Benetti Yacht 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.

John Staluppi, the luxury yacht charter world's archetypical yacht owner is at it again. Driven by imagination and pride, Staluppi has taken possession of his 16th megayacht. 

Launched on Saturday 26th November 2011 at the state-of-the-art Benetti shipyard in Livorno, Italy the 60 meter Benetti FB253 is the boat's official identification, but like so many of his earlier yachts, the vessel has been christened to honor another James Bond classic novel and film - motor yacht DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.

Based on the shipyard's famed naval architecture and engineering, the elegant external line of the new Benetti FB253 M/Y (Motoryacht) DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER is characterized by compact forms and dynamic slender lines.  This balanced combination of traditional design elements and modern innovative stylistic solutions has become the benchmark of Benetti's distinguishing mark throughout the world.

Long a fan of the James Bond 007 saga,  Staluppi's earlier creations included the aptly named motor yacht OCTOPUSSY, motoryacht MOONRAKER, motor yacht THUNDERBALL, M/Y THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, and the popular Bahama yacht charters mega yacht CASINO ROYALE, a fixture at the posh Atlantis Resort and Marina on Paradise Island.

Although M/Y CASINO ROYALE and his latest effort M/Y DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER were built for true luxury at sea, Staluppi's earlier James Bond boat creations were built with a singular focus - SPEED.  Setting records as some of the fastest superyachts in the world, it was the 43.5 meter motor yacht OCTOPUSSY which broke the 50-knot speed barrier 20 years ago and brought the name of New York-born John Staluppi to the attention of yacht aficionados.

With a background that is now well-known, the self-made millionaire left school when he was 16 and worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn before going on to develop one of the most successful car dealerships in North America -- a business that enabled him to indulge his passion for racing fast boats, and then later for building megayachts.

While many charter yacht owners prefer to remain anonymous, Staluppi's vision and passion bring fervor and excitement to a very conservative industry. After all, there aren't many yachts aboard which guests are greeted by frosted-glass panels delicately etched with the silhouettes of Bond girls! 

The customized, whimsical James Bond boat themes are a refreshing breath of fresh air in an industry of white, cookie-cutter production boats.  Let's hope Staluppi doesn't run out of 007 movie titles, or his passion, any time soon.

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Live the adventure - come explore an exotic destination on a James Bond boat. Contact SailAway Yacht Charters' 007 agent headquarters at http//www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to arrange your luxury yacht charter.

Regular readers of our blogs kno the team in our yacht charter department loves gadgets - from great Christmas stocking stuffer gadgets to our favorite must-have new gadgets for 2012.

But what about gadgets that simply didn't cut the mustard in 2011? 

In a year when technology heralded the magic of the Cloud and 4G phones were popping up everywhere, the year also bore witness to some failures of epic proportion. Here are our picks for the three biggest technology meltdowns of 2011:

We've said it many times - the tech toys and gadgets found on mega yacht charter vessels are a good barometer as to what is hot and what is not.  Take for example, 3-D technology.  The future might be now, but you'd hardly know it by taking a peek in the average yacht's salon.  A quick look at some of the newest yachts like the 61 meter Benetti yacht LYANA and the 56 meter Perini Navi sail yacht FIDELIS shows 3-D technology has not been embraced by the yachting community.

You just don't see any 3-D television sets on the yachts, or in many homes.  Blame high prices or headaches from wearing silly-colored glasses, but at the end of 2011, interest in 3-D TV is the same as it was at the beginning of 2011, and sales are flat.

iPhone 4S
While sales are anything but flat for the iPhone 4s, Apples newest handset is still a major consumer letdown.  Yes, it's one of  the fastest, best-looking smartphones on the block — but it's no iPhone 5.  Apple aficionados spent the better part of the year waiting for a reincarnated iPhone with a larger screen, and thinner profile. In the end, they were presented with the iPhone 4S — a nominal upgrade at best over the previous model.

