Marina for Croatia Yacht Charter Megayacht Vessels Opens in Sibenik

Friday, March 5, 2010 by News SailAway
New Yacht Charter Marina in Sibenik, Croatia
New Yacht Charter Marina in Sibenik, Croatia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Yacht Charter Megayachts Dominate the Nominations at World Superyacht Awards 2009

Friday, March 5, 2010 by News SailAway
Superyacht Awards 2009
Superyacht Awards 2009

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.

1800yachtcharter Presents New Yacht Charter Superyacht NATORI Launched by Baglietto

Friday, March 5, 2010 by News SailAway
Super yacht NATORI in the shipyard, before launch
Super yacht NATORI in the shipyard, before launch

The stunning 42 meter super yacht NATORI from the renowned Baglietto shipyard was launched February 14th, 2009. The build project was managed by Master Yachts. Baglietto mega yacht NATORI is set to become one of the most talked about vessels on the Mediterranean yacht charter scene this coming summer season.

The newest and one of the largest yachts to enter the Mediterranean yacht charter marketplace in 2009, super yacht NATORI boasts a distinctive and avant garde exterior, styled by Francesco Paszkowski, and a beautiful interior designed by Bannenberg. The megayacht interior is a combination of Italian cabinetry, complemented with African materials to create a sophisticated and unique décor.

Huge windows throughout her spacious interior create a variety of light, which is complemented by her unsurpassed outdoor deck space which is equal to that normally found on much larger luxury yacht charter vessels. The large bridge deck area has ample space for sun loungers and a shaded dining area for up to 12 guests. There is also a gymnasium on the bridge deck. Her sun deck houses a large pool area, designed by Bannenberg, which incorporates sun lounging space, seating area, and al fresco dining space.

Accommodation is for 10 guests in five cabins. The full-width master suite has its own private ensuite full-beam his and hers bathroom. On the lower deck, there are two twin cabins, one with a Pullman berth, as well as two full-beam VIP cabins, each with double beds. The megayacht boasts a full array of watersports equipment and all the latest entertainment systems.

SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants (now 1800yachtcharter Consultants) represents the Newest and Largest Yachts in the World's Best Destinations. For more information on this yacht or any luxury charter megayacht, in any destination, contact the experts at 1800yachtcharter by email at info@1800yachtcharter.com or by phone: 305-720-7245.

New Builds for Mediterranean Yacht Charter Prepare for 2009 Summer Season

Friday, March 5, 2010 by News SailAway
New build processes for megayachts
New build processes for megayachts

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.

Planning a Luxury Yacht Charter Begins with Visit to Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Monday, October 26, 2009 by News SailAway

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.  

Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show FLIBS

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 29th through November 2nd

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!

Superyachts sold in September 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009 by News SailAway
Luxury yacht sales bode well for the economy

Megayacht charter customers take heart - the luxury yacht industry is alive and well as Superyacht sales soar in September 2009.

Without the active buying and selling of Mediterranean yacht charter vessels among the world's elite, there would be no viable luxury sailing charter or megayacht rental industry.

Recent sales bode well for the future. 
 
September saw a number of 2009 brokerage sales records broken, with 24 superyachts reported sold at asking prices totalling nearly 374 million EUROS. This was well above the combined total of July and August of 340 million EUROS and, indeed, the first four months of the year when, between January and the end of April, yachts with total asking prices of 372 million EUROS were sold.

It was also the month when very large yachts came into their own, as Lurssen’s 59.4m OASIS, the 70.5m BOADICIA from Amels, Benetti’s 56m ALLEGRO, and the 64.5m MY SHANTI, again from Amels, all found new owners. 

Boat International magazine wonders, "So we moved from the slough of despond to the broad, sunlit uplands of increasing volumes and values of sales?"

Charlie Birkett of YCO comments: “Understandably, expectations for what was once the start of the busiest season for yacht sales were conservative across the industry this year, and major brokerage houses reacted cautiously even to the apparent signs of recovery in August. However going into September we saw recovery consolidated somewhat with sales of the 60m+ yachts of prestigious yards and, speaking to other leading brokers at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, the mood was certainly more optimistic.

