14 minute read
SAILING IN STYLE
The BVI is one of the best sailing destinations in the world, and chartering a yacht like Summer Breez from VOYAGE Charters is an experience you won't soon forget.
There is no better place in the Caribbean to charter a yacht than in the BVI
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BY APRIL GLASGOW PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HORIZON YACHT CHARTERS AND VOYAGE CHARTERS
TYPE “BEST SAILING
destinations in the Caribbean” in your internet search engine and the British Virgin Islands is the very first option. And when many think of BVI sailing, you may think of bareboat charters and beaches, but what about luxury yachts?
A recent BBC article on luxury describes it as “Luxury has evolved beyond people, places and things in ways that fill our lives with fascination, pleasure and meaning.”
This updated definition of luxury, moving away from what we understand as glitz and glamour, offers a new focus on how good that luxurious thing or experience makes us feel. This feeling is exactly what makes guests choose luxury yachts, according to both Sarah Jones of Voyage Charters and Kayleigh Starkey of Horizon Yacht Charters.
VOYAGE Charters
The VOYAGE slogan is: “Your vacation, your yacht, your voyage.”
“The BVI is ideal for luxury yachting, well set-up and very attractive to high-end clients. Yes, certain aspects are challenging, but it’s part of the charm of being here,” says Sarah Jones, Marketing and Crew Manager for VOYAGE charters.
Jones describes VOYAGE as providing excellence from stem to stern. A professional luxury charter company with a highly qualified team means that much of the luxury experience is attributed to the company’s superior service and how VOYAGE maintains a very high standard for the upkeep of the yachts.
She also says that VOYAGE has maintained a specific fleet size so that clients can experience a personal touch, stating: “Our intention is to continue offering excellence within a more boutique company style. We believe that VOYAGE is an outstanding brand and we always endeavour to deliver our slogan each and every time: Your Vacation. Your Yacht. Your VOYAGE.”
VOYAGE Charters is based out of the beautiful BVI destination of Soper’s Hole on Tortola. Currently, there is much excitement as the company is celebrating 25 years of operation! Sarah is the daughter of the company’s founders and directors Robin and Jo-Ann Downing. The couple moved from South Africa to the BVI with one VOYAGE boat. All VOYAGE yachts are designed and manufactured by the VOYAGE Yacht Factory in South Africa. On completion of each yacht, their delivery captain sails the yacht across the Atlantic all the way to the BVI, which normally takes between 35 and 40 days. The boats are owned by private investors who equally love the lifestyle and the whole VOYAGE team.
Sarah came to BVI in 1996 and now works in the family business with her husband, the Yacht Sales Manager; her older brother the Base Manager and sister-in-law, Charter Coordinator, as well as many long-serving employees. The team of 40 employees, Sarah says, is just like our own family.
Why choose VOYAGE?
According to Jones, “Our attention to detail in the charter industry is unmatched. The luxury is in all the details, down to the bed linens. This is not just a job, this is our family’s legacy, so we take it very seriously.”
VOYAGE clients arrive as friends and leave as family. They become like family because the company offers warm, friendly service that develops into a great relationship. Many guests have been chartering with VOYAGE for over 20 years with one client enjoying his VOYAGE Yacht since 1997. The brand has a strong repeat client base with very loyal clients.
In fact, so loyal that after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, one client told Jones: “If you have a raft, we will come charter with you.”
Before the hurricanes, the fleet was 30, but currently stands 17 strong with many more luxury yachts joining the fleet in 2021 and 2022. Because every single boat was damaged, some VOYAGE owners purchased new yachts. Fortunately, VOYAGE was able to repair more than 12 vessels at their adjacent West End Boatyard.
Unfortunately, the hurricane recovery for the luxury yachts, and many other industries, was interrupted by COVID-19.
Jones says that while the situation is “extremely trying”, there is still lots of hope and excitement for the future. Not only did VOYAGE manage to keep all its employees, the reservations team in the USA are working hard with the many enquiries and bookings now coming in.
“People are so looking forward to getting to the British Virgin Islands because there are still so many things to do, see and enjoy while sailing on Your luxury VOYAGE yacht,” said Jones.
This is especially true due to the quarantine or what Jones calls the ‘Q-days’.
