Here’s something you don’t see on the charter market all too often: larger motoryachts offering all-inclusive rates in the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

Typically, larger motoryachts are listed for charter with weekly base rates. Those base rates cover the boat and crew, but not expenses such as fuel, food, drinks and gratuity. The idea is that different clients want to do different things on charter, so the variable costs are adjustable.

By contrast, smaller crewed boats that stick to generally fixed itineraries and can better predict the associated costs—in particular, catamarans in the Virgin Islands—are offered with inclusive rates.

That’s what makes the news so interesting about the 135-foot Horizon Stay Salty and the 120-foot Sovereign Real Summertime. Denison Yachting says these larger yachts are now offering all-inclusive charter packages in the British Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

“This is an exciting initiative to simplify and encourage new charter clients to try one of the most epic travel experiences imaginable,” Ben Farnborough, Denison’s chief operating officer, stated in a press release. “Often we’re made aware that there’s a perception outside of the yachting industry that chartering a yacht is inherently complex. Our goal here is to change that. These all-inclusive Denison charter options are straightforward and seamless.”

The two yachts are being offered with inclusive rates based on fixed itineraries and menus, without the standard preference sheets that charter clients typically fill out so the crew can provision whatever guests request to have on board. Denison’s team instead worked with the yacht owners and crew to determine defined dates, docking prices, fuel costs, cocktail lists and menus.

The idea is similar to the way that Denison worked with Magellan Jets to offer a coordinated package for jet travel from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Nassau, Bahamas, at a fee of $48,000 for 12 passengers.

Stay Salty is a 2010 build that most recently was refitted this year. The yacht accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, including an upper-deck master. Tenders for watersports fun include a 34-foot Jupiter.

Real Summertime is a 2000 build that most recently was refitted in 2022. Accommodations on this yacht are for as many as 12 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master. Onboard amenities include an outdoor cinema, and tenders include a 37-foot Boston Whaler Outrage.

Is there any wiggle room in the all-inclusive plans? Yes, for an extra fee. Denison Yachting says the inclusive rate is intended to appeal to people who want to avoid the planning process, but that guests who want bespoke elements in their all-inclusive charter can work with Denison’s team to accommodate those requests at an additional cost.

Where to learn more: contact a charter broker at www.denisonyachting.com

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Most years, new launches depart from shipyards bound for the Mediterranean in time for the summer charter season—with savvy clients strategizing to be among the first parties welcomed aboard. The pandemic caused a blip in that pattern, making new launches a lot harder to book for a couple of years, but quite a few charter companies are now advertising 2023 and 2024 builds with itineraries available in the most popular cruising grounds all along the West and East Mediterranean.

As you can see in the images on the opposite page, these new builds come in all kinds of styles, from eco-friendly power catamarans to motoryachts with sole-to-ceiling glazing. Some are among just a handful of newer models out cruising anywhere on the world’s waters, for private or charter use.

The Benetti Alluria, for instance, was one of just eight Motopanfilo 37M hulls when it launched last year. Amenities include a full-beam master stateroom, a foredeck pool and sun pads, and an Axopar Brabus 900 chase boat for looking sharp when heading into port.

The Sunseeker 86 Mowana is also a notable newer build, with a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 19 knots for making the runs easy between waypoints. Guest areas are forward and aft, letting charter clients avoid prying eyes no matter how the yacht is situated in an anchorage. Inside, one of the four staterooms has a bunk-style Pullman along with twin berths, creating an enclave for the kids.

Yet another interesting new offering is Catallaxy, a Sunreef 60 Eco sailing yacht. It has a full-beam bow terrace in addition to a guest area on the flybridge and an outdoor relaxation area aft.

Of course, destinations in the Mediterranean are classics, but visiting them in the comfort of a brand-new yacht only enhances the charter experience.

The Adriatic Sea

• Croatia has become a full-on popular summer charter destination, with its coastline full of villages, cities and islands to explore. An increasing number of charter yachts offer itineraries here each year.
• Vrbnik is in the north, while Split and Dubrovnik are popular destinations farther to the south.
• Dubrovnik is especially popular with fans of the HBO series Game of Thrones, which filmed many of its episodes in and around the city.

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The charter team at IYC has just welcomed not one, but two Custom Line yachts into the fleet for bookings this summer in the East Mediterranean.

First up is the 93-foot Custom Line At One. This is a brand-new build that was just delivered to its owners for 2024. The yacht has a bunch of modern bells and whistles—including high-speed Internet connectivity via Starlink, and dual stabilizers with a gyro and fins for added guest comfort at anchor and underway.  

