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Tag Archives: Trivia

3 Things to NEVER Do (and 1 to ALWAYS Do) During Thailand Yacht Charter Vacation

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RECENT BLOG POST ABOUT THAILAND

Recently, we blogged about the Thai government’s efforts to lift the restrictions that kept superyacht charter vessels away from Thailand.  Now that the door has been opened for foreign-flagged yachts. In addition, American charterers and tourists are welcome.  Here are some cultural taboos that could save you from being branded an “Ugly American.”

Woman making shocked face - black and white

 

BUDDHIST RULES

Keep in mind almost 95% of the Thai population is Buddhist. As in much of southeast Asia, there are cultural taboos that non-Buddhists would not know, some of which are considered religiously offensive.

 

DO NOT DO THIS

Three things NOT to do on your yacht charter Thailand:

  • Avoid touching or passing any object over the top of anyone’s head, as a person’s head is viewed as the most sacred body part.  Related to this  – Do not touch anyone’s head.
  • Don’t point your foot at any person, and don’t use your foot to move anything, as the foot is viewed as the lowliest body part.  Remember to never put your feet up on a table or any furniture. [I thought my mother-in-law was Italian, but now I’m thinking she was Thai, as she always scolded her son for putting his feet on the coffee table while watching TV!!!]

Baby between two adult feet with traditional no symbols on the feet

  • Try never to point, especially with your index finger, as it is considered extremely rude. [Think of President Bill Clinton – he always used his thumb to point, never his index finger.  Funny, he doesn’t strike me as a Buddhist!]

 

ALWAYS DO THIS!

Always use your right hand to pass or receive an object.  [Sorry left-handed charterers.]

Right hand thumbs up

In conclusion, one of the great joys of a yachting vacation is The Superyacht Experience™.  It is the chance to embrace diversity, participate in unique cultural events, and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. By avoiding these taboos, think how much more enjoyable your Phuket yacht charter vacation will be.  You won’t offend the wonderful people of Thailand, and your mother won’t scold you for putting your feet up on the yacht’s furniture!

 

HOW TO CHARTER A YACHT IN THAILAND

For more information on chartering a yacht in Thailand, contact us today.  The team at 1-800 Yacht Charters +1.800.922.4824 / toll-free in North America or +1.305.253.7245 stands by to educate and assist you.  Feel free to use our convenient online contact form, if you’d rather. #knowbeforeyougo #yachtcharter

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TOP 3 YACHT CHARTER MYTHS DEBUNKED

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MYTHS DEBUNKED

While direct booking of a self-drive bareboat is common and the norm, the same cannot be said for renting a crewed yacht. Organizing vacations on crewed yachts, especially ultra-expensive superyacht charter vessels, requires assistance.  Intermediary experts are important since few owners have the time. Additionally, they do not have patience or interest in dealing directly with prospective charter customers.  After all, few yacht owners became billionaires by chatting with strangers on the phone!

 

YACHT CHARTER BROKER IMPORTANCE

It’s hard to dispute the important role retail brokers play in arranging crewed private yacht charter vacations. Most have an extensive understanding of the industry. For instance, first-hand experience of inspecting charter yachts and interviewing the crews.  In addition, preparing charter agreements.  A good broker is key to a successful and unforgettable (The) Superyacht Experience™.

 

TO USE A YACHT CHARTER BROKER OR NOT?

Using a retail yacht charter broker, however, is not a guarantee of a great yachting vacation.  There are many misconceptions – some promulgated by the brokers themselves.  Exposing these fallacies can save headaches and money.  Let’s look at, and debunk, three common myths associated with the services of a retail charter broker.


busting-the-myths-about-yacht-charter-brokers-and-superyacht-vacations

MYTH #1:  Every Broker will get you the Same Exact Price

This is the most common misconception.  Subsequently, many brokers quickly use this line to encourage a prospective client not to call competitors.  It is partially true. There is a published “rack rate” available to all retail brokers.  As compared to upscale resorts, villas, and jets, sometimes there are multiple pricing options.

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters explains,

“In situations where we have delivered multiple charters to a particular yacht owner, we are in a unique position to secure ‘best column pricing’ for our preferred clients – prices that other retails brokers cannot obtain.

