Superyacht of the week: PLANET NINE

motor yacht, superyacht, luxury yacht, yacht planet 9, explorer yacht — Stunning M/Y PLANET NINE. Image credit: Yachtfolio

PLANET NINE is a 73m, 2018 new-build NCA-Carrara crewed motor yacht, and thanks to her imposing grey hull, spacious sun deck, incredible interior and helipad she is our favourite super yacht of the week by a (nautical) mile. She cruises with a sought after itinerary, being based in the glamorous South of France in the summer with opportunities to explore the Med, then crossing to the idyllic Caribbean and Antarctica in the winter. The ultimate explorer yacht, she is built for long-range global cruising and is suitable for sailing in icy conditions. With helipad and high speed tenders, all manner of adventures await charter guests onboard PLANET NINE.

PLANET NINE does not come alone, as her water toy selection and tenders are extraordinary. With a Rib at your disposal, the crew can speedily get you ashore to discover secluded coves and lovely lagoons, so there is no hotspot you cannot reach. Imagine pulling up at a secluded bay on the fantastic French Riviera, dropping anchor, and feeling the excitement of speeding along the infamous coastline of Billionaire’s bay on a Jetski. If you are an enthusiastic diver, the crew are well equipped to take you on a memorable underwater adventure to spot the varied colour palette of the fish.

motor yacht, superyacht, luxury yacht, crewed motor yacht, planet nine, yacht planet nine — Helipad onboard – Image credit: Yachtfolio

This mesmerising yacht is well suited to the fitness enthusiasts out there, with an active crew who can work out with you, as well as extensive gym equipment so you can exercise with the ocean as your backdrop.

When you have worked up a sweat, it is time to relax on the sundeck, where a glass of bubbly and the refreshing Jacuzzi awaits. Whilst cruising with magnificent views of the Greek islands or Caribbean shoreline floating past, you will feel utterly content on the spacious upper deck – the ideal spot for a continental breakfast or candlelit dinner.

With so many difference exterior spaces to enjoy al fresco dining and socialise, matched by a contemporary and original interior, you will find it difficult to leave the comfort of PLANET NINE! Not to mention the masseuse services available, just relax and unwind. The cinema room is the perfect spot to settle into the sumptuous sofas after an exciting day and enjoy a movie night with the family. Despite all that PLANET NINE has to offer onboard, stepping ashore will be worthwhile, be it the quaint towns of old town Dubrovnik or the glitz and glam of the French Riviera events.

PLANET NINE is available for charter in Antarctica this winter, followed by Patagonia, Panama and then the Western Med, including Croatia, Greece, the Amalfi Coast, Sardinia and French Riviera. She is for charter starting at €650,000 per week plus expenses. If PLANET NINE impresses you as much as the Boatbookings team, please do get in touch with you and we will be delighted to assist you throughout the process of organising this unforgettable trip.

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Ben Sutton

Superyacht of the Week: CLOUD 9

motor yacht, crewed motor yacht, yacht cloud 9, cloud 9 — Stunning Superyacht CLOUD NINE – Image Credit: Yachtfolio.

You will undoubtedly be on cloud 9 with this extravagant and contemporary yacht! At 74m, CLOUD 9 boasts four exquisite decks, each offering entertainment and luxurious amenities. She is chosen as our Super Yacht of the Week due to her unique features – including her impressive beach club, sizeable main deck pool, saloon cinema and last but by no means least, the sky lounge dining area, these make her stand out from other yachts her size and design.

CLOUD 9 spends her summers along the fantastic French Riviera, before crossing the ocean to the Caribbean to chase the sun. The lower deck offers a beach club, unrivalled by most, so you can enjoy the colourful French Riviera towns such as Villefranche from the privacy of your own yacht. Sip a cool beverage of your choice served to you by your attentive crew, before sampling the wide array of water sports on offer. Get your adrenaline pumping off the coast of Monaco flying through the ocean on the Jetski, or get on the paddleboard and explore the secluded coves close up.