Accommodations aboard At One are for 10 guests in five staterooms. Those guests will have access to a bevy of tenders and toys, including a nearly 12-foot Highfield tender, a pair of Seabobs, standup paddleboards, a Hobie Eclipse, water skis, wakeboards and snorkeling gear.

Inquiries for bookings aboard At One are being accepted this summer in Greece, where the yacht is expected to remain at least through the end of September. Bookings are also being taken now for the 2025 summer season in Greece.

Also new to the IYC fleet is the 108-foot Custom Line Daloli. This is a 2011 build that most recently was refitted in 2022, and that is also accepting inquiries for Greece yacht charter this summer.

Daloli accommodates as many as nine guests in five staterooms, including a master on the main deck. 

Onboard amenities include an outdoor hot tub and barbecue. The yacht has stabilizers for added guest comfort, and it charters with a crew of seven that has spent many years together as a team. 

Tenders and toys for guests to use during a charter aboard Daloli include a 26-foot ZAR tender, a 13-foot Grand tender, a Sea-Doo, a trio of Seabobs, water skis for adults and children, wakeboards, a water slide, standup paddleboards and fishing gear. An unusual offering from the yacht’s toybox is a pair of canoes for guests who want to paddle around quiet anchorages.

Greece Yacht Charter Options: The Greek Isles are some of the world’s most popular cruising grounds during the summer season. There are numerous archipelagos to explore, whether a charter booking is for a week or a month. Many of the islands have ancient ruins along with local tavernas and beaches. Land-and-sea itineraries can also be fun in this part of the world, with Athens on the mainland filled with landmarks from ancient Greek civilization.

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As the summer yacht charter season nears its peak, several popular charter fleets have added yachts in destinations all around the world.

In the Bahamas, Fraser just welcomed the 107-foot Burger Silver Seas. It’s a 1998 build that most recently was refitted in 2022, and that will base in the Bahamas all year round. Accommodations are for eight guests in four staterooms that can be set up for families or groups of couples. This yacht charters with an Intrepid tender for watersports fun.

Up in New England, Edmiston has welcomed 168-foot Feadship Acta to the charter fleet. Acta is a 2007 build that accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms. Equipment includes Quantum zero-speed stabilizers for guest comfort at anchor, and the yacht has a wheelchair-accessible elevator and side deck. The master stateroom is on the bridge deck with expansive views.

For charter clients seeking more exotic locales, IYC has just added the 131-foot Westport Rule No. 1 to its fleet, with inquiries being accepted through September 2025 for Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica. Rule No. 1 is a 2011 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in five staterooms. This yacht charters with a 37-foot Freeman tender for fishing, and has toys that include an inflatable slide.

Also available farther afield is the 75-foot Sunreef Diana, a sailing catamaran that’s in French Polynesia as part of the Y.CO fleet. Diana is a 2017 build that just completed a refit this year. The yacht accommodates eight guests in four staterooms. Amenities and crew services include a hot tub, a fitness trainer, a masseuse, a yoga instructor, and various water toys.

In Croatia and the West Mediterranean, the 137-foot Kingship Ocean’s Seven has joined the Fraser fleet. This is a 2012 build that was most recently refitted this year. Interiors on the yacht are by Vripack, with five staterooms for 10 guests. The master spans the full beam on the main deck and has a king-size berth.

Are there any options being advertised for scuba diving? Indeed, Edmiston says the 154-foot Feadship Lady Victoria is still accepting inquiries this summer in the Bahamas, and is offering scuba diving right from the yacht. Accommodations are for 12 guests in six staterooms, with a master that has its own deck and a VIP on the main deck. The swim platform can be extended and raised for diving, or submerged for guests who want to step right into the sea.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com, edmiston.com, iyc.com or y.co.

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Five notable yachts just became available for charter in the West Mediterranean, with plenty of time left to book itineraries before the current season is over.

First up is Zazou, a 213-foot Benetti that launched in 2021. It’s new to the charter fleet at Y.CO, with plans to base in the South of France and Corsica. This is the first time that Zazou is being opened for charters, with availability beginning mid-August.

“Ideal for families, she is elegant and sophisticated thanks to her stunning interior,” Sioned Williams of Y.CO Charter Management stated in a press release. Notable features include a gymnasium, treatment room, outdoor cinema and beach club. Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms.