Jana Sheeder photo

Sheeder goes on to explain how relationships and reputations also play a role in securing preferred pricing.

“If you’re honest and respectful, over the years, you build relationships with captains and yacht managers.  I can’t tell you how many times we have reached out to a captain to ask for a professional courtesy discount for one of our clients.  The captains have the ear of the owner and often can encourage an owner who would normally not offer any discounts, to give our client a special rate.”

The bottom line  – the best brokers can, on occasion, secure rates not available to other brokers.  When considering the hiring of your charter broker, directly ask the broker if all brokers gets the same prices.  If he or she says “Yes,” move on and find another broker!

 

MYTH #2:  The Charter Broker’s Commission is Paid by the Yacht Owner, and not by the Charterer

It serves as a great marketing phrase for many brokers.  “My advice to you is free.”  Consequently, it is simply untrue.  Yes, the commission check received by the broker comes from the yacht owner’s account, but just as in real estate, the list prices have been adjusted to account for the fees earned by brokers.

Sheeder bristles at the notion of free advice. “Many brokers are quick to state their services are free, and you’ll see this marketing slogan prominently displayed on their websites.  We have greater respect for our clients.  While there is great value in the services we offer – nothing is free, and an educated consumer is aware that the prices offered by a yacht owner include the cost of the retail charter broker’s services.”


EVIDENT IN BAREBOAT CHARTERS

This is even more evident when booking a bareboat yacht charter, as bareboat companies take in direct reservations and will often give customers discounts of 10 to 15%  – the amount they save if no charter broker is involved.

Sheeder feels complete transparency is the best course of action.  “We tell our clients exactly how much our services cost in terms of a commission.  We don’t apologize for what we earn, and we bend over backwards to deliver killer customer service.  I believe our clients appreciate our confidence and our candor.”

 

SAMPLE PROMISES

Sample actual luxury yacht charter competitors’ promises to you:

“Our advice is free…”
“…provide you with free advice…”
“…THAT GIVES YOU FREE INDEPENDENT CHARTER ADVICE”


The bottom line. 
Don’t fall for flashy marketing terms and buzzwords.  Nothing is for free, and you, the buyer, are paying the cost of the charter reservation services rendered to you.

 

two hands, palms up, holding a green post-it not that reads, ADVICE

 

MYTH #3:  Charter Brokers Offer Unbiased Advice

Many brokers are employees of large yacht management companies.  These companies, sometimes called “Central Agents,” handle crew placement, yacht sales, and charter management.

Sheeder explains how this multi-service model can lead to bias on the part of a retail broker:  “A retail broker who is employed by a central agency is in a position to present a potential charterer with yachts that are managed in-house.  Not only is a commission generated when an in-house managed yacht is booked for a charter, but an additional ‘management’ fee is earned by the central agency.”

In other words, a central agency makes more money when their own retail brokers book yachts in their own fleet. Those yachts are not necessarily the best choice for your customized charter.

 

The bottom line – To minimize bias, Sheeder recommends retaining an independent retail yacht charter broker.  Similar to hiring an independent insurance agent who represents multiple product lines, an independent charter broker is more likely to present prospective clients with yacht selections from a multitude of Central Agency fleets.

 

Understanding the myths and misconceptions of the role of a retail yacht charter broker is fundamental to any successful yachting vacation.  Having a full-time industry expert to offer objective, transparent advice can be invaluable in creating your ultimate superyacht experience.

HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER

Thinking about a private charter vacation?  Speak to the industry team with more than 30 years’ experience.  Call 1-800 Yacht Charters today at 1-800-922-4824 or 305-253-7245, or fill out our convenient online contact form at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/

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Who Knew???  Famous Phrases with Nautical Yachting Origins

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THE BEGINNING

Many years ago, we first started blogging about private luxury yacht charters.  We would get bored writing about the same topics over and over.  For instance, “presenting XYZ sailboat,” “welcome ABC motoryacht,”  or “explore this amazing destination.”

 

KICK IT UP A NOTCH

To jazz things up, our company President, Jana Sheeder made a command decision.  She says blogs about off-the-wall, mostly nautical-themed trivia, entitled “Did You Know” peaked interest. She was right.

