Bareboat Charter

Anyone who follows our daily nautical blogs knows we love two things  - the world's largest yachts...and gadgets (especially gadgets that can be utilized and enjoyed during a luxury yacht charter).

With the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show underway in Las Vegas, it's time to pick our favorite new gadgets for 2012.  Here are our top three new gadgets of CES 2012:

GRIFFIN TWENTY
Megayachts like Feadship yacht charter vessel LADY BRITT and the themed James Bond boat Benetti motor yacht DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER feature iPod docking stations integrated into a ship-wide audio system.   For yachts without a centralized audio system, the Griffin Twenty should prove to be a popular addition to onboard entertainment options. 

The Griffin Twenty streaming audio device turns any Apple AirPort Express into a full stereo system.

The device has a simple, elegant design, just a plug for the AirPort Express and a large dial for volume. As its name implies, the Twenty has an internal 20-watt amp and outputs for left and right stereo speakers, plus a kickin' subwoofer. The concept is simple - the dial controls the volume, while the rest of the interface is taken care of through your iPhone, iPad or computer.

ROKU STREAMING STICK
Many Caribbean yacht charter vessels offer satellite TV as well as WiFi while dockside.  What's often missing is the charter guests favorite online content. 

Using the new HDMI MHL standard, the Roku Streaming Stick plugs into a port on newer TVs. The stick instantly gives any compatible set access to all of Roku's online content, from providers such as MLB, Netflix, and Pandora. The stick requires no dedicated power, features built-in WiFi, and is set to  launch in 2012 for under $100.

GO PRO Wi-Fi BACPAC
Whether enjoying a bareboat charter or a vacation on a fully-crewed yacht, waterproof cameras are a must.  YouTube is saturated with amateur vids of adrenaline junkies riding waverunners, bananas, and zipping along with underwater scooters.

The Go Pro name has become synonymous with adventure/sports photography, and the Wi-Fi BacPac and remote combo kit will users even more control over their favorite cameras.  Just snap the BacPac onto an HD Hero2 and you can control the camera from a durable, waterproof wrist-ready remote.  Using the Go Pro app, you can also control the camera from a smartphone, tablet, or computer via a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection. 

The BacPac also lets you stream a live view from the camera to your mobile devices, making sure you're getting just the right shot.

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Seen any great new must-have gadgets?  Contact the SailAway tech geeks at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html with your favorite new gadgets and apps, and we'll share your comments with our readers.

With the demand for luxury sailing charter catamarans on the rise, the team at Lagoon recently introduced the all-new 2012 Lagoon 620 catamaran at the Cannes Boat Show.  Designed by the architects Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prévost (VPLP), the Lagoon 620 is an innovative solution to the needs of today's discerning Caribbean yacht charter client.  The  yacht seamlessly blends strength, comfort, and performance in a charter-friendly cabin layout .

The 2012 version of the Lagoon 620, features luxurious and comfortable interiors by Nauta.  In the dining room, the settees have been redesigned, as well as the ceiling, enabling more indirect lighting.  On the starboard side, the master cabin has also been modified, with a washroom now placed aft on either side of the cockpit access stairs.  This modification creates more storage space in the bedroom fro the charterer's luggage.  The forward starboard cabin, can now be called a true V.I.P. suite, with additional volume created by the repositioning of the master cabin's washroom.

The Lagoon 620 catamaran will be built in 4, 5 and 6 cabin versions, all featuring Nauta interior layout packages and incorporating wood finish, upholstery, inner liners, and more…

Exceptional living space, both above and below deck will continue to define Lagoon catamarans for years to come as the sophisticated choice for multi hull yacht vacations.

Catamaran multihull sailboats are also available for bareboat vacations (yachts without crew).  SailAway offers bareboat charter, also.

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Several newer-model Lagoon catamarans are already in service and available for hire, including the Lagoon 560 sail catamaran BACCHUS and the Lagoon 450 sail catamaran OKEANOS.  Contact the SailAway charter department at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Whether you're planning a Bahamas bareboat charter, or a Monaco Grand Prix
yacht charter on a fully-crewed superyacht, as an American traveling abroad,
you'll need a US passport.

Once a tedious process, new efforts by the United States State Department have been implemented to improve customer service and create a  more accessible approach to passports.

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs now has nearly 8,000 acceptance offices, and promises a 4 to 6-week turnaround on all passports.  The passport fee for a first-time adult applicant is $135.  For an extra fee, express service can bring the wait down to 2-3 weeks, perfect for planning a last minute island escape.

