... CHARTER DIRECTORY 2017
LUXURY
YA C H T I N G
360°
WELCOME ...
Over the past ten years, Imperial Yachts has been involved in the creation of some of the most important luxury vessels the world has ever seen – and yet superyacht construction is just a small part of what we do. From initial concept through design and build to management, charter, maintenance, marketing and finance, we are equipped to take command of every element of the modern yachting experience. In order to do that effectively, Imperial Yachts has had to become a global, multifaceted company, but today, as ever, our mission remains very simple. It is to make luxury yachting better; to eradicate the complication; to smooth out the logistics; to enable those who put their faith in us to enjoy their time on the water just that little bit more. That can be a very complex job, but with our industry-leading partners, our specialist teams and our passionate in-house experts, nothing is left to chance. Any time, any season, anywhere in the world, we take enormous pride in being there to provide the solution. No doubts; no quibbles; just an all-encompassing 360-degree service from people who know first-hand how special life on the water can be. Welcome to the 2017 Charter Directory. Welcome to a better yachting experience. ...
Evgeniy Kochman, CEO Imperial Yachts Julia Stewart, Monaco Office Director
GENEVA LUXEMBOURG MONACO MOSCOW LONDON PARIS VIENNA HONG KONG HANGZHOU BEIJING MONACO +377 97 77 0104 GENEVA +41 22 939 3020
THE ULTIMATE LUXURY
WWW.GLOBALJETCONCEPT.COM
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CONTENTS ... WHY IMPERIAL? The merits of the full-spectrum yachting package
CRUISING GUIDE . . . 024 WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN Spiritual home of the superyacht charter
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CHARTER TIPS Yacht charter essentials to help get you started
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EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Ancient playgrounds in Croatia, Turkey and Greece
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2 0 17 C A L E N D A R Iconic events for the year ahead
NORTHERN EUROPE Maritime hotspots from Bergen to St Petersburg
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THE BUILDER’S PERSPECTIVE Peter Lurssen: the engineer’s approach to construction
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THE DESIGNER’S PERSPECTIVE Espen Oeino: what the perfect charter means to him
062 C A R I B B E A N Celebrated melting pot of pirates, rum and reggae
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INDIAN OCEAN Tropical escape among the magical Maldives
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I N P U R S U I T O F PA R A D I S E Caribbean island hopping aboard M/Y ASTRA
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THE AMERICAS From Alaska to Antarctica: a continent rediscovered
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G A L A PA G O S : A W O R L D A PA R T First-hand reflections from an untouched wilderness
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SOUTHEAST ASIA Remote islands; A-list retreats; unique cuisine
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y . . . 0 9 2 CHARTER INDEX Find the answer to your yacht charter dreams
SERVICES . . . 168 NEW CONSTRUCTION From Seabobs to superyachts: the complete solution
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THE IMPERIAL FLEET Luxury charter solutions from 33 to 82 metres
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SALE + PURCHASE The power of an integrated global network
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THE PERFORMANCE FLEET Sporting thoroughbreds: a charter with a difference
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YA C H T M A N A G E M E N T Eradicate the effort - maximise the pleasure
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THE SAILING FLEET Classical charter aboard the world’s finest yachts
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YA C H T M A R K E T I N G Making your yacht our priority
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WHY IMPERIAL? SPECIALIST CREDENTIALS
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At Imperial, Luxury Yachting 360o is not just a company motto; it’s the guiding principle behind a full-spectrum approach to all things marine.
It even attends to the vital logistics of your shore-based experience - from restaurant reservations and nightclub bookings to tickets for concerts and sporting events, as well as exclusive transfers by jet, helicopter or luxury car. At Imperial, your ‘Off-the-Yacht’ pleasures are an integrated part of the Luxury Yachting 360o experience.
From design and build to management, marketing and brokerage, every element of the yachting experience is orchestrated with patience, precision and expertise and when you charter one of the company’s yachts, that same approach is central... Imperial’s handpicked, multilingual team manages a fleet of the world’s finest yachts, crewed by the industry’s most experienced professionals and deployed among the planet’s most seductive cruising grounds. However, Imperial doesn’t just match your needs to the right yacht, the right destination and the right cruising plan. It also inspects the yacht, negotiates the best terms, helps with embarkation and provides continued support during your charter.
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The options are of course boundless, but with first-hand knowledge of even the most far-flung destinations, allied to an in-depth understanding of each and every yacht, Imperial is well placed to devise your ideal charter plan. From Alaska to the Great Barrier Reef; from Turkey to Antarctica; from 20-metre motor cruisers to 80-metre megayachts and from hedonistic A-list resorts to remote tropical sanctuaries, an Imperial charter is not just a holiday. It’s a carefully tailored expression of your personality and ambitions.
WHY IMPERIAL?
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WHY PUT YOUR FA ITH IN IM P E RIA L ? ...
Q U ALI T Y
... Its charter fleet comprises the world’s most exclusive yachts, spread across the seven seas, not just in peak season, but all year round. SE RV I CE
... Imperial’s experienced, multilingual 24-hour concierge service is ready to assist, seven days a week, at any time of year and in any part of the world. PEDIGREE
... The Imperial team’s extensive experience of global circumnavigation means authentic, first-hand knowledge of every conceivable charter option. E X P E R I E N CE
... Highly experienced brokers, captains and crews are painstakingly recruited and then trained to meet Imperial’s stringent internal standards. FL E X I BI LI T Y
... A personalised approach enables a fully bespoke itinerary, tailored to your tastes in all regards.
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CHARTER ESSENTIALS TEN KEY QUESTIONS
I N I T I AT I N G YOUR ADVENTURE ...
Whether you are new to yachting or a seasoned adventurer, Imperial’s expertise in the charter industry enables it to create and oversee a broad range of fuss-free yacht charter experiences. Its specialist teams are well equipped to answer any queries you might have but for those starting out, these ten basic questions are a good place to begin.
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How do I book a charter yacht? . .. Call the Imperial team and you will be assigned a charter broker – a specialist who will listen to your requirements, from destination and timings to interests and special requests. A recommended yacht and itinerary will then be presented to you on the basis of this conversation.
Does Imperial offer corporate charters? ... Yes. Whether you book a charter yacht for client entertainment or staff reward, it makes a fresh and invigorating change from the norm. It can be the perfect hideaway for discreet business negotiations – and with some vessels capable of accommodating dozens of people at a time, there are very few venues that can match it for an upmarket conference.
Can I select a specific crew? ... The crew tends to come with the yacht, so repeat charter customers will often specify a particular vessel in order to be certain of a reunion. However, if this is your first charter, tell your broker what kind of crew you favour. From relaxed and outgoing to slick and formal, a yacht can then be selected to match your preference.
... ... Can the itinerary be tailored to reflect my tastes? . .. Absolutely. Tell Imperial about the ages, tastes and profiles of those involved, because an itinerary can be designed to encompass everything from cultural tours, sporting events and active pursuits to lazy days ashore or long, undisturbed evenings at anchor.
Can I take my own staff? ... That depends on whether there is adequate capacity to accommodate extra personnel. If so, you can certainly take your own staff but if not, Imperial is always able to organise first-class staff on your behalf.
... Can I take the kids? . .. It’s fine to take children on board and if you talk to your broker in advance it may even be permissible to take the family pet. The yacht, destination, crew and itinerary can also be orchestrated to suit your needs, with familyfriendly catering, destinations and pursuits all built into the plan.
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... ... Is a corporate charter the same as a holiday charter? ... Yes. Like a holiday, you can specify the venue and the duration; you can organise it around a specific high-profile event such as the Cannes Film Festival; and you can benefit from the same comprehensive level of staffing as a luxury charter, with all service and catering provided.
How should I conduct myself? ... Just relax. There are no prescriptive expectations. Dress in whatever way makes you feel comfortable and behave in whatever way enables you to enjoy your charter to the utmost. Your crew will always be rigorously professional and entirely discreet.
Are there any hidden costs? ... In addition to the basic charter cost, there is usually an Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) of around 25%. This enables the crew to stock up on fuel and food in accordance with the input of your charter broker. Any funds left over will be returned to you.
.. . What about tipping? ... The timing and scale of any tips are of course at your discretion. However, the average is around 10% of the charter value and this can be paid at the end of your voyage, either directly to the Captain or indirectly via your broker.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP ... From the best international yacht shows to sporting classics and key exhibitions from the worlds of luxury, fashion and art, there are plenty of dates to look forward to in 2017. Dates correct at time of publication but may be subject to change.
01 . .. 08 – 22 January St Barths Music Festival ... 16 – 22 January Monte Carlo Rally ... 21 – 29 January Boot Dusseldorf ... 27 – 29 January St Moritz Snow Polo World Cup 02 . .. 16 – 20 February Yachts Miami Beach ... 17 – 21 February London Fashion Week (AW17) ... 28 February – 04 March Dubai International Boat Show 03 . .. 09 – 11 March XIII Oris Classic Car Rally, Mallorca ... 10 – 13 March Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta, Virgin Gorda ... 14 – 17 March MIPIM, Cannes ... 21 – 25 March Art Basel Hong Kong ... 23 – 26 March Palm Beach International Boat Show ... 27 March – 02 April BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival
04 ... 15 – 23 April Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Tennis ... 16 April Chinese F1 Grand Prix ... 19 – 25 April Panerai Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua ... 24 – 27 April MYBA Charter Show, Barcelona ... 26 – 29 April China International Boat Show, Shanghai ... 27 April – 01 May Palma Superyacht Show 05 ... 07 May Russian F1 Grand Prix, Sochi ... 13 May World Superyacht Awards, Florence ... 17 – 28 May Festival de Cannes ... 26 May – 24 July Stars of the White Nights, St Petersburg 28 May Monaco F1 Grand Prix ... 28 May – 11 June French Open Tennis, Paris ... 30 May – 02 June Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, Sardinia ... 31 May – 04 June Les Voiles d’Antibes
06 ... 01 – 03 June St Petersburg International Economic Forum ... 08 – 11 June Cannes Collection ... 12 June – 20 August Royal Academy Summer Exhibition ... 15 – 18 June Art Basel ... 24 – 26 June International Jumping of Monte Carlo 07 ... 01 – 16 July Montreux Jazz Festival ... 03 – 16 July Wimbledon Tennis Championships ... 08 – 15 July Panerai British Classic Week, Cowes ... 13 – 18 July Nice Jazz Festival ... 14 – 23 July Jazz a Juan 08 ... 07 – 15 August Time in Jazz Festival, Sardinia ... 11 August – 10 September Lucerne Summer Festival ... 20 August Opera House Cup Regatta, Nantucket ... 28 August – 10 September US Open Tennis
09 ... 12 – 17 September Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes ... 15 – 19 September London Fashion Week (SS17) ... 23 September – 01 October Les Voiles de St Tropez ... 25 – 28 September Regates Royales de Cannes ... 27 – 30 September Monaco Yacht Show ... 20 – 27 September Milan Fashion Week ... 28 September – 05 October Paris Fashion Week 10 ... 01 – 02 October Prix de l’arc de Triomphe ... 11 – 14 October Frieze London Art Fair 11 ... 02 – 06 November Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show ... 26 November Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 12 ... 07 – 10 December Art Basel Miami Beach
Stars of the White Nights 26.05.17– 24.07.17
Time in Jazz Festival, Sardinia 07–15.08.17
Milan Fashion Week 20 – 27.09.17
Les Voiles de St Tropez 23.09.17–01.10.17 Monaco F1 Grand Prix 28.05.17
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THE CONSTRUCTOR’S PERSPECTIVE PETER LURSSEN
I MPER I A L YA C H T S TALK S TO PETER LU RS S EN CE O O F T H E WO R LD’ S F O REMO S T S U PERYA CHT BUILD E R
IY: What makes Lurssen a particularly special builder? ... PL: We come originally from a very intensive engineering background so we always engineer yachts in a very complete and thorough way. In 1886, my Great Grandfather worked alongside Gottlieb Daimler to build the first motorboat in the world. We have many engineering milestones like this in our history and that makes us very proud. We take things to a very strict and rigorous level. Every company has its priority, but we are the one company where technical engineering is the most important part. We combine that with a deep desire to really meet a client’s expectations, so as long as it’s possible to build, we are the company that can engineer it. How does your collaboration with Imperial work? ... We met with Evgeniy Kochman, CEO of Imperial Yachts, at an exhibition in Moscow 12 years ago. Our very first project together was seven years ago – the 60-metre M/Y ARKLEY – and we found that the confidence and trust grew very quickly in our relationship. That is usually a good foundation for high quality results and the last few years have continued to prove that. What are the chief difficulties in translating new, one-off designs into practical construction plans? ... We try to accommodate every wish of the client as long as it’s safe to build and safe to use both for the owner and the crew. Understanding what the client wants is of course essential but that also goes for the designer’s interpretation of the brief. How the client intends to use the yacht needs to be translated clearly and effectively – and once we have that understanding, we find that we can accommodate a great deal within the physical constraints of any given yacht. So what makes a great charter yacht? ... It’s a combination of factors but the most important factor is the crew. A good crew can make up for any shortcomings a yacht may have but a bad crew can spoil the experience even on a great yacht. From the deckhands and the stewardesses, with whom you have the most interaction, to the chef and of course the Captain, with whom you plan the itinerary and the travelling, the crew is absolutely vital. As far as the yacht itself goes, I do expect the on board systems to be very effective. For instance, one of the things I insist upon as a basic requirement from any charter yacht is quiet air conditioning, so I can enjoy my vacation without the need for ear plugs.
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THE CONSTRUCTOR’S PERSPECTIVE PETER LURSSEN
Which yacht do you use for your own charter holidays? ... PL: I charter lots of different yacht types from lots of different manufacturers, so if a potential client tells me he could get a yacht more affordably with a different builder, I can tell him from a wellinformed perspective: “Well that’s fine. You go ahead, but you get what you pay for.” On a charter boat I try to understand what’s behind the panels and I can honestly say that a 20-year old Lurssen is certainly still ahead of many much younger yachts from other builders.
What’s your favourite charter season? ... The cold weather is not for me. I would definitely go for the Mediterranean summer season. I like the sea to be 26 degrees. It needs to be nice and warm and not too crowded. That’s why Italy is so perfect.
What kinds of design features do you expect to see on charter yachts in the next five to ten years? ... So what would you say is the single best thing about a charter yacht? Due to the confidentiality of our clients, we can’t make specific ... reference to any yachts currently in build with Imperial - but many of the yachts that we have built and are building have a very large aft It’s a very intensive time with your family and friends and the swim platform. You can of course have a big sundeck and Jacuzzi on social interaction is much better than when you’re ashore. Being at the top level of a yacht, but I see more and more activity on the aft sea means you have a lot of time together; to share meals; to enjoy swim platform and in the water – and that’s a philosophy many of my watersports; to go out as a group. Even very close family and friends clients follow. With a nice seating area at the aft end of the main deck, can rarely have experienced such quality time. And if someone wants you can talk with friends on the swim platform; and the swim platforms to do something different like read a book or do some work, there’s always the space on a yacht to go to a separate place for a little while. themselves are now so big that you can cover them with seating too. That’s definitely one change in approach compared to a couple of And even that feels different, because when you’re on a yacht, you’re years back and so is the interaction between a yacht and the water. not really gone. It’s that unique intimacy that makes a yacht vacation About ten years ago, we started installing brightly lit glass panels to so special. enable guests to watch the underwater world in comfort and that has also continued to gain in popularity. It brings sealife closer to the yacht What kind of on board toys do you most value? ... and guests closer to the sea and that’s something I believe designers will continue to develop and improve in the future. Everything in, on and under the water is fantastic. I’ve seen adults play with Seabobs just as much as kids. Wakeboarding and If you could own just one yacht, what would it be? waterskiing is also great and we tend to carry jetskis as well. But any ... toy that makes you want to spend time on the water is perfect to have I would have to ask my wife that question, but for me, it changes. on board your yacht. I’ve very rarely watched television or a movie It would certainly be a yacht that is big enough to accommodate on a yacht because from simple board games to much more active, the whole family and our friends – and also one that enables me water-based entertainments, it’s all there for you. to feel close to the water. At the moment, a yacht like CORAL OCEAN (formerly CORAL ISLAND) would be very high on my list. She was one What has been your very best charter experience? ... of the first yachts I ever built and although she’s now 23 years old, I think she is absolutely outstanding; one of the iconic yachts of Jon It’s impossible to answer. Of course, great moments depend on many Bannenberg. She was one of the first, if not the very first, with factors, so it might be a wonderful dinner with your family in Capri a beach-style interior and that has obviously now go on to be used or a night out somewhere with friends. We’ve had great times in Italy, and developed by so many others. She also enables very easy Turkey and Greece but there are so many, I couldn’t pick just one. movement on board and I like a yacht where life is casual. No formal dinners - just a relaxed environment where I can feel comfortable What is your favourite charter destination? ... wearing a linen shirt and shorts. The family and I always enjoy cruising around Italy, starting with Portofino, perhaps Portovenere and then on to Capri. And a few years ago, we also went to the Aeolian Islands. We were in a quiet area with very few yachts so that was really memorable.
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THE DESIGNER'S PERSPECTIVE ESPEN OEINO
I MPER I A L YA C H T S TALK S TO W O RLD-RENO WNE D S U PE RYA C H T D E SIG NER AND LO NG -TERM IMPE RIA L CO L L A B OR AT O R , ES PEN O EINO .
IY: What are the key challenges in designing a vessel for charter? ... EO: People who charter a yacht tend to want as many experiences as they can in a short space of time. It’s essentially a vacation in compressed format, so the yacht needs to collaborate with you in that. You need lots of different places to eat on board, so every day offers something different. The yacht also needs to make getting ashore easy, for meals on the beach and excursions, so it feels like you never do the same thing twice. And another key thing is speed. A lot of passages are made at night, so if you have good speed, that helps facilitate a variety of destinations in a single charter. Incorporating all of these experiences while also maintaining owner practicality can be quite a challenge. What do you look for in the ideal building partner? ... The yacht business can be seen as a pyramid. As you go higher in the pyramid, the fewer actors there are on the stage, so if you want to build a hundred metre plus yacht, there aren’t many shipyards that have the experience to do that. But it’s all about managing compromises. It’s a constant dialogue. I get stimulated by the backand-forth ‘pingpong’ nature of it – by trying to find solutions to challenges with lots of unknowns – so choosing a construction partner with specialist knowledge is vital. Which of your designs are you most proud of? ... That’s a bit like asking “Which is your favourite child?” I usually say my proudest design is the last one, but we are actually working on a great many projects alongside Imperial at the moment and I am particularly proud of one of those. I can’t talk about that until it emerges from the shed next year, so I would have to say that SKAT is particularly cherished. When we designed her 20 years ago with flat intersecting surfaces and hard angles, that really wasn’t a common design language. She was either hated or loved. Nobody was indifferent to her and that appeals to me. It was done for a really engaging client and that’s often the most difficult thing at the design end of things - finding clients who are prepared to think outside the box and accept that, as a result, their yacht will not be like the others.
