Chartering a Crewed Catamaran in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

St Thomas is one of the most popular destinations to begin a luxury yacht charter in the Caribbean. As it is part of the USA, the island is well connected with the US mainland, making it the perfect place to start exploring both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Charlotte Amalie, the largest city and capital of the USVI, is home to more than half of the island’s 51,000 residents. The city is famous for its deep-water harbor that was previously home to many pirates but is now a popular destination for cruise ships and charter yachts. Cyril E. King Airport, just outside the city, is connected to numerous destinations along the east coast of the United States.

Charlotte Amalie lies at the base of several steep hills, with specially constructed walkways leading up the hillsides of Government Hill. The 99 Steps is the most famous of these walkways. Built in the 18^th century using bricks sent over from Denmark, this trail offers panoramic views over the harbour in St Thomas and of the stunning Caribbean scenery. It can be found between Government House and Hotel 1829.

St. Thomas is a sport-lovers paradise. The beautiful crystal-clear and turquoise waters surrounding the island are perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing and waterskiing (just to name a few!), while the renowned Mahogany Run Golf Course attracts thousands of visitors each year.

St Thomas also offers miles of white sandy beaches, perfect for those simply seeking rest and relaxation. Located on the North side of the island, the beach at Magens Bay stretches for nearly three quarters of a mile and is one of the most frequented tourist beach destinations on the island. It is thought that Sir Francis Drake used Magens Bay as an anchorage while he was waiting for other ships to ransack.

One of our favourite charters on offer in the Caribbean is BARBUDA BELLE, a lagoon 620 crewed catamaran with accommodation for 10 guests in five ensuite cabins. BARBUDA BELLE offers a wide range of water toys and is an ideal for families and friends. She was recently chosen as one of our top 10 catamarans at the 2012 BVI Yacht Show.

For more information on yachts available in the US Virgin Islands, please have a look at our St Thomas Yacht Charter Overview or email us at [email protected].

Posted on November 19, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Corporate Entertainment in Singapore Onboard a Luxury Yacht Charter

Singapore is well known as one of the most exciting and busy cities in the Far East. Home to a great marina, and some fantastic sights, a charter to host a corporate event is not only a great idea for the experience, but a great idea for your company as you can show your colleagues and clients some extraordinary sights whilst enjoying a meal and drinks from the splendour of the seas.

Events held on luxury yachts are far more impressive than just hiring another hotel meeting room. Luxury yachts are a fantastic way to entertain clients and to make a brilliant impression. During the day, yachts can act as an office and conference venue for meetings and presentations. In the evening, yachts are perfect for cocktail parties, formal dinners and other events. Not only do they give your corporate event that extra great feel, but it relieves stress on the client, as we organise the placement of the yacht, and help you to organise a smoothly run charter.

Singapore is well known for its cultural diversity, colonial history, world-class shopping and fantastic beaches, especially those found on Sentosa Island. It is also home to numerous high-class restaurants and the world’s only “Night Safari”, which houses more than 1,000 wild animals. A sailing cruise around the southern islands of Singapore, which offer spectacular views of the city skyline, is ideal for a corporate event yacht charter. Luxury yachts also offer a range of activities such as fishing, snorkelling, swimming and diving.
Chartering a yacht for corporate entertainment at the Singapore Grand Prix is becoming very popular. Many of the greatest yachts in Asia make their way to Singapore just for the race. The race circuit is just over 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) long, running adjacent to the harbour in the Marina Bay area. Only three other races in Formula One (the Monaco, Abu Dhabi and Valencia street circuits) run past a marina. However, Singapore stands out as the first night race in Formula One history. The timing of the race means that it can be broadcast live at a convenient time for European audiences.

Conclusion
Singapore is the perfect destination for a corporate entertainment event on a yacht, whether you want it during the Singapore Grand Prix, Chinese New Year, or just during the year for a conference meeting or to meet and greet with your colleagues and clients. To see the yachts we have listed for corporate entertainment in Singapore, please see here.

If you’re interested in chartering a yacht, please go to boatbookings.com or email us at [email protected] and one of our Charter Specialists would be delighted to help you.

Posted on November 16, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Watersports on a Luxury Crewed Yacht Charter in the BVI

Whether you wish to try your hand at water-skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, knee boarding, windsurfing or Seabobs (among other sports), there are always boats on offer that meet all the necessary water sport requirements. Chartering a crewed yacht with a variety of sea toys is a fantastic way to ensure a family vacation with plenty of excitement and adventure. Below you will find brief descriptions of just some of the fantastic water sport opportunities on offer.

Scuba Diving / Snorkeling

The beautiful waters of the Caribbean are the perfect place for exploration and discovery. Dive down to sites that include the wreckages of Spanish galleons and British warships, or snorkel through the stunning coral reefs that are home to a host of tropical fish and other rare species of marine life.

Many crewed yachts offer diving instructors on board who will ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable scuba-diving experience. Rendezvous diving means that you are joined by a professional diving company who bring their own boat and diving equipment. These companies offer only the most experienced diving staff who have unrivalled knowledge of all the best local dive sites.

As the only coral reef island in the Virgin Islands, Anegada is an extremely popular charter destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Other popular diving and snorkeling destinations include the Maldives, Seychelles and the Great Barrier Reef.

Waterskiing, Wakeboarding and Kneeboarding

The easiest and quickest way to learn how to ski is by starting on a kneeboard. Kneeling on the board gives you a much lower centre of gravity than conventional waterskiing, which makes it easier to balance and keep control when you are being towed at speeds of around 30-50km/h.

