GOOD TIMES

Yacht charter guests -- keep an eye out for a new watertoy that's sure to be seen on luxury yacht charter vessels in the future.   Have you always wanted to ride on the back of a sea turtle?  Do you dream of skindiving and holding onto a manta ray who glides you through the water?   As exciting and dreamy as those images seem, they equate to harrassing marine life.  Flying underwater, then, has to be done without marine creatures.  The solution?  Norwegian inventor Simon Sivertsen's Subwing!

Designed with two hydrodynamic wings that join in the center with a swivel made of rubber and steel, the Subwing's "arms" pivot independently of one another.  "Flyers" can ride the Subwing by holding onto rubber grips at the front of the wings or by grasping a rubber grab loop in the rear. Heavy-duty Dyneema fiber ropes attached to the top surface of both wings connect to your yacht charter tender tow rope. 

Ready, set, FLY!  Riders can steer the Subwing up, down, left, or right, and they can perform spins, simply by angling or twisting the wings.  The Subwing is only recommended for use by skin divers (without scuba tanks), since sudden depth changes and compressed air don't mix. Scuba tanks are also heavy and create a lot of drag for the tow boat, which is recommended to go only two knots while towing "Subwingers."

The Subwing is available in three versions. The fiberglass model sells for US $700, the carbon fiber matte model sells for $850, and the carbon gloss model will set you back $895.

Thanks to awesomer.

Go figure, we write dozens of blogs about Caribbean yacht charter vacations, trendy new gadgets, and things to see and do while yachting with families and friends. So what was our most popular blog in 2011?  
 

* * * SWIMSUITS! * * *

Hey, we know a winning story idea when we hear one...

OK ladies, if you're ready to get a jump on this summer's hottest swimsuit fashions, our editors have selected their 2012 seasonal favorites - guaranteed to turn heads from Saint Tropez to Monaco!

 


Limone Halter and Bottom (by Pily Q)
This is not your ordinary halter top! Brought to us by Barcelona's Pily Q, it features a pretty oval accent at the center and offers unbelievable shape and support with a hidden underwire!   Sun, sand, and sexy swimsuit make for a perfect Caribbean vacation.
 

 

 

 

To the amazement of the crew and passengers, a Caribbean yacht charter vessel with a fortuitous name recently encountered a small pod of manatees, up close and personal, while cruising the Florida Keys.

Captain Corky Clark and his wife and first mate, Sue, had the camera rolling when four manatees slowly came alongside their 48' sail yacht SURPRISE.

It’s a short video, and the encounter is brief, but very touching, as one of the inquisitive creatures raises its head out of the water to peer at the people on the boat. 

No doubt the encounter will be a lifelong memory for the onboard charter guests as well as the crew.

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Come experience all that crewed catamaran charters offer.  Contact the SailAway Yacht Charter sailing vacation experts at: http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html

While this mommy and daddy are well-known for enjoying numerous week-long mega yacht charter vacations at sea, a simple day excursion on the water was a great introduction for their infant daughter to the yachting lifestyle.

Beyonce, husband Jay-Z, and three month-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter spent the Easter holidays in one of the family's favorite vacation enclaves - the island of St Barts. 

The local paparazzi captured the parents boarding a small day charter vessel, with Blue Ivy in her mother's arms, as they prepared to spend a lazy afternoon on the water.

Locals on St Barts are used to seeing the media power couple once or twice a year, their chartered superyacht docked along the quay.  For the short Easter weekend, the family elected to stay in shoreside accommodations.  But the yachting "itch"  is powerful, and the couple took a perfect-weather day as an opportunity to go boating in the afternoon - and to take along their daughter for her first boat ride.

Perhaps we'll see the family back in St Barts at year-end, enjoying another New Year's Eve yachting vacation.

 

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To reserve your yachting vacation in St Barts, contact SailAway at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html

Can you think of three great reasons why A-list celebrities like Johnny Depp, Beyonce, Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwyneth Paltrow choose yachting holidays over more conventional getaways?  