Y.CO also just welcomed the new-for-2024 Benetti Dyna to the charter fleet in the Mediterranean. Dates are available in September and October.

Accommodations aboard Dyna are for 12 guests in six staterooms. Amenities include a main-deck pool, a cinema, a spa and a master stateroom with a private balcony.

“Dyna is a particularly fine example of the B.Now 50m Oasis model,” Yasmine Naitijja of Y.CO Charter Management stated in a press release. “No expense has been spared in the finishes throughout. The spa area is a real onboard highlight, as is the large main-deck pool, while the stylish Novamarine Black Shiver chase boat offers enhanced exploration.”

Also now available in the West Mediterranean is Alma III, a 97-foot Azimut that was just delivered to the owners from the shipyard in June. It’s part of the Fraser charter fleet and will have availability in August from Sardinia.

According to the Fraser team, Alma III is the only Azimut Magellano 30 currently on the charter market. Exterior design is by Ken Freivokh, and accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms. The master is full beam on the main deck.

In the IYC charter fleet in Greece, guests can book the 82-foot Maiora El Pecado, which became available earlier this summer. The yacht is a 2014 build that IYC’s team says is in “impeccable condition” with accommodations for as many as nine guests in four staterooms.

Notable features and equipment on El Pecado include low fuel consumption and at-anchor stabilizers for guest comfort.

Also in Greece with IYC is the 107-foot Custom Line My Mistake, a 2023 build that accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms. The IYC team notes that this yacht has a child-friendly setup, meaning it is a good choice for bookings with families.

Top speed aboard My Mistake is reportedly 26 knots, which should make short work of cruising between the Greek Isles while leaving more time for fun at anchor and in harbors.

When does the Mediterranean yacht-charter season end? The high season is over at the end of August, but with nice weather, the cruising in some parts of the region can be terrific well into October.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at y.co, iyc.com or fraseryachts.com

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IYC has welcomed the 88-foot Sunseeker Exit to the charter market, with bookings available this summer in Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

Exit is a 2023 build that was refitted this year, with the owners adding new indoor and outdoor lighting that lets guests customize the onboard experience to match their personal preferences and moods on any given day. The refit also included the installation of new carpeting, wallpaper and artwork throughout the yacht.

The interior is described as contemporary and stylish, with wide windows in the main salon that allow guests panoramic views of the surroundings. According to the team at IYC, the way that Sunseeker designed Exit makes the yacht seem much larger than it is.

Accommodations are for a maximum of 10 guests in four staterooms. In an unusual outfitting twist, the door for the master stateroom is custom made so that the space can connect with the starboard guest stateroom, or be removed to create a unified space.

Separate quarters accommodate four crew, which is the yacht’s standard complement for charters.

Exterior guest spaces include the flybridge, which has sunbathing areas and alfresco dining. Exit also has shaded areas for outdoor guest relaxation. A hot tub is among the amenities, with a large swim platform for access to the water.

Equipment on Exit includes zero-speed stabilizers to enhance guest comfort at anchor. According to IYC, the yacht’s top speed is 26 knots with a cruising speed of 20 knots, making it a good choice for charter clients who want to spend more time in destinations and less time traveling between them.

Charter clients can pay for this booking in cryptocurrency: IYC recently announced a partnership with Bitcashier to allow the use of cryptocurrency in yacht sale and charter transactions. The system includes the use of bitcoin along with a secure payment portal, locking in the cryptocurrency price at the moment of the transaction. Bitcashier then converts the cryptocurrency into the required fiat currency, completing the transaction. According to Raphael Sauleau, the CEO of IYC: “We have carefully chosen this esteemed platform as our ally in cryptocurrency transactions, confident in their expertise and integrity. As yachting embraces new waves of clients attuned to the dynamics of a rapidly changing world, our partnership with Bitcashier symbolizes our confidence in adapting to this evolving landscape.”

Learn more about Exit and other yachts that are open for charter this summer: contact a broker at iyc.com

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Connoisseurs of high-end travel are always looking for the next best idea. Even at the upper extremes of luxury, there might be a way to tweak this piece or twist that part in a way that creates an even more perfect offering for an audience that wants a certain type of experience. Crewed yacht charter? It’s a fantastic option that already comes in many tantalizing flavors. But what about crewed yacht charter and… all the additional possibilities that last bit might include?

