Mega Yacht Charter

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.

Available in the Caribbean from 21 January to 21 February 2012, motor yacht SIREN is offering a special discounted rate to lure charter customers.

With permission of the yacht's owner, SailAway Yacht Charters is extending a 15% price break for any 7-night charter between January 21 and February 21, 2012.   The special rate is €400,000 per week, plus running expenses - a savings of €76,000, based on the published rate of €476,000 per week.

One of the largest luxury mega yachts available for hire, this vessel can accommodate 12 guests in 6 suites.

At 73 meters in overall length, this 2008 yacht was built by one of Germany’s most renowned shipyards - Nobiskrug. Motor yacht SIREN is certainly one of the most important mega yachts in the world today. Her design and build quality are second to none. The yacht’s deck spaces are a marvel in terms of style and usability.

Power and Motoryacht Magazine ranks this yacht at #53 on their annual list of the World’s 100 Largest Yachts.

Key Features:
►Minimalist design creates a feeling of balance and harmony
►Generous deck spaces provide an inspired platform for outdoor living, including an outdoor cinema.
►Vast array of water sports equipment
►Main stateroom's private balcony
►Full Gym
►Ondeck Jacuzzi

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For a list of all yachts offering winter and spring discounts, contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html today.

Following a downgrade in credit ratings of nine euro zone countries, Reuters reports the euro is likely to post further losses in the coming week after it dropped on Friday the 13th to its lowest against the U.S. dollar in nearly 17 months. 

As the euro continues to slide opportunities to secure value prices on Caribbean yacht charter vacations will flourish, says Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters.

"Many of the yachts we represent for mega yacht charters are owned by European investors.  They set their rates in Euros - a currency that is being battered by the downgraded credit ratings of euro zone countries like France, Spain, and Italy," says Sheeder.

American travelers looking to secure rental vacations on European-owned superyachts are seeing their US dollar stretch further than in the past two charter seasons.  "US-based travelers were on the short end of the stick for quite some time," says Sheeder.  "As their dollars continue to strengthen they can upgrade to larger yachts without paying more money. The foreign currency pendulum is definitely swinging in their direction."

The growing inventory of luxury vessels for hire, coupled with low demand due to the global recession is further putting pressure on charter rates.  "The shrinking euro plus excess inventory and low demand is creating tremendous value for United States residents looking to charter in the Caribbean this winter and even in the Mediterranean this summer," explains Sheeder.

The 70-meter motor yacht NUMPTIA, for example, recently announced a euro rate reduction, combined with extra free charter days for the remainder of the Caribbean season.  

Sheeder and her advisors believe the tumble is not over.  "The breakdown in talks between Greece and its creditor banks means Greece is on the verge of collapse. This could continue the downtrend in the euro," states Sheeder. 

Some currency strategists see the euro possibly hitting $1.25 by the end of next week, with a target of between $1.21-$1.22.   The euro plunged to a low of $1.26240, its weakest level since late August 2010, on the EBS trading platform. On Friday the 13th, it last traded at $1.26830, down 1.1 percent on the day. The euro, down slightly on the week, posted its third straight weekly loss, based on EBS data.

"On the bright side," says Sheeder, the tumbling euro will provide a significant incentive for  Americans to book European-owned yachts at a deeply-discounted price for many months to come."

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REVIEW LUXURY YACHT CHARTER SPECIALS AND INCENTIVES at http://www.1800sailaway.com/brochure/listings/yacht-specials.

It sounds like the plot of a Jules Verne science fiction novel - three teams of intrepid explorers are locked in a race to reach the deepest depths of the ocean.  Each team is scrambling to build and launch a high-tech submarine capable of withstanding a dangerous journey seven miles straight down to the bottom of the sea.

It's a landscape of pitch blackness and freezing cold temperatures - an abyss where strange, pale-colored sea creatures dart between the rocks.  The dangers are immense - the pressure is so great that a human would be instantly crushed into a small clump of flesh and bone.

But this story isn't science fiction. It's the real-life drama of the race between three teams to reach the sea floor of the Mariana Trench, the most isolated and extreme environment on Earth.