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ESPEN O E I N O ...
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THE DESIGNER'S PERSPECTIVE ESPEN OEINO
Which yacht do you use for your own charter holidays? ... I use chartered sail yachts in Greece and also in Scandinavia. I have also spent a lot of time on powered charters and of course on the yachts I have designed. If I were to have a yacht designed to my own preferences, it would be a platform that enables a lot of outdoor activities – especially snow skiing, which is very close to my heart. With a helicopter, you can access the mountains very quickly from a yacht. In fact, here in Monaco, you can be on the slopes within 20 minutes and even in the spring and early summer, you can still go skiing and be back on the boat for dinner. There are also places in Scandinavia and Alaska where you can ski in the summer very comfortably off a boat. And that’s the key thing for me, because a yachting holiday is not just about sitting on the aft deck sipping rosé wine. It’s about experiencing new and different things. Not just seeing beautiful landscapes, but engaging in memorable activities like kayaking, dinghy racing and mountain biking. So what would you say is the single best thing about a charter yacht? ... The really wonderful thing about a yacht is that you have access to so many remote places you could never otherwise visit. There are certain parts of Norway or Greenland, for instance, where there are no roads or hotels. A charter yacht is the perfect base to enjoy these places in a way that nobody else can.
What is your favourite charter destination? ... If the weather is good, there is no better place to cruise than the west of Norway. It lends itself very well to exploring by tender. Of course, the hospitality industry isn’t great in Scandinavia, but having your own yacht means you can eat the very best food whenever you like. In the summer, the sun barely goes down, particularly in the north, so you can really tailor your whole day to your own schedule and your own preferences. You can spend hours discovering the coastline with tenders and helicopters and then come back very late and still enjoy dinner on board. It’s given me some really beautiful experiences. What’s your favourite charter season? ... Well the Mediterranean is unbeatable because the weather is so predictable. I like to visit Amalfi, Capri, the northern part of Sardinia. The Sardinian charter season is very short, perhaps from mid-July to the end of August but this year, I was down there at the end of June. The weather was amazing but there were hardly any people. You could take the tender, find a bay, anchor up, have a swim, head ashore for a picnic and then move on to the next one. It was just wonderful.
What kinds of design features do you expect to see on charter yachts over the next five or ten years? ... A good charter experience is often the result of good planning. That’s rarely apparent to the guests but it’s about more than just the itinerary What kinds of on board toy do you most value? and the activities. It’s about planning for the unexpected. For instance, ... if charter guests come back after lunch ashore with friends and they I love the various water toys, but I would always add hiking gear for want to continue the party, you need to be ready for that. What we walking in the mountains and climbing gear for scaling the rocks that are seeing are more and more yachts with integrated loudspeakers rise out of the sea in so many parts of the world. I would prioritise an external cinema because it’s a great experience to watch movies on the and lighting systems so it doesn’t take the crew three hours to set things up. It can all be done within minutes. Another thing that will continue deck outside in the middle of the night; and I would definitely carry a drone on board for great pictures, because you can keep those forever to evolve is the on board spa. Twenty years ago you didn’t really see them but the spa will continue to take up more space as it encompasses and look back at the amazing things you did. When chartering with kids, I would also encourage guests to really interact with the crew. You the full service, from massage to hammam, sauna, snow rooms and pilates facilities, plus extensive gyms and beauty parlours. After a good can easily make a family charter educational because there’s so much you can learn from being at sea - through the tenders and toys; through charter, it will enable people to feel that they have accomplished a lot but also relaxed a lot. They should leave with a sense of fulfilment but a sense of responsibility; by means of anticipation and thinking about also with a strong desire to come back. what might happen next. I don’t believe in simply putting a charter guest on a powerful jetski and sending him away. I believe in teaching If you could own just one yacht, what would it be? him how to use it and it’s the same with sailing yachts, boat handling ... and navigation. For me, learning about life through the many toys on My perfect yacht would definitely be an explorer vessel with a steel board a yacht is what can make a family charter really special. hull and aluminium superstructure - something designed for going to remote places. It would have all the toys I described, plus a resident What has been your very best charter experience? helicopter. I am learning to fly and it’s like driving a tender in 3D. ... It’s a wonderful experience. I was a guest on board a yacht for a cruise in Japan. We started in Kobe and went south into the inland seas. We spent most of the time during the day in big tenders, exploring remote regions and uncharted territories where yachts had never been. We met people who had never seen white faces before. We all like to think of Japan as a super sophisticated hi-tech country, which of course it is – but to see that side of Japan was particularly interesting and the only way you could have done that was with a yacht. Having the independence of driving your own tender was great. We had a guide because of the language barrier, but we just didn’t know what we were going to see next. It was truly an incredible experience.
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... 01 Western Norway – Espen’s home waters remain a favourite destination 02 Kobe, Japan – an offbeat but memorable yachting experience 03 / 04 ARKLEY, Lurssen – exterior designed by Mr Oeino 05 Espen Oeino
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CRUISING GUIDE ITINERARIES
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CRUISING GUIDE I T I N E RARI E S ...
West Mediterranean – French Riviera • Corsica • Italian Riviera • Sardinia • Amalfi Coast • Sicily • Balearics East Mediterranean – Ionian Islands • Cyclades • Turkey • Croatia • Red Sea Northern Europe – Norway • Denmark • Sweden • Russia Indian Ocean – Maldives • Seychelles Caribbean – North Caribbean • Leeward Islands • Windward Islands The Americas – Alaska • Belize • Panama • Nicaragua • Costa Rica • Galapagos • Patagonia • Antarctica Asia – Indonesia • Philippines • Singapore • Vietnam • Thailand
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
WEST MEDITERRANEAN
... With ancient maritime heritage, easy cultural elegance and radical contrasts between coastlines, the Western Mediterranean is the spiritual home of the yacht charter. From the fast-living glitz of the French Riviera to the dreamy, indulgent glamour of western Italy; from the hedonism and gentility of the Balearics to the pungent and unchangeable charm of Corsica’s timeless shores. Now, as ever, the Western Mediterranean is a region of extraordinary allure. CRU ISING ZO N E S ...
French Riviera
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Sardinia • Amalfi Coast
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Sicily
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Balearics
WHEN TO GO APRIL – OCTOBER
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
A-LIST A DV E N T U R E ... The French Riviera is one of the most enticing destinations in the world. Here, between St Tropez and the Italian border, where the mountains meet the Mediterranean, shopping is an art form, eating out is high-end seduction and the streets are catwalks for the wealthy and well heeled. Its heritage is defined by glamorous personalities like Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren and its calendar is spiced with events like Monaco’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Cannes International Film Festival. The Côte d’Azur remains the spiritual home of the superyacht and the world’s most indulgent A-list playground. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region French Riviera • Start Port Monaco • End Port Porquerolles • Distance < 110 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Marseille to San Remo • Peak yachting season May to August • Time zone UTC + 1 hour 1 M O NA CO
3 EZE
Monaco might be the world’s second smallest country but its reputation as the wealthiest and most glamorous place on earth is fully deserved. Ignore the beaches and head for the old town with its royal palace, luxury boutiques and beautiful urbanites. The Café de Paris, Louis XV restaurant and Casino de Monte Carlo are particularly memorable.
Eze is an impossibly picturesque Provençal village. Perching precariously on the edge of a steep cliff, its ancient zigzag streets are great for a stroll and there are plenty of art galleries, shops and restaurants to entertain. An alfresco meal at Michelin-starred Château Eza, overlooking your anchored yacht, is a truly indulgent experience.
2 VIL L E FRA N CHE
4 CAP D’ AN T IBES
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6 ST TR OPEZ
The sheltered natural yacht harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer makes a fine anchorage for watersports against a backdrop of the 14th century citadel and port. Nearby St Jean Cap Ferrat, with its white sandy beaches, verdant hillsides and enviable peninsula setting, is home to some of the most expensive residential properties in the world.
Cap d’Antibes is a place of enduring legend. In addition to the expansive Juan-les-Pins beach resort, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, with its private beach, spa and restaurant, is a well-established hotspot for touring glitterati. A short distance inland lies Vence, one of the best preserved medieval settlements in the region and a famous hub for artistic inspiration.
St Tropez is notorious for its high-end hedonism and nearby Pampelonne Beach has been a shining exponent of that ethos since Brigitte Bardot first embraced it in the 1950s. Today, the town’s old port is a great spot for superyacht cocktails and St Tropez itself is full of bars and nightclubs. The star-studded Caves du Roy is a particular highlight.
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5 CA NNES ILES D E LÉR INS
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7 PORQUEROLLES
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The elegant, cosmopolitan city of Cannes offers everything from fine dining and luxury shopping to sparkling beaches and a vibrant nightlife. Across the bay, Île SainteMarguerite’s translucent creeks are great for a leisurely swim and the nearby Île Saint-Honorat is owned and run by Cistercian monks, who make and sell award-winning wines.
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Nice Cote d’Azur Airport 2
Cannes Mandelieu Airport
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6
R AN G E Approximate nautical miles
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Monaco – Villefranche-sur-Mer 15 Nm Villefranche-sur-Mer – Eze 10 Nm Eze – Cap d’Antibes 18 Nm Cap d’Antibes – Cannes 5 Nm Cannes – St Tropez 24 Nm St Tropez – Porquerolles 35 Nm
Toulon – Hyéres Airport
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3
1
Just west of St Tropez, Porquerolles is a tranquil chain of islands and a protected nature reserve with ravishing white beaches and elegant coves. Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write Treasure Island here so if the French 2 Riviera’s high-octane entertainments become a bit much, the modest serenity of Porquerolles is the perfect tonic.
FRENCH RIVIERA A-LIST ADVENTURE
WHEN TO GO M AY – A U G U S T
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
F R A N C O - I TA L I A N INDULGENCE ... The French island of Corsica is a lush, volcanic destination with a distinctly Italian flavour. On the east coast, the terrain is flat and beachy with a scattering of compact harbours, while in the west, a wild cascade of steep cliffs and rock stacks plunges unchecked into the open sea. Here, the complex deepwater shoreline creates a landscape that’s not just more dramatic but also more versatile for roaming superyachts. But whichever part of Corsica’s 600-mile coastline you favour, the island’s resolutely distinctive culture, cuisine and customs are a world apart from the mainstream charter destinations of Italy and France. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Corsica • Start Port St Florent • End Port Porto Vecchio • Distance < 160 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Corsica to Sardinia • Peak yachting season April to September • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 ST F L OR E N T
3 GIRO LATA
6 PORTO VECCHIO
The compact 15th century Genoese citadel of St Florent sits on the edge of some renowned fishing waters and wine producing regions. It is one of Corsica’s most vibrant port towns, with plenty of restaurants and some fine local beaches, not least in the form of Plage de Saleccia.
Just south of Scandola National Park lies a region of pristine coastal wilderness. At Porto, the 16th century watchtower and pretty marina are tempting; at Osani, the Plage de Gradelle offers fine views of the famous cliff structures at Calanques de Piana; and at Girolata, you find yourself right at the heart of the famous marine nature reserve.
With its resident population of TV celebrities, the ancient fortified town of Porto Vecchio enjoys a reputation as a distinctly prestigious destination. The narrow streets of the elegant old town and the pretty, café-lined marina enjoy a happy, languorous decadence – fand the local beaches are first class
4 AJACCIO
R A NG E Approximate nautical miles
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2 C A LVI
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As the nearest port to mainland France, Calvi is a serious shipping hub with first-rate superyacht facilities. In classic Corsican style, the town’s convoluted web of ancient sundrenched streets is wrapped in huge fortifications – and the continued existence of a fishing industry makes this steeply stacked town much more three-dimensional than most tourist resorts.
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Tucked away in a hilly nook on the northern shore of a gulf, the scenery in and around Ajaccio is delectable. The old town is a traditional cluster of washed walls and shaded streets and the cafés, shops and restaurants are well up to par for the chic clientele that emanates from the lavish marina at Port Tino Rossi.
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St Florent – Calvi: 32 Nm Calv – Girolata: 27 Nm Girolata – Ajaccio: 38 Nm Ajaccio – Bonifacio: 30 Nm Bonifacio – Porto Vecchio: 30 Nm
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Poretta Airport
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Calvi-Saint-Catherine Airport 3
Propriano Airport
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6
Figari Sud-Corse Airport 5
5 BO N IFACIO
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At the end of a narrow inlet between vertical cliffs, topped with craggy hilltop fortifications, the sun-bleached Italianate citadel of Bonifacio is a spectacular destination. With an ancient harbour that is just as memorable as the interwoven alleyways of the old town, Bonifacio is a shining beacon for the gruff, organic loveliness of this salt-soaked island.
Cagliari International Airport
CORSICA F R A N C O - I TA L I A N I N D U L G E N C E
WHEN TO GO APRIL – SEPTEMBER
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THE LIGURIAN HIGH-LIFE ... Like its French equivalent, the Italian Riviera features narrow waterfront strips against an Alpine backdrop, with high-end shopping and first-rate cuisine. Here, however, the shore is littered with fishing villages, some of which (like Portofino) have achieved super-chic status; and others (like those around La Spezia) that retain an authentic salt crust on their tumbling technicolour buildings. There are plenty of extraordinary coastal walks, sheltered bays, secluded beaches and lofty cliffs, but what makes the Italian charter experience so special is that it fuses maritime tradition with 21st century luxury to better effect than anywhere else in the world. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Italian Riviera • Start Port San Remo • End Port Porto Ercole • Distance < 255 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Tuscan Archipelago • Peak yachting season April to September • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 SAN R EMO
3 P O RT O FIN O
5 VIA R EGGIO
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As a historical refuge for the pampered elite, the balmy Ligurian resort of San Remo is arguably the showiest destination on the Riviera. This Roman settlement is a hotbed of ritzy, casino-style nightlife, the enormous harbour is a renowned superyacht hub and the bars, shops and cafés ooze with appropriate cosmopolitanism.
The fabled Italian fishing village of Portofino nestles between herb-strewn hillsides in a protected reserve at the apex of a turquoise inlet. Its pristine loveliness is deeply affecting but don’t discount the nearby port towns of Santa Margherita and Rapallo. They might be less gentrified, but for the charter yacht explorer, they’re every bit as memorable.
The promenade and the high-spec marina sit right at the heart of this traditional seaside resort – and while the town’s shipbuilding roots have largely given way to tourism, the youthful energy of the upmarket beach scene is extremely attractive. Viareggio also makes an ideal stopover for a daytrip to Pisa or Florence.
The Tuscan seaside resort of Porto Ercole wraps itself around a natural deepwater harbour with an expansive and entertaining marina at its heart. Up on the hill, various 16th century fortifications keep watch over the town’s pastille-coloured streets and the seasonal effervescence in and around the long promenade is brilliantly infectious.
2 GE NO A
4 P O RT O V EN ERE
6 ELBA
Regional capital, Genoa, is the worldly counterpoint to the compact elegance of the outlying towns and villages. In addition to a buzzing arts scene, a plentiful supply of high-class dive sites and a beautiful old harbour, it offers several classical districts, where the manic mishmash of multicoloured villas plunges steeply to the sea.
The impossibly lovely headland settlement of Portovenere is a wonderful place to sit among the waterfront villas and revel in the quiet prestige, the rustic elegance and the maritime gentility of it all. From here, Cinque Terre is also within reach – a mountainous shoreline encompassing five famously unspoiled fishing villages.
The Isle of Elba feels like a Caribbean paradise in the middle of the Med. Its shores are blessed with lofty headlands, sandy bays and protected rural landscapes. Its clear, richly stocked waters are great for diving and Portoferraio, the historic centre, is at once an authentic fishing town and a sophisticated leisure destination.
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7 PORTO ERCOLE
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Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport
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4 5 1
Nice Cote d’Azur Airport
Pisa International Airport
Siena-Ampugnano Airport R AN G E Approximate nautical miles
6
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San Remo – Genoa 65 Nm Genoa – Portofino 17 Nm Portofino – Portovenere 32 Nm Portovenere – Viareggio 22 Nm Viareggio – Elba 65 Nm Elba – Porto Ercole 50 Nm
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ITALIAN RIVIERA THE LIGURIAN HIGH-LIFE
WHEN TO GO APRIL – SEPTEMBER
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
EXOTIC ARCHIPELAGOS ... With a shoreline closer to Africa than Italy, plus crystal clear diving waters, a beautiful climate and an assortment of caves, corals, wrecks, bays, cliffs and inlets, Sardinia feels like a very exotic destination. But while the lovely capital, Cagliari, offers all the cool indulgence the upmarket traveller could want, a really special Sardinian yacht charter has to concentrate on the northeast of the island. Here, the irrepressible vim of party resorts like Porto Cervo is supplemented with an astonishing wealth of secluded coves, sheltered anchorages and dramatic views and seascapes. With easy access to Corsica’s southern resorts, it makes an impressively versatile yachting playground. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Sardinia • Start Port Olbia • End Port Bonifacio • Distance < 70 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Sardinia to Corsica • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 O L B IA
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4 CALA DI V O LP E
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7 BONIFA CIO
While Sardinia’s famous Costa Smeralda gets all the plaudits, Olbia is a very engaging way to ease yourself into a Sardinian charter. In addition to a large marina, a historic centre and a range of chic cafés, bars and boutiques, this ancient port town sits in prime position for access to Sardinia’s most rewarding stretch of coastline.
Much loved by the touring glitterati, the illustrious hotel and beach resort at Cala di Volpe sits in the very bay that featured in 007’s iconic ‘Amphibious Lotus’ scene. From here, infamous Porto Cervo is just a short hop north and the uninhabited islands of Soffi and Mortoria provide a wonderful yachting escape.
While Sardinia is a fine charter destination, there are few port towns in the whole of Europe that can match Bonifacio. Here, on the south coast of neighbouring Corsica, just ten miles across the strait, Bonifacio’s natural harbour nestles between a pair of vast cliff faces, topped with historical streets and fortifications. For sheer drama, it’s tough to beat.