Android Tablets
While the iPhone 4s may have been a letdown, Apple's iPad tablet juggernaut seems unstoppable, leading us to declare Android tablets as the biggest gadget failure of 2011. A year after the release of the first iPad, not a single technology company has made a dent in Apple's tablet market. Sales of devices like the Motorola Xoom featuring the Android tablet operating system pale in comparison to the sales of the mighty iPad.  Will the new iPad 2 be the final nail in the coffin of Android tablets in the marketplace?   

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Can you think of any other technology blunders for gadgets that failed to catch on in 2011?  If you are a boater, which new gadgets are on your wish list that you would like to see available on charter yachts?  Please contact the SailAway charter department at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to tell us which gadgets you would like on yachts.

From gymnasiums, helicopters and onboard Kaleidescape movie theaters, today's modern superyacht has every affluent amenity imaginable.  Yet the most requested amenity by prospective charter customers remains one of the oldest, time-tested features:  the on-deck hot tub.
  
Is there a better way to unwind each night during a yachting vacation than enjoying a warm soak under the stars?

The benefits of hot tub hydrotherapy are well-documented - warm water therapy can promote relaxation, stress reduction and pain relief.  It's also a fun way to spend quality time with your travel companions  - sipping wine and planning your next day's adventures.

In the early years of the charter industry, most ondeck tubs were portable tubs - the same as those found in many homes.  Today's ondeck megayacht hydrotherapy tubs are permanent, built-in amenities, designed by naval architects and molded into the yacht's superstructure. 

Today we take a look at five of the best hydrotherapy tubs on five equally spectacular charter yachts:

SHERAKHAN
The 228-foot motor yacht SHERAKHAN has one of the largest sundeck hot tubs aboard any charter yacht.  The tub features an opaque bottom, allowing natural light to filter into the two-story dining room directly below.   

ST. EKATERINA
Benetti yacht charter enthusiasts like to brag about the hot tub onboard the 196ft motor yacht ST. EKATERINA (formerly motor yacht XANADU).  The large tub is within easy viewing distance of a two-way cinema screen. Charter guests can enjoy a film while soaking in the tub, and then not miss a single scene while moving over to the sundeck wet bar for a refreshing cocktail.

BATON ROUGE
The 205-foot Icon motor yacht BATON ROUGE  features an oversized sundeck hot tub that doubles as an endless pool with swimming jets for anyone wanting more than the regular water pressure. Overhead, cool-water jets shower guests in a light, refreshing mist.

ANDREAS L
Another Benetti motor yacht, the 196ft yacht ANDREAS L has a hot tub with submerged bar stools, for guests who prefer to enjoy their refreshments sitting upright as opposed to the common hot tub lounging position.

NUMPTIA
Leave it to the Italians to redefine the modern style of the ondeck hot tub.  The owner of the 70 meter (230 ft) Rossi Navi motor yacht NUMPTIA turned to Design Studio Spadolini, of Florence to create a modern hot tub masterpiece.  The floor-level tub and endless-style pool is the centerpiece on the yacht's sun deck, and features colored mood lighting, an infinity glass edge on one side, and two powerful waterfall-style showers dropping volumes of water into the pool. 

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Seen any other amazing hot tubs or onboard amenities on a yacht?  Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html, send us a photo, and we'll share your images and comments with our readers.

Normally, when you think of traditional gullets and motosailors, you envision Greece yacht charters and boating holidays along the coast of Turkey.

This winter, one Gullet is leaving Mediterranean yacht charters far behind, to relocate to the exotic island destination of the Seychelles.

Traditional gullet NIKOLAS is 73ft motorsailor built in 2006, and now available for hire in the Seychelles. At 23 meters (73ft) in length, and boasting a 6.6 meter beam, she is spacious and stable with plenty of room for large groups of family or friends.

Inside, Turkish gullet NIKOLAS is beautifully-fitted and boasts large wrap-around windows, allowing guests to enjoy views out across the turquoise waters of the Seychelles - while relaxing in air conditioned comfort. The yacht's salon offers a large U-shaped couch to starboard with a dining table and a fully stocked bar to port.