Before you rack your brain with choices such as great food, amazing onboard amenities, gadgets, and watersports toys, we have to come clean - it's really a trick question.

There's really only ONE reason Hollywood stars, producers, and their families relish yachting, but it's a reason worthy of being repeated three times:

●  PRIVACY

●  PRIVACY

●  PRIVACY

Come to think of it, its the number one reason most vacationers consider a Caribbean yacht charter in the winter, or an escape to the Mediterranean in the summer.

Except for the professional crew, NO ONE gets on the yacht without the permission of the charterer and his guests.  

Sure, you can rent a posh villa in a ski resort, or a magnificent penthouse in any number of hotels around the world. At some point, be it on the slopes or in a restaurant, you must deal with other people and crowds.

The level of privacy enjoyed on a superyacht is unrivaled.  There's little need to plan meals ashore as charter chefs are among the very best gourmands in the culinary industry. Onboard amenities such as cinema rooms, hot tubs, and saunas, rival the finest shoreside spas. 

Recreational watertoys such as  waverunners and  snorkel gear eliminate the need to visit stores and shops to rent sports equipment. 

In short - yacht charters offer an all-inclusive environment that caters to travelers who place great emphasis on quality time with family and friends.      

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Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html and learn more about a world of yachting options for you and your family.

Yesterday, a follower of our blog sent in an email asking, "When is high season in the Caribbean?"

In terms of luxury sailing charter vacations, the Caribbean offers wonderful and highly diverse cruising. From St. Thomas, to the north, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the south and the Windward Islands, the clusters of islands and cays that form the region known as the Antilles offers many diverse destinations - from beaches to lagoons, to rain forests. 

Ask most captains and they will tell you the "best" time to enjoy sailing in the Caribbean is from December to April - a period often referred to as the "High" season.  As a general rule, the weather is drier and the tradewinds steadier, so weather conditions for crewed catamaran charters (the most popular yachts) are more stable. Nights tend to be cooler as well.

May through November is typically considered the "Low" season and is most often associated with hurricane season.  While hurricane season is theoretically from June to November, most intense tropical storms occur in September and October, when the ocean water is at its warmest temperatures of the year.

Although May is technically low season, avid adventurers often plan Virgin Islands yacht charters in this month.  The weather is still cooler than the later summer months, but the water temperature is ideal for snorkeling, and the throngs of tourists that flock to the Caribbean for Easter and spring break are long gone. 

In short, May offers the lower prices often associated with low season but the comfortable climate most common in high season - sans the hordes of high season visitors!

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For a list of seasonal discounts, contact SailAway Caribbean charter pros at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

We've all heard the saying, "Up the creek without a paddle," but what about without a rudder?

A British company is hoping their invention will catch on with boaters and the yachting community -- a rudderless saucer-like watertoy called a "Circraft."    

Round, revolutionary, and radical, the aquatic flying saucer is one part James Bond boat and one part personal watercraft, like a waverunner or jetski.

Aside from its appearance, what makes this new watertoy truly unique is the lack of a rudder for steering.  Directional control comes from the operator leaning to one side or the other - lean left go left, lean right and the Circraft will do the same. 

Want to stop? Simply flip the throttle to neutral and the saucer will glide to a halt (and like a waverunner or jetski, a safety cut-out cord connects the outboard to driver for safety in the event of any mishap).

Powered by a small outboard engine, the Circraft can hit maximum speeds of 40 mph and can carry one to two riders.

Will we see charter vessels like Benetti motor yacht DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER or the highly-popular James Bond motor yacht CASINO ROYALE replace their conventional waverunners with the Circraft?  There are compelling reasons charter vessels may wish to add these water-saucers to their aquasports inventory.  Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters explains:

"Personal watercraft are restricted from use in many destinations;  for example, passengers on a Virgin Islands Yacht Charter are often frustrated to learn the waverunners on their rented yacht may not be used in the British Virgin Islands.  The Circraft is rated as a Category C vessel, similar to a motorized tender, and doesn't carry the same restrictions that hinder the use of waverunners and jetskis by charter guests."

