In January we informed our readers of a new Italian yacht tax signed into law in December 2011. The tax is effective May 1, 2012. It assesses a fee for each day a yacht is in service in Italian waters.
Superyacht industry experts, like Jana Sheeder, President of SailAway Yacht Charters and 1-800 Yacht Charters, and others, urged Italian authorities to analyze the economic impact of the pending legislation.
“Our concern was the quest for increased tax revenue might have a far-reaching effect on both the charter industry. In addition, ancillary businesses that support yachting such as marinas, fuel brokers, shipyards, and tourism offices,” said Sheeder. “Even if you exclude charter revenues, support-related industries on their own generate €200,000,000 in annual revenue.”
To their credit – the Italian lawmakers listened.
On Tuesday, February 21, the 10th Commission of the Italian Senate for Industry, Commerce, and Tourism passed the Grillo and Cutrufo amendment to the Italian berth tax legislation. The amendment stipulates the berthing tax will only be applied to Italian citizens who own a vessel, even if the yacht flies a foreign flag. Foreign citizens who own a boat or Mediterranean yacht charter vessel are exempt from this tax, regardless of their length of stay in Italian waters.
Fulvio Luise, President of Federagenti Yacht Division, expressed his satisfaction comments. “The passing of this amendment is an important recognition to the economic impact the yachting industry has in Italy and we look forward to welcoming new and returning megayacht clients to Italian waters this summer.”
Sheeder echoed Luise’s sentiments:
“This amendment will allow Italy to continue to compete on an equal playing field with neighboring countries for the charter sector of the Mediterranean yachting market. We’re hopeful that the Italian yacht charter market will continue to flourish for many more years.”
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Frequently Asked Questions Educational and tagged Jana Sheeder, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, yacht charter Italy, rent a yacht, charter a yacht, Grillo and Cutrufo Yacht Charter Amendment, Federagenti Yacht Division, yacht charter tax, luxury yacht tax, Mediterranean yacht charter
Posted on
We’ve all done it. You race off of a flight to get to the baggage claim area and stake out a spot near the carousel door. Your heart rate climbs as you wait…and wait…and wait for your luggage to pop out through the conveyor belt doors and onto the carousel.
Wasn’t the whole point of taking a Caribbean yacht charter vacation was to leave the stress of the real world behind? Yet here you are, hours from boarding your crewed catamaran charter vessel in the Virgin Islands, and your eyes are glued to the carousel at Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas. You watch the bags of other passengers go by, with your bag nowhere in sight.
You think, “Did my luggage make it? Is it still in good shape? Did someone grab my bags???”
Fortunately, the Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder System and the L.E.D. IT BE Easy2Pick Luggage Finder can make it easy and stress-free to quickly locate your bags upon arrival.
The Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder System has two parts – a luggage tag (transmitter) and a remote receiver. It beeps and flashes a red light when your bag is within 100 feet. The L.E.D. IT BE Easy2Pick Luggage Finder, on the other hand, uses 4 LED lights that flash only after your luggage has arrived.
Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder System
The flashing LED tag has a photo electric sensor that senses when your tagged luggage is in the cargo of the plane. It measures factors such as light, altitude, and noise. You get up to 16 different combinations of colors with the 4 LED’s, so you can set the color of the flashing lights to your own preferences.
The suggested MSRP for Easy2Pick is $24.95 for one tag and is available on Amazon.
Reserve your next luxury yacht charter with 1-800 Yacht Charters, and we’ll send you an Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder, with our compliments. Charters must take place prior to December 31, 2012.
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter News Special Offers Gadgets and tagged gadget, Easy2Pick Wireless Luggage Finder System with LED, yacht charter, rent a yacht, yacht charter vacation
Posted on
Luxury yacht charter vessel, Mi Sueno
Ready to cruise into the new year, the 190 foot Trinity Yachts motor yacht MI SUENO has announced a special reduced rate for Caribbean yacht charter vacations for the month of January, 2012.
Slashing more than 10% from the published rate of €280,000 per week plus expenses, motor yacht MI SUENO is available for this limited offer at a price of €250,000 per week, plus all expenses. All running expenses, such as food, fuel and bar are extra. That is a savings of €30,000 per week!