Such is the thinking behind two new initiatives that allow vacationers to experience top-brand yachts in new ways. Motoryachts built by Sunseeker in the United Kingdom and by Azimut in Italy have long been considered prime-quality options for recreation on the world’s waterways. Now they’re available for crewed charter through programs intended to appeal to clients with specific sensibilities.

Crewed charter aboard a Sunseeker 95 in Mallorca, Spain, is now an option for members of ThirdHome, a company whose members share their second and third homes, sort of like a high-net-worth Airbnb. The company has partnered with Meros Yachtsharing, which specializes in the co-ownership of Sunseeker vessels. People who have flex-share time aboard the yacht can now trade it for a stay at a ThirdHome property or vice versa.

“It’s all about the huge rise in interest in the sharing economy and the idea of sophisticated people sharing valuable assets between like-minded individuals, ultimately for the benefit of each other,” according to the ThirdHome team.

Meanwhile, fans of the Azimut brand now have a dedicated point of entry for booking crewed charters aboard Azimut-built yachts. The Azimut Charter Club, announced in January, is kicking off in the Mediterranean this year.

“The philosophy of the Charter Club is to offer a personalized service with attention to the smallest details, guaranteed by the brand’s expertise and the territorial coverage ensured by its extensive network of dealers and partners,” according to the Azimut team. Bookings are available aboard yachts up to 78 feet long, all of them launched within the previous five years.

Of course, Azimuts also remain available for charter through traditional companies whose fleets include yachts from all kinds of builders, but Azimut also aims to bring fans of the brand into contact with its dealers, who will handle check-in and checkout during the charter experience.

“Other models will soon be added, as well as new destinations,” the company says, “to ensure the perfect setting for a summer with family and friends.”

Azimut Charter Club

Yachts that are part of this initiative are as large as 78 feet length overall. Each one is a late-model launch from the previous five years. Guests can book through a portal or work with the Azimut concierge on reservations and legal paperwork. An Azimut dealer handles check-in for charters.

Prime Property

Members of ThirdHome have ­access to private residences, villas and luxury estates in addition to a fully crewed Sunseeker yacht.

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As the summer yacht charter season in the popular Mediterranean cruising grounds gets into full swing, Edmiston is bolstering its presence by adding three notable motoryachts to the fleet.

The first addition to the fleet is the 262-foot Oceanco Aalto, which is a 2007 build that accommodates 12 guests in their choice of nine staterooms—including an owner’s suite that takes up almost half of the upper deck and has two hot tubs. The crew complement on this superyacht is 24, creating a notable guest-to-crew ratio for a high standard of service.

Aalto’s guest spaces include a salon that converts to a cinema room, a sky lounge with a grand piano and formal dining, and a VIP stateroom on the bridge deck. An elevator runs from there down to the lower deck, and there’s a wellness area on board with a gymnasium, beauty salon and massage room. The sundeck is home to a glass-backed swimming pool with contra-flow jets.

Also new to the Edmiston charter fleet in the Mediterranean is the 154-foot Heesen Atina. This 2008 build was most recently refitted in 2022. It accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms, and it charters with 11 crew.

The refit work that Atina completed in 2022 transformed the sundeck to include a sizable hot tub and a lounge area. Interiors on this yacht are by Bannenberg. Edmiston describes them as “sophisticated.”

Last but not least, Edmiston has also welcomed the 207-foot Benetti Soundwave to the Mediterranean charter fleet for the summer season. This is a 2015 build that most recently was refitted in 2019. Soundwave accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and charters with 15 crew.

This yacht has two master staterooms, including one on the upper deck with a private deck. The other one is on the main deck with sole-to-ceiling windows.

Guest entertainment spaces on this yacht are particularly noteworthy. The sundeck has a jet pool with a design inspired by an English spa. This deck also has an Italian stone bar.

For shuttling guests ashore in high style, Soundwave charters with a 26-foot custom Benetti limo tender. The yacht has a strong history in charter, with comments available from previous guests.

Are there still summer dates available? Yes. According to the most recently available information, all three of these charter yachts still have dates open on their calendars for bookings in the Mediterranean from now through September.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at edmiston.com

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The West Mediterranean remains by far the most popular destination in the world for summertime crewed yacht charters, and plenty of bookings take place in the Bahamas as well. For summer 2024, charter clients also have options in New England, Scotland, Norway and Croatia—including at least one yacht being offered for the first time.

Starting closest to home in New England, Fraser has welcomed the 164-foot Christensen Chasseur to the charter fleet. This is a 2016 build that most recently was refitted in 2022, and that accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms. The master spans the full beam on the main deck, and there’s a full-beam VIP stateroom belowdecks. A wheelchair-accessible elevator serves all the decks. New for guests to use this year is a 2024 Intrepid tender.

