You would think Delivering The Superyacht Experience™ to boating clients would be pretty straightforward: A client expresses interest in a yacht for a family vacation. The charter broker presents several options. The client makes a selection.
THIS IS NOT SO CLEAN
In reality, it’s not nearly so clean and to the point. At least not for the handful of super-brokers who handle the world’s elite travelers.
According to Sheeder, matching a yacht to the client’s budget is just the starting point.
“While our clients are most interested in a yacht’s layout, amenities, and price, we dig deeper – into the yacht’s registration, the nationalities of the crew, and any governmental regulations and laws that might impact the success of the charter and comfort and respect of our clients.”
El Método Español
In addition, Sheeder mentions the rules affecting yachts for hire in Spanish waters. “We’ve seen a significant increase in interest in Spain, particularly Balearic Islands yacht charter vacations,” says Sheeder. “Many yachts based in the South of France and Monaco are willing to deliver to the Balearics to accept theses charters. However, yachts not in possession of a Spanish charter license are at a significant disadvantage, and face restrictions as to where the charter can begin and end, and what nationalities are permitted in the crew. Something as simple as bringing on a Spanish resident to offer therapeutic massages to the charter guests could be a problem if the yacht is not licensed for charter in Spain.”
OTHER ISSUES
Sheeder and her staff monitor other licensing and legality issues. For instance:
Local regulations regarding the charter guests’ use of watertoys. For example, waverunners
VAT implications of chartering in certain European Union countries.
Advance entry requirements prior to arrival in certain ports of call.
SHEEDER COMMENTS
“Not understating these regulations and laws can result in a negative experience for the charterer and guests, and in some cases increase the overall cost of the charter by 10% or more – a significant sum considering many charters are priced in the €500,000 to €1,000,000 per week range.”
La Manière Française
Currently, Sheeder is monitoring the possible impact of French social security tax responsibilities on yacht crews. In March 2017, a decree was passed to require crewmembers and their non-French employers (the yacht owners) to make contributions to ENIM – the French mariners’ social security agency. Any yachts and crews spending more than 90 consecutive days in France or French waters are subject to the tax. The decree was suspended Sept 13, following a disastrous summer tourist season that saw France luxury yacht charter revenues plummet by 40%.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Sheeder is waiting to see if the decree is actually overturned in 2018, or if it will come back in a modified form. “These increased costs associated with crew wages end up being are passed on to the charterer, in the form of higher rates for yacht rentals,” says Sheeder. If the decree is reinstated, Sheeder plans to either offer her clients yachts with French crew, or to convince them to bypass French waters and charter elsewhere in the region.
Going The Extra Mile
Do affluent charter clients realize the level of detail involved in orchestrating a vacation on a superyacht? Sheeder chuckles at the question: “Probably not, but that’s fine with us. It’s like an attorney getting your traffic ticket dismissed in court. You don’t care how he or she does it – as long as you don’t have to pay the ticket! It’s a similar scenario for us – we obsess over the small details in order to deliver a memorable vacation experience to our clients. A pat on the back is nice, but a satisfied charterer who becomes a repeat customer is even better!”
Brand new 2016 Sunseeker 155 model named motor yacht PRINCESS AVK launched. Her experienced charter-friendly crew and owner make an announcement. They want to secure a South of France yacht charter right out of the gate.
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
Having great success with the owner’s first charter yacht, the 40 meter Sunseeker yacht Princess K, the team at 1-800 Yacht Charters could barely contain their excitement, awaiting the launch of this newest “Princess.”
“Last summer, as the conclusion of a super-successful charter onboard Princess K, Captain Julian Sincock informed us that his boss was quietly building a brand new and larger Sunseeker, and was eager for us to promote her for charter upon her launch,” reports Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters. “We immediately spread the word to our preferred clients and set up an online brochure.”
ALL ABOUT THE YACHT
This Sunseeker 155 is the largest model built to date by the British shipbuilder. “Mega yacht PRINCESS AVK is prepared to take her place next to her sister-ship, the Sunseeker yacht BLUSH as the two highest profile tri-deck charter yachts in the 45 to 50 meter size category,” says Sheeder. “Their contemporary styling is rivaled by no other builder, with the possible exception of the Dutch-built Heesen yachts.”
The yacht is in the water for less than a month. She secured bookings for 17-24 July (Cannes – Ibiza) and 01-21 August (Ibiza – Cannes). Yes, you read that correctly – she CAN legally go to Spain for Balearic islands yacht charter. Fully-licensed for Spanish waters. she is one of the largest yachts legally able to charter in Spain this summer.