2 TAVO L A R A I S L A N D
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Tavolara explodes from the sea like a mountain peak – and with nothing but a restaurant, a bar and a beach, it is almost perfectly untouched. Remarkably, this tiny patch of land has been an independent monarchy ever since a 19th century Genoese sailor proclaimed himself King, so as unusual anchorages go, it makes a wonderful detour. 3 PO RT O R OTON D O
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At the southern end of the Costa Smeralda, in the protective Cugnana Gulf, Porto Rotondo is a stylish tourist haunt, with gorgeous bays, first-class restaurants and a fine line in exclusive pampering for visiting yachtsmen. Just a mile across the gulf, Portisco Beach offers a white, sandy incline with warm, shallow waters and excellent watersports.
5 P O RT O CERV O
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Created in the 1950s as a superexclusive tourist resort, the pretty pastel-coloured village of Porto Cervo enjoys a yacht-friendly position in a natural port among verdant Mediterranean hills. With a feel-good party vibe, plus outlying archipelagos and a proliferation of coves, beaches and bays, this upmarket ‘built-for-purpose’ designer destination is in the yacht charter Premier League.
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R A NG E Approximate nautical miles
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Olbia – Tavolara Island 10 Nm Tavolara Island – Porto Rotondo 15 Nm Porto Rotondo – Cala di Volpe 4 Nm Cala di Volpe – Porto Cervo 8 Nm Porto Cervo – La Maddalena 11 Nm La Maddalena – Bonifacio 17 Nm
Poretta Airport Calvi-Saint-Catherine Airport
Propriano Airport
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Figari Sud-Corse Airport
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5 4 3 1
2
6 LA M ADDALEN A ARCH IP ELAGO
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Maddalena, the largest island in the archipelago of the same name, offers a trio of useful ports, plus a fine beach at Cala Spalmatore. But with outlying islands on three sides, the opportunities for a private anchorage are remarkably rich. Head for the southern side of Budelli Island for pristine bays and pink coral sands.
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Cagliari International Airport
SARDINIA EXOTIC ARCHIPELAGOS
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
IN THE SHADOW OF VESUVIUS ... This ancient playground of Roman Emperors courses with the charm and texture of a bygone age. Once a favourite among wealthy Etruscans as an escape from the heat and bustle of Rome, gentle sea breezes continue to temper the ferocity of the sun, making the Amalfi Coast the ideal summer retreat. This place of emerald waters, steep cliffs and fragrant lemon trees has something for everyone. The cliff-top walks and crystal clear dives are extraordinary; the steep, multi-coloured maritime towns and archaeological ruins are a big draw; and the classical seafood dishes and Limoncello are a gastronomic delight. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Amalfi Coast • Start Port Atrani • End Port Sorrento • Distance < 40 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Napoli to Palermo • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 1 hour
Naples International Airport
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Aeroporto di Salerno Costa D’Amalfi
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1 AT R AN I
3 P RAIAN O
5 ISLE OF CA PRI
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With ranks of pastel houses propped up between the steep cliffs and the dozing harbour, this fine medieval town is a very attractive sanctuary from the eager crowds of nearby Amalfi. You can spend the afternoon on the sandy beach (a rarity in these parts) or step back in time among narrow cobbled streets, ancient vaults and sun-drenched piazzas.
As well as being an established favourite with Italian aristocrats, Praiano is the sunniest place on the Amalfi coast, with long balmy evenings and a more sedentary vibe than its neighbours. There are several secluded pebble beaches that can only be approached by boat, plus a remarkable inlet known as the Furore Fjord, just a short hop east. For those in search of low-key loveliness, it’s a major highlight.
Three miles west of the mainland, the Isle of Capri has been a VIP holiday retreat since the time of the ancient Greeks. The Blue Grotto, a limestone lagoon with water that glows in contrasting shades, is a highlight on a fissured coastline tailor-made for charter exploration; and when you step ashore, the chic bars and boutique shops are well balanced by a loveliness unspoiled by time.
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4 P O SITAN O
Once the hub of a powerful maritime republic, Amalfi’s modern persona is more about panache than politics. Famed as the haunt of Hollywood actors who made a beeline for its winding medieval streets and slick Italian glamour, it remains a compact but dramatically staged archetype for this coastline’s colourful clash of sea, cliff and culture.
Positano, a dramatic cliff-top settlement and one of the most photogenic destinations in the Mediterranean, feels distinctly well heeled. The shops, the restaurants, the elegant, flower-scented streets and the dreamy Italianate sophistication of the buildings – it all combines to create a fiercely memorable stopover.
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6 SOR R ENTO
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Ever since its inclusion in the ‘Grand Tours’ of the early 18th century, Sorrento has been an unashamed tourist hotspot, but its beauty is no less striking for that. Here, at the brightly coloured conjunction of sea and mountain, valley and citrus grove, famous poets like Byron, and Keats have come to revel in its narrow alleyways, sweeping views and café-lined squares
RANGE Approximate nautical miles
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Atrani – Amalfi: 1 Nm Amalfi – Praiano: 4 Nm Praiano – Positano: 5 Nm Positano – Isle of Capri: 16 Nm Isle of Capri – Sorrento: 9 Nm
AMALFI COAST IN THE SHADOW OF VESUVIUS
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ODYSSEUS ... Positioned on the apex of trade routes with ancient Greece, Sicily was a natural hub for Greek expansion in the 8th century BC. Today, it remains a favourite yacht charter destination for travellers wishing to mix history, culture and art with a pleasant climate and beautiful beaches. To the north of Sicily lies the volcanic archipelago of the Aeolian Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a fascinating region for active travel. It’s a place where harsh volcanic landscapes dotted with the ghostly remnants of ancient foundations contrast beautifully with whitewashed villages that gaze out over the sea on the fringes of each rocky outcrop. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Sicily & the Aeolian Islands• Start Port Syracuse • End Port Lipari • Distance < 200 Nm • Destinations 8 Alternative route South Sicilia via Agrigento • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 1 hour 1 S Y R A CU S E
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5 STROMBOLI
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Sicily’s capital is one of the bestpreserved ancient Greek cities in the world. But while the archaeological gems of the northwest quarter enjoy particular renown, the Old City (Ortigia), a compact island and the original heart of the settlement, is the primary draw. Expect ancient palazzos rich in sculpture, alongside shops and nightlife that (despite its time-capsule loveliness) are among the most varied and vibrant you will find.
The glorious medieval town of Taormina, built into the side of a mountain by Greek colonists, is full of historical sites. The Teatro Greco is not to be missed; and parts of the ‘Gymnasium’, where athletes trained for the ancient Olympics, also survive. However, modern Taormina is also a lavish resort town, so for a shopping expedition to remember, head for Corso Umberto.
Stromboli, the ‘Lighthouse of the Mediterranean’, is actually an active volcano with a scattering of curious black sand beaches to the northeast. Habitation is minimal and the island’s famed beauty is of a harsh, elemental kind. Adventurous visitors can get a closer look at the daily eruptions on a guided hike, but a night approach by yacht gives an even better view of the flashes emanating from the crater.
With sulphurous emissions filling the harbour and hissing from the pavements, you can smell Vulcano long before you arrive. However, if you can tolerate the scent, it makes a memorable retreat. You can visit its smoking crater, kayak its wild shoreline and bathe in its volcanic muds, before washing yourself clean in the sea, which fizzes with hot gases from the seabed.
2 GIAR DI N I - N A X OS
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Giardini-Naxos enjoys a long crescent-shaped beach of the finest white sand with memorable views out to sea. You can anchor off the bay and take the tender ashore for traditional pizzerias and smart waterfront cocktail bars along the promenade. Otherwise, why not head for the Old Town’s designer boutiques or the excellent seafood restaurants in the harbour itself.
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6 PA NA REA
Known as the ‘Doorway to Sicily’ (and the setting for Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’), Messina’s links to the arts has cemented its place as a must-visit destination. Originally named ‘Zancle’ due to the scythe-like shape of the harbour, the town’s colourful history is manifested in a busy architectural clash of churches, forts and ancient foundations that fan out from the Piazza del Duomo.
In the absence of cars, the best way to get around Panarea is by means of golf-cart taxis. There are plenty of secluded bays, particularly in the southeast, where you can anchor up and head ashore for a hike to the ruins; and there are plenty of private beaches with stunning volcanic views. Otherwise, San Pietro, where luxury yachts create a vibrant summer vibe, is definitely the place to be.
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8 LIPA RI Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian Islands, was formed by an ancient volcano, whose last eruption destroyed the town 1,400 years ago. Today, a picturesque harbour greets those arriving by sea and a pleasant afternoon can be spent wandering the cobbled alleyways of the elegant Old Town. Greek and Roman tombs can be seen in the park and some magnificent Aeolian artefacts can be witnessed in the Archaeological Museum.
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Aeroporto di Palermo Falcone e Borsellino
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Catania Fontanarossa Airport
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RANGE Approximate nautical miles
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Syracuse – Giardini-Naxos 50 Nm Giardini-Naxos – Taormina 2 Nm Taormina – Messina 27 Nm Messina – Stromboli 50 Nm Stromboli – Panarea 13 Nm Panarea – Vulcano 15 Nm Vulcano – Lipari 4 Nm
S I C I LY & T H E A E O L I A N I S L A N D S IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ODYSSEUS
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE WEST MEDITERRANEAN
S P E C TAC L E + SECLUSION ... There are four primary islands in the Balearics chain – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera – and with more than 300 days of sun each year, they enjoy a superb yachting climate. The thriving tourist industry often sees Mallorca and Ibiza dismissed as mere bastions of youthful excess, but with elegance and rusticity in equal measure, there is much more to these shores than that. Head for Menorca in the east or Formentera in the far west and the secluded coves, ancient monuments and protected marine parks conjure up an altogether gentler, more relaxed form of Balearic charter experience. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Balearic Islands • Start Port Mahon • End Port Ibiza Town • Distance < 270 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Barcelona or Valencia • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 M AH O N
3 P O RT D’ ALCU DIA
5 PA LMA D E MA LLOR CA
7 IBIZ A TOWN
Perched on a ridge above a saltwater inlet, Mahon is a very charming, small-scale and intimate city, with indisputably elegant Georgian-style architecture and a relaxed alfresco food culture that quickly salves the mind. Though it enjoys a pleasant seasonal buzz, it’s rarely overcrowded outside of the riotous Nuestra Señora de Gràcia Festival in September.
Alcudia, northern Mallorca’s biggest holiday resort, offers plenty of white sandy bays with easy gradients and warm shallow waters. Meanwhile, in the old town, heaped up within the vast peripheral ramparts, a blend of boutique shops, lively markets and quality restaurants adds some mature continental chic to the region’s family-friendly offering.
The elegant alfresco entertainment and suave cosmopolitanism of Palma de Mallorca make it a huge charter favourite. The glittering marina is full of outrageously high-end yachts and the town itself is a thriving year-round bastion of artistic and cultural vivacity, with buzzing bars and cafés, beautiful beaches and complex networks of atmospheric backstreets to explore.
Ibiza Town might be famous for Café del Mar, Pacha and the Sunset Strip, but this 24-hour party destination is as much about superyachts as nightclubs. Down at the marina, there is upmarket food and artisan shopping – and with 2,700 years of history, the crass neon glitz is well matched by high-end sophistication and cultural authenticity.
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With its commercial fishing fleet and its yacht charter luxury, its ancient charm and its modern energy, the west coast town of Ciutadella is every bit the equal of Menorca’s capital city. The beaches are beautiful, the port is lined with colourful restaurants and the romantic square at Placa d’es Born is a fine base for old town exploration.
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4 P U ERT O DE SÓ LLER
6 LA SAVINA , FOR MENTER A
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Having been the subject of substantial investment over the past decade, Puerto de Sóller’s harbour has become one of the island’s most lavish charter hubs. It sits in the arc of a generous bay, creating a sheltered playground for a picturesque anchorage and a half-mile beach that is tailor-made for watersports.
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Formentera, a rocky little island south of Ibiza, is renowned as a fine wildlife watching destination and a tranquil refuge for the cruising yachtsman. The two main sections of the island are joined in the middle by a three-mile expanse of unspoiled beach and the island’s exposed position makes it a great spot for windsurfing and sailing.
RANGE Approximate nautical miles
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Ibiza Airport
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Palma de Mallorca Airport
Menorca Airport
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Mahon – Ciutadella 43 Nm Ciutadella – Alcudia 35 Nm Alcudia – Puerto de Sóller 42 Nm Puerto de Sóller – Palma 50 Nm Palma – La Savina 80 Nm La Savina – Ibiza Town 12 N
BALEARICS S P E C TA C L E + S E C L U S I O N
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
WHEN TO GO APRIL – OCTOBER
EAST MEDITERRANEAN
... For those left cold by tourist artifice, the modest cultural authenticity of the Eastern Mediterranean feels very special. Croatia’s island-strewn Adriatic shore is tailor-made for sheltered cruising; in Greece, the ancient maritime folklore of the various archipelagos is a classicist’s dream; in the sultry, coral-rich shallows of the Red Sea, diving takes centre stage; and on Turkey’s Aegean coast, the fusion of east and west creates a thrilling cultural dynamic. C RUI S I N G Z ON ES ...
Ionian Islands • The Cyclades • Turkish Riviera • Croatia • The Red Sea
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
IONIAN ODYSSEY ... With 9,000 miles of coastline and 2,000 islands, the charter options in Greece are extraordinary. Places like Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes resonate with historical significance and the variety in location, scale and character of the archipelagos creates a bewildering choice. Do you opt for the Saronic Islands? The Cyclades and Dodecanese in the Aegean Sea? Or the Ionian chain off the mainland’s west coast? From uninhabited hideaways to bustling resorts and from beaches and seascapes to history and hedonism, a Greek yacht charter has the capacity to satisfy your wanderlust like few other destinations. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Greece • Start Port Corfu • End Port Zakynthos • Distance < 170 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Mykonos to Santorini • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 C O R FU TOW N
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The dramatically mountainous island of Corfu is a renowned walking destination, a hub for beachgoers and a treasure trove of archaeological remains. Corfu Town provides a pleasant blend of old and new, with a vast marina and high-class shops alongside a pair of fortresses and a resident population impressively unmoved by modernity.
Just between Kefalonia and the mainland lies Ithaca – an unspoiled yachting haven with good hiking, authentic tavernas, a fine beach at Gedaki and plenty of opportunity for diving and sea kayaking. The rocky landscapes periodically give way to verdant olive groves and Ageri in Frikes is a Greek restaurant at the very top of its game.
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5 K EFALO N IA
The dramatic caves, limestone cliffs and glorious beaches of the Paxi archipelago make them some of the finest cruising grounds in Greece. Paxos, the main island, offers lots of sheltered inlets so you can explore the rock formations or anchor up for some snorkelling; and Antipaxos, the second largest island, is a hotspot for local wines.
From Myrtos Beach and the steep sea cliffs of the northwest to the Melissani Cave in the east, Kefalonia is radically beautiful. Argostoli, the main port, was rebuilt in the 50s after an earthquake but the island retains plenty of historical sites and the variety and calibre of bays means huge flexibility for the visiting yachtsman.
3 L E FKA S
6 ZAK YN T H O S
Butted up close to Greece’s western shore with excellent shelter from the swells of the Ionian Sea, Lefkas Town is a natural centre for marine tourism and the shops, bars and restaurants reflect that. The open sea coast offers fine beaches and Nydri and Vassiliki are ideal for watersports. Meganisi, with its quaint villages and sheltered anchorages, makes an attractive stop en-route to Ithaca.
The Ionian resort of Zakynthos is a classic Greek cocktail of party venue, coastal paradise and authentic island lifestyle. The liveliest nightlife is to be found at Laganas; for seclusion, the west coast is ideal; and for somewhere in between, Alykanas is a great place to perch in a comfy taverna, munching on souvlaki and sipping cold beer.
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LGKR Corfu Airport
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Aktion National Airport 3
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RANGE Approximate nautical miles
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Corfu – Paxi 33 Nm Paxi – Lefkas 35 Nm Lefkas – Ithaca 35 Nm Ithaca – Kefalonia 20 Nm Kefalonia – Zakynthos 33 Nm
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Kefalonia International Airport
Zakynthos International Airport 6
THE IONIAN ISLANDS IONIAN ODYSSEY
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
AEGEAN ISLAND ADVENTURE ... In the southern reaches of the Aegean Sea, between the Greek mainland, the Turkish Riviera and the northern shores of Crete, the Cyclades island group is arguably Greece’s most alluring destination. It’s a place where chalky, whitewashed walls, colourful rooftops, olive groves, vineyards and classical ruins perch above picturesque old harbours and deserted coves. It’s a place of shipwrecks, sunsets and sandy beaches; of honeymooners and romantic escapes. From the slow, traditional rurality of Syros to the ‘destination glamour’ of modish Santorini, the varied delights of this close-packed archipelago are easily accessible on a week’s charter from Athens. SUGGESTED ITINE RARY
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Region Greece • Start Port Athens • End Port Santorini • Distance < 195 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Naxos and Delos • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 AT H E N S
4 PARO S
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With an enviable position just five miles from the city centre, Athens Marina puts you on the cusp of elegant streets, fast-paced urban entertainments and extraordinary archaeological sites. The Acropolis and Parthenon are of course major highlights, but the genteel Plaka quarter is also a memorable place for its authentic Greek cuisine.
While it doesn’t enjoy the exalted profile of its noisy neighbours, Paros is a major highlight for cruising yachtsmen. The relative absence of tourists makes the elegant capital much easier to enjoy and the proximity of smaller Antiparos to the southwest offers plenty of opportunity for a sheltered inlet and a private swim at anchor.
2 SYR O S
5 FO LEGAN DRO S
The island of Syros is not a carefully preserved tourist utopia, but an authentic Greek hub, with the bustling old Cycladic port town of Ermoupoli at its heart. While the bulk of the island is rural, Ermoupoli is an apex for ferry travel in the north, a fine gastronomic destination and a happily uncontrived four-season resort.
The modest size and sparse population of Folegandros gives it a remote, natural beauty as yet unaffected by tourism. The port town of Karavostasi is a pleasant low-key experience and in accordance with its reputation as the ’Island of Peace’, the leafy town of Chora is closed to motorised traffic. This is as pristine as an Aegean hideaway gets.
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3 M Y KO N OS
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Mykonos is well established as a party destination, but it’s not just about all-night clubbers. It’s also a magnet for cruise ship visitors, preening fashionistas and touring celebrities. In addition to its cosmopolitan profile, Mykonos boasts some fine beaches, many with useful anchorages, plus a renowned restaurant scene and some crowdpleasing Cycladic architecture.
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Athens International Airport
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Mykonos Airport Naxos Airport
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5
6 SAN T O RIN I
6
...