Two of the teams are headed by famous celebrities with deep pockets and an unending quest for adventure.  British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, owner of the 32 meter (111 foot) luxury yacht charter vessel NECKER BELLE is one.  The other is Hollywood filmmaker, James Cameron.  Cameron, the director of Avatar, Titanic and The Abyss has already pumped $10 million into his sub, whose design is a closely guarded secret.

Then there is the underdog - Patrick Lahey.  In a novel or movie, Lahey's character is Everyman - the little guy with the big dream and the courage to take on bigger, more powerful foes.

Lahey is president of tiny Central Florida company Triton Submarines.  The blue-collar diver and his band of submariners are heavy underdogs to their wealthy competitors. But if they can dive their uniquely designed sub to the bottom of the trench before Branson and Cameron do, they'll be heroes. They also hope to persuade the reality television producers of the Deadliest Catch to film the whole race, in which case Everyman Lahey and his team might even get rich.

Lahey's motivation, however, is not money.  His dream is to open the deep sea to thousands of people. Triton plans to take tourists two at a time to the trench, and Lahey hopes to sell the transparent-hulled subs to mega­yacht owners around the world.   Bahama yacht charters motor yacht MINE GAMES is one of the first charter vessels to carry an onboard submarine  as part of the yacht's watertoy inventory.

"We're interested in getting more people to give a sh** about the ocean," Lahey says. "The future of our species depends on it, yet 95 percent of the ocean has never been explored. It really is the last frontier on Earth."

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Unleash the explorer spirit within you!  Contact the SailAway destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to charter a private yacht in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and beyond.

The highly anticipated motor yacht Pershing 82 is on schedule to debut in the spring of 2012.  A contemporary reinterpretation of its predecessor, the Pershing 80, the Pershing 82 is the ninth model added to the builder's series of open performance yachts.

Mediterranean yacht charter fans looking for a swift yacht take note!  In keeping with Pershing’s emphasis on performance, the new 82 model will be capable of a 45-knot top end, thanks to twin MTU 16V M93s.   Cruising speed is expected to be an equally-swift at 40 knots.  

Such performance will ensure you get to St. Tropez for lunch and back to the dock at the Cannes Film Festival in time for cocktails.

Designed by Fulvio De Simoni and a team of architects at Centro Stile Ferretti Group, the Pershing 82 performance yacht features an external profile that is sleeker and more aggressive than that of its predecessor.  The elongated superstructure enhances the new attractive forms while the sundeck with retractable platform makes the yacht look slimmer.

The yacht is 24.97 meters long and features a traditional mega yacht charter layout of 4 comfortable guest cabins.  The master suite is located amidships, with the VIP cabin forward, and two twin bed cabins positioned at the bow.

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For information about renting a Pershing or other high-performance yacht this summer, contact SailAway at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

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.

Making its world debut at the 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show in January 2012, Sunseeker Yachts will unveil the new Sunseeker 28 model.

The first of a distinctive new generation combining the very latest in innovation and technology, the new 28 meter Sunseeker will be the perfect platform for smaller group term charters for 4 to 8 guests.

The 2012 Sunseeker 28 shows a new "look"  for the famous performance yacht builder. Most captivating is the remarkable extent of main deck glazing. Full height and pillarless, the glazing flows continuously down the sides and around the rear of the saloon, where it merges with the aft patio doors. This new wrap-around glazing gives the main deck accommodation a unique, panoramic floor-to-ceiling view and a bright, sun-filled interior.

External conversation areas on the foredeck and flybridge have been innovated with new sunpad and group seating formats. The expansive foredeck has given rise to a completely new seating/sunpad layout with a center companionway emphasizing the increased social areas.

The large flybridge deck offers unrivalled room for any mega yacht charter vessels in the 25 to 30 meter range.  This space can be tailored to suit every owner's needs - from spa tubs to extended sunpads, this area will have multiple entertainment layouts.

Offering a breakthrough in interior layout and design, the Sunseeker 28 features interior furnishings selected from the 2012 Sunseeker Collection of materials and linings, ensuring that the striking exterior design continues throughout the interior. Two individual stairways lead down to four well appointed (and spacious) staterooms, including two VIP double staterooms and a full-beam master suite. Each cabin incorporates the large viewing window now synonymous with Sunseeker design.