Priced from £5,000 (about $7900) plus tax for the boat with 20hp outboard and customized trailer, they are comparable, if not cheaper, in price to most waverunners.

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Live the James Bond 007 lifestyle of adventure and exploration, at least for a week, on a private yacht for hire.  Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to reserve your luxury yacht charter today. 

If reports are to be believed, there's trouble in Paradis for Captain Jack Sparrow.     

People Magazine is reporting Hollywood A-list star Johnny Depp and his inamorata of 14 years, singer Vanessa Paradis are calling it quits.  According the the mag's cover story, Depp, 48, and the Chanel model, 39, have not appeared together at a public event for more than a year.

To the movie-going public, Depp is best known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow, the central protagonist of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise.  In the yachting industry, the actor is more familiar as the celebrity owner of a mega yacht charter vessel often seen cruising the pristine waters of the Bahamas.

This week's office water-cooler question: will the split lead Depp to rename his Bahama yacht charters motor yacht, VaJoLiRoJa?

The boat’s clever name comes from combining the first few letters of each family member’s name, partner Vanessa Paradis, Johnny, and their kids, Lily-Rose and Jack. 

If Johnny drops Vanessa, can we assume the multi-syllabic boat name will shed its current first syllable - leaving us with JoLiRoJa?  We kind of like that - if you say it fast enough it sounds like, "Jolly Roger"  — a perfect name for this 156 foot yacht of distinctive character.

But wait, what if its Vanessa forcing Johnny to, "Walk the plank?"  If she keeps custody of the yacht, the new name could be VaLiRoJa.   Has a nice sound to it - kinda rolls off the tongue...

Perhaps the best name for the yacht is RANSOM, as in Depp's reported $300 gross profit sharing booty from Disney's Pirates movie franchise.  

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View our favorite celebrity-owned mega yacht charter vessels, then contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to plan your own adventure at sea.

Whether in the galley of a superyacht or the kitchen of a fine restaurant, Chef Geoffrey Fisher relishes the opportunity to blend creativity, talent and knowledge to transform everyday ingredients into stunning, delicious creations.

While the 35 year old Fisher, born in Manchester, England, is at the top of his profession, he continues to hone his skills.  "I push myself (sometimes) 16 hours a day,” says Fisher. “Being a chef is all about passion. If you don’t have it, don’t go there. It’s long, unsociable hours. It’s not a job; it’s a way of life. Being a chef, you learn something new every day, by working with other chefs, reading books, even watching cooking programs on TV."

His lessons in cuisine and hospitality began early in life, as Fisher washed dishes in his parents’ restaurant in Lancaster, England. He watched the chefs and thought, “I could do that!” His mom and dad recognized his talent and encouraged him to get a formal culinary education.

Fisher attended Lancaster & Morecambe College and took a three-year chef/catering course. He learned everything from general basics and waiting to theory and cooking. He won "best student chef" three years in a row and became runner-up in the national competition, Nestle Toque d’or. In between classes, Fisher worked for his parents in their restaurant.

By age 24, Fisher was head chef at the Swag and Tails, a restaurant in Knightsbridge where he stayed for nearly four years. “It was here I learned how to deal with people, order food, costing and the unpleasant duty of how to fire people,” he said.

Looking for a new adventure, Fisher decided to join a friend in Europe who was chef on the 47-meter M/Y Commitment, which happened to be on charter at the Monaco Grand Prix.  A week onboard and Fisher was hooked and started looking into a career in yachting.

With a little help from the chef onboard sail yacht TWIZZLE,  Fisher landed a job onboard motor yacht WHEELS, and quickly learned charter chefs must be flexible. “I make a point of having a chat with them (charter guests) as soon as possible when they arrive to find out not only what cuisine they like, but also what they don’t like, or if they have any allergies. Talking with the guests is important," says Fisher.