Contact the professionals at SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants at 1-800-YACHTCHARTER or email info@1800yachtchater.com to charter a luxury motor yacht or sailing vessel.

Trinity Yacht Charter Fans to Delight at FLIBS

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by News SailAway

Numerous Trinity megayachts will be in attendance at the FLIBS2009 show in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

If there is one name that is echoed time and time again by our charter clients, it is Trinity Yachts. 

While Perini Navi, Benetti, and Feadship enthusiasts will be well represented, the record number of Trinity luxury yacht charter superyachts attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS 2009) is amazing.

Andrew Doole of Show Management reports this years Golden Anniversary of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) has attracted an amazing 149 superyachts over 30m to be displayed.

Using the standard definition of superyachts as being luxury yachts over 24m, the figure rises even higher, to 209 yachts.

The Trinity list is headed by the 196' BACARELLA and closely followed by the 177' KATHERINE. 

Not to be missed are ANGILIS
WHEELS, BLIND DATE, BIG CITY, LADY LINDA, VITA, and MY IRIS.

We mention these yachts simply to give you an idea of the quality of yachts on show, but there will surely be something on display to fit all tastes and pockets.

There is a Prime Time preview on Thursday, October 29th from 10am to 7pm and the show is open to the general public at the same times from Friday, October 30th to Sunday, November 1st.  The show closes at 5pm on Monday, November 2nd.

Your SailAway Yacht Charter representatives will be on hand to offer personal inspections and discuss custom itineraries for upcoming Thanksgiving and year-end holidays.  We are standing by ready to assist you.

Record Number of Luxury Yacht Charter Superyachts at FLIBS 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by News SailAway

FLIBS Ft. Lauderdale International Boat ShowWhether you are a Trinity, Benetti, or Feadship enthusiast, your toes will certainly tingle at the record number of luxury yacht charter superyachts attending the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS 2009).

Andrew Doole of Show Management reports that this year's Golden Anniversary of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) has attracted an amazing 149 superyachts over 30m to be displayed.

Using the standard definition of superyachts as being luxury yachts over 24m, the figure rises even higher, to 209 yachts.

The list is headed by Feadship's mighty 65m TRIDENT, followed closely by the 62m FORTUNATO, another Feadship, plus Trinity's 54m KATHERINE and Heesen's 50m MAN OF STEEL. 

We mention these four simply to give you an idea of the quality of yachts on show, but there will certainly be something on display to fit all tastes and pockets.

There is a Prime Time preview on Thursday, October 29th from 10am to 7pm, and the show is open to the general public at the same times from Friday, October 30th to Sunday, November 1st.  The show closes at 5pm on Monday, November 2nd.

Your SailAway Yacht Charter representatives will be on hand to offer personal inspections and discuss custom itineraries for upcoming Thanksgiving and year-end holidays.  We are at your service.

38m Superyacht ODYSSEY Relocates for Western Mediterranean Charters

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 by News SailAway
Motor yacht ODYSSEY for sale and charter MIPIM Monaco Grand Prix

As 2010 draws near, the owner of mega yacht ODYSSEY has relocated this Mediterranean yacht charter vessel for close proximity to Monaco and the South of France. 

Now, MIPIM yacht and Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter enthusiasts have another superyacht for their 2010 consideration. 

The 38m super yacht ODYSSEY is now based in San Remo, Italy. 

Her new close proximity to Monaco makes this one of the largest yachts available for Monaco Grand Prix charters, as well as static event charters in Cannes, France, such as the 2010 MIPIM.

Built in 2008 by Italy’s Rodriquez yard, she sleeps up to 11 guests in five cabins and has proven her worth as a Mediterranean yacht charter megayacht.

Asking 11 million Euros, superyacht ODYSSEY is now available for inspection by prior appointment for both sale and charter. 

 
Click here to view MIPIM yacht Odyssey's online brochure here. 

