Luxury yacht charter is one of the safest ways to travel. Socially distanced vacation with a highly trained crew sounds like a smart thing to do. Here are the top 10 yacht charter destinations for 2021 recommended by Denison Yachting.
Florida Keys
Chartering a yacht in the Florida Keys means cruising along the Atlantic coast to Key Largo, Islamorada, and Key West. This is one of the best spots for snorkeling, fishing, and diving in the continental United States. Key Largo is known for having the best scuba diving in Florida, so ask your captain about booking a dive excursion during your charter. In Key West, take advantage of snorkeling through colorful coral reefs, watching incredible sunsets, and learning about Florida’s history. The laidback lifestyle of the Florida Keys makes it one of the best charter destinations in 2021. Denison Yachting recommends the 34m Il Capo.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas are open to US citizens. Before arriving, each traveler must submit a Travel Health Visa Application that requires a negative RT PCR COVID-19 test result. A yacht charter to the Bahamas is one of the safest and most private ways to travel through the Caribbean. Fill your days with snorkeling, laying on quiet beaches, and enjoying cocktails on the sundeck of a superyacht. Your charter itinerary may include visits to Norman’s Cay to snorkel around an airplane wreck, Compass Cay to swim with nurse sharks, and Big Majors Cay to feed the friendly wild pigs. The 45,7m yacht Excellence will be a nice choice.
British Virgin Islands
The travelers must obtain a BVI Gateway Travel Authorization Certificate prior to arrival and a negative RT PCR COVID-19 test. Once you arrive safe and sound, expect gorgeous weather and turquoise waters. Denison’s Virgin Islands yacht charter itinerary includes amazing beaches, snorkeling spots, uninhabited cays, hiking trails, shops, and restaurants to visit by yacht. One of the best spots to visit in the BVI is Jost Van Dyke, where you can walk along the powder sand beaches and stop by Soggy Dollar Bar, home of the original Painkiller. The 24.4m Sunreef’s Bundalong will complete the experience.
New England
Eager to trade big cities for charming coastal towns? Escape to New England. Summertime in the Northeast United States is simply beautiful, making it one of the top yachting destinations of 2021. A New England yacht charter may include stops in Newport for incredible seafood, Block Island for timeless architecture, or Nantucket to visit the whaling museum. Get your fill of US history and quaint coastal towns packed into one yacht charter experience. Denison Yachting recommend Kefi, built by Sunseeker in 2004.
Mexico
Visitors arriving to Mexico are subject to temperature checks upon arrival and those showing symptoms may be asked to quarantine voluntarily. Fly into Cabo San Lucas and head straight for a superyacht charter to enjoy a luxurious and exclusive Mexico experience. Swim with exotic fish, eat fresh food, and sink your feet into white sand beaches. You’re bound to come back from a Mexico charter destination with a golden glow and relaxed state of mind.
Croatia
Croatia is open to foreign visitors. All travelers (regardless of citizenship) must complete an arrival form and present a negative RT PCR COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of arrival. US citizens are not required to quarantine. Croatia is one of the world’s best yachting playgrounds – the breathtaking coastline and blue-green colors of the Adriatic sea are hard to resist, especially when you explore it on board Katarina. Enjoy fine dining in Dubrovnik, swim in the crystal clear lakes of Mljet, and explore the fortresses of Hvar.
Turks & Caicos
Turks & Caicos is comprised of more than 40 islands surrounded by brilliant blue water. The islands are relatively untouched thanks to a small population. A Turks & Caicos yacht charter is filled with tropical vegetation and nature, private land tours, whale watching, and dive adventures at The Wall. All visitors over 10 years old must show a negative test result taken in the past five days and apply for TCI travel authorization. Tourists must have insurance that covers COVID-19 related medical costs and fill out a travel authorization form prior to arrival by plane. Sun, smiles, and snorkeling for the next few days on board of the Sea Ray's MR.GV makes a perfect vacation.
Alaska
An Alaskan yacht charter is a totally unique experience. The area is known for its diverse landscape of mountains and forests with abundant wildlife and small towns. On a yacht charter around Alaska, experience whale watching, hike through national parks, and relax in hot springs. There’s no better way to see Alaska than by luxury yacht charter, for example, Kayana. It’s an incredibly scenic, isolated, and memorable vacation destination.