Fisher also learned the pressure of working on a yacht for hire can be intense.  "The pressure in restaurants is tense, but completely different on yachts. On yachts, it’s intense because you never stop cooking. When it’s not the guests, it’s the crew," states Fisher.

After his stint onboard M/Y WHEELS, Fisher joined the crew on motor yacht SLIPSTREAM, where he is still the executive chef.  As to his future plans, Fisher says, "In time I would like to own a small restaurant in Malta. In the kitchen, it’s said you’re only as good as your last service. In yachting, I always say, you’re only as good as your last charter.”

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Rent private yacht - Enjoy the gourmet services of the world's best chefs on a yaching holiday.  Contact the SailAway destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for further details. 

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.

When planning a Caribbean yacht charter vacation, couples traveling with other couples often face an all-too-common hurdle:  Select a large, expensive yacht with equal cabins or choose a smaller, more affordable boat and draw straws to see which couple gets the cabin with two single beds.

Fortunately, a 37 meter Virgin Islands yacht charter vessel has come to the rescue of couples everywhere by offering equal cabins and affordable rates.

The 120 foot motor yacht TOUCH offers accommodations for 4 couples in 4 equal staterooms - each featuring a king size bed and ensuite bathroom. 

While similar-sized yachts are charging rates in excess of $75,000 plus expenses, per week, M/Y TOUCH has kept her prices reasonable - charging $65,000 per week, plus expenses, for 8 guests, during the 2012 Caribbean charter season.

Launched in 2004, the yacht underwent a $1.5 million refit in 2011.  The yacht was painted top-to-bottom, the entertainment system was upgraded with new flat screen TV’s, audio speakers and components, and new fabrics and coverings on most of the yacht's indoor and outdoor furniture.

Based in St Thomas, USVI, the yacht and her crew keep guests busy with an amazing assortment of watertoys such as a high-speed 29' sportfish tender, sea kayaks, snorkel gear, and an assortment of towable toys.  After a day of playing, a large ondeck Jacuzzi tub offers couples the chance to relax sore muscles and enjoy a cocktail under the stars.

Filling this special niche for couples should keep motor yacht TOUCH busy for years to come...

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Planning an all-couples vacation in the Caribbean?  Let our destination experts show you the various options for both sailing yachts and motoryachts.  Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html today for more details.  

The tiny island nation of St Barts once again played host to celebrities, business icons and the world's largest yachts to celebrate New Year's Eve 2011.

With fireworks bursting overhead, many revelers made their way to the £59 million island estate of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich for his annual party.  Estimated to cost £5 million (about $7.7 million US Dollars), the star-studded event featured a live performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Many stayed on the Russian's 536 foot superyacht ECLIPSE – the world's largest private yacht with two helicopter pads, a submarine, and two swimming pools.  Other yachts anchored in the harbor or along the quay included the 377 foot motor yacht LUNA,  Feadship yacht charter motor yacht DREAM, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen motor yacht TATOOSH.

Some of the A-list celebrities and guests seen on yachts, and in restaurants and clubs included Star Wars creator George Lucas, designer Marc Jacobs, singer Jon Bon Jovi, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and music mogul Russell Simmons and his Australian actress-girlfriend, Melissa George.

Revelers on yachts came ashore in tenders, before being whisked off in chauffeured cars to the various parties taking place across the island.

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To plan your own special event on a private yacht, contact the destination pros at SailAway at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

The other day, a client texted his post-charter comments after returning from a 10 night luxury sailing charter vacation.  We responded and asked if everything went well.  Being his third Perini Navi yacht charter in the islands, we also asked if anything out of the ordinary occurred.

"Gr8 charter...all wnt well."  he replied.  "Nothing unusual but the skiing."

We texted, "A lot of peeps on H2O-skis?"  His reply nearly knocked us out of our chairs, "LOL - No...SNOW skis!"

