what Boatbookings actually provides for their customers, and I couldn’t think of a better boat and a better captain with which to have had that experience- and I definitely couldn’t think of a more suitable group to have experienced it with other than the Boatbookings family!
The one thing to which I can relate with our customers is, after having only spent one morning on a boat, I want to go back!
Head to Switzerland to experience the slopes in a luxurious way, Six Senses style, with their new glamorous resort, get a crazy amount of likes for your Krug Terrace Instagram, or tantalise your tastebuds in Duck and Waffle, one of Londons coolest restaurants.Continue reading →
Head to Lapland to enjoy Nordic cabins which boast windows and a skylight from which to gaze in search of the Northern Lights during winter, rev up along the coastlines in the new Aston Martin and travel in style ti the yachting destination of your choice with Cape Air!