Additionally, the Bureau has created a, "Passport Saturdays" program, when parents can register children under 16 on a day that is not a workday, since both parents must be present.

The State Department’s passport website offers a wide range of resources – from country by country guides, warnings, regulations and background information, to passport forms that can be downloaded. 

The Bureau has also introduced a Smartphone enrollment notification system created for travelers headed for hot spots or people caught in countries experiencing emergencies or natural disasters. The system can track enrollees and try to reach them in countries undergoing a developing crisis.  

Recently, the system proved useful for US citizens in Libya during the current political uprising.  The Bureau created a system of tweets to feed trapped US citizens information about the best ways to flee the dangers, such as the schedules and locations of ferries to take them out of the country.

In another instance, the Bureau was able to locate an airplane run by a Canadian company to lift several citizens to safety. In those situations, costs go to the passengers assisted but never exceed the cost of what a full fare commercial ticket would be to manage the same action, no matter how few passengers are carried by that charter.

A 24-hour State Department number – answered by a human – is available for emergencies and questions: 202-647-1512.  The State Department's passport website is:  http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

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If you are planning a yachting vacation and are not a US citizen, contact the SailAway Yacht Charter destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to determine any special entry Visa requirements. We'll be happy to assist you.

Anyone who reads our blog on a regular basis knows we love our gadgets.  Let's face it, going on a Virgin Islands yacht charter is loads of fun, but getting there can be tedious.  Waiting for flights, standing at the luggage carrousel, taking long taxi rides, etc. can be long and boring.  Having a cool new gadget on hand is a great way to kill some time - and have some fun.

The world's largest trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances, the IFA just wrapped up in Berlin. Here are our three favorite new gadgets for 2012 from the show:

1. Samsung Galaxy Note

If you've been waiting for a smartphone with a big screen, this is your phone!  The Samsung Galaxy Note offers a 5.3 inch display, the largest screen size available among smartphones. This means less scrolling and screen transitions.  Imagine viewing web pages, news apps, and e-books with minimal scrolling or zooming - how cool is that?  The device also utilizes “pen-input technology,” and comes with an S Pen that allows users to draw and send handwritten images and notes via text message, email, and instant messaging.

2. LG Smartscan Mouse

As luxury yacht charter brokers, we're constantly scanning client documents - from bareboat charter contracts to food and beverage preference sheets.  Scanning saves our clients' time and allows us to share their information with yacht crews around the globe.  The latest mouse from LG has a built-in scanner, which the company says will "open a new era for scanners."  Simply click the Smart Scan button on the left side of the mouse, then swipe it over the material to be scanned.

The scanned image can then be saved in a variety of file types, or dragged and dropped into a document or application. LG's Optical Character Recognition technology converts scanned text into a Microsoft Word document that can then be edited as required. The 2-in-1 device can scan page sizes up to A3, which is larger than most conventional portable scanners.

   

3. Sony Cyber-shot DSC TX55 - The World's Slimmest Digital Camera

Imagine going on a Croatia yacht charter and not having a camera with you.  Who will believe you when you say you saw a whale swimming by an island with a Medieval castle?  Most digital cameras are small, but bulky and heavy in your pocket.  Not the Cybershot TX55.  Just 12.2mm slim, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC TX55 is the world’s thinnest camera. It can capture 16.2 megapixel still images as well as full HD video.

The camera’s back panel has an 8.3cm/3.3 inch touch-screen for showing off photos and movie clips. It also features 3D shooting options. By pressing the shutter button once, the camera will grab a pair of frames in fast succession, estimating depth to create a 3D still image.

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Do you have a favorite new gadget that you can't live without?  Tell us about it HERE at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html, and we'll share it with our readers.

The tax deadline approaches...you'll be receiving a refund.  The family deserves a special vacation all together!

It's time to plan...

Why not indulge yourself and rent a private yacht to the Caribbean for some fun for over the Christmas holidays this year?  This will ensure that you get pampered and have all your needs taken care of by a professional crew.

Should you opt for a Caribbean Bareboat Charter (like renting a car...you sail the yacht and take care of all of the onboard chores, yourselves) instead, you will get to enjoy the endless parties that take place on the islands through out the Christmas season.

During the holidays, the Caribbean islands come alive with colorful festivals and celebrations which are a reflection of the culture of the local people. They paint the local homes in colorful tones, put up new fun window treatments, decorate multiple Christmas trees, and have multiple parades full of lively dancers and elaborate costumes.

