London Olympics Yacht Charters

After we posted a blog about the high demand for berths in the heart of London during the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games this summer, we started to wonder if there were any convenient, alternative locations for superyacht dockage. 

It turns out there is an excellent port facility away from the crowded downtown London docks with good deepwater berths and easy-to-arrange helicopter access into the heart of London.

Portland Port is ready to roll out the red carpet for luxury yacht charter vessels this summer, and might just become this year's megayacht hotspot, with multiple deep water berths and anchorages available.

A special bonus - Portland Port is host to the Olympic and Paralympics sailing races.

 
Situated at the end of a peninsula off the Dorset coast, Portland Port is an ideal location to enjoy Olympic sailing events, and escape the crowded Royal docks near downtown London. Using Portland as a base during the games, charterers heading for stadium events can avoid the Thames River, and shuttle via helicopter from Dorset into the heart of London.

Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters expand on the advantages of docking in Portland, especially for large sailboats.  “Because of height restrictions, some large luxury sailing charter vessels are unable to cruise down the Thames.  Portland is an excellent alternative for these sailboats.  Our team will partner with local port authorities to offer the ultimate in luxury packages including helicopter transport to and from Olympic events."

Portland Port offers multiple deep water berths suitable for vessels over 24m LOA, and also serves as an excellent stop-over destination between popular locations such as Falmouth, the Solent, and the Isle of Wight. The pretty, traditional seaside town of Weymouth is only 15 minutes away by taxi.

The prospect of using Portland as a gateway to adventure has Sheeder beaming.  “Attending the Olympic Games while enjoying a yachting-based vacation will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our clients. By using Portland as a base, charterers will not only have easy access to the Games, but also be at the gateway for exploring nearby sites like nge, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bath, and the Jurassic Coast.”

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It's not too late to arrange a yachting holiday this summer in London.  Contact the SailAway Yacht Charters special events team at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for details on planning your London Olympics yacht charter.

It seems renting a luxury yacht charter vessel for the upcoming London Olympic Games is the easy part.  Securing a place to dock your megayacht will be the real challenge.

Event organizers are expecting a scramble for berths along the Thames river and its series of meandering canals.  Some of London's waterways pass within 100 meters of the Olympic stadium at Stratford, and last minute space is unlikely to be available. 

Some vessels like the 99 meter legendary Mediterranean yacht charter motor yacht CHRISTINA O have already arrived in London to stake out a berth, nearly five months in advance of the Games.

One vessel, the 175 meter luxury cruise liner MS Deutschland berthed in South Quay as part of a 36 hour warm-up visit last July.  With the trial run a success, MS Deutschland now has a confirmed berth for the Games and will provide accommodations for the German Olympic Committee.

Back in May, 2011, we reported on berths being offered at the Royal Docks, adjacent to the ExCel Centre (the venue for Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis).  As of March 1, local authorities report less than half of the 50 premium superyacht berths remain available.
  
"One thing is certain." says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters. "For the month of August, 2012, London will be the luxury mega yacht charter capital of the world."

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The 2012 London Olympic Games take place from July 27 through August 12.  For a list of available yachts and up-to-date dockage information, contact SailAway special events coordinators at http://www.1800sailaway.com/special_events.php.

It's hard to believe the 2012 London Olympic Games are less than one year from now.  As the games draws closer, it's expected more than a dozen luxury mega yacht charter vessels will be available for hire along the fabled Thames river.

One of the first yachts to commit to the London games is the 75 meter motor yacht LEANDER. The massive superyacht will be available from the evening of the 27th July.

Yacht Leander features accommodations for twelve guests in a choice of ten luxurious staterooms, including two master suites on the main deck. In addition, up to four staff members (nannies, bodyguards, etc.) can also be accommodated in certain circumstances. White glove service is provided by the yacht's highly-trained crew of 25, headed by Captain Julian Cope.

In addition to a choice of roomy saloons and spacious deck areas, an assortment of amenities are available including a fully-equipped gym and swimming pool with counter current and Jacuzzi-style jets. Launched in 2003, yacht Leander is constantly maintained to the highest standards and her equipment is regularly updated.

Leander's weekly rate during the London Olympics will be € 455,000 plus all expenses.