Sales Price Cut for yacht MINE GAMES, star of Caribbean Yacht Charter Fleet

Monday, October 19, 2009 by News SailAway
Trinity motor yacht MINE GAMES for yacht charter by 1800yachtcharter and for sale

The 164’ motor yacht MINE GAMES represents one of the major challenges in yacht design - creating a look that is distinctive but not outlandish. Trinity yacht MINE GAMES
, a trideck superyacht, seems to have hit just the right balance. Her deckhouse side windows are nestled into two elongated ovals that diminish the visual mass of her full-beam superstructure, while her prominent bow and raised bulwarks give her forebody the look of a much larger megayacht.

Now, news comes in of a $1.5 million price reduction for the 49.9m superyacht.

St. Martin yacht charter enthusiasts need not worry - the superyacht remains available for luxury yacht charter in both the Bahamas and throughout the Virgin and Leeward islands of the Caribbean.

Built in 2007 to ABS class and MCA compliant, the superyacht accommodates up to 12 guests in a master, three doubles, and a twin, plus a Pullman berth and cruises at 18 knots. The megayacht is helicopter-capable and has a very large swim platform/beach deck. To sweeten the deal, a Triton two-person submarine is included in the new asking price of $31.45 million.

Click here to view MINE GAMES' online brochure here.

"Les Voiles de Saint Barth" to Attract Perini Navi Yacht Charter Sailboats

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by News SailAway
For hundreds of years, sailors have been drawn to the Caribbean.  For the Perini Navi yacht charter aficionado, that lure continues to this day.  

Superyacht builder Perini Navi can proudly boast that a large number of Caribbean yacht charter megayacht vessels were launched from their acclaimed Italian shipyard.
 
Now, with the advent of a new sail event in 2010, the Perini Navi yacht charter experience will be enhanced by the opportunity to participate in a superyacht race event.  
 
A new regatta, "Les Voiles de Saint Barth," will be held between April 6 and April 11th, 2010. The event is organized by the Saint Barth Yacht Club and Comité Territorial du Tourisme, with the support of Saint Barthélémy's Collectivité. 
 
Perini Navi mega sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON under sail

While classic boats and multihulls will race in this new event, the undoubted stars of the show will be in the superyacht category.  The megayacht Caribbean yacht charter vessels, will be led by a flotilla of Perini Navi sailboats. 
 
Expected to participate are MALTESE FALCON, SALUTE, and SELENE.
 
Up to 10 more Perini Navi sailboats are considering participation. 
 
The inspiration for “Les Voiles de Saint Barth” is to create a regatta for beautiful sailboats to navigate in the local waters in a festive spirit. In the idyllic setting of Saint Barth Island, residents, storekeepers, and water sport professionals are getting ready to welcome these mega yachts and their crews (and the fortunate Caribbean yacht charter customers who participate) to help them discover or rediscover this unique island. 

There is no better time to plan sail boat charters in the Caribbean than late spring.  From sail boat charters to crewed catamaran charters, a St Barts yacht charter during "Les Voiles de Saint Barth" will bring memories to last a lifetime.

To book your luxury sailing charter, contact 1-800-Yachtcharter or email 
info@1800yachtcharter.com 

Motoryacht PARTYGIRL 146 Ready for Caribbean Yacht Charter Action

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 by News SailAway
At the end of the Caribbean yacht charter season, most megayacht vessels like
Christensen Motor yacht PARTY GIRL 146 leave the confines of the island life behind, and
begin the three-week migration "across the pond" (the Atlantic ocean). Once there, they prepare for the popular Mediterranean yacht charter season. Super yacht PARTYGIRL 146, however, is not like other luxury yacht charter vessels. 

 
Motoryacht PARTYGIRL 146 luxury yacht charter

The owner of this 2008 Christensen motoryacht prefers the warmth and privacy found only
in the Caribbean. While the other owners take their lavish toys to see and be seen in Monte Carlo, this 146' megayacht nearly has the entire Caribbean to herself (and her fortunate few yacht charter customers).
 
