J O U R N E Y B E Y O N D F I R S T C L A S S D E C E M B E R

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Brian Carson
6 years ago
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1 J O U R N E Y B E Y O N D F I R S T C L A S S D E C E M B E R

2 Y A C H T I N G Kim Kavin Sizing Up Top Caribbean Charters Season shifts from Europe to warmer tropical climes. STRATOS considers newest offerings. As hurricane season officially ended the last day in November, the Caribbean begins to fill with charter yachts offering exotic cruise vacations at all price points. It s true that there s sometimes a straggler storm into the month of December, but for the most part, the weather dies down and the charter rates go up come Christmas and New Year s Day the start of the most popular time of year for yacht charters in the waters between the Virgin Islands and Venezuela. The 201-foot Amels Solemar comfortably accommodates 12 guests with 16 crew at a weekly base rate of about $543,000, plus expenses. 66 = December 2007

3 Coming to the Caribbean for the first time this season is the brand new, 161-foot Trinity Lady Michelle, which went straight into the Mediterranean charter market after launching earlier this year. Photo by Jim Raycroft Whether you want a brand new yacht in a classic charter locale or an adventurous yacht cruising off the beaten course to more remote destinations, you can find it well into the month of April in the Caribbean. Smaller, all-inclusive yachts that are ideal for many first-time charterers tend to congregate around St. Thomas and Tortola in the Virgin Islands, while larger sailing and motoryachts typically call the islands of Antigua or Saint Maarten home. More and more of these top-dollar yachts are starting to cruise off the beaten course, too, to places like Costa Rica and the Grenadines, which means you have more options in terms of Caribbean destinations than ever before. And this year, there s an especially big yacht entering this part of the market for the first time, signaling a continuation of the worldwide trend toward super-size yachts and charging well more than $600,000 a week for the privilege of vacationing onboard. Read on to learn more. It can be hard to separate the good yachts from the great ones in the Caribbean each year, but to help get you started, here s a look at that top-dollar newcomer as well as some of the other more interesting yachts that are available for charters in the Caribbean during the upcoming season. These short profiles include information about what makes each yacht unique, keeping in mind that your personal vacation dreams may fit with one yacht better than with another. Big Eagle The 172-foot motoryacht Big Eagle has worked hard over the years to develop and maintain an excellent reputation in the worldwide charter industry. Having spent a great deal of time in the Caribbean during seasons past, though, she s branching out this year to offer unique itineraries for guests who want to explore beyond yachting s most popular islands. Big Eagle is heading from the southern Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao up through the Panama Canal in time to offer charters on Costa Rica s west coast. She ll then head north to the western coast of Mexico often called the Mexican Riviera where she ll be available from January until the far end of the typical Caribbean season in April. The yacht takes 12 guests with 10 crew at a weekly base rate of $140,000, plus expenses. Contact the management company The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals. Eleonora-E Nathaniel Herreshoff is considered one of history s greatest sailing yacht designers, and Eleonora-E was built in 2000 to follow the original lines of his legendary racing schooner Westward. It s hard to find a more elegant sailing yacht anywhere on the world s waters, especially one that includes all the modern amenities that this 161 footer boasts. Her interior, while also done in classic style, features modern comforts and original elements such as extra portholes and skylights for abundant natural light. Eleonora-E takes eight guests with seven crew at a weekly base rate of 53,000 euros (about $72,000 at press time), plus December 2007 = 67

expenses. Contact management company Edmiston & Company. New to the charter market following a $12-million refit, Princess Mariana is one of the largest yachts in the world at a jaw-dropping 258 feet.

4 expenses. Contact management company Edmiston & Company. New to the charter market following a $12-million refit, Princess Mariana is one of the largest yachts in the world at a jaw-dropping 258 feet. Originally built in 2003, her interior is by world-renowned designer Francois Zuretti. Geanelle This 145-foot Benetti is a brand new launch that will be offering her first-ever charters in the Caribbean this season, with a home port of Saint Maarten. Geanelle has all the bells and whistles you should expect on a new yacht of her size, including an elevator, zero-speed stabilizers (for more comfortable cruising and dining at anchor), WiFi access, flat-screen televisions in all guest areas, a Crestron entertainment system featuring thousands of movie and music titles, and a sundeck with a hot tub, bar and barbecue. Interestingly, Geanelle also is wheelchair accessible with wide decks and removable ramps an unusual find onboard a yacht in this size range. Geanelle takes 10 guests with nine crew at 68 = December 2007

a weekly base rate of $150,000, plus expenses. Contact management company Fraser Yachts Worldwide.

earlier this year. Her owner enjoys the Mediterranean style of charter, which means a sundeck completely open for guest use with tenders stowed below in the yacht s garage.