For charter guests who want to head farther afield, Edmiston says the 200-foot Feadship Samadhi is offering bookings in Scotland and Norway. Samadhi is a 2006 build that is in refit now, with work expected to be finished by July. The yacht will have a heated swimming pool on the main deck aft, a refitted sky lounge, and a new spa with a sauna, cold plunge, massage space and hair salon. Accommodations are for 12 guests in six staterooms.

Meanwhile, in the Eastern Mediterranean, Fraser says the 184-foot Baba’s—the largest Hargrave built to date—is accepting inquiries for charter bookings in Croatia (in addition to France and Italy in the West Mediterranean). Baba’s is a 2020 build that accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms. Four of the staterooms have king-size berths, and the VIP is located on the sky lounge deck. An elevator services all decks.

Also in the East Mediterranean is Aquila, a 135-foot Baglietto that’s new to the IYC charter fleet. The yacht, built in 2004 and most recently refitted in 2022, is accepting inquiries in Greece, Croatia and Montenegro. Accommodations are for 10 guests with a cinema in the upper salon.

Croatia and Montenegro are also on the itinerary this summer for charters aboard the 180-foot Rossinavi Taleya, which has joined the Hill Robinson fleet. A 2008 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, Taleya accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms.

Greece will also be the place to book the Overmarine Mangusta 105 Wet Panther this summer. Fraser says the 2006 build accommodates as many as 10 guests in four staterooms. Cruising speed is 25 knots for zipping around the Greek Isles at a fast clip.

Also in Greece is the Riva 110 Dolcevita Don’t Worry, which is now part of the IYC fleet. This just-delivered yacht is brand-new for 2024, with accommodations for 10 guests in five staterooms.

In the West Mediterranean: Hill Robinson has welcomed the 97-foot Baccarat, a 28-knot motoryacht built in 2022 by the Italian shipyard Permare.

How to book a week on board: contact any charter broker at fraser.com, edmiston.com, iyc.com or hillrobinson.com

The post Global Options for Bookings This Summer appeared first on Yachting.

Two charter-management companies have announced programs that are intended to take the guest experience up a few notches everywhere from the most popular islands of the Bahamas to the remote areas of Indonesia.

Close to home in the United States, the owner of the 121-foot Numarine Amore is offering private jet flights from the East Coast to charters in the Bahamas for the first three weeklong bookings in August. As management company Fraser Yachts says, “What better way to start the trip of a lifetime?”

Amore is a 2022 build with two master staterooms: one on the main deck, and one on the bridge deck. There’s a cinema room belowdecks, and the air-conditioned beach club has its own day head. Tenders and watertoys include a 29-foot Scout, a 16-foot Highfield RIB, Seabobs and an inflatable slide.

On the other side of the world, Aqua Expeditions has announced two new itineraries in Indonesia for 2025. As the company says, these itineraries are in “a region so remote, it can only be experienced by ship.” There’s a 12-night itinerary that includes the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat and West Papua Expedition, and a nine-night West Papua and Asmat Tribe Expedition itinerary.

The 12-night itinerary will include the Koon archipelago, home to renowned snorkeling and diving sites with chances to spot hammerhead and leopard sharks. Also in this region is the One Thousand Temples, rocks that have been eroded by the ocean and rain to leave behind steep spires of limestone. Another stop on the itinerary is the Kitikiti waterfall in Momon, which drops directly into the sea. In Triton Bay, charter clients can scuba dive with more than 1,000 species of marine life.

The nine-night itinerary starts in Kaimana, where the world’s smallest, half-inch pygmy seahorses are often spotted. Charter clients will be able to head into the jungle on private speedboats to discover local villages and meet with members from Indonesia’s most remote Indigenous Asmat community. Guests can visit the tribe’s communal houses and observe their wood-carving tradition. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has a collection of Asmat art.) Also on this itinerary is a chance to swim with 40-foot whale sharks and to see the prehistoric cave paintings of the Namatote Passage.

What kinds of boats does Aqua Expeditions offer? These vessels take 16 to 40 guests with 1-to-1 crew ratios. The company also operates river explorations in Peru, Cambodia and Vietnam, and coastal yacht voyages to Komodo National Park and the Galapagos Islands.

Take the next step: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com or aquaexpeditions.com

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