With excellent performance speeds, modern exterior lines, and refined interiors, the new Sunseeker 28 is a remarkable new craft.   She will soon join similar-sized 2011 models already in charter such as Sunseeker Predator 84 yacht FIRECRACKER and Sunseeker 34 yacht TUPPENCE.   
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Known for exceptional achievement in building semi-custom luxury mega yacht charter vessels, Westport Yachts has launched motor yacht LEGACY, the latest new build in the company's flagship Westport 164 series.

The tri-deck 50 meter motor yacht LEGACY can accommodate twelve guests in unsurpassed luxury.

Prized by owners for the artistry of the yacht's contours as for the substance of its construction, the Westport 164 represents a landmark achievement in large yacht design.  Developed using leading-edge three-dimensional modeling and structural software applications also used in the aviation industry, Westport yacht LEGACY has met every objective for speed, ride, maneuverability, integrity, and overall quality.  



The modern exterior is credited to world-renowned designer Donald Starkey and naval architect William Garden.  Their collaboration created a refined hull form for exceptional ocean-going performance, plus an innovative accommodation plan which balances interior and on-deck spaces for maximum enjoyment and versatility.  The yacht's contemporary styling will ensure lasting appeal, and should prove popular with Caribbean yacht charter clientele. 

No word as to when the yacht will be available for charter consideration.  With 15 popular Westport yachts currently available for hire in the South Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, Westport aficionados hope to soon see this magnificent yacht on the charter market.

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To charter a Westport yacht, contact the SailAway yacht vacation specialists at  http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html  today.

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.

Anyone who has enjoyed a luxury yacht charter can attest to the epicurean delights prepared and presented by some of the finest chefs in the world.  From select cuts of beef to freshly-caught seafood - only the finest ingredients are used.

Unfortunately, the same attention to detail is not always present ashore and back at home - especially when it comes to mislabeled seafood. 

Recent reports suggest that species may be mislabeled as much as 25 to 70 percent of the time for commonly swapped species such as red snapper, Atlantic cod, and wild salmon.  This mislabeling not only rips off consumers, but can hurt our oceans as well.

That's where you come in - the oceans need you, Sherlock Holmes!

The folks at Oceana, a celebrity-driven advocacy group for the protection of our seas, is recruiting "Seafood Sleuths" - volunteers to help identify seafood fraud. 

Simply put - they're looking for fishy seafood in your area, and need your help.

Do you have what it takes to be a Seafood Sleuth?

Seafood fraud covers a number of dirty activities that seek to skirt the rules and rip us off, including mislabeling seafood as a totally different fish. In the coming months, Seafood Sleuths will buy seafood from either a grocery store or a restaurant and send a small piece of fish back to Oceana.  The Oceana science team will work with a lab to use DNA to identify the fish species and report the results.

Earlier this year, Oceana tested seafood in the Boston area and found that 18% of the seafood purchased from major grocery store chains was mislabeled.  The Boston Globe published a two day story on seafood fraud in New England markets and restaurants and found 48% of the fish to be mislabeled.

You might wonder why this situation is not prevalent in the yacht charter industry.

Purchases of fresh foods for Caribbean yacht charter vessels, and indeed superyacht vessels everywhere, lies in the hands of the yacht's highly-trained onboard chef.  Most chefs personally visit the markets and select the entire fish, guaranteeing they are purchasing exactly the type of fish they want. 

So here is your opportunity to fight seafood fraud in your hometown — sign up to be a Seafood Sleuth NOW.

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To learn how to fight seafrood fraud, contact the SailAway mega yacht charter department at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

Like it or not, information in "Real time" is a way of life.  Whether its the latest Tweet by Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, the tumbling Euro in the continuing global debt crisis, or the 12th hour NBA lockout negotiations - we need our information now, as it happens, streaming live to our smart phones and laptops.

Staying connected is a way of life, even when we travel for pleasure.  The mega yacht charter industry, frequently viewed as pathfinders in embracing technology and gadgets, clearly understands the need to be wired.  Industry insiders report nearly 98% of all megayachts for hire feature onboard WiFi service for use of their guests.

But is WiFi all you need to stay in touch with the real world during a charter holiday?  According to Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters, WiFi is only one part of the answer.  "Clients often ask if the yacht they are considering for their vacation has WiFi," says Sheeder. "What they really should be asking is, 'Does the yacht have VSAT.'"