To book your private luxury Virgin Islands (or other Caribbean island) yacht charter vacation, contact the charter professionals at SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants here.  

As a destination, Greece is a sensory celebration. It's a dance with history and ancient gods, and a courtship between natural beauty and modern luxuries. It's also an invitation to indulge in a slower pace and simpler pleasures, like savoring a taverna meal complemented by a fantastic local wine you've most likely never heard of.

Of course, the ideal way to explore the myriad of small Greek islands is to rent a private yacht.    

For travelers with experience at the helm, a bareboat charter is the most affordable option for exploration.  Similar to renting a car, you do the "driving" by serving as your own skipper.  Yes, you and your travel companions must also do the cooking and cleaning, but when it comes to saving money, it is hard to top the appeal of a bareboat charter, especially sail boat charters as compared to power boats.

If you are not qualified to operate your own boat, or simply desire a hire level of comfort and amenities, some of the largest yachts in the world can be rented in the land of the Gods.  

The famous yacht CHRISTINA O calls Greece home.  The private vessel of the late Greek shipping tycoon, Aristotle Onassis, this yacht offers huge deck spaces and the indulgence of an original mosaic-tiled swimming pool. In addition to the Jacuzzi, there are three public lounges, a gym, and a game room - and the famous bar where Sir Winston Churchill first met Jackie Kennedy.



When to go to Greece?  Visit Greece between May and  October.  We prefer the so-called "shoulder season" (May and September/October), since the weather is generally good, and you'll enjoy more elbow room and often better prices in restaurants and gift shops.

When to book a yacht charter in Greece?   NOW is the time to make your 2011 Greece yacht charter reservations. 

For help in identifying the right yacht for your style and budget, call our specialists, toll-free: 1-800-YACHTCHARTER (800-922-4824) or visit www.1800sailaway.com

The tiny nation of Belize took a giant step today in the global effort to safeguard the oceans by banning all forms of trawling in the country's waters.

Tourists planning a Croatia yacht charter holiday on a superyacht or megayacht this summer, will be pleased to learn a new megayacht marina has opened - the Mandalina Marina and Yacht Club.  Located in the coastal town of Sibenik, the Mandalina Marina and Yacht Club is the area's first megayacht facility. Special introductory rates for dockage are available for early reservations (see below).

Considered the Mediterranean's next great megayacht destination, interest in Croatia yacht charter holidays has spiked in the past 2 seasons.  The new Mandalina Marina and Yacht Club sits at the crossroads of central and eastern Europe, along the Dalmatian Coast, long a haven for bareboat sailboat charter vacations.   Chosen as "the world's number one sailing destination" by National Geographic magazine, the site is noted for its proximity to Kornati Islands National Park and Krka National Park, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sibinek is one of the oldest native Croatian towns and is noted as a center of culture and art.  With the opening of the superyacht facility and with the Spilt International Airport nearby, Sibenik is destined to become the region's premier gateway for luxury yacht charter and bareboat charter vessels.  It offers convenient access to over 300 scenic islands on the Adriatic, as well as an outstanding hub from which to cruise the Eastern coast of Italy.

The new marina and yacht club features a wide range of on-site conveniences for yacht crews and luxury yacht charter tourists.

Twenty-four hour security and a full-time marina staff  will protect and maintain the 350 in-water slips with space for superyacht vessels up to 280 feet.

The yacht charter consultants at SailAway are pleased to accept inquiries for Croatia as many of the newest and largest yachts have announced plans to offer their services in the Adriatic.  Some of the available yachts to charter in Croatia include SIREN, MARTHA ANN, CLOUD NINE, SALUTE, RED DRAGON, ALEXANDAR V, and ANASSA.

Plan your bareboat yacht vacation or luxury crewed yacht charter now and take advantage of a special summer season dockage discount.  Reserve your berth before April 15, 2009 and save 10% on your berth charges.  Pre-pay for your berth and you'll receive an additional 5% discount.  Offer valid for stays May 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009.  Conditions and restrictions apply - based on space availability.  Contact our charter specialists at 1-800-BAREBOAT for bareboat berth information, and 1-800-YACHTCHARTER for crewed yacht charter information.
 

Follow 1800YACHTCHARTER SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants - charter brokers for private, luxury mega yachts on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/yacht_charters

...and follow our BAREBOAT bareboat.com (boats without crew) yacht charter company, 1-800-BAREBOAT, updates at http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom

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