Based in the warm waters of St. Lucia, this wonderful charter yacht and her crew are ready to share their rain-forest island home with anyone intrigue by the slow-paced lifestyle of the Grenadine chain of the Caribbean.
 
Water-oriented travelers will love the toy inventory found aboard this 44.50 meter luxury megayacht. The list includes a 37' Intrepid tender, two smaller (18') tenders, a three-person waverunner, towable toys such as a Banana and a kneeboard. For onshore activity, the yacht offers an assortment of beach games, along with volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, kites, and a football.
 
The onboard amenities are amazing; so impressive that the megayacht was selected as the 2008 "Best of the Best" by the luxury lifestyle magazine, Robb Report. 
 
To entice summer travelers to spend a few days in the waters surrounding St. Lucia, the owner of the yacht is offering a special rate of $135,000/wk (plus all running expenses). The regular rate is $185,000/wk. This is a limited time offer and only applies for charters in the months of September and October.
 
To further sweeten the deal, the owner is waiving the standard $3500 weekly fee for the use of the 37' Intrepid. The Intrepid is now offered free of charge during this promotional offer.
 
This superyacht can accommodate 12 guests in 6 luxurious staterooms.
 
Here is a link to the yacht's online brochure:
http://www.1800sailaway.com/brochure/party-girl-146 
 
For further details, please contact the charter specialists at 1-800-Yachtcharter
or email
info@1800yachtcharter.com

Hargrave Yacht SEAFARER Joins Bahamas Yacht Charter Market

Thursday, June 25, 2009 by News SailAway
There are many production 100-foot motoryachts in the Bahamas yacht charters market, but owners Dr. and Mrs. Emmons of luxury charter yacht SEAFARER didn't want a cookie-cutter boat, particularly one costing $6 million. They wanted something that they could personalize to reflect their taste, their love of literature and the arts.
 
As a result you will see throughout the boat bookcases built specifically for the Emmons, and nooks created especially to fit their fine collection of marine artwork. 

Private Luxury Motoryacht SEAFARER
 
Luxury charter yacht SEAFARER motor yacht is a 30-meter megayacht available for a Bahamas yacht charter vacation. Yacht SEAFARER has accommodations for eight (8) guests in four (4) cabins. This new mega yacht was built by superyacht builder Hargrave and was launched in 2008.
 
Bahama yacht charters are all about outdoor adventure in the sun, so a large inventory of waytertoys are important. This mega yacht charter vessel carries a 15' widebody Nautica tender with 90hp Yamaha engine, two 2-person kayaks, snorkel gear, towable toys and tubes such as Boogie Boards, plus beach toys such as volley ball, Frisbees, and 4 bicycles. 
 
Click to view luxury motor yacht SEAFARER's online brochure.  

You, your family, and friends can enjoy a week-long odyssey in the Bahamas onboard this yacht for only $42,500 for 8 guests. Running expenses (items such as food, fuel, and dockage) are extra. For more information, contact Jana Sheeder, CEO of 1-800-YACHTCHARTER at jsheeder@1800sailaway.com. 1-800-YACHTCHARTER - providers of the Newest and Largest Yachts in the World's Best Destinations.

10 Reasons for Luxury Yacht Charter Customers to Purchase Travel Insurance

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 by News SailAway
Anyone who has booked a Benetti yacht charter or a Feadship yacht charter vacation knows that charter agents heavily promote trip cancellation insurance.

For mega yacht charter agents, trip cancellation insurance is a substantial profit point.  Commissions of 20% of the insurance cost for selling this product for a Feadship yacht charter or a Benetti yacht charter are common.

Charter brokers often offer this coverage to their Caribbean yacht charter customers who fear trip delays due to summer tropical weather disturbances.   Mediterranean yacht charter customers also hear the pitch to purchase this coverage, as concerns for lost baggage are common with long, international flights.

Putting aside the fact that someone "profits" from the sale of these policies, a luxury yacht charter customer should give serious consideration to this coverage option.  Whether you rent a private yacht, a megayacht, or a superyacht, for a Caribbean yacht charter or elsewhere, or whether you plan crewed catamaran charters or sail boat charters - the facts remain the same: you are spending a lot of money and you may wish to protect your investment!