Many yachts with WiFi capability can only access the Internet when they are in close proximity to a WiFi server.  Many marinas have WiFi servers;  but what happens when the yacht sets off for a remote cove for a day of swimming and snorkeling?  Unless the yacht has VSAT, the onboard WiFi capabilities are rendered useless.

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is simply a satellite system. The superyacht has a dome and antenna onboard that connects from just about anywhere at sea to a satellite in space. "Having VSAT onboard means the client can be anchored off the coast of a remote island during a Caribbean yacht charter, flip open their laptop, and use WiFi to connect to the Internet," explains Sheeder.

When booking your next yachting holiday, be sure to ask for a specific breakdown of the yacht's WiFi systems.

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For information about megayacht vacations in exotic ports of call, contact the SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

The beautiful 54 meter motor yacht SEQUEL P has announced reduced winter rates in the Caribbean.

To encourage last-minute holiday bookings, Proteksan yacht SEQUEL P has dropped her Christmas and New Year's Eve premium rates from $378,000 per week to $350,000 per week - a savings of 8%.

For non-holiday periods, charterers can enjoy a Virgin Islands yacht charter for $322,000 per week and pocket savings of $28,000 off the regular rate of $350,000 per week.

Launched in Turkey in June, 2009, mega yacht SEQUEL P was designed by London-based H2 designers, and built by Proteksan Turquoise Yachts Inc specifically for use in the luxury yacht charter industry.

The newest yacht to hit the Caribbean (and the mediterranean in summer), the vessel offers a fascinating interior with areas furnished in sycamore and macore woods, and a generous exterior deck space. 

Up to 12 guests are accommodated in 6 staterooms:  a master suite on the main deck, and 2 double, 2 twin (each with Pullman) and 1 convertible VIP cabin on the lower deck.  The VIP cabin can also be converted into a massage studio or office.
 

Special features include zero speed stabilizers, which reduce motion when the yacht is at anchor, amazing deck spaces, and well-planned entertainment areas.  For active guests, there is a full gymnasium, and a large inventory of aqua toys. To ease sore muscles after a day of activity there is a large ondeck Jacuzzi tub, as well as the services on a licensed masseuse.

Similar yachts available this winter in the Caribbean include the 2011 53-meter motor yacht SPIRIT,  the 2009 50-meter motor yacht WHEELS, and the 2010 55-meter HARBOUR ISLAND.

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To book a holiday escape in the Caribbean or Bahamas, contact the SailAway destination experts at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html.

Here's a staggering statistic: The number of megayachts worldwide has more than doubled in the last decade. While welcome news for the luxury mega yacht charter market, the development of new marinas sufficient in size to accommodate the largest yachts has not kept up with demand. 

The yachting community is still talking about this summer's incident in Antibes when a Saudi prince docked his 265-foot yacht in the last available slip at Millionaire’s Quay in Cap d’Antibes, leaving Russia's most prominent yachtsman, Roman Abramovich. to moor his 533-foot motor yacht ECLIPSE offshore. 

READ the full story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2029182/Roman-Abramovichs-1bn-yacht-dock-Saudi-princes-boat-parked.html

Fortunately, the international marina industry is capitalizing on cutting-edge trends to make sure modern new facilities are built to accommodate these yachts. 
 
Here's a quick look at the latest trends in new megayacht marina construction:

Quiet Waters

In the past, it was good enough to build a marina anywhere along the coast.  For the new, large megayachts, calm waters are a must.  Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters explains:  “As a megayacht owner, you don't invest millions of dollars in the construction and design of a comfortable vessel to end up rocking and rolling in an unprotected marina all night.  New marinas must put great emphasis in large slips in calm water areas."

Elbow Room
 
To accommodate larger vessels, current trends are for providing for no less than 1.5 times maximum LOA (length overall) fairways.  This will allow new facilities to anticipate and compensate for bigger and bigger yachts. 


Flotation

Another trend in modern dock design is the use of floating docks.  In the past, megayachts needed to be moored at fixed piers with high freeboard.  New floating dock systems will have higher freeboard capacity to accommodate the larger vessels.