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For a list of available yachts for hire during the Olympic games, contact the SailAway destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

Alicante, Spain is the starting point for the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race, and luxury sailing charter vessel PHILANDER wants you to be part of the action. 

The 40 meter yacht is offering a special charter rate to watch the opening ceremonies and the start of Leg 1 of the world's most famous round-the-globe sailing race. 

The 39,000 mile (72,000k), nine-month odyssey pits man against nature in an ultimate test of courage and stamina across treacherous open seas. During the race, crews will experience life at the extreme: no fresh food is permitted on board, so they will live off freeze-dried meals.  Temperature will vary from -5 to +40 degrees Celsius, and the sailors will only take one change of clothes. The crew will trust their lives to the boat and the skipper to survive hunger, sleep deprivation, and whatever nature hurls their way.

In stark contrast, the opening festivities rival the atmosphere of the Cannes Film Festival and offer a chance to meet the crews, see the yachts, and celebrate the sport of sailing.  From October 14 to November 5, a jam-packed three-week period will offer an in-port race, a legends regatta, a pro-am race, and the start of Leg 1.

Sail yacht Philanderer is a 40 meter (131') yacht with guest accommodations for 10 and deck space for 18 for cocktail parties and social events.  Her professional crew of 7 will attend to every need during the charter in Alicante.  

For the event, the yacht is offering a rate of  €35,000 for 5 days minimum between October 29th and November 5th. The rate includes the yacht, crew, and use of onboard recreational amenities, such as the ship's gym and sauna.  Of course, guests will also enjoy the best seats in the house for watching the racing action up close!  All expenses (meals, bar, etc) are extra.

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2012 is the year of special yachting events in Europe - from film festivals,  to Grand Prix Formula One auto races, to the summer Olympic games.  Don't forget  - advance reservations for London Olympics Yacht Charters should be made by January, 2012.  For further details on all special events contact our destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

It seems like just yesterday, we were glued to our televisions, watching 15,000 Chinese performers on the field of the "Bird's Nest," as China kicked off the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Olympic games.

Yet here we are, just one year to go before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic games. 

Suddenly, the notion of renting a yacht for the London games isn't something to think about down the road.  Marina reservations are well under way, and additional berths have been added to accommodate the expected visitors arriving by superyacht.

"We are very excited to see such levels of interest from yachts so far," says Mark Upton, Director of MGMT. "We were always confident yachts would book for the Olympics but expected this to happen later in the year once the summer charter season ended. We have made a huge effort to keep the industry informed of our concierge services and also the fact that the popular tickets, hospitality, and services will sell out very quickly. It seems our efforts are paying off and the bookings are being made early to ensure visiting yachts receive the full benefit of all the services available."

"One thing is certain." says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters. "For the month of August, 2012, London will be the luxury mega yacht charter capital of the world.  Based on the early inquiries we have received, we estimate at least 30 superyachts will be in London and on the Thames for the Olympics next summer."

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Rent a private yacht through SailAway and enjoy complete Olympic concierge service, from securing dockage, to ground transportation to the various athletic venues, to securing event tickets. Contact our destination specialists HERE today.

In addition to the The Marina at the London Docklands, SailAway is pleased to announce a limited number of superyacht berths at ExCel London, one of the 2012 Olympic Games venues. These exclusive berths are adjacent to the ExCel Centre in London’s Royal Docks, and provide charterers and their guests with a convenient base for the duration of the Games.

"We were thrilled in February to announce the availability of dockage at The Docklands,"  says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters.  "Now we can offer additional accommodations, specifically to the largest yachts, at the Royal Docks.  We understand the adjacent ExCel Centre will host a variety of Olympic events including Boxing, Wrestling, Fencing, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis."

Infrastructure is in place to provide an on-site berth manager, restricted public access, a dedicated parking lot for automobiles and concierge services.

Sheeder expects heavy demand for these prime berths and encourages yacht owners and charter clients to reserve their berths as soon as possible. "In addition to Her Majesty's Jubilee Flotilla in June, I can't imagine a more exciting time to bring a superyacht to London!" 

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To join us in London for a London Olympics Yacht Charter next summer, contact our destination experts HERE right now.