There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early, or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling.  What if you booked a MIPIM yacht or a Monaco Grand Prix yacht for the yearly event in Cannes and Monte Carlo, and suddenly you could not attend?

To demonstrate the importance of purchasing travel insurance, and emergency travel services, here are 10 common examples of what could go wrong.
 
1.  It's 10 p.m. and you and your immediate family arrive at the airport for a connecting flight, only to find that your flight has been cancelled. Who can assist you with finding new flights to get everyone home?
 
2.  Your bag is lost with your insulin inside. You need help to locate your bag as soon as possible and have your emergency prescription filled. Who do you call?
 
3.  It's your first visit to Europe, and your passport and wallet are stolen before you board your Monaco Grand Prix yacht. Where do you turn for emergency cash, and how will you get your passport replaced?
 
4.  You're involved in an accident during your Benetti yacht charter, and adequate medical treatment is not available. Who will help arrange and pay for a medical evacuation?
 
5.  Your sister-in-law becomes seriously ill and you must cancel your MIPIM yacht trip. What happens to your non-refundable deposits or pre-payments?

Reason for purchasing travel insurance for your MIPIM yacht charter - illness
 
6.  You arrive for your Feadship yacht charter in Jamaica, and your luggage doesn't. If it's lost, who will help you find it? If it's delayed, who will pay for your necessities? If it's stolen, who will pay to replace it?

Reason for travel insurance - lost luggage

7.  Your luxury sailing charter tour operator goes bankrupt. Who will pay for your non-refundable expenses? Who will help get you to your destination?
 
8.  You're walking down a street in Rio and twist your ankle. Who can help you find an English-speaking physician?
 
9.  Three weeks before your scheduled arrival for your Croatia yacht charter, a terrorist incident occurs in the city that you are planning to visit. Who will pay if you want to cancel your trip?

10. You are at a beach resort in the Florida Keys during your luxury sailing charter vacation, and you are forced to evacuate due to an approaching hurricane. Who will help you evacuate and who will reimburse your lost vacation investment?
 
There are so many circumstances where your vacation may be interrupted.  It's important to understand your options to safeguard your holiday investment.  Remember travel insurance is optionaland should be analyzed before each vacation begins.

Sailing Superyacht Salperton IV Launches in New Zealand

Friday, June 19, 2009 by News SailAway
Built by Fitzroy Yachts, the sailing superyacht Salperton IV has recently been launched.  At 45 meters in length sailing yacht Salperton IV is the latest superyacht to be built by Fitzroy Yachts of New Zealand, being one meter longer than Salperton III at 44 meters.
 
Sailing superyacht SALPERTON IV

Fingers are crossed that the Mediterranean yacht charter fleet will soon welcome yacht Salperton IV to the family.  Earlier incarnations of Salperton have spent years delivering mega yacht charter holidays to customers around the world.  Two of the earlier vessels are still available for sail boat charters under the current names of Northern Spirit (37 meters) and Drumbeat (53 meters). 
 
Sail boat charters are extremely popular in the Caribbean, and all eyes are upon this latest incarnation. The superyacht cost an estimated $30 million.  She is 215 tons, took two years to build, and is the eighth megayacht that Fitzroy has built in the past 12 years.

Accommodations include four en suite state rooms and three crew cabins. For extra luxury, she also has a gym and a spa pool.
 
260,000 hours have gone into the construction of the (hopefully soon-to-be) luxury sailing charter vessel.  She is fully air-conditioned, has her own sewage treatment station, can make 15 tons of water per day, carries 30 tons of fuel, and has a 850-horsepower Cat engine, in case there is no wind.

It is the second yacht the company has built for British owner, Barry Houghton.  The earlier Salperton III was launched in 2007, the company’s 10th anniversary, and won two international awards the next year.  The design concept for number IV was for a yacht which sails and performs even better than number III.
 
As with number III, Adam Lay Studio came back to create the yacht’s interior design work.
 
