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ALL AT SEA APRIL 2020
BOATING HOLIDAYS Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
EVERY MONTH WE BRING YOU HOLIDAY NEWS AND A SELECTION OF OFFERS
CORONAVIRUS SPARKS RISE IN SUPERYACHT CHARTER ENQUIRIES SOPHIA Tutino Yachting has revealed that the number of private yacht charter enquiries increased dramatically following the outbreak of coronavirus. With the risks posed by the virus – particularly to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions – there was a shift in holiday habits in the first two months
of 2020, with many people showing an interest in the safety and seclusion of private yacht charters. Managing director Sophia Tutino said, “There has been a noticeable movement towards the idea of chartering a superyacht, both because it provides an unforgettable experience, but also because it
drastically decreases the likelihood of catching the virus. Yacht chartering provides the perfect opportunity for a secluded getaway, and with many people looking to avoid public spaces, there is not a more relaxing and tranquil way to traverse the world than aboard a yacht or superyacht.” www.sophiaty.com
NEW BASE IN TENERIFE DREAM Yacht Charter has announced the opening of its latest base at San Miguel Marina, on the southern coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Opening with a fleet of monohulls, ranging from 46 to 55ft and a Lagoon 52 for catamaran sailors, the new base will allow bareboat charterers to enjoy excellent sailing conditions throughout the year. With its subtropical climate, Tenerife offers year round sunshine with temperatures peaking at around 30ºC in the summer months, while the winter sees lower comfortable temperatures of around 22ºC – making it the
perfect winter sun destination. The island is a popular location for windsurfers, kitesurfers and sailors alike due to the prevailing trade winds which blow from the north east averaging around 12 knots throughout the year, with peaks in July and August. In addition to Tenerife, the Canary Islands archipelago offers another six main islands, each with their own character and landscapes. With sailing times between the islands of around a day, a one-week charter definitely gives enough time to explore multiple islands. DreamYachtCharter.co.uk 02380 455 527
SKIPPERED FLOTILLA HOLIDAYS MEDSAILORS, the skippered-sailing holiday provider for 20 - 35 year olds, tells us that 11 new Superior Mono-Catamarans will join its fleet this year. The Superior Mono-Cats come with six cabins (double en-suite cabins, single private cabins and single bunks), four bathrooms, a large social and dining area, sunbathing deck and loungers, on board sound system and a swimming platform. Daniel Painter, managing director of
MedSailors, said: “Back in 2016 we recognised that solo travel was on the rise and that we had to adapt to meet demand. We have spent four years working with the in-house design teams and were heavily involved in the consultation process when commissioning the Mono-Cats, to ensure that the yachts feature a well-thought out design and layout, to increase capacity for solo travellers on board each sail, without compromising on space for groups too.”
The MedSailors Mono-Cats trips will sail throughout the season until October on MedSailors routes including: Croatia Discovery (from around £512), Saronic Voyager (from around £503), Ionian Discovery (from around £503), Montenegro Discovery (from around £550) and Turkey Voyager (from around £473). Please get in touch with MedSailors for their latest travel information regarding coronavirus: ww.medsailors.com. Sunsail and guests celebrating the arrival of the new fleet at Port Solent. Image: Sportography.tv
MINI-CRUISES WITH news of four new fully-crewed mini-cruises, tall ship sailing specialist Star Clippers is hoping to give more guests a chance to experience life on board an elegant clipper ship and to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful, romantic and less visited ports. Greece, Italy and Malta, 5 nights, 30 October: Three countries, five nights and a blend of Greek and Italian history makes for a great autumn short sailing, calling into ports and harbours inaccessible by large cruise ships. Star Flyer departs from Piraeus on 30 October to make a spectacular sailing around the Peleponnese, to Sicily and finally Malta. Prices start from £1,399pp and include return Gatwick flights, transfers to and from the ship, five nights on board, all meals and port charges and a night postcruise in the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Valetta. Portugal, Morocco, Gibraltar and Spain, 5 nights, 19 April 2021: Book before 31 January 2021 for a 20 per cent saving off a five night sailing aboard the world’s largest full-rigged clipper, Royal Clipper. Guests will embark in Lisbon before visiting Portimao, Tangier in Morocco and then crossing the Straits of Gibraltar to make the 20 mile sailing to Gibraltar. Finally the ship makes two port calls in Spain, the seaside resort of Motril and Malaga, one of the oldest cities in the world and birthplace of Picasso. The price of £1,100pp includes five nights on board, all meals and port charges.
NEW UK ARRIVALS SUNSAIL has officially welcomed the first of its new Jeanneau yachts to its UK charter fleet. The investment, worth £3.75m, will deliver 15 new Sunsail 41.0 yachts, with a further 10 yachts arriving next year. Based at Port Solent, the new fleet will be available for corporate events and charters on the UK south coast, starting in Portsmouth, Southampton, Cowes, Lymington and throughout the Solent. To celebrate the arrival of the new fleet, Sunsail hosted yacht sponsors for a special naming ceremony at its Port Solent base. Venice, Croatia and Slovenia, 3 nights, 9 June 2021: Guests on board Royal Clipper will have the opportunity to see Venice from the decks on both the first and last day of this mini cruise, departing from Venice. On 10 and 11 June the Royal Clipper will call into two of the Adriatic’s most historic
peninsulas, the Croatian town of Rovinj and the Slovenian town of Piran. For bookings made by 31 January 2021 Star Clippers is offering a 10 per cent saving, bringing the price down to £742pp, to include all meals on board and port charges. www.starclippers.co.uk
GOVERNMENT ADVISES AGAINST ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
THE outbreak of COVID-19 continues to evolve. As of 17 March, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have issued an Exceptional Travel Advisory Notice advising all British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This FCO advice took effect immediately, initially for a period of 30 days. Please check FCO travel advice pages for the latest information: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The ceremony was held for two of the charity yacht sponsors, The Magenta Project and Breathe Oceanic. Sunsail also announced two new yacht sponsors, Hyde Sails and Southampton Sailing Week. Simon Boulding, Sunsail events director, said: “We are overjoyed to welcome these stunning new yachts to the Sunsail UK fleet and are delighted to be welcoming Hyde Sails and Southampton Sailing Week to the Sunsail family. We hope our customers enjoy chartering these fantastic yachts, with sailing experiences that are fun, exciting and safe.” 02392 222 221 / events@sunsail.com
n Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com n Nisos Yacht Charter: www.nisosyachtcharter.com n Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk n BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com n Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk n The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk n Mauri Pro: www.mauripro.com n Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk n Sunsail: www.sunsail.co.uk n Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu n Tall Ships Adventures: tallships.org n Naleia Yachting: www.naleiayachting.com