Trinity yacht charter aficionados are quite familiar with this impressive yacht. Launched in 2010, motor yacht MI SUENO is a standout in every respect. Up to 12 charter guests will relax in comfort while at anchor, with the aid of zero speed (at anchor) Quantum stabilizers. Her onboard amenities include WiFi and Kaleidescape central movie/music server throughout. The yacht is also equipped with a 2-person, wheelchair-accessible elevator (to 3 levels).
Mi Sueno deck
In addition to the full sun deck areas, conversation nooks abound on all decks, inside and outside, on this fascinating nautical creation. The sophisticated, contemporary interior is a tasteful mix of textures, fine art, and neutral colors in furnishings, carpets, and stonework.
Forward on the main deck is the full-width split-level Master Suite with King bed, featuring a private study, private lounge, and his/hers bathrooms.
Five additional ensuite staterooms below include a full-width VIP King suite, 2 matching King cabins, a wheelchair-accessible Queen stateroom, and a Twin cabin (with Pullman berth). There’s flexibility for a 7th stateroom by converting the Gym/Massage Room on the Bridge Deck into a guest cabins with 4 Pullman berths and ensuite bath.
The yacht’s three exterior living areas are a joy to behold — spacious and inviting with beautiful teak furniture on all levels. Guests can head up to the sundeck for a vigorous workout on the elliptical trainer…then ease into the Jacuzzi tub, followed by a quick dip in the plunge pool…and finish with a soothing massage in the gym on the Bridge Deck. As the sun sets, enjoy cocktails and fine dining al fresco on the private deck, aft of the skylounge.
Last but not least, this megayacht is loaded with aquasports gear and toys for those who like to get out on the water. Trinity yacht MI SUENO is standing by for your cruising pleasure. “Mi casa es su casa!” (“My home is your home!”)
Not offered for charter to US residents while in US waters.
This entry was posted in Yacht of the Week Yacht Charter Special Offers and tagged yacht charter Caribbean, Mi Sueno, rent a yacht, yacht charter special
Posted on
Kevin Lawrie calls himself a “Facilitator.” Some superyacht captains have a more fitting moniker for him: “Miracle Man.”
Since 2015, Lawrie has operated Mango Mango Yacht and Villas Services, on the island of St Barts in the Caribbean.
Lawrie is a yacht agent, a rather non-descriptive title. He is an integral participant in most private luxury yacht charter trips passing through the Caribbean. For example, St Barts and other nearby ports of call (e.g. Nevis, St Kitts, Anguilla, etc.) need him. A yacht agent’s services include assistance with immigration and port services. They also include banking, provisioning, and charter guest and yacht crew concierge services. Lastly, they make medical arrangements and purchase yacht parts.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, explains the vital role yacht agencies like Mango Mango play in the yacht charter industry.
“Our responsibility is to deliver The Superyacht Experience™ to our clients,” says Sheeder. “The hiring of the yacht is just one component of a successful charter. Our goal is to use the yacht as the platform to deliver an unequalled and flawless vacation for our clients. While the captains of the yachts are responsible to create an itinerary for the clients, it is often the yacht agent who coordinates the logistics for the yacht before it arrives at a particular destination.”
They can
“A captain and his crew need to focus on the safe operation of the yacht while the charter guests are onboard,” explains Sheeder. “You don’t want a captain or the crew spending time on the phone or Internet trying to organize sighstseeing tours, arranging dockage, or making restaurant reservations.”
This is where Lawrie and Mango Mango excel. Many important details are handled by yacht agents. When performed well, it’s a seamless, professional process – invisible to the charter guests. All the charter guests see is an empty slip in a marina, ready for their arrival. As they disembark, a driver is standing by, with a car or limousine – ready to take them where they want to go. There’s no need for charter guests to stand in line at the local customs office, because Lawrie has already cleared the passengers, using passport details forwarded to him via email by the yacht’s captain. Fuel and fresh provisions will be delivered to the yacht, so when the charter guests are ready to depart for the next port of call, the yacht and crew are ready to go.
Many times, a yacht owner who normally keeps his/her yacht in the Mediterranean will decide to re-position to the Caribbean for the winter season. Often, the crews of these yachts are not familiar with the islands of the Caribbean, and are at a loss when it comes to necessary yacht services – fuel bunkering, entry requirements, foreign currency exchanges, etc. For these yachts and crew, Lawrie is truly a miracle worker. Sheeder points out, “Not only does Kevin handle the typical yacht services, he’s available 24/7 for the little things that seem to pop up out of nowhere. If a crewmember suddenly breaks a tooth, Kevin will jump right in and secure an emergency appointment with a local dentist.”