It has been reported that the yacht departed New Zealand today, with her owner onboard, for a three month Pacific cruise. The sailing yacht will then cruise the Caribbean, before heading up in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2010.

A Year in the Life of a Superyacht

Friday, June 19, 2009 by News SailAway

The yachting industry has long held to the belief that a successful luxury yacht charter vessel can expect 12 weeks of charter business a year.  This expectation included both Caribbean yacht charter and Mediterranean yacht charter business.

Excluding the small sail boat charters that dominate the Caribbean market, in the world of megayacht and superyacht vessels, there are about 830 yachts 80 feet and larger available for a luxury yacht charter worldwide.  What might be surprising to many is this fact: some 600 of these vessels do no more than 3 or 4 weeks of chartering each year.

Thus the upcoming Mediterranean yacht charter summer season has a lot riding on it for boat owners and captains who have -- perhaps ill-fatedly from the start -- factored 12 weeks of megayacht charter business into their calculations.

So what does a 52 week year in the life of a superyacht look like?  A recent industry survey breaks it down like this: 
*Owner's personal use - 6 weeks.
*Yard time (for repair and maintenance) and crossing time to reposition (Caribbean to the Mediterranean, etc.) - 26 weeks.
*Undesirable charter dates - 14 weeks
*Actual Possible Charter Time:  14 weeks.

With these facts in mind, charter fleet managers now believe a realistic goal for a luxury mega yacht charter vessel is no more than 8 weeks per year...

Seventh Heaven Yacht Club Opens for Megayachts on Island of Ischia

Thursday, June 18, 2009 by News SailAway
If you are planning a luxury mega yacht charter this summer on a Mediterranean yacht, you'll be pleased to know Luise Group, leaders in maritime agency services to the superyacht industry, has taken over management of the Ponente Quay (Molo di Ponente) of Lacco Ameno on the Island of Ischia.

The marina known previously as Heaven's Quay, has now been renamed The Seventh Heaven Yacht Club.

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 30 kilometers from Naples, Italy, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, and is a frequent destination for sail boat charters and mega yacht charters.

Seventh Heaven Yacht Club yacht charters Ischia Luise Group

The Seventh Heaven Yacht Club, located on the northern part of island of Ischia, can accommodate twelve mega yachts, and the marina covers an area close to 16,000 square metres. The pier, which is 140 metres in length, offers all essential necessities including water, electricity, and mooring posts.

The renamed facility will now figure prominently among the most prestigious ports and marinas that are currently managed by the Luise Group.

Luise Associates, the branch of Luise Group which is exclusively dedicated to maritime agency services for mega yachts, works with over 600 yachts cruising in the Gulf of Naples each year.

Francesco Luise, Managing Partner of Luise Group commented, "We are very proud to be able to take under our management the main dock in Lacco Ameno, Ischia. Although the area of Lacco Ameno is one of the smallest counties on the Island of Ischia, it is a prestigious and visually beautiful location for superyachts to berth. The Seventh Heaven Yacht Club will permit us to have a permanent presence in the area while continuing to provide the best in maritime agency services to our clients."

CEO of 1-800-YACHTCHARTER Balances Work with Passion for Animal Rights

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by News SailAway

Arranging luxury yacht charter vacations for celebrities and corporate titans requires Jana Sheeder to mix and mingle with the rich and famous at cocktail parties and special events like the Super Bowl and the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament. While it sounds glamorous, Sheeder is quick to tell you she is happiest in a pair of workboots, cleaning a horse stable at an animal sanctuary.

“Arranging  a Caribbean or Mediterranean yacht charter vacation on a megayacht is my vocation, but my passion is animal welfare,” says Sheeder, CEO of 1-800-YACHTCHARTER. 

Jana Sheeder CEO 1-800-YACHTCHARTER

It is a balancing act that requires tight scheduling and unwavering commitment to protecting abused and homeless animals. A typical day begins with releasing butterflies that Jana has raised to help pollenate the environment, then on to business meetings and emails to prospective megayacht charter customers.  Throw in the occasional personal inspection of a newly built superyacht, as its crew prepares the yacht for entry into the yacht charter marketplace. Later in the day, Sheeder exchanges her business suit for a pair of bluejeans and heads to the local animal shelter to assist in a pet adoption event.