It turns out, the most unusual ski adventure of the winter season wasn't taking place in Vail, Deer Valley, or Steamboat.  The unlikeliest of winter ski destinations this season is the Caribbean Sea, where dressing in layers of warm clothing will not be required, but sunscreen will be a must.

It's all taking place aboard a custom-built cruise ship that boasts a tall slope and lift at its stern, a rental chalet, and après-ski bar. 

Not to be outdone by the megayacht charter vessels known for their onboard amenities, the specialty cruise liner also boasts saunas and hot tubs.

White powder skiing purists may cringe at the fact the snow is not real and there is no  wintry crispness to the air.  But consider the bright side: deep blue skies, balmy temperatures every day, and a placid sea Caribbean sea with islands on the horizon.

Iglucruise, is the company offering this first-ever Caribbean ski excursion. A British-based travel company, the eight-day voyage departs from Barbados and includes stops at Tobago, Isla Margarita, St. Lucia, Grenada and St. Vincent.

The ski slope is almost 500 feet long, built atop the upper deck to afford fantastic views of the tropics. The slope is covered with a Perma-Snow carpet, said to almost feel like real snow.

The company's website states they are, "proud to announce the launch of their first cruiseship, a ground-breaking new ship to combine the passions of their loyal customers; skiing and cruising."

Expect for long lines at the lift, as the ship can carry 1,129 passengers.

News of this crazy adventure is spreading fast, and from comments by bloggers, the ski community isn't quite sure how to react.  One post read in part:

"I think it's a stretch to actually call it skiing, then again, speaking to the uniqueness of this idea, what a trip it's going to be for people to be linking turns on a cruise ship sailing across the famed waters of the Caribbean Sea. This is not a ski trip most of us would ever consider, then again name another time you've heard of such a trip being offered."

Prices for the cruise start as low as $1,240/pp.

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While a luxury yacht charter vacation cannot offer snow-type skiing, the typical yacht does have a large assortment of aquasport toys and onboard amenities. For a great winter deal on a private yacht vacation, contact the SailAway charter department at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html  today.

They say, "Time flies when you're having fun."  It seems like yesterday we were looking forward to the launchings of 2011's newest yachts, and planning charters for special events like the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix.

As the year winds down and clients make their last-minute preparations for Christmas and New Year's Caribbean yacht charters, we take a minute to look back at our most popular yachting-related stories of 2011:  

Must-Have New Gadgets for 2012 - Our Top Three
Going on a Virgin Islands yacht charter is loads of fun, but getting there can be tedious.  Having a cool new gadget on hand is a great way to kill some time...

Blake Lively and Leonardo DiCaprio SailAway Onboard Steven Spielberg Yacht
While gossip websites circulated a series of photographs purporting to show the "Gossip Girl" actress posing naked, Blake and Leo were seen relaxing and laughing onboard motoryacht SEVEN SEAS, Speilberg's multi-million dollar superyacht, during the recent Cannes Film Festival 2011...

Leave Your Clothes Behind - Top 2 Clothing Optional Caribbean Yacht Charter Destinations
It has been said a great vacation is all about escaping. For many, that means escaping the confines of their homes and the rigors of their work.  For others, it is best achieved by escaping the confines of their clothes...

Top Three Well-Traveled Celebrity Couples
From après-ski private chalets in Vail, to multi-deck behemoth superyacht vessels in the Caribbean, some celebrity power couples take traveling to the extreme...

European Prince Encourages Superyacht Industry to Go Green
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has introduced a program to encourage the builders of the world's largest yachts to use timber from sustainably managed forests...

World's Newest and Largest Yachts on Display in Monaco
Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway reflects on the Monaco Yacht Show - one of the greatest showcases of luxury charter vessels in the world.  Each year, approximately 100 megayachts from 25 to 90 meters long are on display.  What makes this show truly unique is the number of new yachts on hand.  About 40 of the newest  superyachts delivered in the past 12 months are on exhibit...

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Make 2012 a year to remember.  Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to arrange an unforgettable yachting vacation with your family and friends.