Scott Macahonic, Chief Officer of M/Y Spirit understands the value of a local yacht agency like Mango Mango:
“We have used Kevin numerous times over the last two seasons in St.Barths, and I can’t even tell you the number of ‘potential guest situations’ he has gotten us out of! New Year’s eve table reservations, 20 person taxi with no warning, coconuts immediately, fresh fish when needed. You name it…he’s helped us always in a professional, quick and friendly manner. We will definitely be using him the next time we can get back to the beautiful island of St.Barths.”
Mango Mango has expanded their services to also include villas. They provide:
While recent hurricanes Irma and Maria brought much destruction to the Caribbean including St Barts, Lawrie states the island is up and running and ready for visitors.
“St Barts is effectively open for business this winter season,” says Lawrie, “and we would love to see you down here and we can promise that it will be a memorable season offering you the same level of professionalism as usual and you will be welcomed with open arms and a warm smile wherever you go ashore.”
Well said, Miracle Man!
For up-to-date information about scheduled post-hurricane restaurant and hotel openings in St Barts, or to rent a luxury villa, contact Mango Mango Yacht and Villa Services at + 590 690 77 81 13 or email: hello@mangomangosbh.com
Hurry. Yachts for your Caribbean Yacht Charter holidays are booking quickly!
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Caribbean Educational and tagged Spirit, rent a villa, Jana L. Sheeder, charter a yacht, Kevin Lawrie, superyacht assistance, Facilitator, logistics planning in Caribbean, how do yachts provision in the caribbean, behind-the-scenes, villa services, villa management, Hurricane Irma, president of 1-800 Yacht Charters, Hurricane Maria, St. Barts yacht charter, Mango Mango Yacht and Villa Services, St. Barths, rent a yacht
Posted on
When it comes to technology and gadgets, they can’t ALL be winners.
Owners of the largest yachts in the world can be a fickle bunch. Those multi-million dollar floating homes loaded with the newest toys often carry unworthy toys. Hot toys at boat shows catch the eye of wealthy boat owners. They end up on hundreds of yachts. They are easily branded as ho-hum and brushed aside by guests and crew.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, understands the appeal. New techno-toys and amenities on mega yacht charter vessels are important.
“When our clients ask us to provide a new model vessel for their Mediterranean yacht charter vacation, they expect that boat will have the same new gadgets and amenities that they enjoy at home,” says Sheeder. “Our team is constantly reviewing the new gadget and tech marketplace for unique and user-friendly items that can enhance the client’s onboard experience. Every year we some real winners and a few that fizzle and fade away.”
Here are 2 of Sheeder’s picks for the biggest tech flops of 2012:
PlayStation Vita
PlayStation Vita
First, skippers on charter yachts know the importance of keeping the children of their charter clients amused and occupied. For years, onboard game consoles like PlayStation have been a staple. Launched in early 2012, PlayStation Vita promised amazing graphics, a growing online community, and cross-play with the PS3. Still, the new device never caught on as a “must have” platform. “The failure of Vita to catch on seems to raise the question about the viability of handheld gaming consoles at a time when we see more and more children with game-capable smartphones, “ says Sheeder.
“We anticipate a shift away form gaming consoles on our yachts, in favor of onboard smartphones and tablets that the children can borrow during their vacation.”
3D HDTV
3D Television
Second. It’s true. 3D HDTV hit the market before 2012, but the argument can easily be made that this is the year these much-hyped TVs became irrelevant, with a mere 3% adoption rate in American homes. Sheeder explains,
“User-friendly is the key to a suitable toy or gadget on a yacht. Who wants to sit in the saloon having to wear an awkward pair of specialty glasses – that for some can induce a headache – just to watch a movie? The charter experience is based on a model of total relaxation, and the 3D TV experience, while trendy, is not catching on with our yacht owners.”
This entry was posted in Yacht Charter Educational Gadgets and tagged the superyacht experience, 3D HDTV, rent a yacht, gadget flops, book a yacht charter, Playstation Vita, 3D, Sony Playstation Vita, Sony, PS3, 3D TV Experience
Posted onSardinia Luxury Tax on Mediterranean Yacht Charter Vessels Abolished
Posted by admin
Ferretti Yacht SEA STREAM brings Luxury Charter to Seychelles
Posted by admin
What to Pack for a Sailboat Vacation
Posted by admin
Recent Comments