Weekends are a blur as Sheeder often volunteers to help transport 5 to 20 rescued dogs and cats to a sanctuary 100 miles away. When not transporting animals, Sheeder spends time at a horse sanctuary, feeding and caring for abused and abandoned horses and other livestock, like goats, chickens, cows, and pigs.

Jana Sheeder - transport of rescued dogs

Recently, Sheeder drew the attention of TV’s Animal Planet as well as radio and newspapers after a serial cat killing spree left over two dozen dead and mutilated cats in South Florida. Sheeder worked with local animal rights advocates to arrange a safety seminar for hundreds of residents. A suspect was arrested just three days before the seminar. Sheeder cancelled the seminar and used the allocated time to spend the day volunteering at the county animal shelter!  

"It's all about making a difference in others' lives - we're all God's creatures."

Sharks No Problem During Luxury Yacht Charter Vacations

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by News SailAway
The Top 10 North American Shark-Attack Beaches! 

Yikes, did that get your attention?  Perhaps you are planning a mega yacht charter or a luxury sailing charter, and you're now wondering if "Jaws"  is out there in the deep blue, waiting to take a bite out of your vacation.

Well, if you're planning a Florida yacht charter or even a Bahama yacht charter, you have little to worry about.  Shark attacks of people swimming from their luxury yacht charter vessels are a extremely rare - actually an unheard of occurrence!  

Before we all became green-friendly eco-conscious travelers, boaters, (from crews on Caribbean yacht charter vacations to bareboat enthusiasts to cruise ships), used to throw garbage overboard. Now, the real danger is to those land lubbers putting a toe in the water at the beach.

Harmless shark - shark feeding - divers searching for shark teeth on ocean floor

In case you have friends who aren't lucky enough to own a superyacht, or they prefer luxury sailing charter vacations, you might warn them about these beaches:

1.  New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

Due to its thousands of annual beachgoers, as well as its toothy inhabitants at hunt offshore, New Smyrna is the shark attack capital of the world. That's according to the International Shark Attack File, which cites 210 attacks in the beach's home county of Volusia, Florida. But miles of white sand and consistent surf breaks continue to draw vacationers and locals alike into New Smyrna's waters.

2.  North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

No. 2 on the International Shark Attack File for unprovoked attacks is Oahu, where tiger sharks, Galapagos sharks, and sandbar sharks congregate in high numbers, especially near beaches on the island's north shore. This doesn't stop surfers, who flock to Velzyland Beach, the Leftovers Break, and dozens of additional wave-beaten beaches where sharks search and swim.

3.  Long Beach Island, New Jersey

Source material for "Jaws," a 1974 novel by Peter Benchley - and later a movie by Steven Spielberg - came from incidents at this New Jersey beach in 1916. In an unprecedented 11 days, five major shark attacks took place along the Jersey Shore, four of which were fatal. Reports cited blood turning the water red and sharks following victims toward the beach. Today, sharks are rare, but the legend lives on in the surf and swells of these tepid Atlantic waters.

4.  West End, Grand Bahamas Island

Though it didn't happen at a beach, the death of an Austrian lawyer who was diving with sharks in February 2008 off the Bahamas has sharpened attention n these tropical waters, which Patrick Douglas, owner of Shark Diver, an ocean guiding outfit in San Francisco, said are "among the shark-iest places on the planet." He has seen 14-foot-long tiger sharks offshore from beaches were thousands of tourists swim and sun each year.

5.  Stinson Beach, California

In the shadow of Marin County's Mt. Tamalpais, Stinson Beach is a spot where great white sharks swim into the shallows. Patrick Douglas said he has sighted them at Stinson - which is a neighboring stretch of sand east from Bolinas Beach (No. 3 on the list) - in less than 20 feet of water. "They're coming to feed on seals, though it's not uncommon for surfers to see them," he said.