The yacht offers a Jacuzzi, so you can admire the idyllic Caribbean islands float past as you bathe in the bubbles. As the sun goes down head to the upper deck which provides the upmost comfort on its beanbags and sunpads, so you can unwind with a sundowner and enjoy the views with friends and family.

crewed motor yacht, motor yacht cloud 9, yacht cloud 9 — Check out this dreamy upper sundeck! Image credit: Yachtfolio

For dinner, CLOUD 9 offers an unrivalled setting. The circular table enjoys the comfort and warmth of inside in the intricate interior, yet the glass revolving doors offer panoramic views of the serene spot of anchorage. As you sample the creative cuisine your private chef provides, you can feel the gentle summer breeze whilst getting a taste of local delights.

Enter the main saloon and you are welcomed into a world of elegance and style. The colourful furnishings and textured walls add personality to CLOUD 9, creating characteristic surroundings that everyone will appreciate. Do not forget that CLOUD 9 is a 2017 build, so you have all the contemporary features and the latest technology throughout.

The cabins will ensure a peaceful night’s sleep and enable you to feel right at home. The owner’s deck has large windows facing the bow, so as soon as you wake up you are faced with utter bliss. Moreover, it extends into a terrace which is a remarkable feature brimming with exclusivity and charm to enjoy a light breakfast or to get stuck into a book.

CLOUD 9 is available for charter in the Caribbean and Bahamas in the winter months, and Mediterranean in the Summer months – based out of Monaco on the French Riviera. She is for charter starting at €875,000 per week plus expenses. If CLOUD 9 floats your boat, speak to our expert brokers who will guide you through the process of chartering!

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Ben Sutton

Super Yacht of the Week: HERE COMES THE SUN

M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN at sail – Image Credit: Yachtfolio

HERE COMES THE SUN is a fitting name for a yacht that explores the sun-filled destinations, as well as brings the sunshine wherever she cruises. This 83m Amels beauty claims Super Yacht of the Week for a variety of reasons; her exotic cruising areas, outstanding deck features and unique wellness and spa amenities. She explores sought after destinations of South America, Alaska and California in the summer, before heading over to the French Polynesia, New Zealand and Seychelles in the Autumn/Winter. This sets her apart from other yachts with a riveting itinerary and chance to explore undiscovered gems.

The exterior of this Tim Heywood masterpiece is jaw-dropping to say the very least. Stroll to the bathing platform after an al fresco breakfast and stretch out on the comfortable sunbeds, with a dazzling backdrop of your chosen cruising area.

The infinity pool onboard M/Y HERE COMES THE SUN – Image credit: Yachtfolio.

When you need a refresher, head to the main deck where you will find an ‘Instagrammable’ infinity pool. Once the yacht is underway, a popular spot is the sundeck which offers shade, sunbeds and a Jacuzzi with panoramic views of the ocean and captivating coastline.

The interior of HERE COMES THE SUN is equally lavish. The owner’s suite is a marvel, with panoramic windows providing gorgeous views to wake up to in the morning. The interior matches the lively splashes of orange that ooze through the exterior, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the yacht. The natural woods create a calming and neutral tone, which adds sophistication and a contemporary feel.

In case you aren’t relaxed enough, this yacht boasts a private deck wellness and spa! Get sweltering in the sauna and steam room, enjoy a massage or workout in the gym to stay in shape. To top off this relaxation, enjoy an evening in with a theatre room to screen the latest premieres in the comfort of your private yacht and great company.

If you are looking for an indulgent, majestic and glamorous voyage, HERE COMES THE SUN is the yacht for you. If you agree with our enthusiastic opinions, enquire with a broker to find out more.

HERE COMES THE SUN is available for charter in many fantastic destinations: the Caribbean including the Bahamas and Windward islands, the South Pacific including Fiji and French Polynesia and Australia! In the summer she is even based in the East Med, in Greece, Italy and France. She is for charter starting at €1,200,000 per week plus expenses. Please contact Boatbookings for more information on superyacht charter.

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Ben Sutton

Fireworks will always look better from a boat!

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:

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,

Check out our Cannes Fireworks Day Boat Charter page for all the info you’ll need to arrange your own unforgettable charter:

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Ben Sutton

The Peaks of Luxury: How Big and Bold are these Boats going to Become?

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!

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!

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Ben Sutton