Motor sailor yacht NIKOLAS can accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 double cabins, each with an ensuite bathroom.

The yacht offers spacious outdoor areas - her aft deck has oversized sun pads and a large table for al fresco dining. There are further sun pads located on the fore deck, providing ample sunning areas.

A choice of attractive rates is available:

●  €12,000 per week, plus all expenses for up to 10 passengers
OR
●  €19,600 per week, all inclusive -  3 meals per day, 4 hours cruising fuel per day, and 24-hour generator use for air-conditioning.   A cash bar is available on board or alcohol can be bought locally, duty-free.

Current Bookings:
7 - 21 Dec, 2011                        Mahe to Mahe
23 Dec, 2011 -   1 Jan, 2012       Mahe to Mahe
13 - 18 Feb, 2012                       Mahe to Mahe

Located in the Indian Ocean, the islands of the Seychelles are an idyllic paradise.  Here you will experience white-sand beaches lapped by aquamarine waters, bright blue skies, and year-round sunshine.  Other yachts now available in this tropical paradise include Benetti motor yacht SILVER ANGEL, sail yacht PERLA DEL MARE, and motor yacht MOECCA.

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Contact  the SailAway destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to learn more about the Seychelles and yachting vacations in the Indian Ocean.

After this weekend's 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Feadship motor yacht JANA will hoist her anchor and reposition for the winter season in the Maldives. 

Expected to arrive in mid December, the classic 46-meter Feadship yacht charter vessel is currently available for a Christmas reservation. 

Motor yacht JANA, will remain in the Maldives through mid April and joins a growing list of yachts for hire in this Indian Ocean paradise. 



Other megayachts committed to the winter season in the Maldives include the 64-meter Benetti motor yacht SILVER ANGEL, sail yacht PERLA DEL MARE, the 60-meter motor yacht ARKLEY, and the 150ft motor yacht MOECCA.

Serving as a privately-chartered spectator yacht at this year's Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi, Feadship yacht JANA will complete one more charter in Abu Dhabi in November before embarking for the Indian Ocean. 



The prospect of offering alternative destinations for winter charters is exciting for JANA Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters.  "Our team is committed to expanding the destination options available to our clients," says Sheeder.  "A winter holiday in the warm waters of the Maldives is an excellent alternative to the traditional Caribbean yacht charter vacation." 



The Maldives offer visitors the chance to enjoy crystal clear water and sugar white, sandy beaches.   Located in the Indian Ocean,  the Republic of Maldives is an island nation formed by a double-wrapped chain of twenty-six (26) atolls. The winter water temperature is amazingly warm, about 31 degrees celsius (87 degrees fahrenheit), and the opportunities for snorkeling and watersports seem endless. There are hundreds of reefs, many in the shallow waters of enclosed lagoons.

"We hope to add even more megayachts to the growing list available this winter in the Maldives."

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For more information about yacht charters in the Maldives, visit these online brochures:

Lürssen motor yacht ARKLEY

Saba yacht PERLA DEL MARE

Benetti yacht SILVER ANGEL 

Feadship yacht JANA   

Motor yacht JO, the 164-foot Benetti yacht charter vessel has announced plans to spend the winter season in the Caribbean.

Voted "Best Family Charter Yacht 2011" by Superyacht World magazine, the 2004 Benetti motoryacht JO offers accommodations for 12 guests in 6 staterooms.

Captain Ian Robertson reflects on what makes this yacht unique in the industry - the combination of a tranquil environment with modern amenities.  "There is an atmosphere that radiates calmness, and you feel it from the moment you step aboard," says Robertson. "The yacht as a whole is meticulously maintained, participating in two yard (maintenance) periods per year.  Our owner understands the importance of updating tenders, watersports equipment, and the onboard entertainment equipment on a regular basis."

"There are plenty of watertoys both for children and adults," says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters.  "The 12 crew members onboard motor yacht JO are among the best family-friendly crewmembers in the industry."

