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.
SUMMER WEATHER IS SOMETIMES AN ISSUE
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.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT
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!
CIRCUMSTANCES OF CANCELATION
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?
TEN REASONS TO PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE
To demonstrate the importance of purchasing travel insurance, and emergency travel services, here are 10 common examples of what could go wrong.
CANCELED FLIGHTS — 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?
INSULIN IN LOST LUGGAGE — 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?
PASSPORT AND WALLET STOLEN — 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?
THE LIST CONTINUES
MEDICAL EVACUATION NEEDED — 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?
ILL CHARTER PARTY MEMBERS — 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?
6. LOST LUGGAGE — You arrive for your Feadship yacht charter in Jamaica, and your luggage doesn’t. If it’s lost, who will help you find it? Or if delayed, who will pay for your necessities? What if it’s stolen, who will pay to replace it?
THE LAST OF 10 REASONS
7. BANKRUPTCY OF TOUR OPERATOR — 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. MEDICAL HELP NEEDED — You’re walking down a street in Rio and twist your ankle. Who can help you find an English-speaking physician?
9. TERRORISM — It is three weeks until 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. HURRICANE — 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?
WILL YOU BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE?
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 optional and should be analyzed before each vacation begins.
The 164ft tri-deck Trinity yacht charter vessel yacht AMARULA SUN will set her course for the Caribbean this winter and will be in place in St. Martin in time to accept year-end inquires for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The superyacht will remain in the islands throughout spring 2016.
Her weekly charter rate is $220,000 plus running expenses.
The news comes on the heels of the recent relocation announcement by Feadship yacht HURRICANE RUN to the Caribbean for year-end, 2015.
The 50 meter motor yacht AMARULA SUN is truly a one of kind. Her many unique amenities include a split-level Master Stateroom with panoramic views, fully body massage chair, grand player piano, and a cozy fireplace.
There are accommodations for 10 adults in 5 staterooms, plus two Pullman berths each suitable for a small child.
Adventurous travelers take note – this yacht is packed with a wide array of sports equipment and water toys. Here’s a partial list:
32 foot Everglades towed tender
21 foot custom Brigs tender with a killer six speaker sound system, GPS, and underwater lights
4 Personal watercraft includes 2 Yamaha 3-person supercharged wave runners (VERY fast!!!) and 2 SeaDoo Sparks wave runners (painted Hot Pink!)
2 SeaBobs (yes, just like James Bond 007 rode in Thunderball, only smaller and faster!)
What do you get when… Merge these items. The vision of a new yacht owner who has never owned a boat. The talents of Europe’s leading design studios. Holland’s premier yacht builder.
This beauty launched in July. She is the latest creation by Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyards. Superyacht JOY’s owner is a young American from New York. She is not only the first yacht he has ever built. She is the first yacht he has ever owned.
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, commented on how the owner’s lack of involvement in the yachting industry led to the creation of a unique vessel, unlike any other yacht in the 70 meter range: “You take an ambitious, youthful person, who has no pre-conceived bias as to what is expected when you design and build a superyacht, and you open the door to a fresh perspective on how a yacht can reflect the owner’s vision of what The Superyacht Experience can be.”
At the commencement of the project, the owner’s brief was simple and clear. He brims with the optimism of youth. “Create something totally different to every other yacht.”
FRESH APPROACH NEEDED
Recognizing the need to bring a fresh approach to the entire project, Feadship reached out to designers never before retained. For the avant-garde exterior, they turned to the design studio of Bannenberg & Rowell. Interior architecture is by Studio Indigo. Visually, superyacht JOY looks like no other. The wide walkways and flow between the interior and exterior spaces are without precedent on superyachts of this size. Dickie Bannenberg comments. “You will see there are a lot of sculpted and rather complex surfaces that give the design a very unique look.”
THE CHALLENGES
Of course, crafting the fascinating concave shapes in the yacht’s superstructure presented challenges to the builder. The launch ceremony, as always, is grandiose. Feadship director Jan-Bart Verkuy comments as always. “JOY was an incredibly complicated boat to build with so many shapes and lines. We are very grateful to the fairing gods at Feadship. Also, to all the other craftsmen who have showcased their skills on such a unique boat.”
The proud new owner is equally pleased. The results of the challenging build amaze. “Studio Indigo has worked amazingly hard to produce such a gorgeous design with an incredible focus on detail. I’m also delighted with Bannenberg & Rowell’s sleek and progressive profile that reflects my desire to go forward into the future.”
