Cameron Bray from Northrop & Johnson adds, “The reason we do that, is so it can be a completely customised experience – every guest is going to use the yacht in a different way. Let’s say they get a boat that can go quite fast and they want to race around at 20 knots, then they will pay for that. Versus, a family who wants to sit at anchor for a week. The system makes it fairer for the charter guests.”
You may also be surprised to know that with all this potential for customisation, a yachting holiday can be comparable in cost to other premium escapes. One reason is “usually people are not aware that they have a capacity, depending on the size of the vessel, to have up to around 12 guests and therefore can share the cost of the charter with another group or two of friends or family,” Fraser Yachts’ Peter Redford suggests.
You might have heard how good the food on a charter can be. So understanding how it’s catered is probably next on your list. What’s better than choosing from a five-star menu? How about having your private live-aboard chef design a menu for your group based specifically on each person’s favourites and dietary requirements. Your chef is also available 24/7, to make whatever you want, whenever you want it.
“These experienced chefs are well-versed in all types of special diets: gluten intolerance, vegetarian, low salt, low cholesterol, paleo, even macrobiotic. If they know in advance the needs of the guests, they will happily and skillfully accommodate,” says Donna Morris from Australian Superyachts.
Information on food preferences is gathered from preference sheets – a detailed document each guest is asked to complete far in advance of their charter. It’s a tool that charter brokers use to replicate conditions and specific necessities for the pleasure and comfort of each guest. Preference sheets can cover everything from allergies and medical conditions, to the kind of confectionery you like on your pillows, to your favorite cocktails, to diving bootie sizes to activities. If completed in detail and with enough lead time, all arrangements can be made and the crew can get to know the guests very well before they get on board.
Ocean Alliance’s Jo Howard adds, “There are no limitations. If it’s something we can source, then it’s available. For instance, if we have a Jewish family, we can bring in a specific kosher chef that can fulfil their dietary and preparation requirements.”
So, you’re getting the idea that the superyacht charter experience is all about you. One thing charter brokers and the yachts need to facilitate the best execution of your wishes is time, the more the better.
“You normally get three or four months’ notice before a booking,” says 37 South Yachts’ Allan Jouning. “From the time you get the client interested – there’s a lot of work that goes into matching the client to the boat, the destination. They may have children, want to bring a nanny. We have people who may want to bring a security person with them. So there’s all sorts of logistics facilitating certain requests.”
Apart from exquisite food and exploring new pockets of the world, a yachting getaway also means playing with toys and having your fill of snorkeling, scuba-diving, fishing – whatever floats your boat really. Superyachts usually have the best of the best in terms of fun watersport gear at your disposal.