Romantic Santorini is the most classically beautiful island in the entire archipelago. Blessed with dramatic clifftop towns such as Fira and Oia, plus rich vineyards and famous sunsets, its inverted C-shape offers plenty of shelter from the swells so you can anchor up in peace – and there are several smaller volcanic islands within easy reach.
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Santorini Airport
R A NG E Approximate nautical miles
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Athens – Syros 76 Nm Syros – Mykonos 18 Nm Mykonos – Paros 25 Nm Paros – Folegandros 38 Nm Folegandros – Santorini 38 Nm
THE CYCLADES AEGEAN ISLAND ADVENTURE
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
COASTLINE OF CONTRASTS ... Set against the backdrop of the Taurus Mountains, on the boundary between the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, Turkey’s ‘Turquoise Coast’ is a vibrant clash of contradictions. On the one hand, it offers secluded coves, plunging landscapes and long, golden beaches. On the other, it blends ancient cities and oriental bazaars with the effortless opulence of first-rate eateries and glittering superyacht harbours. Here, on the overlap between east and west, Turkey’s kaleidoscopic Riviera also enjoys one of the world’s most charter-friendly climates, with more than 300 days of sun each year and some of the warmest waters in the Mediterranean. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Southwest Turkey • Start Port Bodrum • End Port Göcek • Distance < 155 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Göcek to Antalya • Peak yachting season July to August • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 B O DR U M
6 GÖCEK
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2 K N IDO S
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4 MA RMA RIS
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The Bodrum Peninsula is full of ancient ruins, entertaining bars and memorable beach resorts, but the city of Bodrum on the south side is the destination of choice. Set around a complex, meandering waterfront with a magical harbour at its heart, this classical Aegean hub is guarded by St Peter’s Castle, a medieval fortress perched high above the water.
Knidos is a 2,500-year old Dorian port city set against a steep, lighthouse-topped outcrop. The remains of this once prosperous settlement are by no means pristine but the broad scatterings of pathways, buildings and temples are impressively atmospheric. Anchoring in the bay and taking the tender ashore on an exploratory voyage is a memorable trip.
Entertaining Marmaris Harbour enjoys a dreamy backdrop, with turquoise seas in the foreground and mountainous hillsides to the rear. There’s an attractive (if compact) old quarter, plus a 16th century hilltop castle gazing down over the scene. Come here for the pleasant bay, the nightlife and the accessible diving and leave when antiquity beckons.
Göcek is a key charter hub on the Turkish Riviera, with a fine natural position and a first-class marina. The town offers excellent access to the coves and islands of this protected yachting region and there are also useful stopping points at Skopea Marina and at the Club Marina in beautiful Bungus Cove.
5 EKINCIK / D A LYA N
3 DAT ÇA
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...
The deeply inset, beach-lined bay at Ekincik makes a fine anchorage, with great shelter between long verdant slopes. The scenic walks from Ekincik east towards the pretty riverside town of Dalyan are among the best in Turkey and the ancient ‘Kings’ Tombs of Kaunos’ (elaborate Lycian tombs carved into the cliff face) are not to be missed.
Datça is the primary harbour town on the peninsula of the same name and it makes a useful base for land access to Knidos. It has three beaches, one to the east, one by the main street and one (Taslık Plajı) at the end of the harbour with a pool fed by hot springs. The Datça Vineyard is well worth a visit.
Milas-Bodrum Airport
1 4 5 2
6
3
Rhodes International Airport R AN G E Approximate nautical miles
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Bodrum – Knidos 23 Nm Knidos – Datça 24 Nm Datça – Marmaris 50 Nm Marmaris – Ekincik 20 Nm Ekincik – Göcek 37 Nm
Dalaman Airport
TURKISH RIVIERA COASTLINE OF CONTRASTS
WHEN TO GO J U LY – A U G U S T
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
CHARTER MASTERCLASS ... Croatia’s Adriatic coastline looks like it might have been engineered specifically with yacht charter in mind. From Italy to Montenegro, the west-facing shore runs south in stratified ranks of coastal landmass, generating not just extra shelter for charter yachts but also more interesting seascapes, more secluded cruising regions and a virtually inexhaustible supply of lovely anchorages. With more than 1,200 islands, allied to one of Europe’s sunniest climates and several of the world’s most glorious UNESCO-protected cities, this hallowed land of olive groves and vineyards offers enormous potential for a bespoke yacht charter itinerary. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Croatia • Start Port Split • End Port Dubrovnik • Distance < 155 Nm • Destinations 6 Alternative route Rjeka to Zadar • Peak yachting season May to October • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 SPL IT
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2 HVAR
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4 KORCULA TOWN
6 D UBROVNIK
Propped up against a mountainous backdrop, the ancient architecture of this exuberant city is thrilling. Though often used as an access point to the exotic charms of Croatia’s Adriatic archipelagos, it is a special destination in its own right, with plenty of bars, shops and restaurants and one of the most engaging waterfronts in Europe.
The buzzing tourist hub of Hvar enjoys a fine position for access to the outlying islets, sandy bays and sheltered anchorages – and the port of Hvar itself is a superb example of antiquity turned chic. It has the suave, upmarket character of the Italian Riviera, complete with boutique shops and restaurants and a gregarious feelgood nightlife.
Traditional Croatian island, Korcula, is wonderfully calming. Like so many parts of this region, the land is awash with vineyards and olive groves and the main port city is so idyllic, it almost defies credibility. With its blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, swaddled in vast anti-piracy fortifications, this imposing coastal citadel is a treat.
Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Inside its vast city walls, thousands of years of architectural heritage and cultural colour create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Whether you drink local wine at a harbourside eatery or feast among the ramparts at a worldclass restaurant, simply being here is a pleasure you won’t forget.
3 BISEV O
5 MLJ ET
The tiny Dalmatian island of Bisevo offers some of the Mediterranean’s best fishing and in Porat Beach, one of its finest stretches of sand. However, the greatest attraction is Blue Grotto – a sea cave among the steep limestone cliffs of the eastern shore that glows an eerie blue as the sun rebounds off the white seabed.
Mljet is the island that is said to have captivated Odysseus for seven years – and at the national park in the west, that’s not hard to believe. With lots of fine anchorages, not least at Pomena and Polace, the island’s saltwater lakes are easily accessible by tender. Further east, Mljet’s famous shipwreck dive sites are equally compelling.
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R AN G E Approximate nautical miles
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Split – Hvar 24 Nm Hvar – Bisevo 24 Nm Bisevo – Korcula 32 Nm Korcula – Mljet 40 Nm Mljet – Dubrovnik 35 Nm
Split Airport
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Airport Brac 2 3 4
5 6
Dubrovnik Airport
Tivat Airport
CROATIA CHARTER MASTERCLASS
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
DIVER’S DREAM ... While Alexandria and Port Said on Egypt’s Mediterranean shore attract plenty of international tourism, the Red Sea is a prime region for an exotic yacht charter. Stretching between the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden with Africa on one shore and Asia on the other, the Red Sea is a glittering expanse of turquoise waters, replete with internationally acclaimed dive sites. It’s a place of vast reefs, pristine beaches and sunbaked desert; of five-star charter resorts that give way to unspoiled waterfront settlements and ancient desert shores. The Sinai Peninsula in the far north is the ideal starting point for a unique voyage of discovery. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Egypt • Start Port Hurghada • End Port Sharm-El-Sheikh • Distance < 80 Nm • Destinations 5 Alternative route Dahab • Peak yachting season All-year round • Time zone UTC + 2 hours 1 H UR GH A D A
4 N ABQ
The yachting hub of Hurghada on Egypt’s mainland shore enjoys a cosmopolitan nightlife and a reliable tourist throng. Its hedonism is well balanced by the gruff tranquility of the old town and various land-based pursuits like camel riding and desert treks. The prettier town of El-Gouna, a short hop north, also warrants a closer look.
Just past Sharm-El-Sheikh, on the eastern shore of the Sinai Peninsula, lies Nabq – an unspoiled Red Sea destination, with spectacular diving and useful shelter on the south side of the outlying islands. If you have the time, Dahab, further north, is a more modern, leisure-ready destination for roaming Aqaba Gulf tourists.
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2 GIFT UN I S L A N D S
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Sharm-El-Sheikh International Airport 3
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The Red Sea is not short of uninhabited islands, but the Giftun Chain is particularly noted for its exemplary waters. There are plenty of places to find a good anchorage in the lee of the prevailing northerlies and although the islands are largely sunbaked desert, the subsurface diversity more than makes up for that. 3 R A S M OHA MME D M AR IN E PA R K
RA NGE Approximate nautical miles
If you don’t object to the dive tourists who come for the clear, warm waters, sub-surface caves and astonishing corals, the Ras Mohammed Marine Park is a magnificent place to witness the Red Sea’s sparkling wildlife. If diving isn’t your thing, it’s just as good for an informal snorkel or a beach jaunt in the tender.
5
5 SH ARM - EL- SH EIK H Sharm-El-Sheikh is the core base for most Red Sea exploration. It provides plenty of first-class beaches, easy-access to various dive sites and a broad choice of luxury waterfront resorts. The main strip at Naama Bay is the partygoer’s heartland, but there are also plenty of waterfront eateries and some atmospheric markets in the old town.
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Hurghada – Giftun: 20 Nm Giftun – Ras Mohammed: 25 Nm Ras Mohammed – Nabq: 22 Nm Nabq – Sharm-El-Sheikh: 12 Nm
1
2
Hurghada International Airport
THE RED SEA THE DIVER'S DREAM
WHEN TO GO M AY – O C T O B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE NORTHERN EUROPE
WHEN TO GO JUNE – AUGUST
NORTHERN EUROPE
... With its ancient labyrinth of waterways, trade routes, imperial cities and virgin landscapes, Northern Europe is a magical yacht charter zone. From the wild glacial majesty of Norway’s west coast to the infectious feel-good vibe of Denmark, the stylish modernity of Sweden and the cultural treasures of Russia’s Baltic coast, it has the variety to satisfy even the most ambitious charter yacht explorer. C RUI S I N G ZO N E S ...
Norway • Denmark • Sweden • Russia
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CRUISING GUIDE NORTHERN EUROPE
BALTIC BONANZA ... In West Norway, where the fjords come into dramatic union with the open sea, Bergen grants easy access to thousand-metre cliffs, majestic waterfalls and blissful anchorages. For a more sophisticated slice of urban finesse, medieval Copenhagen, on the islands of Zealand and Amager, is arguably the most thrilling yacht charter base in Scandinavia. If true nautical flavour is what you want, Sweden’s capital is well placed, with the Baltic on one side and island-rich Lake Malaren on the other. And for an unmatched cocktail of opulence, confidence and cultural vitality, St Petersburg, on Russia’s Baltic coast, is a truly iconic charter destination. N ORT HERN EUROP E S N APS H O T
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With wrecks, reefs and sheltered waters, Norway’s diving is world famous. Copenhagen is a world hub for Michelin-starred restaurants. Sweden comprises more than 24,000 islands and 95,000 lakes. St Petersburg offers 64 rivers, 48 canals and 92 miles of coastline.
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2 CH O O SE DEN M ARK FO R...
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3 CHOOSE SWED EN FOR...
4 CHOOSE RUSSIA FOR ...
Steep mountains Colourful towns Historic harbours Majestic fjords
Seafaring cities Fine food Striking modernity Elegant heritage
Island culture Healthy living Upmarket style Scenic splendour
Opulent palaces Iconic museums Boutique shops Imperial heritage
1 C H O O S E N ORWAY F OR...
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2
Bergan Airport Stockholm Arlanda Airport
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Pulkovo Airport
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Oslo Airport
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Copenhagen Airport
NORTHERN EUROPE B A LT I C B O N A N Z A
WHEN TO GO JUNE – AUGUST
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CRUISING GUIDE INDIAN OCEAN
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
OCTOBER
INDIAN OCEAN ... An Indian Ocean charter is about cutting yourself off from the rest of the world among remote island resorts, virgin palm forests, secluded coves and pearlescent coral atolls. The tiny tropical landscapes of the Seychelles and the Maldives feel almost overwhelmed by the ocean – and yet their blissful seclusion is splendidly tempered by unimpeachable opulence and some of the rarest marine life on the planet. C RUI S I N G ZO N ES ...
The Maldives • The Seychelles
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CRUISING GUIDE INDIAN OCEAN
TROPICAL OCEAN ADVENTURES ... Nowhere is more keenly tied to the sea than the Maldives. With 1,200 islands over 35,000 square miles of Indian Ocean, this tropical nation is more than 99% water. The remaining 1% comprises a scattering of charter-friendly coral atolls, each with a saltwater lagoon hemmed in by a circular reef and inhabited by the world’s most spectacular marine life. From huge pods of dolphins to whale sharks, sperm whales, manta rays and hammerheads, a wildlife tour here is not about searching; it’s merely about opening your eyes. With its astonishing oceanic backdrops, the Maldives is a tropical yacht charter like no other. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Maldives • Start Port Malé • End Port Malé • Distance < 260 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Ari Atoll • Peak yachting season December to April • Time zone UTC + 5 hours 1 MALÉ
5 K AN U H U RA
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Malé is unlike anywhere else in the Maldives. Inside its mighty ring of seawalls lies a tight-packed high-rise cityscape, cut through with narrow streets and charged with the fractious clatter and bustle of an authentic 24-hour hub. An artificial beach on the east of the city provides welcome relief with a cooling summer swim.
Genteel but informal Kanuhura Island is a place where classical villas perch on stilts above the water’s surface. In addition to the obligatory spa, there are five upmarket restaurants, a useful watersports scene and even a nightclub. Anchor off this lovely island and head ashore for a gourmet dining experience in spectacular surroundings.
2 H UVAF E N F U S HI
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Huvafen Fushi is an extraordinary oasis of five-star pampering in a delectable setting. Down at the shore, huge rays come to feed in the shallows by the chic beachside bar – and the tropical decadence continues elsewhere, with six gourmet restaurants, a famous subsurface spa and easy access to lots of equally alluring islets. 3 R AS DHOO
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The compact Rasdhoo Atoll comprises a near perfect ring of coral with Rasdhoo Island at its entry point and a pair of alternative resorts for visitors to consider in the form of Kuramathi and Veligandu. It’s a popular daytrip destination from the neighbouring resorts and it’s also a great place to go diving with hammerheads. 4 L ANDA A G I R A AVA R U
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6 K AASH IDH O O ISLAN D
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Unlike most Maldive islands, Kaashidhoo is perched out on its own in an expanse of oceanic terrain. Bananas, lemons and watermelons are grown here and the lagoon also provides shelter for various northbound boats. With a scattering of Buddhist monuments to supplement its classic Maldive allure, this is one of the region’s most diverse and multi-textured resorts.
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7 DH IFFU SH I
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On the eastern edge of the North Malé Atoll, Dhiffushi is one of the most tranquil islands in the Maldives. Well-regarded Meerufenfushi Island with its resort, spa, restaurant and bar, is only a short hop north, but with its slower, more relaxed pace, Dhiffushi makes the ideal refuge before a return to the happy mayhem of Malé.
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At the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll lies Landaa Giraavaru and the famous Four Seasons Resort. With a vast natural lagoon and more than 40 acres of tropical island wilderness at your disposal, you can swim with rays and whale sharks, dine at one of three restaurants or luxuriate at the island spa.
RA NGE Approximate nautical miles
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Malé – Huvafen Fushi 16 Nm Huvafen Fushi – Rasdhoo 25 Nm Rasdhoo – Landaa Giraavaru 60 Nm Landaa Giraavaru – Kanuhura 35 Nm Kanuhura – Kaashidhoo 40 Nm Kaashidhoo – Dhiffushi 35 Nm Dhiffushi – Malé 42 Nm
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1
Ibrahim Nasir international Airport
MALDIVES TROPICAL OCEAN ADVENTURES
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
APRIL
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CRUISING GUIDE INDIAN OCEAN
PA R A D I S E REDISCOVERED ... A thousand miles off the African coast, in the western reaches of the Indian Ocean, the 115 equatorial islands that make up the Seychelles are the epitome of a tropical paradise. The natural arrangement of granite islands, curved coral reefs and sheltered saltwater lagoons makes the Seychelles an ideal venue for watersports – not least surfing, diving, fishing and kayaking. The chief cruising grounds tend to revolve around the three primary islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, but whichever region you choose, a Seychelles yacht charter encompasses steep, forested mountains, spectacular golden beaches and clear turquoise waters teeming with marine life. SUGGESTED ITINE RA RY
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Region Seychelles • Start Port Mahé • End Port Praslin • Distance < 100 Nm • Destinations 7 Alternative route Desroches to Les Souers • Peak yachting season April to October • Time zone UTC + 4 hours 1 MAHÉ
3 FREGAT E ISLAN D
Mahé is often used as the central hub for a Seychelles charter holiday, but with around 70 beaches, plus a busy port and a lively market, the island is not without merit. Top entertainments include watching giant turtles, swimming with dolphins and hiking the tropical mountains of the Morne Seychellois National Park.
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2 SIL H O U E TTE I S L A N D
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Silhouette Island is a place of astonishing loveliness. The walking, diving and fishing are superb and as both a national park and a national marine park, that’s not likely to change. But there’s luxury as well as rusticity here, with a selection of high-end spa developments, not least in the form of the five-star Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort.
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5 GRA ND E SOEUR
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7 PR A SLIN
As one of the largest private island resorts in the entire archipelago, Fregate’s white sandy beaches are an important wildlife haven for Hawksbill turtles and Aldabra giant tortoises. Aside from the inherent pleasures of isolation, there are also some super-exclusive holiday resorts and villas here – ideal for those intent on serious escape.
Grande Soeur and Petite Soeur sit at the eastern perimeter of the inner isles, near Félicité and Ile Cocos. There are no moorings available but there are good anchorages on the western side of Grande Soeur, offering access to big ocean views, great walks, idyllic picnic opportunities and high-class diving in fish-rich waters.
With its bleached, powdery sands, scatterings of pink boulders and magnificent bays and coves, the Seychelles’ second largest island is a beach lover’s paradise. Diving off the north coast is also a treat and the UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai primeval palm forest is a place of international importance.
4 LA DIGU E
6 CUR IEUSE
RANGE Approximate nautical miles
La Digue offers a very low-key form of tourism, with a modest peppering of guesthouses and restaurants, plus some watersports operators, bicycle providers and horse-riding companies. However, it remains at heart a simple Creole island, with ox carts, plantation houses and blissful white beaches – and it’s all the more appealing for that.