Have another!

DID YOU KNOW these common phrases all have nautical roots?

 

 

Photo of a cup of coffee with white cup and saucer. There are 10 coffee beans spread across the white saucer.  There are caramel-colored bubbles across one half of the liquid in the coffee cup.  The other half looks dark brown.

Cup of Joe:

When newly appointed Secretary of the Navy Joe Daniels took his post in 1913, he banned wine and spirits aboard ships. So, the strongest drink aboard Navy ships was coffee.   Over the years, a cup of coffee became known as “a cup of Joe.”

 

 

brown and white guinea pig in a hammock with back legs sticking out

 

Shake a Leg:

This one is a little sketchy so I picked the explanation that sounded the best to me.  Some sources claim the phrase originates from the British Royal Navy.  Supposedly, officers would order sleeping sailors to throw a leg out from their hammocks to wake up! (Just a fun image…little guinea pig looks exhausted!)

 

a flying black crow on a sky blue background

 

 

As the Crow Flies:

In the 1700’s, it was thought (and possibly true) crows like to be on dry land and will fly straight to shore, bypassing any obstacles in their path.  Ships would carry crows aboard, and in cases of poor visibility, let one free and chart the bird’s flight to shore.   [Sounds cool, but I’ll stick to Google Maps!]

 

In conclusion, our modern fleet of private luxury yacht charter vessels serve way more than just coffee. Additionally, the crows have all been replaced with state-of-the-art radar and global navigation software!  Come enjoy The Superyacht Experience™ with your family and friends.  Book a yachting vacation today, with 1-800 Yacht Charters. Fill out our convenient online booking form at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/

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WHO KNEW?  Spielberg Rejected Twice to Direct James Bond Movies

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SPIELBERG AND JAMES BOND MOVIES

Recently, we told our readers that Hollywood icon Steven Spielberg had put his spectacular Monaco yacht charter vessel up for sale.  The Spielberg yacht SEVEN SEAS is scheduled to be replaced with an even larger vessel.

In a, “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” kind of way, we thought this would be fun.  We want to look at an interesting tie-in between Spielberg and the James Bond movie franchise. Obviously Spielberg loves yachts.  James Bond movies correlate to fast, luxurious yachts.  In fact, there are several yachts named in honor of Bond films and currently available for private yacht charter  – yachts like OCTOPUSSY and CASINO ROYALE.

 

James Bond 007 movie The Living Daylights scene on yacht deck - Timothy Dalton - Belle Avery Kell Tyler in black bikini

THE TIE-IN RVEALED

So, back to the tie-in between Spielberg and Bond.

Did you know that Steven Spielberg Was Twice Rejected to Direct a James Bond Film??!!!

Yep, it’s true.

Spielberg makes no secret of his affinity for the Bond film franchise.  He desires to, and is a top choice, to direct a Bond movie.

 

 

 

 

NO BROCCOLI

It turns out that he had two opportunities to pitch longtime Bond producer Albert R. Broccoli.  On both occasions, Broccoli said NO.

According to Broccoli’s daughter, Barbara (who took over the production reigns after her father’s death), a young, relatively unknown Spielberg made his first directorial pitch to her father early in his career.  Broccoli was impressed by the young director’s passion, but felt he lack the experience to helm a major title like Bond.

Barbara said her father told Spielberg, “Kid, ya gotta get some more films under your belt.

 

SCHINDLER’S LIST, THEN

steven spielberg standing behind a podium in front of Schindler's List writing on wall

 

After Spielberg released one of his best-reviewed films, ‘Schindler’s List,’ he sent a letter to Broccoli asking again if he could direct a Bond movie. Barbara says her father once again turned down Spielberg, this time saying, “Now I can’t afford you!

It’s safe to say things turned out ok for Mr. Spielberg.  He’s directed over a dozen blockbuster films, and  when not in use by Academy Award-winning director and his family, his yacht SEVEN SEAS is available for hire in the Mediterranean at a price of $1.2 million per week…

 

 

HOW TO RENT A YACHT?

Interested in a yachting vacation this winter in the warm waters of the Caribbean?  Contact us at https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/ and tell us your preferences!  We look forward to planning The Superyacht Experience for you.

 

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