Yachts and Watts

Adequate power is a real challenge for new marinas. Sheeder explains: "As the yachts continue to get bigger their appetite for more power increases as well.  This puts a large burden on the marina developer and the locality to provide sufficient electricity for these yachts.  New facilities will need to bring power to the finger piers to minimize line drop (a loss of electricity in the line as it travels over any distance), and deliver power in varying phases and cycles.

Other Trends

According to industry analysts other top trends include:

●  In-slip fueling and sanitary pump outs -  "Speed and efficiency are important issues," says Sheeder.  “Moving yachts is expensive and can be very time-consuming."

●  Vehicle-friendly piers  -  Accommodating vehicular traffic and convenient boarding.

●  Shoreside Facilities & Amenities -  Onshore facilities and amenities at modern megayacht marinas has become a major focal point.   Pools, fitness centers, crew lounges, and computer facilities will be the norm.  On-site concierge services will give crews, owners, and yacht charter clients access to entertainment options, restaurants, doctors and health clinics and more. 

●  Wireless Technological Advances  -  With larger yachts come larger crew complements.  Wi-Fi bandwidth at new marinas must be large enough to accommodate the demands of more crew members when they arrive in port and jump on Skype and the Internet.  Look for marinas to turn to emerging technology such as WiMAX 4G.  No hard wiring or link to the marina’s IT infrastructure is required. 

Future Expectations

What can we expect to see in megayacht marinas in the future?  Sheeder is confident that the industry will remain committed to eco-friendly technological advances. “We expect a continuing emphasis on unique destinations. As we look for incremental growth beyond traditional Caribbean yacht charter destinations, we must push for green technology in all new marinas. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship must be the norm in the future."

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Contact the SailAway destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to experience the newest and largest yachts in the world's best destinations.

This past Tuesday evening, October 25th, at the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, the winners of the 2011 ShowBoats Design Awards were announced.  For the second year in a row, several mega yacht charter vessels proved popular with the judges and edged out private yachts for awards in design excellence.

A VIP audience of superyacht owners and the industry’s leading creative talents were on hand to see the 188ft sail yacht TWIZZLE, a luxury sailing charter vessel, declared the winner in the Recreational Area for Guest Use and Interior Design categories.  Justin Redman of the design team at Redman Whiteley Dixon accepted the Neptune award for TWIZZLE.

Other charter yachts receiving honors included:

●  Motor yacht EXUMA - Best Exterior Design & Styling Award: Displacement Motor Yachts 100′-199′

●  Motor yacht CALLIOPE - Best Exterior Design & Styling Award: Semi-displacement Motor Yachts

●  Motor yacht BIG FISH - Naval Architecture Award: Motor Yachts

●  Sail yacht KOKOMO - Naval Architecture Award: Sailing Yachts

Motor yacht EXUMA , the 264'  yacht built by the Perini Navi Group and Picchiotti, and featuring exterior styling by Vitruvius Ltd and naval architect Philippe Briand, was also recognized with an Environmental Protection Award.


 
"For the second year in a row, the world's finest yachts for hire were in the spotlight," beamed Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters.  "There's a deep commitment by these yacht owners to build vessels with amenities and aesthetics that are appealing to prospective charter clients.  We are so proud to represent these amazing yachts, as they are among the newest and largest yachts available in the world's best destinations."

Private yachts were by no means shut out of the awards.  The 312ft Blohm & Voss motor yacht PALLADIUM was the evening’s biggest winner, as designers Mick Leach and Mark Smith took home four Neptune Awards for Tender Design, Bespoke Furniture Item, Exterior Design & Styling and Interior Design.

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Many award-winning yachts are available for hire this winter and spring in warm weather destinations, including Grand Bahama,  St Barts, and St Lucia.  Contact the SailAway yacht charter destination pros at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for further details.

New safety rules for the construction of superyacht vessels could prove a boon for the mega yacht charter marketplace, especially for charter parties of more than 12 passengers.

Bureau Veritas, the international classification society, is launching an updated set of classification rules for yachts.  The rules cover design, material and equipment certification and construction surveillance at the shipyard.  A major addition to the new rules is a set of standards applicable to very large luxury yacht charter vessels with over 12 passengers.