Despite the absence of any hotels or restaurants, the protected island of Curieuse remains a key destination for day-trippers from neighbouring Praslin. Its National Marine Park status means you have to pay to enter (and to moor overnight), but its mangrove forests, turtle breeding grounds and glorious dive sites certainly make up for that.
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Mahé – Silhouette Island 18 Nm Silhouette Island – Fregate Island 41 Nm Fregate Island – La Digue 15 Nm La Digue – Grande Soeur 6 Nm Grande Soeur – Curieuse 11 Nm Curieuse – Praslin 8 Nm
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Praslin Island Airport
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Seychelles International Airport 1
SEYCHELLES PA R A D I S E R E D I S C O V E R E D
WHEN TO GO APRIL – OCTOBER
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CRUISING GUIDE THE CARIBBEAN
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
APRIL
THE CARIBBEAN ... The Caribbean is littered with uplifting destinations. From the peerless exclusivity of Mustique to the festival energy of the Bahamas, the textured colonial heritage of the Virgin Islands and the piratical narratives of Antigua; from Florida in the north to Bonaire in the south and Barbados in the east – this vast, multicultural maritime playground is a place of Paradise islands, open ocean wildlife and thrilling historical intrigue. C RUI S I N G Z ON ES ...
Florida • Bahamas • British Virgin Islands • Windward Islands • Leeward Islands
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CRUISING GUIDE THE CARIBBEAN
ASTRAL PROJECTION ... T R E V O R O H L S S E N , S K I P P E R O F M / Y A S T R A , TA L K S A B O U T H I S C A R I B B E A N A D V E N T U R E S . . . IY: So Trevor, tell us a bit about your Caribbean itinerary. ... TO: Well the crew enjoys getting off the beaten track as much as I do, so we were delighted to get the chance of an extended winter cruise. This year, we didn’t just do the central Caribbean, which is quite a common base for charter yachts. We were able to cover everything from the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) in the north to Grenada in the south and right across to the Windward Islands. We saw some amazing parts of the world. So what kind of charter does the Caribbean offer? ... The Caribbean is basically a long string of islands, so with our cruise, we tried to choose the best weather areas, minimising the passages between each stop, and selecting a new island for each new day. It worked really well, but to get the best out of it, you do need a large, seaworthy tender to ferry passengers ashore, to enable proper fishing trips and to cater for divers. What were your most memorable destinations? ... The Caribbean is full of special places and special memories, but the BVIs are a particular highlight. There’s so much to do, including some extraordinary wreck diving. Virgin Gorda Sound, a large sheltered bay in the BVIs, offers some wonderful scenery and a few casually knocked up yacht clubs and restaurants. There are plenty of other bays that offer something similar, but Virgin Gorda really is charming and full of character. Antigua has a wilder, more rustic magic to it. It’s less commercialised and less built up, so it’s all about horse rides along the beach and little bays where all you see is the natural environment and the odd ramshackle wooden hut. And St Vincent and the Grenadines, further down toward the Windwards, is also amazing. What were the best activities during your Caribbean cruise? ... The Caribbean enables you to enjoy all your equipment, from the jetskis to the paddle boards, the Seabobs and the towable toys, but diving really is huge. If guests want to do a course, we have an instructor on board and for those who are already trained, the opportunities are tremendous. The Caribbean is also full of really wild sandy beaches lapped by warm, turquoise waters. Antigua is great for that, as is Anguilla, just north of St Maarten, and if you want slightly more built up beaches, the BVIs is also a wonderful spot. But they really are everywhere. In this part of the world, you can pretty much choose an island at random and find several beaches that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Where can you find the best food? ... Caribbean cuisine is generally quite rustic, so true fine dining is difficult to find, but the food is full of character. The BVIs have the best restaurants but for really good local food, the Windward Islands are fantastic. What about parties? ... The Caribbean is great for that. St Maarten and St Barths are well attuned to parties and nightlife and St Barths in particular is a great place for a jazzy night out. Is there a private hideaway that sticks in the memory? ... Down in St Vincent and the Grenadines, there are so many islands that it’s easy to get away from the crowds. Take an early morning cruise and you’ll find some great spots for a lazy day at anchor. What one thing should a Caribbean charter guest not miss? ... Tobago Quays in the Grenadines is spectacular. There are a couple of small islands and coral reefs and there’s a spot where you can enjoy some amazing swimming, snorkelling and diving. It’s a sanctuary as well, which makes it that much better. It’s just stunning; a place of white sandy beaches and palm trees; of reefs, aquamarine waters and wildlife, with fish and turtles and an abundance of exotic birds. It’s exactly what most people imagine when they think about Paradise. Is there anywhere in the Caribbean you would still like to go? ... If we go back, I would be tempted to head a little further west toward Puerto Rico and Cuba. I would be greatly interested in that and I’m sure the guests would be equally enchanted. There are some great cruising grounds on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal too. The San Blas Islands and Bocas del Toro are fantastic wild getaways that I would love to explore if the opportunity arises.
M/Y ASTRA IN THE CARIBBEAN Q & A W I T H C A P TA I N O H L S S E N
WHEN TO GO M AY – S E P T E M B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE THE CARIBBEAN
T R O P I C A L C O C K TA I L ... Between the Gulf of Mexico and the open Atlantic, the Northern Caribbean is a place where cruise ships and charter yachts mingle with vast marine migrations, vibrant island cultures and deep-rooted nautical heritage. While once it was a hotbed of piracy, today its vibrant coral reefs are home to some of the world’s most legendary dive spots and wildlife sites. With its pungent mix of upmarket travellers, genial residents, lively tourist destinations and deserted tropical islands, it’s a truly memorable region. FL O RIDA
...
From Palm Beach to Key West, the Sunshine State’s oceanic coastline marries city excitement with tropical seclusion to great effect. From the vibrant, Venetian-style superyacht hub of Fort Lauderdale to Miami’s Latin American vibe and the welcome serenity of the glittering Florida Keys archipelago, America’s cosmopolitan southwest is one of the greatest charter destinations in the world. B AHAMAS
...
With around 700 islands, comprising everything from tourist hotspots to untouched swellings of reef and rock, the Bahamas is a destination of near mythical status. Shallow seas, warm water, fine beaches and exotic marine life make it a paradise for swimmers, watersports fans and anglers – and cultural tourists are also well served, with a relaxed lifestyle that continues to resonate with musical and nautical heritage.
5
6 4
March Harbour International Airport
3
1
Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport 2
Miami International Airport
Lynden Pindling International Airport
3
1
4
7
6
2
Rock Sound International Airport
5
S U GGES T ED FL O RI DA I T I N E R ARY Approximate nautical miles
SU G G E STE D BAHAMAS ITINE R A RY Approximate nautical miles
Fort Lauderdale (1) – Miami (2) 25 Nm Miami – Key Largo (3) 42 Nm Key Largo – Islamorada (4) 23 Nm Islamorada – Marathon (5) 28 Nm Marathon – Big Pine Key (6) 20 Nm Big Pine Key – Key West (7) 26 Nm
Nassau (1) – Eleuthera (2) 60 Nm Eleuthera – Elbow Cay (3) 110 Nm Elbow Cay – Marsh Harbour (4) 7 Nm Marsh Harbour – Treasure Cay (5) 14 Nm Treasure Cay – Guana Cay (6) 9 Nm Guana Cay – Paradise Island (7) 105 Nm
. ..
7
...
NORTH CARIBBEAN T R O P I C A L C O C K TA I L
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
APRIL
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CRUISING GUIDE THE CARIBBEAN
H E R I TA G E + ELEGANCE ... The Leeward chain comprises several island nations, each with contrasting landscapes and cultural flavours. From the international sophistication of ultra-chic St. Barths and Anguilla to the historical serenity of Antigua and the tropical tranquility of St. Kitts, its multifaceted profile is a treat for those in search of a diverse yacht charter. You can adapt your route to include some of the smaller destinations, like Barbuda, Nevis and Saba; or head further south for the dynamic, French-influenced islands of Montserrat, Dominica and Guadeloupe. However, with its Georgian harbour, world-famous beaches, sumptuous resorts and elegant capital city, the idyllic Caribbean island of Antigua is a critical stopover on any Leeward yacht charter. In the far northwest of the region, the Virgin Islands is a different experience again. The US islands are more lively, developed and glamorous; and the British Virgins are smaller, more authentic and intimate. Enjoy the pristine habitats of Prickly Pear Island or the carnival energy of St Thomas; the rustic marketplaces of Tortola or the laid-back swagger of Cruz Bay. With its year-round sun, floating bars, wreck diving sites and vibrant cultural colour, this Caribbean destination is tailor-made for charter yacht adventure. S U GGES T ED L E E WA RD I T I N E R ARY Approximate nautical miles
2
Clayton J Lloyd International Airport
. ..
1
St Maarten (1) – Anguilla (2) 13 Nm Anguilla – St Barths (3) 22 Nm St Barths – Saba (4) 25 Nm Saba – St Kitts (5) 37 Nm St Kitts – Nevis (6) 6 Nm Nevis – Antigua (7) 40 Nm
Princess Juliana International Airport 3
4
5
Robert L Bradshaw International Airport Vance W Amory International Airport S U GGES T ED V I RGINS I T I N ERARY Approximate nautical miles
6 7
...
St Thomas (1) – Jost Van Dyke (2) 7 Nm Jost Van Dyke – Tortola (3) 14 Nm Tortola – Virgin Gorda (4) 12 Nm Virgin Gorda – Norman Island (5) 16 Nm Norman Island – St John (6) 13 Nm St John – St Thomas 4 Nm
2
Cyril E King International Airport
VC Bird International Airport
Beef Island Tortola Airport
4
3
Virgin Gorda Airport 1 6 5
CENTRAL CARIBBEAN H E R I TA G E + E L E G A N C E
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
APRIL
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CRUISING GUIDE THE CARIBBEAN
C A R N I VA L CRUISING ... The Windward Islands is a complex chain of volcanic landmasses that punctures the surface of the eastern Caribbean – and from the French-influenced gastronomic hotspot of Martinique in the north to the famous spice island of Grenada in the south, it’s a place very much favoured by the world’s yacht charter elite. With steep, tropical peaks wrapped in thick rainforest and sheltered coves visible only to inbound yachts, it has also provided the dramatic backdrop to several swashbuckling Hollywood films. As a charter destination, it offers a memorable scattering of reef, cay and islet and while both St Lucia and St Vincent are rich in rare wildlife, dramatic hiking routes and colonial heritage, the peerless privacy of Mustique makes it one of the world’s most exclusive retreats. S U GGES T ED W I N D WARDS I T I N E R ARY Approximate nautical miles
. ..
Rodney Bay (1) – The Pitons (2) 19 Nm The Pitons – St Vincent (3) 49 Nm St Vincent – Bequia (4)11 Nm Bequia – Mustique (5)13 Nm Mustique – Grenada (6) 69 Nm
1
2
Hewanorra International Airport
3
ET Joshua Airport 4
5
6
Maurice Bishop International Airport
W I N D WA R D I S L A N D S C A R N I VA L C R U I S I N G
WHEN TO GO DECEMBER –
APRIL
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
WHEN TO GO JANUARY – DECEMBER
THE AMERICAS ... From Alaska in the north to Antarctica in the south and from the Atlantic east to the Pacific west, the opportunity for adventure here is fantastically rich. Whether you favour the lost Mayan civilisations of Belize, the magnificent melting pot of Panama or San Francisco’s urban energy, this thrilling region of jungle-drenched volcanic landscapes and vast, creaking glaciers offers a variety and scale unmatched anywhere else in the world. C RUI S I N G ZO N E S ...
Alaska • North California • Nicaragua • Costa Rica • Belize • Panama • Galapagos • Patagonia • Antarctica
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
LANDMARKS + HINTERLANDS ... The ‘Pacific Northwest’, between Alaska and northern California, exhibits an invigorating dynamic between the wild and the well heeled. Alaska is a powerful affirmation of nature’s scale – from intimidating mountains and rolling glaciers to the fearsome spectacle of whales, bears and eagles. San Francisco Bay, however, is a hotbed of fabled urban icons, like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, all wrapped up in a rich landscape of surfing beaches, verdant vineyards, yacht-friendly coves and National Parks. N ORT HWEST AME RI C A S N APS H O T
...
Much of old San Francisco was made from prospectors’ deserted ships. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined. San Francisco is built on the tip of a peninsula with water on three sides. There are more than 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes in Alaska.
1 CHOOSE AL A S KA F OR ...
. ..
Humpback whales Virgin landscapes Vast glaciers Extreme isolation
Juneau International Airport 1
2 CHOOSE NO RT HE R N CA L I F OR N I A FO R...
. ..
Dramatic cityscapes Wine tours Famous sights Maritime tradition
San Francisco International Airport 2
Los Angeles International Airport
NORTHWEST AMERICA LANDMARKS + HINTERLANDS
WHEN TO GO M AY – S E P T E M B E R
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
TRANSOCEANIC E X P L O R AT I O N ... Though it might lack the slick gentrification of the world’s most exclusive yachting destinations, the unpasteurised wildness of Central America’s charter scene is a big draw. Dense jungle landscapes are littered with lakes, rivers, ancient architectural sites and smouldering volcanoes. The towns and villages abound with intoxicating Creole flavours and the unique twin-coast geography offers not just a Caribbean coastline full of desert island delights, but a Pacific shore with big surf beaches and open ocean sport. From exotic Belize to dynamic Panama, Spanish-flavoured Nicaragua and wild Costa Rica, the natural generosity of this yacht charter venue is the stuff of legend. C E N TRAL AMERICA S N APS H O T
...
The jungles of Belize hide some of the world’s most valuable Mayan ruins. More than 13,000 ships pass through Panama’s canal every single day. Lago Nicaragua is home to more than 460 volcanic islands. Costa Rica boasts the highest biodiversity density on the planet.
1 CHOOSE B E L IZ E F OR ...
2 CH O O SE N ICARAGU A FO R...
3 CHOOSE COSTA R ICA FOR...
...
...
Virgin jungle Mayan ruins Subsurface adventure Eco-escapism
Pacific fishing Wreck diving Outdoor adventure Creole culture
Volcanic landscapes Exotic wildlife Big surf beaches ‘Pura vida’ (the pure life)
Atmospheric heritage World trade Cultural dynamism International glamour
. ..
...
Philip SW Goldson International Airport 1
2
Augusto César Sandino International Airport
3 4
Tobias Bolanos International Airport
Tocumen International Airport
4 CHOOSE PA NA MA FOR ...
CENTRAL AMERICA T R A N S O C E A N I C E X P L O R AT I O N
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
M AY
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
THE G A L A PA G O S ISLANDS
... AFTER TRAVERSING THE PANAMA CANAL AND ENTERING THE PACIFIC OCEAN, TREVOR OHLSSEN, SKIPPER OF M/Y ASTRA, EMBARKED ON A JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF THE WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST PRISTINE MARINE ENVIRONMENTS. HERE, HE TALKS TO IMPERIAL YACHTS ABOUT A VERY SPECIAL CHARTER IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS.
G A L A PA G O S I S L A N D S M / Y A S T R A ' S PA C I F I C A D V E N T U R E
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
M AY
GA L A PA GO S
... This remote Pacific island chain has achieved near mythical status among the world’s more adventurous explorers. Home to an enviable array of wildlife, including the Marine Swimming Iguana, the Galapagos Penguin and the Giant Tortoise, it’s the sheer biodiversity of these islands, each with its own distinct character, that remains the primary draw. As one of the most protected areas on the planet, opportunities to visit are of course limited and must be undertaken with a specialist guide, but those who are lucky enough to make the trip leave with an experience to cherish for a lifetime.
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
IY: What kinds of challenges did the Galapagos Islands pose? ... TO: We went at a time of year that is ideal for a calmer sea. The winds were very predictable. They never went beyond 20 knots and that didn’t present a challenge at all. But it’s important for charter guests to understand that the Galapagos Islands is a very wild area, run in the same way as a National Park. It’s not as built up as charter destinations elsewhere in the world. It has very modest amenities and the towns are not as commercialised, so there is no opportunity to go into port and tie up. You have to anchor instead - and that’s not a problem because the region caters very effectively for that kind of yachting. A permit system allows you to access the National Park areas for just two weeks each year and that tight control really raises the game in terms of what you see. To be honest, we experienced the kind of sealife I didn’t think possible So what were your most memorable destinations? ... The island of Floreana towards the south is a really fantastic place. We anchored there overnight and the sealife was just immense. We had three-metre bull sharks, Galapagos sharks and whitetips, all swarming around us after dark. They were on a real feeding frenzy because for some reason our yacht attracted flying fish. The guests were in absolute awe and the water was just frothing with action. Isla Santiago, further north, was also a great spectacle. It’s one of the newest islands, with an extraordinary volcanic landscape and lots of young lava flows and cinder cones. What about your most memorable moments? ... Some of the water toy activities were restricted, but sea swimming with wildlife in the protected zones was astonishing. We swam with sea lions and sharks during the day and the sea lions in particular were amazingly friendly. They came within a metre and played around us as we swam. In fact, they even climbed up the stairs and sat on the sofas and the coffee tables. It was incredible, it really was. They were a massive source of entertainment and being in the water with these animals gave us a real sense of how the oceans might have been thousands of years ago before the human impact took its toll. There was amazing bird life too - frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, birds that are really iconic to the region. They would all fish near the yacht on balls of sardines that would swell to the surface. Eagle rays and manta rays would also leap from the water and our SCUBA diving took us close to hammerhead sharks and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Was there a gastronomic high point? ... It’s very remote, there’s very little farmed produce and the tourism is small-scale so you don’t get any high-end restaurants. The cuisine is very much in line with South American tastes, with plantain, ricebased dishes and exotic fruits I couldn’t even identify. It’s not really a place you would visit for the cuisine alone but with our chef on board, we were still able to enjoy some of the best ingredients from around the world. What about a party hotspot? ... The local entertainment is basic but it feels great. It has a dusty South American feel, with rustic bars and a backpacker vibe. It’s no St Barths, but the Bongo Bar in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, is a really big hit with both locals and travellers. Did you find any special private hideaways? ... The moment you leave the populated areas, they are virtually everywhere but if I had to pick one, the anchorages around Isla Rábida are some of the most perfect natural spots you will ever see. Is there anything else a charter guest might want to know? ... The strict protocols regarding boat numbers and anchorages mean you know the Galapagos Islands won’t be spoiled or over-visited. You know they will give you exactly what you came to see. However, there’s very little in terms of shoreside luxury, so we would urge guests to really embrace the wild loveliness of this pristine natural region and then relish the luxuries on board their yacht. It makes for a wonderful contrast. The ability to enjoy the wildest parts of the world in absolute comfort is such a special thing. ... 01 Isla Floreana 02 Isla Rábida 03 Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 04 Isla Santiago
5
05 Volcán Wolf
4
2
1 3
G A L A PA G O S I S L A N D S M / Y A S T R A ' S PA C I F I C A D V E N T U R E
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
M AY
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CRUISING GUIDE THE AMERICAS
FRONTIER EXPEDITIONS ... While Brazil might enjoy a reputation as the jewel of South America’s yacht charter scene, the regions in the far south offer something unmatched in the rest of the world. At the southernmost tip of the mainland, where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans clash at infamous Cape Horn, the opportunities for adventure are fantastically rich. Here at the bottom end of the Andes, Chile and Argentina exhibit a truly intrepid, ‘frontier-style’ yachting experience – and as you head further south, the extremes intensify at the Antarctic Peninsula, gateway to the world’s most inhospitable continent. SOUT H AMERICA S N APS H O T
...