SPECIAL EVENTS AHEAD
Captain Sincock, however, is itching to get started sooner, and the yacht and his team are ready and in position in the South of France to accept a Monaco Historic Grand Prix charter or a Cannes Film Festival charter in May.
At 47.24 meters (154 feet 11 inches), the yacht offers accommodations for 12 guests in 6 cabins including an ample full beam master, two VIP double staterooms and three additional cabins that easily convert from twins to doubles offering greater flexibility during charter. The master and VIP cabins boast floor to ceiling windows, giving a new meaning to a “room with a view.”
BALCONIES UNFURL
Her unmatched connection with the sea is evident. Unfurling balconies on either side of the main deck saloon are majestic. Additionally, French doors in the skylounge open onto a fold-down terrace. The soothing beach house vibe undulates. The lines between indoor and outdoor spaces beautifully blur.
IDEAL CORPORATE EVENT YACHT
The yacht is the ideal platform for a corporate event – like hosting a film festival party or watching the race cars scream by during the Grand Prix. The main aft deck features a relaxed seating area with coffee tables – perfect for relaxing at cocktail hour. A glamorous bar and dining area tuck under the radar arch of the open-air sun deck. A spa tub forward allows unparalleled views while moored stern-to.
Come enjoy The Superyacht Experience™ on what Sheeder calls, “The hottest superyacht on the Med charter market this summer!”
Freelance chef Jason Carruthers has joined the crew onboard the 37 meter Formula 1 inspired motor yacht AURELIA for the upcoming Balearic Island yacht charter season. Jason has spent the last 15 years traveling and honing his culinary skills, both on land an onboard private yacht charter vessels. His travels have helped him develop an extensive knowledge of international cuisine. Now living in Palma Mallorca, Carruthers joins the 6-person yacht charter crew on board the sleek superyacht, whose home port is also Palma.
Carruthers explains how he developed his talents for cooking:
“As a private chef I have worked on land and water and cooked in some incredibly remote places where sourcing ingredients can be a daily challenge. With extensive catering and consulting throughout Europe and working with chefs of all origins, I have been able to absorb a great knowledge of international cuisine.”
Aside from his culinary talents, Carruthers also holds an endorsement in Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (SCTW Maritme), as well as certificates in hygiene, and firefighting, and sea survival.
YACHT CHARTER COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
As he has previously worked on yachts, Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters sees Carruthers as a natural fit to serving onboard motor yacht Aurelia – one of her most popular Balearic Island yacht charter vessels.
“Sometimes, chefs with limited experience on a yacht have difficulty with the transition from working in a restaurant or private home to serving onboard a superyacht,” says Sheeder. “Jason has a solid boating background, having served as both a chef and deckhand on motor yacht HUSH [38m] and motor yacht Osiana [25m]. He can drive a tender, take a turn on watch, and assist with safety issues.”
THE YACHT
Jason’s new home at sea, Heesen yacht Aurelia (priced from €105,000 per week), is well-known in the Balearics.
SPAIN YACHT CHARTER LICENSE
Yacht charters in Spain require the vessel secure a Spanish charter license in order to begin an conclude charters within Spanish waters. Possessing this license gives Aurelia a distinct advantage over other charter vessels. Without this license, a yacht can either start or end a charter in Spain – but it cannot do both. This forces unlicensed yachts to spend part of the charter period in far-away France – adding additional fuel costs to the charter customer’s tab (not to mention the loss of precious charter time in Spain).
YACHT ACCOMMODATIONS AND DETAILS
Aurelia offers accommodations for eight guests in four staterooms. With her non-traditional paint scheme inspired by Formula 1 racing team colors, the yacht is instantly recognizable. And just like a F-1 race car, this yacht is fast – hitting speeds of over 30 knots, while similar-sized motoryachts cruise at no more than 12-15 knots. Charting a yacht with such impressive speed capabilities means Balearic island yacht charter clients can explore the entire chain of islands – from Ibiza to Mallorca, within a week-long getaway.
SAMPLE MEALS PREPARED BY YACHT CHARTER CHEF CARRUTHERS
-ASPARAGUS PUREE WITH SEA BASS AND COURGETTE GARNISH
-SEA BASS WITH POMEGRANATE, RED ONION, AND MANGO SALSA
Imagine a few days in the sunny, warm waters of Spain. We hear exciting tips from the owner and crew onboard the 37 meter Heesen motor yacht AURELIA. After making a week-long appearance earlier this month at the Palma Superyacht Show, the crew reports a shiny new sticker now appears on the yacht’s windshield – a Spanish charter license – the mandatory requirement of any yacht wishing to legally offer Balearic Island yacht charters.