THE NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH THE OWNER
Joy’s name reflects the owner’s joyous enthusiasm for life. M0reover, the opportunities for self-growth and exploration. These things that only time aboard a yacht can bring. The owner reflected on a recent visit he made to New York’s Central Park. “When I saw the statue of Columbus it reminded me of how much joy this explorer felt when he first saw land. Today is my moment of joy as something I have long dreamt about has come to light. I’m incredibly happy and sincerely grateful to Feadship and all the other team members who made this happen.”
SHEEDER COMMENTS
Sheeder is thrilled with the wellness yacht charter potential of the yacht.
“The mix of spa-like amenities is amazing. From her Jacuzzi sun deck, to the massage room. To the ocean-level beach club. Where else can you exercise in a gym with panoramic views of the sea? After which, rest and reflect in a minimalist interior with textures and colors? All of these designs to invoke feelings of tranquility and wellness?”
“In a sea of cookie-cutter designed boats, this is a transcendent yacht that will quickly set a new standard in the charter market.”
High-end car buffs will tell you there are varying degrees of luxury, from Cadillac at one end of the spectrum to Bentley and Rolls Royce at the other.
SUPERYACHTS
As it is with automobiles, the same range of sophistication also is seen in the megayacht market. While, high-end US-built Trinity yacht charter vessels are drop-dead gorgeous, for example, purists will point to the century-old Dutch yards that build the Rolls-Royce of the yachting world – the Feadship yacht charter vessels.
FEADSHIP
Feadship is renowned for exquisite craftsmanship and elegant layouts. The finest materials are used to handcraft these vessels, each a unique statement of an owner’s personal taste and style.
CARIBBEAN INSPECTIONS
One of the finest modern Feadships was recently on display last week in the Caribbean, during the annual charter broker gathering in Antigua – a prelude to the Caribbean winter/spring charter season. Motor yacht HARLE first hit the charter market in 2007. The team at 1-800-YACHT CHARTERS was among the very first to inspect this yacht and interview her crew as she began her maiden charter season from the Miami Beach marina in South Florida.
SUPERYACHT HARLE – STANDOUT
Feadship Superyacht HARLE
Fast-forward 5 years, and Feadship yacht HARLE is still making waves and drawing rave reviews in the industry. During the Antigua showcase, M/Y HARLE and her crew earned the following awards:
The Andreas Liveras “BEST YACHT PARTY” Award
First Place for his dessert for yachts in the 101′-150′ range won by Chef James Catling
RATE AND ACCOMMODATIONS
She is priced at $225,000 per week, and yacht HARLE accommodates up to 12 guests.
A friend, unfamiliar with yachting asked me, “What makes a Feadship so special?” I simply said,
“Feadship is the Rolls Royce of the yachting world.“
PEDIGREED
Aficionados of premium brand jewelry, cigars, furniture, and automobiles understand. Enthusiasts draw to the brand’s pedigree and reputation of excellence. It dates back to 1949.
WHY CHARTER ONE?
Theseyachts are synonymous with quality craftsmanship and the finest building materials. Ironically, the builder embraced state-of-the-art construction technology. It is now renown for modern superyacht designs and naval architecture.
PARTIAL LISTING FOR CHARTER
Here is a partial listing of the newest yachtsbuilt by Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyard and available for super yacht charters throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean:
Every year, the proud design team at Feadship unveils a concept model at theMonaco Yacht Show.
Our “spies” tell us this year’s show, scheduled for September 19-22, will once again feature a new design by the fabled Dutch builder, but with a twist – a client will be on hand. After catching a sneak peak of the new concept model, it seems the luxury yacht charter builder has taken superyacht styling to a new level. Features will include a radical new bridge layout and a feadship bridge layout spectacular crow’s nest.
During the show, Feadship’s newest client will be present to answer questions about this yet-to-be-named project.
We first brought 2011 motor yacht HURRICANE RUN to our readers’ attention as a yacht named after a famous race horse.
FEADSHIP DISCOUNT
Now, the owner of this 54 meter Feadship yacht charter vessel wants to encourage you to race forward and claim a $55,000 discount on a Caribbean yachting holiday this winter(between December 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012)!
YACHT SPECIAL
On behalf of the owner of megayacht HURRICANE RUN, we are pleased to extend a special offer of $295,000 per week for the next two charters booked in the Caribbean. This represents a savings of $55,000 from the regular winter season rate of $350,000.