BVI’s current protocols for all visitors involve a negative COVID-19 test three to five days before travelling, then another test upon arrival, then guests proceed to their four-day quarantine aboard the vessel. After four days, once they receive a negative test result, guests are cleared to leave the vessel and move around the Territory freely.
Jones assures the process is smooth and is only getting better with time. She says that the VOYAGE full-time concierge, Nicola, helps guests in planning new experiences in BVI, of which there are many.
VOYAGE guests (and crew who will join the ‘safety bubble’) spend Q-days on one of the fully equipped yachts, visiting anchorages that are less frequented, having fun at water activities like snorkelling and diving, and eating gourmet meals made by Michelin Chef Kenetha Ashton. If you are on a crewed charter, you really don’t need to go ashore. Everything is on board.
Jones assures that guests will be in a safe environment, the crew is regularly tested, continue to wear personal protective equipment, and practice social distancing; which is all very possible on vessels like the 590, a large, luxury yacht which she says “guests will never feel crowded on”.
The 59’ yacht has a fly-bridge, aft and forward cockpits, seven refrigerators, six spacious identical walk-around cabins for up to 12 guests and two en-suite crew cabins, along with a galley with two dishwashers, an induction stove, AC, and electric ovens. One special feature is the electric VOYAGE window made by Lewmar, designed especially for the 590. The window is lifted by a switch to let air into the galley. Some of the 59’ are electric catamarans. Jones proudly explained that VOYAGE is the first to introduce an electric charter boat to the BVI luxury yacht industry, the “Electrified 48”.
Aside from the engine being super quiet, Jones says electric yachts are the future of the industry, adding, “Minimising our footprint with this new technology is a wonderful thing. The industry will change and move in that direction. We’re not afraid of cutting that path. When we first came to BVI, we were the first to charter catamarans at a time when it was mainly monohulls. We are used to paving the way.”
VOYAGE currently has six more 590s on the way. Some are electric, and some are hybrid with diesel engines and a battery system. The boat was designed and built specifically for luxury charter in the BVI. The smallest VOYAGE charter boat is 48’ and has four cabins plus two V-Berths, which can be used for crew or kids bunks. They also have 50-, 52- and 58-foot vessels.
Jones is very optimistic about the future and advises guests to book their luxury yacht now, adding, “We are preparing for a much brighter future. When things change, the flood gates are going to open. Now is a good time to come to the BVI, because things will be busy soon.”
- S arah J one S , VoYaG e C harter S
Horizon Yacht Charters
“Start at Amazing” is the Horizon slogan.
Kayleigh Starkey, Horizon’s Luxury All-inclusive Charter Broker, says the British Virgin Islands is ideal for luxury charters.
“The BVI has everything you could possibly want out of a luxury vacation. The beaches are stunning, sailing is magnificent, and we have a very high standard of provisioning services on offer,” says Starkey. “It’s also the people and the service that guests come back for, year after year...
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Crewed charter meals are prepared by Michelin Chef Kenetha Ashton. Watersports abound with toys for all ages. Lounging on the deck and taking in the view is one of the best parts of a luxury charter. Meals can be taken indoors or on deck. Spacious cabins allow guests to relax. Charter guests become family after one trip with VOYAGE!
CLOCKWISE FROM FROM TOP LEFT The flybridge is the perfect space for guests to all relax together, with multiple seating areas, a large hot tub, full bar area and pop up outdoor TV; Angel Eyes’ main salon incorporates huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows, allowing guests to enjoy the ever changing island view; Yacht angel. A guest wears Angel Eyes' signature wings at the hot tub on board; Chef Jenn is a versatile chef who works closely with guests to plan an exquisite menu tailored to their personal preferences. Images courtesy of megayacht Angel Eyes.
guests especially love the beach bars - popular ones like the floating bar/restaurant, The Willy-T and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar, along with the low-key ones in Anegada.”
Horizon Yacht Charters is a family business that began with only a few yachts in 1998 at Nanny Cay on Tortola. Starkey’s mother, Sylvia Driver and business partner, Andrew Thompson are the company’s directors who both have many years in the industry and Starkey’s husband is the Yacht Sales Director. The company’s home base is in BVI, with other bases in St. Vincent and Grenada. Horizon offers luxury yacht charters throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas too.
Why choose Horizon?