Foodies will appreciate the talents of chef David Beltran, as he cooks with both passion and flare. His signature dish is "Veal Zurich."  At mealtime, Beltran orates his menus to the guests, not in any traditional format, but in rhyming couplets - often interjecting a few words in Italian, Spanish, German, and French!

Similar yachts available for hire in the Caribbean include  50 meter motor yacht WHEELS,  58 meter yacht MI SUENO, and  45 meter motor yacht ILLUSION.

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Rates for motor yacht JO range from $175,000 per week for non-premium periods to $225,000 per week for year-end holidays.  Running expenses are extra.  To reserve yacht JO, click HERE at http://www.1800sailaway.com/inquiry.php?y=jo

Motor yacht SILVER ANGEL has announced plans to relocate to the Indian Ocean this winter. The 64 meter superyacht will be available for Bennetti yacht charter vacations in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar.

Built by Benetti and launched in 2009, the 211 foot yacht offers accommodations for 12 guests in 7 staterooms. A crew of 21 are onboard to attend to the guests.

The Indian Ocean is an idyllic paradise.  Here you will experience white-sand beaches lapped by aquamarine waters, bright blue skies, and year-round sunshine. 

Opportunities for diving and snorkeling abound in this pristine eco-tourism region.

Memories of your time aboard Benetti yacht SILVER ANGEL in the Indian Ocean will stay with you long after your tan fades!

The winter rate is set at USD $450,000 per week, plus all expenses (items such as food, fuel, and dockage).










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Several other luxury yachts will depart the Mediterranean and re-locate  to the Indian Ocean this winter, including motor yacht MOECCA and sail yacht PERLA DEL MARE.  For more information on this exotic locale, contact our SailAway destination experts at  http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

For those who want to charter a boat to Turkey for a special holiday, RED ANCHOR (formerly, Claudia of MC) is just the boat for you. She is currently available as part of the famous Benetti Yacht Charter luxury fleet in the Mediterranean. This luxury motor yacht is 37 meters (121 feet 4 inches) and exudes elegance and timeless beauty. RED ANCHOR (ex-Claudia of MC) has a tastefully-designed interior with a very modern look and feel, and she offers spacious areas on the exterior deck where you can sunbathe and be entertained while cruising in the high seas.

Water sports enthusiasts will have plenty to do aboard RED ANCHOR (ex-Claudia of MC) as there is a wide selection of water toys available onboard as well.

To book your private luxury yacht charter vacation aboard RED ANCHOR (formerly CLAUDIA OF MC) or any other super yacht, click here.

For those who wish to take a Virgin Islands Yacht Charter vacation this year, Lady Sheila may just be the yacht for you.

Lady Sheila is one of the newest luxury motor yachts in the renowned Benetti yacht charter fleet.  She is 44.20 meters (145’) in length and can comfortably accommodate up to 12 yacht charter guests in her five luxurious staterooms.

Lady Sheila's main saloon has a uniquely chic wooden floor finish with both light and dark wooden strips laid out from port to starboard.  The soft furnishings of Lady Sheila’s large lounge suites include orange cushions which give life to the elegant white interiors.

Contact SailAway to book your private luxury yacht charter vacation.

The mega yacht charter industry has dominated the nominations for the
World Superyacht Awards 2009. Over a dozen luxury Mediterranean yacht
charter and Caribbean yacht charter vessels, all available through
SailAway Yacht Charters, have been nominated as finalists for the World
Superyacht Awards 2009.

With a record number of nominations, luxury yacht charter megayachts
lead the way with 14 new yachts up for the prestigious international award.
The nominees represent some of the newest and largest yachts available for
Caribbean yacht charter holidays as well as Mediterranean yacht charter
adventures.

The winners of the prized Neptune awards will be announced at the World
Superyacht Awards 2009 gala evening at London's historic Guildhall on
Saturday, May 16, 2009.

Finalists include the 240' Nobiskrug yacht SIREN for the Best Displacement
Motor Yacht, 1300GT to 2999GT; along with the 196' Benetti yacht AMNESIA,
and the 196' Benetti yacht XANADU, and the 177' CRN yacht MARAYA, for the
Best Displacement Motor Yacht, 500GT to 1299GT.