Leeward Islands
A travel bubble is set among Caribbean countries (CARICOM) to include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia and the Grenadines. That means visitors traveling to one of those countries are not required to take COVID-19 tests or undergo quarantine to travel to countries within the Bubble. This makes it easy to island-hop. The Leeward Islands are located between Puerto Rico and Dominica on the northeastern rim of the Caribbean Sea. Among the islands is a range of destinations including Antigua and Barbuda, St. Barths, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Costa Rica
A true adventurer will be eager to charter a yacht in Central America, and Costa Rica is one of the best destinations. Visitors must complete an online Health Pass 48 hours prior to travel to Costa Rica. A negative PCR test is not required upon entry, but tourists must provide proof of a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment. Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested country filled with ancient ruins, excellent surfing, and active volcanoes.
Credits: Denison Yachting
Sanlorenzo won the World Superyacht Awards 2022 with the superyacht Alloy. The design is a result of collaboration with the Zuccon International Project studio, for the exterior lines, and the Christian Liaigre studio for the interiors.Sanlorenzo Alloy is a 44.5-meter long fast-displacement model, entirely in aluminum, with a layout that moves away from the traditional layout of spaces to take the concept of livability on board to the max. The owner's cabin, conceived as a 147 sq. m private apartment, is organized on three interconnected levels, with an indoor and an outdoor area. A superyacht that opens up to the sea: from the sun deck, which with its 83 sq. m outdoor area offers multiple possibilities for relaxation and socializing, to the large 102 sq. m beach club that opens up on three sides.The collaboration between the Sanlorenzo team and Bernardo Zuccon, who oversaw the design of the exterior lines, made it possible to conceive, design and build a 490 GRT three-deck yacht that retains sleek, core lines but at the same time offers megayacht solutions.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1985 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.6 to 62 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
May 23, 2022
The Hylas M49 is a true classic and is set to make its stateside debut this summer – an introduction that has been met with great anticipation by American boaters. She designed to meet the needs of the most experienced sailors. Ken Read, president of North Sails Group and one of the world’s most accomplished and celebrated sailors, is one of them. Here is what he talks about another model, the M44. "By helping run North's group of sailing brands, in essence I sail for a living or am around sailing 24–7", says Read. " When it's time to relax I still want to be on the water but I must say that to turn a key and crack open a cold beer – it's a pretty nice option. The M44 is perfect for a cruising couple, and maybe a kid or two. We can fit the paddle boards, and all the other toys you can think of. We often live on Hayden during local or regional regatta’s. We take her for relaxing day cruises and we annually cruise for a week all through the amazing cruising grounds of the Vineyard, Cape and Nantucket with friends and family. We really feel like we can do whatever we want with Hayden. Last summer we towed a 33’ doublehanded racer Alchemist out to Edgartown with the M44, lived on her as the mother ship, won the Around Martha’s Vineyard Race, and towed home all in a long weekend.”Ken and Melissa ReadBoth boats were designed by the New Zealander Dean Salthouse, whose family has been designing and building exceptionally seaworthy vessels in the Southern Hemisphere for 65 years.The M49 offers some key advantages over the M44. The additional cockpit space provides for a day head, pop up grills, wet bar, cockpit refrigeration and ice makers. Her length overall is a full 4 feet, 7 inches longer than the M44, clocking in at comfortably riding 48 feet, 10 inches. The accommodation has two suite cabins, including a forepeak owner’s cabin that is configured with a center line double bed with “his and hers” hanging lockers plus under-berth storage drawers. The guest cabin is aft and to port and can pull double duty as an excellent stowage space if not being used for its primary purpose. This space is readily converted from a double to a twin set up, there is even an overhead 3rd bunk option.The M49 is powered by twin Yanmar 8LV diesels that focus on sturdy performance and optimal fuel economy. These Yanmars are excellent engines for both dayboating and for longer offshore adventures.The Queen Long Marine shipyard, founder and owner of the Hylas Yachts brand since 1985, has produced sailboats for over 40 years. Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the shipyard is equipped with reliable equipment and expert engineering, all while blending comfort and style to meet even the most stringent cruising needs. The design team features renowned naval architects such as Sparkman & Stephens, German Frers, Bill Dixon, and Dean Salthouse. The shipyard is constantly working on new design turn-out, with our most recent range innovation being thanks to collaborations with Zurn Yacht Design (US) and Hot Lab (Italy). Credits: Cameron McGeorge/Hylas Yachts