These new standards will bridge the gap between international conventions applying to passenger ships and yacht industry standards.

Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters believes the new regulations are long overdue.  "We've been fighting for new standards for a long time. The regulatory environment for luxury yacht charter vessels carrying more than twelve passengers has been confusing for years. Costly conventions developed for passenger vessels like cruise ships carrying hundreds of passengers were forced upon superyachts clearly built for large families and corporate charters."

According to Sheeder, the cost of compliance to non-conforming standards means charter yachts with the capacity to carry more than 12 passengers have been forced to only accept charters for 12 or fewer passengers. "Owners of yachts with accommodations for 13 or more guests were hesitant to spend the large sums of money needed to bring their yachts into compliance with cruiseship-level standards."  

"The result," says Sheeder, "is that only a handful of mega yacht charter vessels can legally accommodate more than 12 guests. "     

The new Bureau Veritas rules develop a set of requirements, close to the international conventions but customized to the yacht industry standards.  It is believed the new regulations will result in new charter yachts built to carry between twelve and thirty six passengers.

"The demand is there," says Sheeder.  "Large, extended families end up renting island villas or staying in resorts when no suitable yachts are available.  Hopefully, the new regulations will result in more available yachts for parties of thirteen or more."   

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Some of the yachts currently available for large families include the 36-passenger motor yacht CHRISTINA O, the 40-passenger LAUREN L, the 36-passenger motor yacht MOONLIGHT II, and the 30-passenger motor yacht RM ELEGANT.   For further information, contact Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters at jsheeder@1800sailaway.com

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.

A well known owner of a Mediterranean yacht charter vessel charges nearly €100,000 per week to rent his yacht, but it is his day job that brings him vast sums of money.

Actor Johnny Depp, owner of the 156' motor yacht VAJOLIROJA, opens up about his staggering paychecks in the November issue of Vanity Fair magazine.

“Basically, if they’re going to pay me the stupid money right now, I’m going to take it,” he admits in the magazine article.  “I have to. I mean, it’s not for me. Do you know what I mean? At this point, it’s for my kids. It’s ridiculous, yeah, yeah. But ultimately is it for me? No. No. It’s for the kids.”

Depp has shot to the top of the list of Hollywood's highest paid actors, thanks to the stellar success of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise.   While Depp is mum on the size of his Pirates "ransom," a recent report puts his total take in the $300 million range, due to a gross-profit-sharing deal brokered with Disney. To date, the four-film franchise has tallied $3.7 billion in worldwide receipts, and Depp is slated to star in a 5th installment. 

It's believed Depp's passion for the sea, and his purchase of a mega yacht charter vessel stems from his years of filming the Priates movies in exotic locales such as the Bahamas.  His yacht, 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 — is a 156 foot yacht of distinctive character, inspired by the classic gentleman’s yachts of the 1930’s. 

The lavishly-styled interior evokes the romance and glamour of a bygone era (with a few pirate-themed hints throughout).

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Relive the Golden Era of yachting onboard a classic yacht this winter.  Depp's yacht VAJOLIROJA is available for hire in the Bahamas or St Martin, and joins another classic-style Caribbean charter yacht, sail yacht GERMANIA NOVA.  In other destinations, classic-styled sail yacht  MONTIGNE is available in the Far East, and in the Mediterranean, sail yacht ATLANTIC and motor yacht CHRISTINA O are available this winter. Contact SailAway Yacht Charters at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html to reserve your yacht today.

The finalists for an international design awards program have been announced and several mega yacht charter vessels lead the pack. 

The International Superyacht Society has released its lists of finalists for the 2011 International Design Awards.  Four of the five nominees in the Best Power category for yachts 40 to 60 meters in length are charter vessels:

●  McMullen & Wing motor yacht BIG FISH 

●  Holland Jachtbouw motor yacht CALLIOPE

●  Perini Navi motor yacht EXUMA 

●  Lürssen motor yacht SOLEMATES 

Based solely on peer review, the International Superyacht Society Design Awards celebrate the finest naval architecture, design, interiors, and engineering in the newest yachts in the large yacht industry.

Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at ISS’s annual International Design Awards Gala at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale.