The personalized service and seamless flow, in addition to having a team in the BVI who can relate to what’s happening on the ground, compared to others whose customer service representatives are based elsewhere. Many of the employees have been with the company for 10 to 15 years and love sailing and the beautiful islands with a passion.
“We are a family business, which means that repeat guests see the same faces every year. People connect with that,” Starkey said.
Kayleigh says that the luxury division has been around for 10 years The division evolved as a response to guests requesting an all-inclusive service, not only with a captain and a chef but with high-quality vessels and professional crew.
The broker explains that more often than not, the crew aboard luxury yachts have worked their way from smaller bareboats, up to high-end yachts. The chefs are trained to fivestar gourmet level, and the captains are always professional and highly certified. All crew are friendly and efficient and will go the extra mile to provide the best vacation experience to their guests that they can.
“This is the way people want to charter nowadays. If you afford this high-end luxury, you get amazing quality,” Starkey said.
The Horizon fleet now comprises 50 yachts, with several luxury yachts recently added. One such luxury yacht, Angel Eyes, popular for not only the elegant decor and attentive crew, but also the angel wings which guests wear to take pictures “for the gram”!
As a broker, Strakey advises potential guests on every aspect of their vacation. Born in BVI, she’s very knowledgeable about sailing and onisland activities. When guests make an inquiry, Starkey sends them an online brochure which includes testimonials, crew bios, yacht specifications, photographs and sample menus.
We’re like dancing under the moonlight on the deck after a day of cruising.
In other words, you’ve got nothing to worry about. From our fast claims processing to our insurance products that fit your specific needs, we always put people first. It’s easy to do when you have offices throughout the Caribbean and a company culture dedicated to looking out for our clients. To learn more, visit cgcoralisle.com.
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Good Like That.
To ensure the right fit, she curates charters while considering guests’ needs along with the personalities and profile of the crew. She can also arrange for a ‘blended meal option’ for guests who wish to have both the on-board chef’s meals, with some online dining, along with villa rentals if guests wish to explore either before or after the charter. All menus are tailored to the guests’ dietary requirements, so this type of vacation is perfect for someone with special food needs.
Guests tend to fly into the nearby USVI and charter over to the BVI. Horizon has partnered with a private jet company for persons who wish to have a direct flight to BVI via San Juan to “travel in the same bubble”.
“You wake up, coffee’s brewing; the crew has continental breakfast there for you, with an option for a nice hot breakfast once everyone is up and ready. Then you move on to “bareboat” packages and discounts to further encourage bookings. One such package allows for persons to work remotely from your yacht for a month, while the kids can do their online learning. Another package is the Learn To Sail where you can gain your ASA certification with an instructor on one of their bareboat yachts, where clients gain knowledge and experience while enjoying the awesome sailing offered in BVI.
Horizon also believes now is the perfect time to book a luxury charter in the BVI.
“You have everything you can possibly need on the boat. All crewed yachts have fantastic watersports on board, some with snorkelling and diving equipment, others with Hobie cats and kiteboarding,” Starkey Said. “People who are travelling to the BVI are having the time of their lives and are booking for next year too!” ■
your first stop for the day - maybe some snorkelling, then pull into the next anchorage in time for lunch. After lunch, you may go to another anchorage and play with the water sports toys available on the yacht, and then have some sundowner cocktails. Dinner is always a three-course gourmet meal with dessert and after-dinner drinks. It’s your charter, you get exactly what you require,” explains Starkey, describing what a typical day on the ocean with an allinclusive luxury yacht looks like.
While COVID-19 has impacted charters, Horizon has inquiries are steadily coming in for late 2021 and bookings in 2022. They are seeing a similar response for pent up demand as the BVI has a loyal following of repeat guests. Starkey has also seen new people coming in every year, which makes her proud as a BVIslander.
Horizon has been offering special
In 2020, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College celebrated its 30th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the College commissioned a coffee-table book: Vision to Reality -Chronicling Thirty Years of Higher Education in the British Virgin Islands. From an idea brought to reality by its founding chairman, the late H. Lavity Stoutt, the College College has today become the primary provider of post-secondary education in the British Virgin Islands, and has transformed the lives and career aspirations of thousands of Virgin Islanders. There are two editions of Vision to Reality available for purchase - an exclusive, numbered limited edition for $300 and a soft cover edition for $100.
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