(Note – all running expenses, items such as food, fuel bar, and dockage, are extra)
WHERE IS THE YACHT LOCATED?
Currently booked December 21 to 29, 2011, Feadship yacht HURRICANE RUN can be available for a New Year’s celebratory charter starting December 31st, 2011, in St. Maarten.
HURRY TO GET THE SAVINGS
The offer only extends to the first two reservations (click here to book Hurricane Run!) so hurry and take advantage of this exceptional rate and spend a week with your family and friends on this extraordinary yacht!
HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER
Looking for a great price on a last-minute summer getaway in the Mediterranean? Click HEREfor discounted offers in August and September, 2011.
In catching up on technical reading, I studied the launch of the 96 meter Feadship yacht VERTIGO.
For many of our clients, the epitome of luxury is a Feadship yacht charter vacation. These fabled Dutch builders have placed a number of their award-winning vessels into the superyacht charter market. Vessels like yacht HURRICANE RUN, motor yacht JOY, and the the 81 meter yacht AIR, the second largest Feadship currently available for charter, hold a coveted ranking among the most popular luxury yachts for hire in the world.
As I reviewed photos of yacht VERTIGO, Feadship hull 1066, I was floored by her massive size. At 96 meters in length (about 315 feet), she is longer than an NFL football field, from bow to stern. Even her onboard amenities are grand – like the 9 meter x 4 meter swimming pool and the below-deck helicopter hangar.
I thought to myself, “Our charter clients will be amazed when they see this yacht.”
AMAZED — BUT WILL clients be????
Is it possible vessels like Feadship yacht VERTIGO and similar sized yachts are too big for a superyacht charter, no matter how impressive their onboard amenities might be. Too ostentatious? An appropriate size to maneuver? Is sher affordable?
IS THERE A BEST SIZE FOR A CHARTERYACHT?
So just how big is too big – and is there an optimal size yacht for charter?
As a person might expect, there is no simple yes or no answer. More importantly, there IS a correct answer – and it comes from understanding not so much what the charterer wants, as what the charterer needs!
While the charter rate and yacht’s appearance and amenities are important, those details initially take a back seat to the primary factors used to determine the optimal size of the yachts we recommend to our clients.
Our charter consultants focus on two primary criteria when determining the right yacht. For instance, destination and intended use.
DESTINATION DICTATES YACHT SIZE
“Where” the client wishes to charter is the first factor in determining how large a yacht they can enjoy. Simply stated, some yachts are too large, and draft too deeply in the water to safely navigate certain destinations.
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
Jana Sheeder, our company’s President best explains the challenge:
“A client who enjoyed a 175ft Feadship yacht charter vessel in the Mediterranean in the summer, might ask for a similar yacht to explore the Bahamas in the winter. However, the Bahamas are a shallow destination and many of the best beachfront anchorages are too shallow to be enjoyed by a Feadship with a typical 12ft draft. Instead of quoting a Feadship, we would probably recommend a yacht like the 164ft Mangusta MOONRAKER. She’s just 10 feet shorter in length than a comparable Feadship, but drafts just 6ft – half the draft of a Feadship!”
USE DICTATES YACHT SIZE
“What” the charterer wishes to do during the rental period is the second factor in recommending a yacht based on size. If the yacht is to be used for a corporate event, like the Cannes Film Festival, accessible dockage is crucial to the success of the charter. Our friend Hansel describes the importance of analyzing dockage requirements in relation to the yacht’s size.
“For a static charter, the yacht is normally positioned stern-to (perpendicular to) the quay so VIP guests can come and go. If the yacht is too long, it will have trouble docking stern-to, and it’s bow will jut out, and possibly restrict the passage of yachts entering and exiting the marina. It is far better to provide the client with a yacht shorter in overall length, but greater in volume via multiple decks for entertainment and socializing.”
Once the destination and use issues have been addressed, we can present the largest yachts that won’t compromise the needs of the client. At this point, the focus shifts to cost and amenities, with many clients seeking the biggest yacht in line with their budget, as well as a vessel with unique watertoys.