A yacht charter in this part of the world is always reliant on the weather. The blue whale is a regular visitor to the waters of the far south. The northern peninsula is the only real point of access to the Antarctic. The cruising grounds expand and contract with the ice and the seasons.
1 CHOOSE PATAGON I A F OR ...
...
Whale watching Rolling glaciers Mountain hikes Off-grid exploration Ezeiza International Airport
2 CHOOSE A NTAR CTI CA F OR ...
...
Polar landscapes Expedition yachting Whale watching Pristine isolation
Comandante Armando International Airport
1
Rio Grande Airport
Ushuaia - Malvinas Argentinas International
2
SOUTH AMERICA FRONTIER EXPEDITIONS
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
MARCH
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D CR ES U TI S IN IN AG TIO GN US IDE N SO OUR TT H H EE A RN S T EAUSR IO AP E
WHEN TO GO MO N A YV E– M B E SR E – P T E MABPERRI L
SOUTHEAST ASIA ... This vast charter region is home to some of the world’s most thrilling archipelagos, coral reefs, sea caves and party capitals. It encompasses the wild islands of Indonesia; the famous dive sites of the Philippines; the slick, urban glitter of international city-state, Singapore; the rustic anchorages of Vietnam; and the spectacular food, scenery and people of Thailand. C RUI S I N G ZO N E S ...
Indonesia • Philippines • Singapore • Vietnam • Thailand
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CRUISING GUIDE SOUTHEAST ASIA
FILMSET BACKDROPS ... A yacht charter voyage in Southeast Asia is all about steep, jungle-topped limestone islands, with turquoise bays, vast cave networks, subsurface wildlife and spectacular cuisine. However, it’s also about radical contrasts. You can sip Champagne with the jet set among the glittering hotel bars of mega-rich Singapore or you can haggle for street food in the ramshackle markets of Vietnam’s gruff shoreline settlements. With its exotic concoction of ancient histories, welcoming attitudes and Western-influenced Indo-Chinese cultures, a Southeast Asian yacht charter is an extraordinary thrill. SOUT HEAST ASIA S N APS H O T
...
This vast charter region is home to the world’s finest limestone archipelagos. The island state of Singapore is a pristine millionaire melting pot. The famous Thai party hub of Phuket is one of the world’s finest charter bases. There are more than 10,000 uninhabited islands in Indonesia alone.
. ..
2 CH O O SE T H E P H ILIP P IN ES FO R...
...
3 CHOOSE SINGA POR E FOR ...
4 CHOOSE VIETNA M FOR...
Remote islands Unique wildlife Tropical waters Off-grid adventure
Yachting tranquility Urban hedonism High-class diving Exotic food
Urban modernity Multinational culture Impeccable quality Upmarket entertainment
Traditional towns Private beaches Dramatic scenery Idyllic anchorages
1 CHOOSE INDO N E S I A F OR ...
...
...
Laoag International Airport Da Nang Airport 4 2
Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Ninoy Aquino International Airport Francisco Bangoy International Airport
3
Changi International Airport
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
1
Nhurah Rai International Airport
SOUTHEAST ASIA FILMSET BACKDROPS
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
APRIL
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CRUISING GUIDE SOUTHEAST ASIA
ANDAMAN ARCHIPELAGOS ... While the vast majority of Thailand is landlocked, its southern region juts out beyond Burma, creating a pair of dramatic coastlines – one with the Andaman Sea in the west and one with the Gulf of Thailand in the east. The Gulf coast is certainly a wonderful holiday destination, not least in the form of its world famous Samui archipelago, but with a more settled climate and a prolific wealth of natural, cultural and social treasures, the Andaman coast is among the most alluring destinations in the world. The Andaman Sea also happens to be a very ingratiating playground for the touring yachtsman. It has a wealth of sheltered anchorages and the island of Phuket in Phang Nga Bay is a world-class hub for charter exploration. It offers glorious multicultural cuisines, endless beaches, great scenery, friendly people and a party scene of peerless effervescence. The hundred or so islands in the bay are just as magnetic – exploding almost vertically from the azure waters, with the kind of A-list beauty that has seen them appear in various Hollywood films and achieve worldwide fame as the pinnacle of the Southeast Asian superyacht scene. However, a round trip down the Thai west coast, from Phuket towards Langkawi and Koh Rawi, on the cusp of the Malay border, makes a truly memorable charter – and, arguably, a more diverse and thrilling one even than the fabled waters of Phang Nga Bay. THAILAND SNAPS H O T
...
Thailand’s complex 1,800-mile coastline offers great charter flexibility. The Phang Nga islands have starred in various films including James Bond. Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, is a popular stopover for cruise ships. The Similan Islands, northwest of Phuket, are a major Andaman attraction. Patong Beach on Phuket’s western shore is the region’s premier party venue. Nearby Koh Panyee is a famous village built entirely on stilts. The region’s peak charter season runs from November to April.
Phuket International Airport Krabi Airport
1
CHOOSE T H AIL A N D F OR ...
2
6
3
. ..
Tropical landscapes Exquisite food Hidden bays Legendary nightlife
R AN G E Approximate nautical miles
. ..
Phuket (1) – Phi Phi (2) 25 Nm Phi Phi – Koh Lanta (3) 22 Nm Koh Lanta – Langkawi (4) 95 Nm Langkawi – Koh Rawi (5) 45 Nm Koh Rawi – Koh Racha (6) 80 Nm Koh Racha – Phuket 18 Nm
5 4
Langkawi International Airport
THAILAND ANDAMAN ARCHIPELAGOS
WHEN TO GO NOVEMBER –
APRIL
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y 2 017 V E S S E L S F O R C H A RT E R
...
YA C H T DIRECTORY
... Charter rates are quoted per week for the hire of the yacht but a charter period can be of any length. Charter periods are calculated pro-rata against the weekly rate. High season rates apply to the most popular charter periods, i.e. July / August and Christmas / New Year, and are also normally applicable to all major events such as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Cannes Film Festival. Low season rates apply to all other periods. All rates are correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y 2 017 V E S S E L S F O R C H A RT E R
IMPERIAL FLEET VE S S EL
LEN G TH
B U ILD ER
GUESTS
... ...
R AT E H I G H / L O W R E G ION S U MMER / WI NTER
...
ROMEA TV LEGEND TITANIA MOGAMBO SYCARA V ICON OKTO SILVER ANGEL FORCE BLUE LADY BRITT EXCELLENCE V ILLUSION V AMELS 471 ASTRA OCEAN PARADISE INCEPTION MIA ELISE
81.80m 78.33m 77.40m 73.00m 73.55m 68.20m 67.50m 66.40m 64.50m 63.30m 63.00m 60.00m 58.00m 55.00m 55.00m 55.00m 50.00m 50.00m
Abeking & Rasmussen Lurssen Icon Yachts Lurssen Nobiskrug Nobiskrug Icon Yachts Int. Shipyard Ancona Benetti Royal Denship Feadship Abeking & Rasmussen Benetti Amels Amels Benetti Heesen Trinity Yachts
12 12 26 12 12 12 12 10 12 12 12 12 12 12 10 12 12 12
€875,000 / €875,000 €850,000 / €850,000 €455,000 / €455,000 €600,000 / €490,000 €650,000 / €600,000 €585,000 / €585,000 €550,000 / €500,000 €500,000 / €400,000 €450,000 / €425,000 €245,000 / €235,000 €470,000 / €445,000 €595,000 / €495,000 €399,000 / €350,000 Please enquire €295,000 / €275,000 €290,000 / €255,000 €280,000 / €250,000 €250,000 / €250,000
W Mediterranean / Caribbean Pacific / Pacific N Europe & Med. / S America & Antarctica Mediterranean / SE Asia & Indian Ocean W Mediterranean / Indian Ocean Mediterranean / Caribbean Please enquire / Please enquire Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Arabian Gulf & Ind. Ocean Mediterranean / West Mediterranean Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Please enquire Please enquire Mediterranean / Please enquire Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Bahamas
POLARIS I BLUSH 2 LADIES MANIFIQ SOLARIS ANKA QUARANTA
48.29m 47.24m 46.35m 40.50m 40.16m 40.16m 34.10m
Rossinavi Sunseeker Rossinavi Mondomarine Princess Yachts Princess Yachts Curvelle – Logos Marine
10 10 12 10 12 12 12
€235,000 / €210,000 €220,000 / €200,000 €210,000 / €190,000 €145,000 / €145,000 €154,000 / €140,000 €150,000 / €135,000 €119,000 / €119,000
Mediterranean / Please enquire W Mediterranean / W Mediterranean Mediterranean / Please enquire Mediterranean / Mediterranean Mediterranean / Please enquire Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Mediterranean
GUESTS
R AT E H I G H / L O W
10 10 9 7 8 8 8 8
€75,000 €80,000 €54,000 €55,000 €55,000 €36,000 €28,000 €26,000
...
...
...
PERFORMANCE FLEET VE S S EL
LEN G TH
PHOENICAN KOHUBA MOLLY MALONE KAWAI MINX 66° ABOVE SHAWLIFE LADY M
34.11m Leopard 30.45m Princess Yachts 29.40m Princess Yachts 28.30m Overmarine 27.01m Princess Yachts 25.98m Princess Yachts 21.25m Princess Yachts 20.00m Princess Yachts
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B U ILD ER
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SAILING FLEET VE S S EL
LEN G TH
B U ILD ER
GUESTS
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R AT E H I G H / L O W R E G ION S U MMER / WI NTER
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VERTIGO PERSEUS ^3 Q PRANA
67.20m 60.00m 51.75m 51.70m
Alloy Yachts Perini Navi Alloy Yachts Alloy Yachts
12 12 10 10
€325,000 / €245,000 €250,000 / €250,000 €195,000 / €180,000 €185,000 / €175,000
Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Caribbean West Mediterranean / Caribbean Mediterranean / Caribbean
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CHARTER INDEX S P E C I F I C AT I O N S U M M A RY
... MANIFIQ 40.50 M PA G E 14 4
092 â&#x20AC;¢ 093
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... ASTRA 55.00 METRES PA G E 13 0
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IMPERIAL FLEET
... Create the setting for unforgettable experiences aboard our 2017 portfolio of motor yachts.
094 â&#x20AC;¢ 095
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RoMEA . ..
L E N GTH 81.8 0 ME T R ES
RoMEA 81. 8 0 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
096 â&#x20AC;¢ 097
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RoMEA SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2015 • Length 81.8m /268’ 4” • Builder Abeking & Rasmussen • Guests 12 in 4 double & 2 twin cabins Cruising Speed 14 knots • High Season rate EUR 875,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 875,000 / week Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean
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Crew 23
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One of the biggest motor yachts available in the Mediterranean • Elevator • Indoor and outdoor cinemas Six large staterooms with owner’s full-beam private area including an extra children’s double cabin • Impressive selection of water toys Outstanding interiors decorated with high-end luxury furniture • Beach club with steam room and Jacuzzi Exclusive spa with all facilities, including dedicated massage/beauty therapy areas
RoMEA 81. 8 0 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
098 â&#x20AC;¢ 099
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M AT T B R YA N T ...
THE SKIPPER’S PERSPECTIVE
... IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT BRYANT, CAPTAIN OF M/Y ROMEA 01 RoMEA – superior build quality 02 Terrence Disdale interior 03 The Spa area 04 Captain Matt Bryant 05 Isola Tavolara, Sardinia
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RoMEA 81. 8 0 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
IY: What led you to your current position as Captain of RoMEA? ... MB: I suppose I’m an adventurer at heart. I’ve been a Captain for over 15 years and circumnavigated the globe on some very prestigious motoryachts. I’ve done some spectacular things, from cruising beneath the midnight sun in the Arctic Circle to big game fishing in the Seychelles and Australia. I’m just lucky to have worked aboard some incredible yachts with some really adventurous owners. So what makes RoMEA special? ... It’s very rare to see a vessel of this class available for charter. You’re getting absolutely first-rate German build quality with a Terrence Disdale interior that is truly exceptional. That’s probably the main calling card, but on top of that, RoMEA offers something for everyone – a spa with a professional Spa Manager, providing every treatment you can imagine; a relaxing Beach Club area with sauna and plunge pool; and a forward sundeck Jacuzzi for the complete ‘Wellness Package’. We’ve also got every single watersports toy under the sun, plus an enthusiastic deck crew who love teaching our guests. And after a day of wakeboarding, windsurfing and diving, you can get into our beautiful custom-designed limo tender and drop into Monte Carlo for dinner, while the kids watch a movie under the stars at the outdoor cinema on the bridge deck. It really does tick every box. What are the key challenges of managing such a complex vessel? ... I’m essentially in command of a mini cruise ship so I have the standard Captain’s responsibilities for everything from navigation and safety at sea to the engineering and interior departments. But of course, we’re also running a seven-star boutique hotel at the same time. My job is to guide that experience, so I can be as involved or as ‘light-touch’ as the guests want. One of the great things is feeling out the client and thinking ‘Yeah, they’ll really like this’. So although there is a great deal of organisation that goes on beforehand, we do like to throw in a few surprises. They think they know what to expect and they end up getting so much more. That really contributes to the experience. So how do you respond to some of the more demanding requests? ... What you might consider a totally crazy, out-of-this-world request we would consider very normal, so our calibration is on a different side of the scale. We really love the challenge of providing something customised because it’s all about that unique experience. For instance, if a guest says “I’ve got a birthday party next week and we’re gonna need circus performers and a couple of helicopters”, that’s great. They’re not thinking about the local conditions and the special clearances we need to go over a specific area – or the fact that we’re in the middle of nowhere. But that’s exactly what we thrive on. We make very difficult things look easy and the more of that we do, the better the experience is for the client.
What kind of toys do you use on board? ... Everyone’s got jetskis, seabobs, towables and diving equipment – and we obviously have the same - but we also like to take a more holistic approach to the water. We’ll do stand-up paddleboard safaris and yoga sessions before breakfast. We’re also doing some retro windsurfing at the moment, which is fantastic, and we’ll be bringing in a kitesurfing school this winter as well. When we were in Oman in March, we did some sea kayaking early in the morning in the fjords of the Musandam Peninsula and that was absolutely breathtaking. That’s what I love – activities that create profound and memorable experiences, rather than just blasting around on a jetski. What is your finest memory of this season’s cruise? ... It’s been a real mix. Abu Dhabi is an extraordinary place, with direct helicopter access and a mooring right next to an F1 racetrack. And we were also at the Monaco Grand Prix in May. We moored in the harbour, right in the middle of the action, amongst the whole craziness of the F1 circus. But when you stepped on board and closed the doors, you found yourself in this beautiful, tranquil setting, completely sealed off from the outside world. It really was the perfect antidote. I also loved Tavolara in Sardinia. We anchored off the beach there and had the whole place to ourselves. After a treasure hunt ashore with the kids, we had a huge barbecue and watched the sun go down over the mountains of the National Park. It’s only a couple of hours from where the bulk of the charter yachts go but it’s a real gem of a place that most people never see. So what is it that makes the superyacht charter experience special? ... It’s the personal touch and the privacy. On RoMEA, you’ve got 12 guests and 23 crew and no hotel in the world can match that. We’re all living together in a relatively small space and within a couple of days it becomes a family experience. Our guests have been to the best hotels and restaurants in the world. They’ve got those boxes ticked and all that’s left is something like this. This is the only place they can get authentic, distraction-free family time. It’s so personalised; it’s so private; it’s so tailored to the guests’ preferences that it’s something you simply can’t get anywhere else.
10 0 • 10 1
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ALEXANDER FREY THE CHEF’S PERSPECTIVE ... I N C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H R o M E A ’ S H E A D C H E F, A L E X A N D E R F R E Y … IY: How did you become the Chef of a yacht like RoMEA? ... AF: It all started with a three-year apprenticeship in Switzerland. I worked at a famous five-star hotel called the Victoria Jungfrau, one of the finest in Switzerland, and that’s what made me really want to give it a go in high-end dining. From there I went to Paris and the three-Michelin star Ducasse; and then on to Edinburgh to work with Tom Kitchen. It was only at that point that I started to explore a different direction. I worked a season in the Alps as a private chef and three seasons later, I got my first job on a yacht, a 33-metre Sunseeker. Now, seven years down the line, having worked on several charter vessels, including a 75-metre sail yacht, a 90-metre motoryacht and Imperial’s M/Y ARKLEY, I am proud to have secured a position as Head Chef on RoMEA.
What kind of food do you particularly enjoy serving? ... I’ve done a lot of Asian food over the last few years, so I like to take the guests on that same journey, jumping from country to country, cooking the best of the things I’ve learned in each place. Starting off in China, moving to Sri Lanka and Indonesia and then perhaps returning to my home country of Switzerland for dessert. My homemade truffles are based on those I grew up with and I think they are the very best, so they really appreciate that personal touch. Aside from that, there are plenty of other cuisines that I personally favour but the most important thing is to understand the individual tastes of the guests. I go out and meet them after their first meal on board to find out what they think. It gets the ball rolling and in the end, we are usually able to provide all the dishes they have requested.
What do you enjoy about working as a chef on a charter yacht? ... When you work for a private client, you obviously do what he likes. When you work in a restaurant, you put out your best menu and if the customer doesn’t enjoy it, he goes elsewhere. But on a charter yacht, the whole world’s upside down. You have to tailor the cuisine to each person on board and there’s a real kick in getting that right. Charter guests are usually quite adventurous and that also suits me because I’m very passionate about what I do. They want to see something new, something they couldn’t have at home, but still something with their own twist. If they don’t like game, they don’t like game, so it’s not like cooking for a professional food critic who has to respect every ingredient in its own right. It’s far more personal than that.