May 23, 2022
The CRN 142, a bespoke 52 meter superyacht, was launched and christened as Ciao, at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona. The private ceremony was attended by the owner, the senior management and the employees with their families.The sale of the 52-meter superyacht was brokered by Eduardo Cury, President of Miami Yacht Access. The client is represented by Antonello Vittorio Meloni.Made entirely of aluminum, Ciao has been designed and built by CRN in close collaboration with architecture and design studio Omega Architects, who conceived the external lines. She features a distinctive taut, svelte exterior lines and near-vertical bow that exude a decidedly sporty, dynamic personality.Her interiors and the outdoor guest areas were created by architects Massari Design.She has a gross tonnage of 499, spreads across four decks and accommodates up to 10 guests in the comfort of the main-deck owner suite and four VIP cabins below.The yacht reflects the vision of a knowledgeable owner who specifically wanted comfortable spaces in the open air, setting great store by the design of the social zones. The result is a pleasure vessel with a sublime harmony and a strong connection among the large, luminous indoor and outdoor spaces, for a perceptual and functional unity between inside and out.A wealth of features will enable the owner and guests to enjoy a peerless shared cruising experience. Such as the sizable al fresco dining area on the upper deck, or the comfortable, versatile lounge areas with sun zone and spa pool on the sun deck and main deck, or the bright, roomy saloons on the main and upper decks, all smoothly designed with conviviality in mind.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
May 23, 2022
Little has created as much controversy amongst yacht brokers in recent years as Ian Malouf's Ahoy Club. According to the serial yacht owner, this reaction was not only expected but made the charter platform know overnight. "I couldn't have spent $10 million on an advertising campaign like this" Malouf commented.After starting Dial a Dump Industries in 1984 with a single truck, Malouf grew the business into one of the largest waste management groups in Australia. In 2019, Bingo Industries acquired the company from Malouf for $578 million. By that time however, he had escalated his life-long passion - yachting - into a full scale business venture - Ahoy Club.The Maloufs came up with the idea for Ahoy Club in 2015, at that point they had already taken the step up from a 22-meter Princess to the 54-meter Baglietto, Mischief. Ahoy's goal was to improve on the charter experience for both clients and yacht owners, which it built into its digital platform that launched in 2018.Ahoy Club's launch in 2018 was met with stiff discontent from the yacht brokerage industry, an uproar that can be heard up until today. In his first hour-long interview, Ian Malouf has described this reaction as "perfectly expected". According to the serial yacht owner, their competitors have made them instantly known, something they would have taken 10 years to do by themselves.
May 20, 2022
The fourth unit of Mangusta GranSport 33 hits the water and will be delivered to her American owner over the next few weeks. The 228GT Mangusta GranSport 33 yacht offers accommodation up to 12 guests, including a 40 sq. m master cabin at the bow of the main deck. The Mangusta GranSport line, penciled by Alberto Mancini – which also includes larger models of 45 and 54 meters in length – has been engineered by Overmarine Group.This model features the sun deck, which covers a 56 sq. m surface and has been thought out with an eye to the guests’ entertainment and relaxation, including a large lounge, a fully-equipped sunbathing area and, forward, a hot tub.The extensible aft platform is another distinctive element on this vessel. The garage, also located aft, is hidden from the view by a garage blind, and can fit a tender up to 5.65 m and two jet-skis.The Mangusta GranSport 33 is the entry level among composite fast displacement yachts. This model comes with a latest-generation propulsion system consisting of 4 Volvo Penta D13 735kW (~1000HP) engines coupled with 4 IPS pods, ensuring outstanding efficiency and extraordinary maneuverability. Thanks to this system, the Mangusta GranSport 33 can cruise at a maximum speed of 25 knots, at a cruising speed of 21 knots the yacht’s range increases to 330 nautical miles. Overmarine Group was founded in 1985 by the Balducci family. The shipyard builds open and displacement power superyachts under the Mangusta and Mangusta Oceanco brand names. Credits: Overmarine Group
May 20, 2022