6.  Beaches of Brevard County, Florida

In the past 100 years, there have been 90 reported shark confrontations on beaches in this county on Florida's east coast. Visitors head east from Orlando to the ocean to dip their toes in the tepid waters at Cocoa Beach, Jetty Park, and Klondike Beach, a 24-mile-long wilderness beach accessible only by foot in Canaveral National Seashore preserve.

7.  Horry County (Myrtle Beach), South Carolina

South Carolina has seen more than 50 total shark attacks over the past century, according to the International Shark Attack File. Of those, 16 attacks are recorded off the beaches of Horry County, where the town of Myrtle Beach is famous as a tourist destination. The good news: The International Shark Attack File cites no fatal shark attacks in South Carolina since 1852.

8.  Solana Beach, California

A freak great white attack in 2008 at Solana Beach in San Diego County, California, killed a 66-year-old swimmer. He was on a morning swim, training with a group when the attack occurred. Solana Beach, home to a population of seals, is at the periphery of the corridor where great sharks commonly roam.

9.  Galveston, Texas

The International Shark Attack File cites one fatality and 12 attacks since 1911 at the beaches of Galveston, Texas, which is a city on an island on the Gulf Coast. It is by no means an attack hot spot, but swimmers are justified in their concern as to what's roaming offshore.

10.  Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Over the course of a month last spring, the beaches near Zihuatanejo, a city on the Pacific Coast north of Acapulco, saw three shark attacks and two fatalities. A shark hunt ensued, with local fisherman baiting lines and patrolling waters where surfers regularly bob.

Bareboat or crewed yacht charter?

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by News SailAway
Yacht charter vacations fall into two categories - bareboat charter and crewed charter.

A bareboat charter is where you rent a sailboat or powerboat that has no crew. It is similar to renting a car that you drive yourself.  Bareboat charters are for experienced sailors or yachtsmen and can be "self-drive" (where you do all the work and driving), or you can hire a skipper to drive the boat for you for either part of the trip or for the entire trip.

Crewed charters are where you rent a sailboat or powerboat that has a crew that consists of a captain/skipper to drive the boat and any number of other members.  Additional crew members can be such positions as hostess/stewardess (waits on the charter guests), chef (prepares all meals), first mate (helps with the operation of the vessel), and engineer (handles the engines), for example.

The largest yachts (megayachts and superyachts) can have as many as 18 crew members, and some even have more crew members than guests onboard at any time!

Charter guests select bareboat yacht charters for a number of reasons;  bareboats are more affordable than crewed yachts, an independent customer can pilot the yacht him/herself, or the customer owns the same kind of boat and wants to enjoy it in a different location than he/she does at home, for example. Florida yacht charters are often bareboat charters, as guests like to experience sail boat charters and pilot the boat around the islands of the Florida Keys. Bareboaters will often participate in Virgin Islands Yacht Charter flotillas, where multiple Beneteau sailboats or Robertson and Caine catamarans will sail together throughout the islands, stopping in port to enjoy the Caribbean flair of such popular Virgin Island landmarks as Pusser's or Foxy's, or visiting the must-visit, no dock, swim-up Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands (aptly named Soggy Dollar because once you swim up to it, your dollars are soggy - thanks Charles Tobias)!

Soggy Dollar no dock/swim-up bar in the British Virgin Islands - Pusser's Painkillers

On the other hand, charter guests select crewed yacht charter vacations because they are celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a corporate event, they want to enjoy a vacation where they don't have to do any work, or they have a large group of people and want to spend a special vacation with them without having to do any of the vacation planning once underway. Corporate events include such things as Monaco Grand Prix yacht charters, where a company will rent a megayacht to be used as a meeting place (and floating hotel), as well as its being a perfect venue for entertaining clients and for watching the Monaco Grand Prix race. Crewed yachts are often selected for unique first-time vacation destinations like a Croatia yacht charter or Greece yacht charters, as captains and crewmembers know the waters, the locals, and the area.