FORMULA 1
The Formula 1 race inspired motoryacht is now fully-licensed and legal to begin and end charters in Spanish waters, affording the head-turning yacht a distinct advantage over other yachts for hire. Like any “racing team,” the professional crew of 6 is motivated to show up the competition – to the delight of their onboard guests!
COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS
“Foreign flagged yachts can enter Spanish waters,” explains Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters (a boutique company specializing in luxury yachting vacations for HNWI), “but unless they are licensed in Spain, they cannot pick up their guests in Spanish waters, nor can they charter to Spanish residents. Securing a Spanish charter license is a real plus for our clients who wish to spend their entire superyacht experience in Spain, especially in the most popular destination, the Balearic Islands.”
AURELIA RACE-THEMED BOAT
The 37-meter motor yacht AURELIA features a unique exterior paint scheme, more synonymous with Grand Prix racing cars than superyachts. Her interior by Bannenberg and Rowell continues the Formula 1 theme, with décor and guest cabins colored to pay homage to famous racing designers like Pininfarina and Bertone. Four staterooms offer accommodations for up to 8 guests.
SO MUCH TO DO
Looking for fun AND relaxation? Check out the yacht’s amazing collection of toys and amenities for both watersports and onshore recreation. For instance, wakeboard, kneeboard, and towable toys. In addition, a 5.5m Castoldi jet tender, 2 electric bicycles, and an air chair. Further, a 2-person SeaDoo (255 horsepower), 2 SeaBobs, and a 1-person and 2-person kayak.
Need more toys? Here they are! Moreover, an inflatable banana, 3 sets of SCUBA DIVING gear (Rendezvous RDV diving only), a large anti-jellyfish swimming pool, and a diving board on flybridge. Lastly, fishing rods, extra-wide waterskis, normal waterskis, and training waterskis.
What an exhausting list… Wow!!!
SUMMER PLANS AND RATES
Summer rates for incredible superyacht AURELIA start at €105,000 per week.
Get ready for a fun summer in the Balearics onboard this sleek, fast, famous, and resplendent Heesen superyacht.
Flight delays are tedious, but waiting to head off on a luxury sailing charter holiday is a bit more bearable while waiting inside a beautiful, well-designed airport terminal.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TERMINALS
While most airports are merely utilitarian in layout and many travelers too harried to pay attention to the design, more and more cities are spending lavishly to build artistic, captivating terminals to serve as their city’s gateway.
Here are our three favorite airport terminals in the world
First, Terminal 4, Barajas Airport, Madrid
What makes it special? Terminal 4 features colorful pylons supporting a bamboo-lined roof. The design creates a series of daylight-filled canyons. Both arriving and departing passengers pass through one spectacular space.
BALEARIC YACHT CHARTER GUESTS
This airport is designed to handle 35 million passengers a year. Barajas Airport is one of Europe’s dominant air-hubs. It is an excellent gateway for Balearic Island yacht charters
Second, TWA Terminal, John F. Kennedy Airport, New York City
The use of classic architecture is timeless. TWA terminal at JFK is 60’s era, yet still sets a standard for today’s designers. The poured-concrete swoops and curves express the excitement of air travel and the romance of flight.
THIRD, TERMINAL 3, BEIJING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The 2-mile long Terminal 3 in Beijing is of the largest buildings in the world. It is designed to represent a dragon. The architects color-coded the ceiling to filter in red and yellow zones of sunlight.
The traditionally Chinese color scheme heighten the building’s dramatic effect. It also helps passengers navigate through the building.
HONORABLE MENTION AIRPORTS
The light tunnel at Chicago O’Hare’s United Airlines terminal
Artist Michele Oka Doner’s sea life-embedded floor at Miami international Airport, Concourse A,. This earned a cameo in the George Clooney movie, Up in the Air.
LUXURY TAX ABOLISHED The recent Mediterranean Yacht Charter show in Genoa, Italy, learned that the 3 year old Sardinia Luxury Tax is no more. ABOUT THE TAX The repeal of the Sardinia Luxury Tax is especially good news to charter enthusiasts. Anyone considering a yachting vacation in the Mediterranean is fortunate. The law […] read more
The world of luxury yacht charter has finally arrived in the Seychelles. Motor yacht SEA STREAM, a 76 foot Ferretti with room for 8 guests, is now available for Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts looking for a new destination. Ferretti yacht SEA STREAM is now available as the only high quality, luxury crewed motor yacht available […] read more
PLAN AND PACK Yikes! What to pack? In just over three weeks, you leave on a week-long Bahama yacht charter vacation. You choose a sleek, performance, basic sailing yacht with crew. Your menu provided to your yacht through your charter broker, and your crew is ready to welcome you aboard. Seriously, what do you pack? […] read more
Recent Comments