Other mega yacht charter vessel nominees include 141' CRN yacht HANA for the
Best Displacement Motor Yacht below 500GT, and the 143' Heesen yacht
SEDATION for the Best Refitted Yacht award.

The World Superyacht Awards are designed to recognize the talents of the
naval architects, designers, builders and ultimately, the visions of the
owners who bring together the teams that work to create these masterpieces
of modern design and manufacture.

Over four hundred distinguished guests will gather in May to witness the
presentation of the highly coveted Neptune Awards - the 'Oscars' of the
super yacht world - during a glamorous gala evening attended by an elite
guest list of megayacht and super yacht owners and leading industry
professionals.

Rounding out the charter yachts nominated are Lürssen yacht MADSUMMER;
Corsair yacht NERO; AMY yacht SEA FORCE ONE; Hakvoort yacht MY TRUST;
Horizon yacht MISS ROSE; Mondomarine yacht PANTHER II; Benetti yacht SALU;
and sail charter vessels Alloy yacht RED DRAGON and Perini Navi yacht
SALUTE.

SailAway continues to lead the way with the NEWEST and LARGEST Yachts in the
Worlds' BEST Destinations. Make your reservation today at 1800YACHTCHARTER.COM.

The Mediterranean yacht charter marketplace is bursting at the seams with over a dozen new builds in the past 12 months. Many of the newest yachts have been delivered to their owners and the luxury yacht charter crews are busy preparing these mega yachts for their Mediterranean yacht charter season.

The eagerly awaited Benetti mega yacht AMNESIA and superyacht CRN Ancona MARAYA have now been launched to great acclaim. The 196.8' (60m) megayacht AMNESIA is chartering in Croatia and southern Italy for the summer, before heading to the Caribbean for winter.

Super yacht MARAYA, which translates as "many mirrors" spent part of 2008 in luxury yacht charter service, and her crew of 15 is eager to put in a full summer offering customers either a French Rivera yacht charter, or a Croatia yacht charter. With the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival close at hand, the volumes of deck space on this superyacht make her ideal for service as a corporate yacht charter vessel.

Fresh from the shipyard, a number of smaller, more intimate yachts, suitable for 4 to 6 passengers, are eager to enter both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean Turkey and Greece yacht charter market this summer. Leading the way is the 2009 speedy 23 meter Aicon Spa yacht ENCORE, with accommodations for 6 to 8 guests.

The super-charged yacht MISTER JINGLES, also built in 2009 and will be cruising from the French Riviera on down to the Amalfi coast at a blistering 35 knots.

Another highly successful summer charter season is anticipated in the Mediterranean.  Keep your eyes opened for more new builds to hit the seas this spring.

To see ALL of the newest and largest yachts in the world's best destinations and to book your vacation of a lifetime or upscale corporate event, visit www.1800yachtcharter.com.

With over 25 annual shows for megayacht and superyacht vessels around the world, one show continues to be the biggest and best - the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.  



The list of exhibitors reads like a "Who's Who" of the superyacht industry. Trinity yacht charter, Feadship yacht charter, Lurssen Yacht Charter, and Benetti yacht charter enthusiasts will be mesmerized by the sheer number of yachts gathered in one location. 

"This show affords us an opportunity to educate our luxury yacht charter customers," states SailAway President, Jana Sheeder. 

"We can take our clients on a tour of several equal-sized yachts and let them compare deck space, cabin size, and onboard amenities." 

"Some of our most popular mega yacht charter vessels will be here, such as ANJILIS and BIG CITY (both along the Face Dock between slips 9A-D) and MARAYA (docked at Bahia Mar in slip A1)." 

The 2009 showcase of luxury sail and motoryachts takes place  October 29^th through November 2^nd. 

To visit SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants' fleet of superyachts, visit 1800sailaway.com ; then to book your vacation of a lifetime, contact us at 305-253-7245 or 1-800-SAILAWAY (724-5292) or email info@1800sailaway.com  We are at your service!