What do you like to do when you’re not on duty? ... I love to go to Italy, to go ashore and to be cooked for. I enjoy that more and more. Sometimes we get into conversations with the staff about food and that’s always a pleasure. I also enjoy going for walks and breathing in the fresh air. But even on board, it’s sometimes nice just to pop out and watch a dolphin for a few minutes before returning to the galley.
So where do you find inspiration for your cuisines? ... I take my inspiration from my travels. When I go ashore, I want to try that new restaurant; experience that new ingredient – and I want to include the best of those local influences in the cuisine. I’ve done lots of cooking courses too, particularly since working with Imperial. This summer, for instance, I’ve done two weeks in China; I’ve done a pastry course in Switzerland; I’ve done another in Thailand; in Indonesia; in Sri Lanka. And when travelling, I also take private lessons if I think there is more to be learned. It’s just so useful to broaden your repertoire, because the clients can be very ambitious. They have been to so many places and they’ve tried so many things most people have never experienced. Some of their requests can be a challenge but by continuing to build and learn, I can propose a much broader and more exciting range of cuisines.
What is your most memorable charter destination? ... Corsica and Sardinia are amazing. The landscapes are a mixture of white Caribbean-style beaches and rocky cliff faces. It’s just wonderful. I’ve always said that one day I want to take a sailing yacht with a couple of friends and sail around those islands. But in the future, both as a chef and as a traveller, I would also love to spend some time in Japan. I’ve done a Japanese course at the Tokyo Sushi Academy in Singapore and I felt I was in Japan the moment I walked through the door. I would really love to spend a few of weeks discovering the place for real.
RoMEA 81. 8 0 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
10 2 â&#x20AC;¢ 10 3
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TV 7 8 . 3 3 M E T R E S / 10 C A B I N S
TV S PE C I FI C AT I O N . ..
Year 2008 • Length 78.33m / 256’ 11” • Builder Lurssen • Guests 12 in 7 double, 2 single and 1 twin cabins Cruising Speed 17 knots • High Season rate EUR 850,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 850,000 / week Summer cruising area Pacific • Winter cruising area Pacific
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Crew 25
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Renowned charter vessel with impressive references • Eye-catching design with a newly repainted dove grey hull Impressive interior space thanks to her 13-metre beam • Owner’s deck with private Jacuzzi Spa area with gymnasium equipment • Swimming jet pool facing a double-sided swim-up bar
10 4 • 10 5
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LEGEND SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 1973 (rebuilt 2016) • Length 77.4m / 253’ 11” • Builder Icon Yachts • Guests 26 in 8 double and 5 convertible cabins Crew 19 • Cruising Speed 13 knots • High Season rate EUR 455,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 455,000 / week Summer cruising area Northern Europe & Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Antarctica & South America ...
Iconic vessel cruising in Antarctica & South America in 2017 • Class-1 Ice-breaking hull Certified helipad l • Luxury entertainment on board including gym and cinema Balinese spa • Impressive selection of toys with snow scooters and 3-man submarine
LEGEND 7 7 . 4 M E T R E S / 13 C A B I N S
10 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 10 7
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T I TA N I A SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2006 (refit 2012) • Length 73m / 239’ 6” • Builder Lurssen • Guests 12 in 4 double, 2 master and 1 VIP cabins Crew 20 • Cruising Speed 14 knots • High Season rate EUR 600,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 490,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Southeast Asia & Indian Ocean ...
Flexible accommodation • Vast spaces and exclusive amenities Massage room & beauty salon with on board masseuse and beautician • Exclusive pool with swim-up bar Glass-windowed gym with panoramic views and personal trainer • Jacuzzi
TITANIA 73 METRES / 7 CABINS
10 8 â&#x20AC;¢ 10 9
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MOGAMBO 73.55 METRES / 7 CABINS
MOGAMBO SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2012 (refit 2014) • Length 73.55m / 241’ 4” • Builder Nobiskrung • Guests 12 in 3 double, 1 twin, 3 convertible cabins Crew 20 • Cruising Speed 14 knots • High Season rate EUR 650,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 600,000 / week Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Indian Ocean ...
New refit in 2016 including new painting • Outstanding deck areas on every level • Beach club Spa, sauna and beauty salon, redesigned gym • Floor-to-ceiling windows in contemporary penthouse style salons Master suite with balcony and private dining area • Newly added 7th cabin • Waterslide
110 • 111
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SYCARA V SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2010 • Length 68.2m / 223’ 7” • Builder Nobiskrug • Guests 12 in 5 double, 1 single + pullman berth cabins Crew 18 • Cruising Speed 14.5 knots • High Season rate EUR 585,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 585,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
30sqm swim platform and beach club lounge • Master stateroom on bridge deck with private aft deck Full beach set up • Air conditioned gym on sun deck with private massage room and steam shower Six additional beds for flexible guest sleeping arrangements
SYCARA V 68.2 METRES / 6 CABINS
112 â&#x20AC;¢ 113
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ICON SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2010 (refit 2014) • Length 67.5m / 221’ 5” • Builder Icon Yachts • Guests 12 in 4 double and 2 convertible cabins Cruising Speed 13 knots • High Season rate EUR 550,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 500,000 / week Summer cruising area Please enquire • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
Recently refitted (2014) and extended an extra five metres • Contemporary and elegant interiors Hammam and sauna • Large glass-bottomed pool • Gym • Ultra-modern stabilisation system
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Crew 17
ICON 67.5 METRES / 6 CABINS
114 â&#x20AC;¢ 115
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OKTO SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 66.4m / 217’10” • Builder International Shipyard Ancona • Guests 10 in 5 double cabins Crew 17 • Cruising Speed 16 knots • High Season rate EUR 500,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 400,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Entertainment facilities including dedicated massage/beauty therapy room, Jacuzzi & cinema Six-metre length swimming pool • Striking grey and black pinstripe decks • Elevator from lower deck to bridge deck Private owners’ balcony • Gym on top deck with floor to ceiling windows
OKTO 66.4 METRES / 5 CABINS
FRENCH RIVIERA 116 â&#x20AC;¢ 117
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S I LV E R A N G E L 64.5 METRES / 7 CABINS
SILVER ANGEL SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2009 (refit 2015) • Length 64.5m / 211’ 7” • Builder Benetti • Guests 12 in 5 double and 2 twin cabins Cruising Speed 15 knots • High Season rate EUR 450,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 425,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Arabian Gulf & Indian Ocean
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Crew 19
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Palatial and ultra-modern Art Deco inspired interior with high gloss black laquer, white onyx, silver leaf and Lalique crystal Impressive full-beam master suite • Golf driving range, hammam and scuba gear • Huge entertainment space Split-level sun deck and extensive deck terraces • Sun deck dining with glass-ceilinged atrium
118 • 119
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FORCE BLUE SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2002 (refit 2009) • Length 63.30m / 207’ 8” • Builder Royal Denship • Guests 12 in 5 double and 1 twin cabins Cruising Speed 14 knots • High Season rate EUR 245,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 235,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area West Mediterranean
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Crew 21
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RYA-approved training centre • Fly board and jet surf instructor on board • Talented chef on board with innovative and sophisticated cuisine Impressive salons and entertaining space, with aft deck bridge discotheque • Cinema • Elevator • Fully-equipped gym Private nightclub with DJ booth, lighting rig and sound system • Spa with steam shower, Massage room, hammam, mudbath, sauna & Jacuzzi
FORCE BLUE 63.3 METRES / 6 CABINS
12 0 â&#x20AC;¢ 12 1
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LADY BRITT SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2011 • Length 63m / 206’ 8” • Builder Feadship • Guests 12 in 5 double and 2 twin cabins • Crew 16 Cruising Speed 13.5 knots • High Season rate EUR 470,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 445,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
New RYA training establishment for jet-skis • Authentic Finnish spa with separate fold-down platform to the ocean Dedicated wellness spa with Elemis treatments • Outdoor and indoor cinemas • Michelin star award-winning chef Extensive watersports equipment including Aquaglide fun park
LADY BRITT 63 METRES / 7 CABINS
12 2 â&#x20AC;¢ 12 3
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EXCELLENCE V 60 METRES / 7 CABINS
EXCELLENCE V SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2012 • Length 60m / 196’ 10” • Builder Abeking & Rasmussen • Guests 12 in 5 double in 2 twin cabins Cruising Speed 13 knots • High Season rate EUR 595,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 495,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean
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Crew 15
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Large exterior and interior volume • Midship beach club with balcony Master suite with private deck, Jacuzzi and extra double cabin • Dining space on every level Big screen cinema with surround sound and sensitive reclining seats • Sea level gymnasium with balcony
12 4 • 12 5
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ILLUSION V SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 58m / 190’ 3” • Builder Benetti • Guests 12 in 3 double, 2 twin and 1 convertible cabins Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 399,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 350,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
Sumptuous interior decoration with custom state-of-the-art entertainment system Four meticulously designed decks • Cinema/media room • Huge pebble-laid Jacuzzi Large selection of water sports equipment, including flyboard and Jetovator • Gym equipment
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Crew 13
ILLUSION V 58 METRES / 6 CABINS
12 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 12 7
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AMELS 471 55 METRES / 6 CABINS
FRENCH RIVIERA
A M E L S 4 71 SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2017 • Length 55m / 180’5” • Builder Amels • Guests 12 in 6 double cabins • Crew 13 Cruising Speed 15.5 knots • High Season rate Please enquire • Low Season rate Please enquire Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area West Mediterranean ...
New charter • Available Summer 2017 • Exquisite furniture and decoration by Laura Sessa Main salon includes sliding side doors with access to fold-down balconies to port and starboard Cinema screen and sound system on aft sun deck • Luxury accommodation including full-beam owner and VIP cabins Large Jacuzzi with swimming jet on Sun deck • Beach Club with steam room • Gym
12 8 • 12 9
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ASTRA SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 55m / 180’ 5” • Builder Amels • Guests 10 in 3 double and 2 twin cabins • Crew 13 Cruising Speed 13 knots • High Season rate EUR 295,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 275,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
2015 World Superyacht Awards finalist • Versatile decks with exquisite furniture and equipment Master suite with folding balcony and private office • Highly experienced crew Two folding balconies on main deck • Large sundeck with Jacuzzi, bar, Teppanyaki grill and drop-down TV screen Hydraulic stairs on swim platform • Beach club with steam room • Comprehensive selection of water sports equipment
ASTRA 55 METRES / 5 CABINS
13 0 â&#x20AC;¢ 13 1
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O C E A N PA R A D I S E SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2013 • Length 55m / 180’ 5” • Builder Benetti • Guests 12 in 4 double and 2 convertible cabins • Crew 12 Cruising Speed 15.5 knots • High Season rate EUR 290,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 255,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Very chic design with Japanese garden • Push button glass/mirror walls • Large beach club and retro arcade games Master suite with private balcony • Inside-outside gymnasium • Large selection of water sports equipment
O C E A N PA R A D I S E 55 METRES / 6 CABINS
13 2 â&#x20AC;¢ 13 3
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INCEPTION SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2008 • Length 50m / 164’ 1” • Builder Heesen • Guests 12 in 5 double and 1 twin cabins • Crew 10 Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 280,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 250,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Impressive ultra-modern interiors with ebony wood, luxurious grey fabrics and brown leather • 12-seat Jacuzzi Foredeck teak terrace with automatic clamshell awning converts into an outdoor cinema Giant circular master suite with private sun terrace and infinity pool • Proactive and dynamic crew Great range of water sports equipment including a sport fishing chase boat
INCEPTION 50 METRES / 6 CABINS
13 4 â&#x20AC;¢ 13 5
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MIA ELISE 50 METRES / 6 CABINS
MIA ELISE S PE C I FI C AT I O N . ..
Year 2011 • Length 50m / 164’ • Builder Trinity Yachts • Guests 12 in 5 double and 1 twin cabins • Crew 9 Cruising Speed 17 knots • High Season rate EUR 250,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 250,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Bahamas . ..
Central shaded casual dining with wet bar • Split-level owner’s suite with observation lounge Sun deck with ample sunbathing areas and central shaded casual dining with wet bar Covered terraces on main and upper decks, with al-fresco dining on sky lounge aft deck Large array of water sports equipment including a powerful 40’ sports tender
13 6 • 13 7
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POLARIS I SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 48.29m / 158’5” • Builder Rossinavi • Guests 10 in 4 double, 1 twin cabins • Crew 10 Cruising Speed 15 knots • High Season rate EUR 235,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 210,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
Immaculate bespoke interior designed by Enrico Gobi for Team 4 Design • Vast Portuguese flybridge Multitude of lounging and dining areas inside and outside • Large sauna • Beach club Four-metre swimming pool with glass & titanium waterfall • Plethora of water toys
POLARIS l 48.29 METRES / 5 CABINS
13 8 â&#x20AC;¢ 13 9
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BLUSH SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 47.24m /155’ • Builder Sunseeker • Guests 10 in 3 double and 2 convertible cabins • Crew 10 Cruising Speed 16 knots • High Season rate EUR 220,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 200,000 / week Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area West Mediterranean ...
One of the largest Sunseeker motor yachts ever built • Chic beach house style interior with floor-to-ceiling windows Balconies on both sides of the main salon • Full-beam master suite with balcony Beach club with gym • RYA-certified and licensed to charter in Balearics
BLUSH 47.24 METRES / 5 CABINS
14 0 â&#x20AC;¢ 14 1
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2 LADIES SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2012 • Length 46.35m / 152’ 1” • Builder Rossinavi • Guests 12 in 4 double and 2 twin cabins (1 convertible) Crew 10 • Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 210,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 190,000 / week Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
Sun deck with Jacuzzi, barbecue and bar • Transom with hydraulic swim staircase, sauna and bathroom Full-width gym • Access for wheelchairs on board • Elevator
2 LADIES 46.35 METRES / 6 CABINS
14 2 â&#x20AC;¢ 14 3
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MANIFIQ ...
L E N GTH 4 0 .5 M E T RES
MANIFIQ 40.5 METRES / 5 CABINS
14 4 â&#x20AC;¢ 14 5
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MANIFIQ SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2010 • Length 40.5m / 132’ 10” • Builder Mondomarine • Guests 10 in 4 double & 1 twin cabins • Crew 8 Cruising Speed 15 knots • High Season rate EUR 145,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 145,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Mediterranean ...
Striking exterior lines • Annual equipment updates with extremely high specification interior, including new furniture, fabrics and leathers Sun deck with new six-seat Jacuzzi & solarium • Large dining & lounging areas • Comprehensive entertainment system including Sky & Russian TV Very rare layout for a 40-metre motor yacht with three full-beam suites • Exclusive water sports equipment with jellyfish pool and Seabobs Skylounge converts into a full cinema upgraded in 2016 with 88” curved TV
MANIFIQ 40.5 METRES / 5 CABINS
14 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 14 7
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y IMPERIAL FLEET
SOLARIS ...
LENGTH 4 0.16 M ET RES
SOLARIS 4 0 . 16 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
14 8 â&#x20AC;¢ 14 9
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y IMPERIAL FLEET
SOLARIS SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2014 • Length 40.16m / 131’ 76” • Builder Princess Yachts • Guests 12 in 4 double, 2 twin cabins • Crew 8 Cruising Speed 16 knots • High Season rate EUR 154,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 140,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Please enquire ...
Famous award-winning series • Wide sun deck with Jacuzzi • Custom interior by Mark Berryman Folding balcony in main deck salon • Accommodation includes two master cabins on upper deck and main deck Full-beam gym with separate shower room • Impressive selection of water toys
SOLARIS 4 0 . 16 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
15 0 â&#x20AC;¢ 15 1
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y IMPERIAL FLEET
ANKA 4 0 .16 M E T R E S / 5 C A B I N S
ANKA S PE C I FI C AT I O N . ..
Year 2015 • Length 40.16m / 131’ 76” • Builder Princess Yachts • Guests 12 in 3 double, 2 convertible cabins Crew 7 • Cruising Speed 15 knots • High Season rate EUR 150,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 135,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean . ..
Unique ‘Turquoise Island’ hull colour • Interior accommodation featuring Fendi Casa furniture Wide living areas • Folding balcony • Private main deck master cabin • Exclusive set of water toys
15 2 • 15 3
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Q U A R A N TA SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2013 • Length 34.1m / 111’ 11” • Builder Curvelle – Logos Marine • Guests 12 in 6 double convertible cabins Cruising Speed 13 knots • High Season rate EUR 119,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 119,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Mediterranean ...
World Superyacht Awards 2014 winner • Tasteful interior decoration Catamaran superyacht with much more interior and exterior volume than classic performance yachts in her range Cabins can be reconfigured to over 20 different layouts • Large windows in each cabin
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Crew 6
QUARANTA 3 4 .1 M E T R E S / 6 C A B I N S
15 4 â&#x20AC;¢ 15 5
IMPERIAL CHARTER DIRECTORY 2017
... KOHUBA 30.45 M PA G E 15 8
YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y PERFORMANCE FLEET
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PERFORMANCE FLEET ... Super sleek sports boats and graceful classics. The perfect platform for an intimate family vacation.
15 6 â&#x20AC;¢ 15 7
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YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y PERFORMANCE FLEET
PHOENICIAN SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2013 • Length 34.11m / 111’11” • Builder Leopard • Guests 10 in 4 double and 1 twin cabins Crew 4 • Cruising Speed 35 knots • Rate From EUR 75,000 per week
KOHUBA SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2016 • Length 30.45m / 99’11” • Builder Princess Yachts • Guests 10 in 3 double, 2 convertible cabins Crew 5 • Cruising Speed 17 knots • Rate From EUR 80,000 per week
P H O E N I C I A N 3 4 . 11 M KOHUBA 30.45 M
M O L LY M A L O N E 2 9 . 4 0 M K AWA I 2 8 . 3 M
MOLLY MALONE SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2008 (refit 2013) • Length 29.4m / 96’ 5” • Builder Princess • Guests 9 in 3 double and 1 twin cabins Crew 4 • Cruising Speed 15 knots • Rate From EUR 54,000 per week
K AWA I SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2010 • Length 28.3m / 92’ 10” • Builder Overmarine • Guests 7 in 2 double and 1 twin cabins Crew 3 • Cruising Speed 30 knots • Rate From EUR 55,000 per week
15 8 • 15 9
IMPERIAL CHARTER DIRECTORY 2017
YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y PERFORMANCE FLEET
MINX SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2015 • Length 27.01m / 88’7” • Builder Princess • Guests 8 in 3 double and 1 twin cabins Crew 4 • Cruising Speed 18 knots • Rate EUR 55,000 per week
66° ABOVE SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2008 (refit 2016) • Length 25.98m / 85’3” • Builder Princess Crew 3 • Cruising Speed 20 knots • Rate EUR 36,000 per week
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Guests 8 in 1 double, 2 twin, 1 convertible cabins
M I N X 2 7 . 01 M 66° ABOVE 25.98 M
S H AW L I F E 21. 2 5 M LADY M 20.00 M
S H AW L I F E SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2016 • Length 21.25m / 69’9” • Builder Princess • Guests 8 in 2 double, 2 twin cabins Crew 2 • Cruising Speed 24 knots • Rate EUR 28,000 per week
LADY M SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2013 • Length 20m / 65’7” • Builder Princess • Guests 8 in 2 double, 2 twin cabins Crew 2 • Cruising Speed 22 knots • Rate EUR 26,000 per week
16 0 • 16 1
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... V E R T I G O 6 7. 2 M E T R E S P A G E 16 4
YA C H T D I R E C T O R Y SAILING FLEET
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SAILING FLEET ... An exhilarating way to see the world’s most beautiful shores.