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Explore some of the newest yachts available for hire through SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants at http://www.1800sailaway.com/ and book yours TODAY

Pop superstars Beyonce and Jay Z enjoy a boat ride

Want to experience a Caribbean yacht charter like a celebrity?  Then look no further than the exclusive island of Saint Barthélemy, better known as St Barts.

Always sunny with very little rain, the tiny island has become famous for celebrity sightings, especially during the year-end holidays where all-night New Year's Eve yacht hops and parties capture the attention of the global newswires.  

Singer Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rossdale relax ondeck

A playground for billionaire superyacht owners and pop culture icons, the scene in St Barts between Christmas and New Years is unlike anywhere else in the world.  From Mariah Carey and Sean "P Diddy" Combs, to Beyonce , Jay Z and Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore - all have spent time lounging on the sundeck of a multi-million dollar luxury mega yacht charter vessel dockside in the island's Gustavia marina.

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore seen leaving motor yacht A, to go ashore in St Barts





So just where is St Barts, the island paradise dubbed, "Hollywood South?"

St. Barts is a tiny island situated in the French West Indies.  Located 17°55’ north and 62°50’ west, just below the Tropic of Cancer, and north of the chain of the Lesser Antilles.  Puerto Rico is 240 km (about 160 miles) to the west. 

St. Barts lies 35 km southeast of Saint Martin, separated by the Saint-Barthélemy Channel. It lies northeast of Saba and St Eustatius, and north of St Kitts. Some small satellite islets belong to St. Barts including Île Chevreau, Île Frégate, Île Toc Vers, and Île Tortue. A much bigger islet, Île Fourchue, lies to the north of the island, in the Saint-Barthélemy Channel. Other nearby islets include Coco, the Roques (or little Turtle rocks), and Sugarloaf.  

Seven thousand kilometers separate St Barts from Paris, but it is just 2500 from New York (about a 4 hour flight).

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Why not rent a private yacht and join your favorite celebrities this winter for a week in a tropical paradise?  Contact the SailAway destination professionals at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for more information.

Launched in May, 2011, motor yacht QUINTA ESSENTIA is in the midst of her first season as a Mediterranean yacht charter vessel.  The stunning 55 meter yacht will be on display this month at the Monaco Yacht Show, docked along the  Quai d'Hirondelle.  

For those of you unable to see her in person, here's a quick look at the largest superyacht launched by Heesen Yachts to date:

This semi-displacement yacht combines extraordinary looks with impressive performance and remarkable fuel efficiency. One observer described the yacht as, "...fluent and organic," with a, "...subtle blend of qualities, making her instantly recognizable yet having a refined and classy appearance."

The unique color scheme was developed by the owner in collaboration with Dobroserdov Design, and consists of a custom-made, classic dark red and a clean oyster white tint. The owner is passionate about fine wines, hence the yacht's signature red color.

Designed by Omega Architects, Heeson yacht Quinta Essentia offers many special features, one of which can be immediately seen upon entering the aft deck. Here, a swimming pool with waterfall can be found, just aft of the yacht’s main salon.

A flow of design and color can be noticed from exterior to interior, upon entering the main saloon. The exterior curves of the vessel are applied inside as well and give the main saloon a softness without losing the sense of spaciousness.  The luxurious interiors are a mixture of minimalism and intimacy, and reflect the owner's personal style.

Aside from the owner’s enormous master suite, the yacht features two large guest cabins which are convertible into one big VIP cabin, plus one double cabin, one twin cabin and an additional VIP cabin on the vessel’s main deck.

The upper deck saloon boasts full height opening windows, offering an incredible panoramic view of the sea.  The deck features a forward lounge and an aft dining room that can be opened up to the large upper aft deck for spectacular al fresco meals.

The vessel’s sundeck provides plenty of room for sunbathing plus an ondeck hot tub and an aft dining area with shade from awnings.  Centrally located on the sun deck is a large gym and luscious spa area.
 
One of the largest yachts available for charter, Heeson's bold 55 meter beauty will set a new standard of what's next in the world of luxury mega yacht charter vessels.

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Is a year end yachting holiday in your future?  Find out more about great deals for a St Barts yacht charter and New Year's Eve celebration.  Contact the SailAway destination specialists at http://www.1800sailaway.com/contact_us.html for more details.