THE SUPERYACHT OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE
As an interesting side note, the owner’s perspective on what is the ideal size for a superyacht for charter differs from that of the charterer and charter broker. With many owners, bigger is better. Driven in part by ego, yacht owners continue to build larger and larger yachts. In a recent interview with Superyacht Times, John Rosatti, the owner of 65m yacht DOUBLE DOWN, commented on the growing trend to build bigger yachts:
“Everyone’s going bigger now, just look around. In 1988, I had a 34m Thunderball and it was in the top 100 largest yachts. Now I have a 65m, which may have just slipped out of the top 250. These boats get bigger and the ports get smaller. Where do you put them? It’s tough. If you look around there’s virtually nothing under 150 feet now.”
MANAGEMENT WEIGHS IN
Yet even when ego seems to dictate the size of yachts, there is still some semblance of reason for a few yacht owners. Paolo Casani, managing director of C&N, believes new-build growth in charter yachts will be in the 45-65m sector. Casani told Superyacht Times:
“They’re (45-65m yachts) easier to manage and you have more berthing options. Yachts this size are the most appealing for charter. We had a 60m that did 96 days of charter in one season. The owner offset his running costs and actually made a profit. The pricing for charters becomes far less attractive for the market when you get above 65 meters.”
FINAL YACHT SIZE THOUGHT
While affluent owners will continue to push the bar and build yachts in the 100 meter range, and larger, for most charterers, the ideal charter vessel will be the yacht that is best suited for the client’s desired cruising destination and specific use. Whether that yacht is 50 meters or 100, should remain a secondary factor in selecting the right yacht for the ultimate superyacht experience.
After extended summer use by her owner, Feadship yacht HURRICANE RUN has committed to the upcoming winter 2015 Caribbean charter season.
As of the date of this post, the yacht’s calendar is wide open for bookings in St. Martin, St Barts, and the Virgin Islands. For year-end reservations over the Christmas or New Year’s holidays, the yacht requires a minimum 10-night reservation. Charters of 5 nights or longer will be accepted for all other open dates.
Her weekly rental rate is $350,000 for the holidays, and $295,000 for all other winter dates. Rates are plus all running expenses – items such as food, fuel, dockage, etc.
Built in 2009, Feadship yacht HURRICANE RUN was the recipient of the 2010 world Superyacht Award for “Best Interior Layout and Best Interior.” Her bright, contemporary interior was designed by the famous Terence Disdale.
Onboard amenities include:
Excellent sundeck layout
Large swim platform
Enormous saloon
Mini gymnasium which can be converted into a guest cabin for a nanny or security staff
Zero-speed stabilization for comfort while at anchor
Fast, reliable WIFI internet
Full-beam master suite with private study
Her crew received an excellent testimonial from a charterer last December:
“It is not possible to have another New Year celebration experience like we had on Hurricane Run! No words can describe the Hurricane Run crew. Our children, grandchildren, nanny and I have made lifetime friends with each one. We can never thank you enough for such a special week!”
Yesterday, a client texted us from his 170 foot Feadship yacht charter vessel. “@anchor next 2 yacht Eclipse n Rising Sun…no 1 else here!”
Normally, with less than a week before New Year’s Eve, the quay at Port du Gustavia is already packed with yachts, stern-to and packed like sardines, side-by-side. The annual St Barts yacht charter scene is the place to be, as A-list celebrities and corporate CEO’s spend the week yacht-hopping and partying.
NO TRAFFIC
So far this week, the big names – and big boats – have not arrived.
A recent yachting industry report ads credence to the first-hand observations in St Barts. The annual Superyachting Index analyses the global luxury yacht industry. The Index has three sections (new construction, brokerage, and charter) and covers yachts 80 feet and larger.
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
According to industry maven, Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants and 1-800 Yacht Charters,
“A lack of demand continues to put downward pressure on charter rates. A weak global economy coupled with a significant increase in the number of available yachts for hire means more yachts are competing for charter business. Add to this a host of other heavily-discounted vacation options, such as upscale villa and resort ski packages, and the number of clients electing to go boating has dwindled to 2006 recession levels.”
INDUSTRY SIZE
The Index supports Sheeder’s assertions. The size of the yacht charter industry grew more than 23 percent in 2010. As of 2009, there were about 850 yachts available for charter. In 2010, the number of yachts available rose to 1,049.
This trend is especially evident in the category of yachts from 30 to 50 meters (about 100 to 165 feet). There was a 28 per cent increase in the number of these yachts on the charter market in 2010. Consequently, the same market segment saw a reduction of 10.7 per cent in weekly base rates.
YACHT SALES
In addition, the overall number of charter weeks sold worldwide in 2010 decreased by 9 percent from those of 2009. That means that in addition to increased competition, there were fewer clients booking.
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