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VERTIGO SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2011 • Length 67.2m / 220’ 6” • Builder Alloy Yachts • Guests 12 in 4 double and 1 twin cabins • Crew 11 Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 325,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 245,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Largest sailing yacht built in the Southern Hemisphere • Deck features oversized Jacuzzi with retractable sunpads, glass screens and aircon Loft style interiors, with children’s classroom and family features • Gymnasium with direct sea access Impressive array of water toys including two tenders and one limousine tender
VERTIGO 6 7. 2 M E T R E S / 5 C A B I N S
PERSEUS ^3 60 METRES / 5 CABINS
PERSEUS ^3 SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2015 • Length 60m /196’ 85” • Builder Perini Navi • Guests 12 in 3 double and 2 twin cabins • Crew 11 Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 250,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 250,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
One of the most innovative charter sailing yachts on the water • Sloop ring with 75m mast Large Kaleidoscape Library with Blueray movies • Foredeck Endless Pool Spa Highly modern interiors with 5-star accomodation • Large selection of water sports equipment
16 4 • 16 5
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Q SP E C IFICATION ...
Year 2008 • Length 51.75m / 169’9” • Builder Alloy Yachts • Guests 10 in 3 double, 2 twin (2 pullman) cabins Cruising Speed 10 knots • High Season rate EUR 195,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 180,000 / week Summer cruising area West Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Multi award-winning yacht • Outstanding sailing performance • Enclosed climate-controlled main cockpit Open-plan main salon • Large flybridge • Jacuzzi on foredeck • Fully customised aft swim platform
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Crew 9
Q 5 1. 7 5 M E T R E S / 5 C A B I N S
PRANA 5 1. 7 M E T R E S / 5 C A B I N S
PRANA SPECIFICAT I O N ...
Year 2006 • Length 51.7m /169’ 7” • Builder Alloy Yachts • Guests 10 in 3 double and 2 twin cabins • Crew 9 Cruising Speed 12 knots • High Season rate EUR 185,000 /week • Low Season rate EUR 175,000 / week Summer cruising area Mediterranean • Winter cruising area Caribbean ...
Mast lift ascends 36m • Open aft deck ideal for entertaining • Transom swim platform unfolds into the sea Foredeck Jacuzzi pool • Large selection of water sports equipment including Seabobs Luxurious contemporary interiors including parquet floorboards and wraparound windows
16 6 • 16 7
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SERVICES NEW CONSTRUCTION
GIVING LIFE TO YOUR DREAM . ..
Longstanding partnerships with some of Europe’s finest luxury shipyards have seen Imperial play a major role in the construction of some of the world’s most famous superyachts – and its burgeoning reputation is a direct result of an all-consuming dedication to the aspirations of the individual client. By deploying an entire team of experienced professionals at the chosen shipyard to monitor and oversee every aspect of the construction, it has generated some true landmark vessels - like EVENT (Amels 60m) and ARKLEY (Lurssen 60m), both of which won World Superyacht Awards; like ASTRA (Amels 55m), SUPPORT VESSEL 6711 (Damen 67m) and PROJECT 783 (Nobiskrug 73.15m); like RoMEA (Abeking & Rasmussen 81.8m), PROJECT Y708 (Oceanco 86m) and the various megayacht projects currently underway. It is easy to talk about attention to detail, but when you step aboard yachts of this extraordinary calibre, the merits of Imperial’s uniquely fastidious approach are palpable. The construction of the client’s ideal yacht is of course a very complex process but with Imperial, it is never a logistical inconvenience. On the contrary, by creating, growing and giving life to each project, our clients enjoy the benefits of our 360-degree approach right from day one. D E L IVERED PROJEC T S ...
PROJECT Y708 86m, Oceanco • RoMEA 82m, Abeking & Rasmussen • PROJECT 783 73m, Nobiskrug SUPPORT VESSEL 6711 67m, Damen • ARKLEY 60m, Lurssen • EVENT 60m, Amels • ASTRA 55m, Amels APOLLO 54m, Amels • PROJECT 455 52m, Amels • BEL ABRI 52m, Amels • RUSH 50m, Overmarine PUMPKIN 50m, Overmarine • MANIFIQ 41m, Mondo Marine • OKKO 41m, Mondo Marine • and many others…
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.. . 01 M/Y EVENT exhibiting exemplary build quality by Amels 02 The Blohm+Voss Hamburg shipyard 03 Craftsmen at work at Heesen & Oceanco 04 Support Vessel 6711 under construction
I M P E R I A L - YA C H T S . C O M
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S EE RWV ICCO N ES NSTRUCTION D EE LW N IVE C ROEN D S PT R O UC J ET CI O T SN
NEW CONSTRUCTION: CHAMPIONING YOUR INTERESTS
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Imperial’s role . .. Imperial protects the future owner’s interests by acting both as the Construction Manager and the Owner’s Representative. Each new project is allocated a set of designated professionals: a Project Manager, based at the chosen yard, to supervise construction on a day-to-day basis and to keep the build on schedule; a Build Engineer, Electrical & Electronics Engineer and Interior Quality Manager to implement internal design and take charge of each detail of the fit-out; a Financial Manager to keep control of finances and to compile regular budget reports for the client; and a Build Captain and Build Engineer to oversee the final stages of construction and to bring the yacht into operation. Throughout the entire process, Imperial’s teams keep a tight grip on the quality, the timeline and the expenses to ensure that all elements of the build surpass the client’s expectations.
Project-tailored toys ... The perfect yachting experience demands more than just the perfect yacht. It also requires the right on board accessories and as a leading builder and supervisor of limo tenders, working tenders and water toys, Imperial understands exactly how to make that happen. During each yacht construction project, its specialist teams will happily oversee the creation or purchase of the toys and tenders – and as a Certified Builder of custom submarines, Imperial’s expertise encompasses every form of marine recreation, from helicopters and submersibles to giant water slides, personal watercraft and Seabobs.
Client collaboration ... While Imperial is fully content to take charge of the entire process, the client can of course be as involved as he likes. You can have full access to the technical elements and a central role in every decision making process; or you can step back and let the Imperial team take care of the finer details. Either way, you will still receive regular reports to keep you abreast of all key events, including progress with build and developments with design, as well as regular financial breakdowns.
... Design & build ... Imperial works with some of the finest designers and shipyards of the modern age - from the celebrated minds of Espen Oeino, Tim Heywood, Laura Sessa, François Zuretti, Terence Disdale and Mark Berryman to famed superyacht builders like Lürssen, Blohm+Voss, Nobiskrug, Abeking & Rasmussen, Oceanco and Amels. Your personal ambitions will help define the most effective combination of designer and builder, but whatever kind of yachting you enjoy, you can rest assured that the people who create your dream will share Imperial’s passion for superyachts – right down to the last exquisite detail.
.. . Full-package services .. . Imperial offers a throughlife management service encompassing everything required for enjoyable and problem-free yacht ownership. From finance, design and construction through to crew, charter, marketing and eventual sale, Imperial’s full-spectrum infrastructure is designed to take care of it. All you have to do is relax and enjoy.
I M P E R I A L - YA C H T S . C O M
MONACO +377 97 98 38 80 MOSCOW +7 985 99 77 300
17 0 â&#x20AC;¢ 171
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SERVICES SALE + PURCHASE
M AT C H I N G YOUR AMBITIONS . ..
Imperial has been involved in some of the most notable superyacht sales of the last ten years. Particular highlights include MANIFIQ (Mondo Marine 40.5m), ELSEA (Italyachts 43m), ARIADNA (Heesen 47m), BEL ABRI (Amels 52m), KISS THE SKY (Amels 52m), ASTRA (Amels 55m), ARKLEY (Lurssen 60m), EVENT (Amels 60m), SUPPORT VESSEL 6711 (Damen 67m), PROJECT 783 (Nobiskrug 73m), RoMEA (Abeking & Rasmussen 82m) and PROJECT Y708 (Oceanco 86m). The reason for success on this scale is Imperial’s recognition that buying and selling yachts is about much more than just business transactions. For brokerage craft, just as for new builds, sourcing, inspecting, promoting and finalising a deal on a major luxury item like a yacht is a highly personal matter. It requires a clear understanding of the client’s wishes, a rigorous grasp of market realities and the utmost discretion. Only with these things in place can you be assured of the right yacht, the best deal and the most positive experience. With a global reach, encompassing every one of the world’s most vital superyacht heartlands, Imperial is well placed to represent buyers and sellers from any country in the world. Whether you are looking to secure your first yacht, sell your existing vessel or upgrade to something larger, you can trust that Imperial has the professionals in place to handle the job. W H Y CHOOSE IMPE RI AL? . .. 1 ... Imperial’s network includes close partnerships with some of the superyacht industry’s most influential players, as well as high-value buyers and sellers throughout the globe.
3 ... A team of surveyors investigates every aspect of a yacht’s condition, ensuring that each Imperial client is fully acquainted with a vessel’s true state and market value.
5 ... An extensive marketing network, allied to targeted media coverage and prestigious yachting events, guarantees worldwide exposure for the seller and extensive choice for the buyer.
7 ... A full set of financial, advisory and legal services helps ensure the completion of a deal without error, discrepancy or delay.
2 ... Imperial has a proven track record in buying and selling both new build and brokerage craft, from as little as 30 metres to well beyond 80 metres.
4 ... Imperial uses highly experienced brokers with real-time knowledge of the global fleet, ensuring that the client’s brief is satisfied with the utmost speed and efficiency.
6 ... With its exclusive range of locations and its ability to negotiate the best deal, Imperial is also well equipped to source the perfect mooring.
Imperial’s full-spectrum service also encompasses design, construction, finance, crew, charter, marketing and management. That enables us to provide a full superyacht support package, however elevated your ambitions become.
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... Imperial sales 01 ADRIANA 47m, Heesen 02 ELSEA 43m, Italyachts 03 EVENT 60m, Amels
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SERVICES YA C H T M A N A G E M E N T
PRIORITISING YOUR LIFESTYLE . ..
With six specialist teams allocated to each and every yacht, Imperial’s 360-degree Global Superyacht Management Service is perfectly set up to help you relax and enjoy your investment. In addition to worldwide, 24-hour, year-round support, every technical, practical and logistical issue is covered. From expense control to crew recruitment and training; from yacht maintenance to compliance and safety; and from marketing to charter, finance and insurance, Imperial takes charge of every element with patience, expertise and discretion. F I R S T- C L A SS C R EW ... In addition to appointing only the most experienced Captains and crew, Imperial conducts year-round training programmes to keep all personnel at prime capability. Contracts and confidentiality agreements are drawn up and a dynamic ‘Crew Management Service’ encompassing a network of proven candidates ensures that Imperial can act with immediate effect to any urgent demands. With a 98% satisfaction rate for all crew placed on board yachts under our management, it is one of the industry’s most effective systems. F I N ANC I A L MAN A G E M E N T ... While some owners are keen to generate charter income from their yachts, others prefer to reserve them for private entertainment. Either way, Imperial puts precise protocols in place to govern how your vessel operates on a day-to-day basis and a designated Financial Manager is a key part of that. In addition to organising budgets and accounts, checking component orders and paying invoices, the Financial Manager prepares regular financial reports for the owner, providing a clear picture of a yacht’s running costs and avoiding any unnecessary expenses. Payroll, compliance and safety issues are taken care of and Imperial can also organise export finance and yacht leasing in association with leading financial institutions like BNP Paribas, ING and UBS.
D AY-TO-D AY OPE RAT IONS ... Whether for charter, for sale or for a fastidious owner who needs to know that his yacht is in a full state of readiness, Imperial’s operational management expertise is a vital asset. The Technical Manager provides support and assistance to the engineers, Captains and deck crew in order to coordinate and supervise maintenance, as well as undertake refit work and class and flag surveys; the Interior Manager helps keep housekeeping, crew training, safety drills and service standards up to scratch; and the Operational Manager takes charge of all maintenance schedules and technical tasks, as well as provisioning, berthing, fuelling and passage-making. With responsibility for the yacht’s daily operations, including quality control, shoreside support and all logistical considerations, this seasoned marine professional can resolve any yacht-related issue, at any time of year and in any part of the world. INTE RNA L TRA INING ... All Imperial crew is trained to meet the company’s stringent internal standards. Rigorous safety procedures lie at the very heart of that – and as well as extensive instruction on the proper use of all marine and watersports equipment, training programs include regular drills for practical safety, emergency response and first-aid.
FINANCE & R EGISTR ATIO N ... Maritime regulations vary throughout the world, according to yacht size, homeport, ownership and registration, so compliance requires expert knowledge. Imperial is meticulous in ensuring that yachts under its care are properly registered, with appropriate VAT status and the correct documents, so you will always pass customs inspections, whatever the jurisdiction. Imperial also enjoys established relationships with companies and brokers who specialise in superyacht insurance, so it is well placed to source the best provider, negotiate the right rate and ensure that, in the event of damage or loss, all elements of your contract are properly observed. PR O J ECT MANAGEMENT ... Imperial is able to provide support and assistance at every step of a project, from global management to complete vessel refit. Whether a yacht was built under Imperial supervision or not, the company’s extensive construction portfolio, allied to its specialist shipyardbased teams, ensures a bespoke service, rigorously in line with briefs, schedules and budgets.
THE IMPER IAL DIFFER ENCE 1 ... Imperial’s in-house ‘Operational Manual’ puts stringent safety standards at the very heart of the superyacht experience. 2 ... The online administration programme keeps the superyacht owner firmly in control. 3 ... All yacht-related expenses are carefully coordinated and controlled by a dedicated Financial Manager. 4 ... All technical and practical issues are addressed directly by the yacht’s Operational Manager. 5 ... Imperial’s crew are highly experienced professionals, primed with year-round internal training programmes. 6 ... All yachts are rigorously maintained and kept in a state of perpetual readiness. 7 ... Imperial backup is on hand 24 hours a day, every day, all year round and in all parts of the world.
I M P E R I A L - YA C H T S . C O M
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SERVICES YA C H T M A R K E T I N G
U N D E R S TA N D I N G YOUR NEEDS ... Selling your yacht and offering it for charter require two very different skillsets – but whichever you have in mind, Imperial has the experience, the contacts, the personnel and the approach to present it in the best way to the best audience. Sales marketing Imperial’s ingrained flexibility ensures that each client and each vessel is treated to a carefully tailored marketing campaign. For instance, if a yacht sale requires blanket discretion, publicity can be entirely avoided, with all marketing activities conducted on a private, one-to-one basis. But with its multi-platform resources, Imperial is also able to call upon an enviable range of high-profile assets – from a presence at the key international yacht shows to advertising and press articles in targeted magazines and direct communications via a global network of industry contacts and international clients. Charter marketing Imperial’s Charter Marketing Service is designed to achieve maximum charter income for yacht owners. In addition to extensive coverage in relevant print and online platforms, including Imperial’s own interactive website, the company’s Charter Directory is also distributed through some very powerful, high-yield channels. Again, however, Imperial’s approach remains flexible. If a client wants to pursue end-to-end bookings throughout the year, that can be done, but if he prefers to set aside specific periods for personal use, the charter schedule can be arranged to encompass his preferences. Your yacht: our priority As true experts of the superyacht industry with an extensive sales portfolio, numerous award-winning vessels and a varied global charter fleet, Imperial follows precise protocols to maximise visibility of your vessel and obtain the most productive leads possible. Whatever kind of approach your yacht demands, the modus operandi of Imperial’s marketing department is not the brushstroke guesswork of a bulk operator. It is the targeted, vessel-specific strategy of a team well versed in the nuances of the international superyacht market. W H AT MAKES THE I M PE RI A L M A RKE T I N G T EA M S O EF F EC T I V E? 1 ... A powerful presence at international boat shows, including Monaco, Cannes, Dubai, Singapore, Fort Lauderdale, Barcelona and Antigua.
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... Ads and editorial in prestigious yachting magazines, including Boat International, ShowBoats, Motorboat & Yachting Russia, Yachts Russia, Superyacht World and Yachts International.
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... Exposure through high-end online platforms, from Superyachts.com, Superyacht News and Superyacht Times to Forbes.ru, social media promotions and Imperial’s own purpose-built website.
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... A flexible approach, offering everything from full-scale, multiplatform exposure to discrete one-to-one negotiations.
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... Imperial’s Charter Directory, which is delivered to a targeted readership, either directly on board a client’s vessel or via select outlets in Russia and France. ... Experienced charter and sales brokers, who can formulate bespoke campaigns, answer questions and conduct tours on your behalf.
... Imperial’s cutting-edge website: not an inflexible template but a bespoke marketing solution with customisable research tools and high-value, vessel-specific content. ... An upgraded headquarters in the heart of Monaco, which ably reflects the calibre of Imperial’s work and its impeccable industry stature.
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„Suerte“ n Riggs n „RoMEA“ n 80-Fuß-Segler n Explorer-Konzepte n Princess 35M n U-Boote n Porto Cervo n Azimut 72 n Custom Line 108
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Published by Imperial Yachts. Copyright Imperial Yachts 2017. All rights reserved. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted. All information contained in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis and Imperial Yachts makes no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this publication or the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the information published herein. Imperial Yachts gives no guarantee or warranty as to the condition of any vessel and/or its possible operation or seaworthiness, and any prospective buyer should instruct his agents and/or surveyors to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. All liability of Imperial Yachts howsoever arising for any such inaccuracies or errors is expressly excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
. .. E R M A N N O PA L A C E 2 7 B O U L E VA R D A L B E R T 1 E R MC 98000 MONACO . .. MONACO +377 97 98 38 80 MOSCOW +7 985 99 77 300 . .. I M P E R I A L - YA C H T S . C O M