Lady Michelle takes 10 guests with nine crew at a weekly base rate of $215,000, plus expenses. Contact management company International Yacht Collection.

5 a weekly base rate of $150,000, plus expenses. Contact management company Fraser Yachts Worldwide. Lady Michelle Coming to the Caribbean for the first time this season is the brand new, 161-foot Trinity Lady Michelle, which went straight into the Mediterranean charter market after launching earlier this year. Her owner enjoys the Mediterranean style of charter, which means a sundeck completely open for guest use with tenders stowed below in the yacht s garage. Lady Michelle is also unique among other Trinity launches in her size range because she has a sixth stateroom on her bridge deck, allowing extra cabin space for guests to spread out onboard. Lady Michelle takes 10 guests with nine crew at a weekly base rate of $215,000, plus expenses. Contact management company International Yacht Collection. This Ceramic EGG Is Perfect For Every Gift Occasion! The 98-foot Obrigado is a GFT, or Global Fast Trawler, though that is not entirely accurate. She s not a trawler, but is definitely fast for her size, with a top speed of 21 knots. Unmatched cooking flexibility the EGG is a grill, a smoker and an oven Natural lump charcoal gives food terrific taste without added fat or calories Double-wall, high-tech ceramics make it durable and fuel efficient 750-plus degree heat allows for steakhouse searing Bakes better than a brick oven pizza, bread, even dessert Maintains low, even temperature for slow smoking Turkey, chicken, burgers, fish, veggies & fruit the EGG cooks them all effortlessly For more information visit December 2007 = 69

6 70 = December 2007 It s hard to find a more elegant sailing yacht anywhere on the world s waters than Eleanora-E, especially considering all her modern amenities.

Mariana was originally built in 2003, and her interior is by world-renowned designer Francois Zuretti. Her onboard toys include a golf range and a helipad.

7 Mariana was originally built in 2003, and her interior is by world-renowned designer Francois Zuretti. Her onboard toys include a golf range and a helipad. Princess Mariana charters at a weekly base rate of $606,500 plus expenses. Contact management company Camper & Nicholsons International. Solemar The 201-foot Amels Solemar has one of the more luxurious master suites available for charter today, situated on the yacht s main deck with a two-level split. The raised portion of the suite is an owner s office and private lounge that offers panoramic views not a bad place to start your day if you need to get in a bit of work before the day s leisure activities begin. Guests who aren t lucky enough to nab the master suite will be comfortable, as well, as this yacht has seven proper staterooms instead of the usual six so singles won t have to share, or couples who prefer to sleep separately can spread out. Solemar takes 12 guests with 16 crew at a weekly base rate of 400,000 euros (about $543,000 at press time), plus expenses. Contact management company Burgess Yachts. Obrigado This 98-foot motoryacht is a GFT, which stands for Global Fast Trawler. It s a bit of an odd moniker, since she s not a trawler at all, but she definitely is fast for her size range, with a top speed of 21 knots. That means that if you re eager to spend less time getting from Point A to Point B, and more time enjoying the fun and sun at Point B itself, Obrigado is the kind of yacht that can get you there fast. Obrigado takes eight guests with four crew and is available at a weekly base rate of $45,000 per week, plus expenses. She ll be based in the popular Antigua-Saint Maarten area until the spring of 2007, offering itineraries that include islands such as Anguilla and St. Barth s. Additional details are available from management company Merrill-Stevens Yachts. Princess Mariana New to the charter market following a $12-million refit, this jaw-dropping 258-foot motoryacht is one of the largest yachts in the world. Her Caribbean season this year will make her one of perhaps a half-dozen yachts her size available for charter around the globe, taking 12 guests with a stunning 26 crew members to tend to their every need and desire. Princess = Details ELEANORA-E Edmiston & Company Los Angeles...(310) GEANELLE Fraser Yachts Worldwide Fort Lauderdale...(954) OBRIGADO Merrill-Stevens Yachts Two Florida locations Fort Lauderdale...(954) SOLEMAR Burgess Yachts Miami...(305) PRINCESS MARIANA Camper & Nicholsons International Three Florida locations Miami...(305) LADY MICHELLE International Yacht Collection Fort Lauderdale...(888) BIG EAGLE The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals Fort Lauderdale...(954) December 2007 = 71

CONTENTS. Memories are made of this SKYLOUNGE

CONTENTS. Memories are made of this SKYLOUNGE CONTENTS Memories are made of this... More extraordinary megayachts than ever before are available for select luxury charter thereby introducing more clients to the enjoyment of vast, lavish living areas