In contrast, water skiing not only requires exceptional upper and lower body strength but also extremely good balance. Many boats offer both adult and children’s waterskis. Children often find learning to waterski easier than adults due to their lower centre of gravity.

Wakeboarding was originally developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing. Wakeboards are usually made of foam or honeycomb, which is mixed with resin and coated with fibreglass.

Given the obvious dangers of falling into the water at speed, a third person is required as a spotter for the person in the water. The spotter’s job is to ensure that all necessary safety measures are taken.

Interesting fact: The most skiers towed behind one boat is 145. This world record was set by the Horsehead Water Ski Club in Strahan, Tasmania, in January 2012.

Personal Water Craft / Water scooter

Personal Water Craft (PWCs) are often referred to by their more well-known brand names such as Jet Ski, WaveRunner and SeaDoo. These vehicles are normally designed for one or two people, although three- and four-man models do exist.

PWCs are popular because they are small, very fast and easy to manoeuvre. They are also an extremely fun way to explore the ocean and are safer around swimmers because they do not have external propellers.

Riders should probably try their best not to fall off though, as there is a risk of similar injuries to those that can be picked up on waterskis.

With accommodation for 6 guests in 2 cabins, the Jongert 27m crewed sailing yacht ICARUS is ideal for sailing charters around Europe and the Virgin Islands. ICARUS offers a variety of exciting water toys including snorkelling equipment, waterskis, tube, towing ring, wake board and fishing gear, while rendezvous diving is also an option.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI Catamaran Charter Guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 14, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Chartering a Crewed Catamaran in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

The smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is found roughly 5 miles northwest of Tortola. The island covers just 4 square miles and is home to just under 300 inhabitants. However, it is thought that government population figure could be too high; some citizens who actually live in St. Thomas may have been included in the last census.

Jost Van Dyke has been a popular destination for those seeking adventure for more than 400 years. A Dutch settler/pirate (the man after whom the island is named) settled and used the island as a base in the 17th century, but it did not become really popular with tourists until recently. The island only got electricity in 1991 and proper roads were introduced a few years later. There are no banks, and many businesses shut down completely in September and October.

Jost van Dyke is home to many fantastic beaches. White Bay, which is protected by a huge reef that extends out from the beach, is the perfect point for snorkeling and scuba-diving. The bay is also fantastic for dolphin and whale watching. From mid-January until the end of March, the humpback whale passes through the waters just off Jost Van Dyke as part of its annual migration patterns.

The most frequented point on the island is Great Harbour, which is one of the busiest ports in the BVI. Great Harbour is lined with many small bars and beach restaurants, of which Foxy’s Tiki Bar is undoubtedly the most famous.

Philicianno Callwood (a.k.a “Foxy”), is known for strumming his guitar and singing humorous songs every afternoon, and ensuring that everyone has a great time if they arrive at his establishment. Foxy’s is also well known for hosting fantastic parties late into the night on Halloween and New Year’s Eve (known on the island as “Old Year’s Night”).

The Soggy Dollar Bar, which is found in White Bay, is another very famous beach bar and the birthplace of the Painkiller. The Painkiller is a rum cocktail that contains a blend of Pusser’s Rum mixed with 4 parts pineapple juice, 1 part cream of coconut and 1 part orange juice, served over the rocks with a generous amount of fresh nutmeg.

One of our most popular yacht charters in the BVI is the Privilege 615 Catamaran JERI. This fantastic crewed catamaran offers accommodation for up to 8 guests in an exquisite Owners Suite and 3 luxurious Guest Cabins.

If you would like some advice and help in planning a trip to the BVI, please have a look at our BVI yacht charter guide or send us an email to [email protected], where one of our Brokers would be delighted to assist you.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Environmentally Friendly Luxury Yacht Charter on “Island E Motion”

With global warming and the production of greenhouse gases both attracting huge media attention, Swiss company MCM and Future Island of Australia have joined together to create “Island E Motion” – a truly unique, environmentally friendly luxury motor yacht which is said to encompass “sustainable luxury at its best”.

Designed by Swiss duo Milena Cvijanovich and Dennis Muller, Island E Motion is based on the idea of creating a sustainable luxury lifestyle by “harnessing the power of the wind, the sun and the waves.” It has an ecological footprint that is up to 60% lower than that of more traditional yachts.

Built as part of the ‘Floating Island’ series, the yacht is made from recycled materials and is powered through the use of alternative energies. This includes a combination of thermal and electronic solar panels and the use of both wind and wave energy. The yacht also uses an advanced propeller technology with liquefied natural gas, a recycled water circuit filter for collecting rainwater and a specially-designed desalination system. Bubbles generated by forcing air underneath the vessel reduce friction, meaning that it requires lower amonts of energy to propel her forward.

Cvijanovich and Muller have managed to create an environmentally friendly yacht without compromising on luxury and design. Guests can enjoy a truly luxurious experience within in a natural environment that includes permaculture vegetation such as grass and palm trees, and sandy beaches.

Island E Motion features a large dining room for twenty-four guests, several lounge areas, spas, a gymnasium, massage room, home cinema, library, and indoor/outdoor bars. The larger model, which offers private helipads and a swimming pool, is perfect for hosting big events such as fashion shows and art exhibitions.

A percentage of the profits made by Island E Motion will be donated to the Global Life on Water (GLOW) foundation – a side project that is looking into the construction of floating hospitals.

Other recent environmentally friendly yacht designs include the E-Max Ultra Green Pure Care Carrier by Sauter Carbon Offsets Design and Project Atlas, a joint collaboration between H2 Yachts and Laurent Gilles Superyacht Designs.

For more information on chartering a luxury yacht, please have a look at our website or send an email to [email protected].

Posted on November 12, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