After over two years of travel disruption, brokers are preparing for a record year for yacht charters, so getting your inquiry in early is vital if you want to secure your perfect vessel for a long summer of cruising through azure waters.
Promising unrivaled privacy and freedom, a yacht charter is the ultimate way to enjoy some much-needed downtime with your nearest and dearest in the world’s most beautiful destination. Whether you want to sail around the Bahamas, explore paradisiacal Greek islands or even circumnavigate the British Isles, there is a yacht to suit everyone’s desires. Here, we round up the best yachts to charter this summer.
[See also: [See also: How to Charter a Superyacht]
Laurel
Rate: From $525,000 per week
Location: Mediterranean
Built: 2006 (refit 2014)
Length: 73.2m (240.2ft)
Guests: 12 in 7 cabins
A veteran of the yacht charter market, Laurel has been delighting guests thanks to its timeless interior, top onboard amenities and world-class service from a seasoned crew. The 2014 refit was designed by Donald Starkey and features hardwood floors and an earth-toned palette. The plain interiors allow its stunning selection of artwork to stand out. Guests will spend most of their time on the main deck with its inviting sofas and modern entertainment system. A dedicated dining space is particularly special and is particularly pertinent due to Laurel’s reputation for fine dining. The 16-seat table sits under a starlight ceiling that creates a special atmosphere.
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Excellence
Rate: From $1,150,000 per week
Location: On enquiry
Built: 2019
Length: 80m (262.5ft)
Guests: 12 in 7 cabins
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This striking superyacht is sure to turn heads wherever she goes. Designed by Winch Design, Excellence remains at the forefront of what a modern superyacht should look and feel like. The curved floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass is designed to reflect her surroundings. Natural light floods through the triple-height glass atrium and the full-height windows. Her striking and angular plumb bow gives her the unmistakable look of a futuristic spaceship. There is a large swimming pool with a swim-up bar on the main deck aft and an upper deck entirely dedicated to the owner. Above the owner’s deck is the substantial sun deck with a lounge area and jacuzzi. There is also a large water-level tender garage where the yacht’s limousine tenders are stored.
[See also: The World’s Most Expensive Yachts for Charter]
Katharine
Rate: From $322,000 per week
Location: Adriatic & West Mediterranean
Built: 2000 (refit 2017)
Length: 61.3m (201.1ft)
Guests: 12 in 6 cabins
Built two decades ago, Katharine carries an almost retro look around the Adriatic. She boasts a number of traditional elements and classic furnishings, however, the 2017 refurbishment means her entertainment areas are as modern as any vessel. The outdoor space offers an opportunity to dine alfresco for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and makes for a fitting space for sunset cocktails as well. The interior is equally inviting, particularly the sky lounge which features cherry wood paneling, a fireplace and comfy oversized sofas. A dining room offers a beautiful space for formal occasions, while a self-playing baby-grand piano adds to the sophistication without the need for an extra person on board. A full-beam master suite is located on the main deck along with the other five cabins but has its own romantic window seat and lounge area.
Hospitality
Rate: From $235,000 per week
Location: Caribbean / Bahamas
Built: 2011 (refit 2019)
Length: 50m (163.1ft)
Guests: 12 in 7 cabins
Situated mostly in the Caribbean and the Bahamas for summer yacht charters, Hospitality lives by her name by focusing on the guest experience. The fun-filled superyacht boasts an extensive list of water toys and tenders, making her the perfect vessel for a family escape. She also has a proven history of adventurous itineraries, so is equally adept at exploring the world’s best destinations. She has a versatile layout and offers a variety of configurations to suit the type of guests onboard. A library can be converted into a spa while a cabin on the lower decks can be converted into a gym.
[See also: The Best Superyacht Charter Itineraries in the World]
Africa I
Rate: From $196,000 per week
Location: Mediterranean
Built: 2010 (refit 2019)
Length: 47m (154.2ft)
Guests: 12 in 6 cabins
Africa I became one of the first yachts to be used in a new partnership between IYC and Magellan Jets when it hosted a bubbled group for a cruise around Croatia. Guests were flown into Split by private jet before being securely transported to the yacht, where they boarded with minimal interaction with the outside world. As a result, she is one of the top superyachts for those seeking added security and privacy during this years’ summer yacht charters. With large outdoor spaces on every deck, guests can enjoy the best of the Adriatic summer on Africa I. An alfresco dining table is located on the aft deck and steps sweep down from the main deck to the swimming platform. On the upper deck there is another dining table set up, while the sun deck is packed full of a number of features including a gym and exercise gear, sun loungers and Jacuzzi.
.11.11.
Rate: From $650,000 per week
Location: Mediterranean
Built: 2015
Length: 63m (206.7ft)
Guests: 12 in 6 cabins
With an interior inspired by The Great Gatsby and a custom cocktail bar in the Sky Lounge, .11.11. offers a sense of elegant hedonism for anyone lucky enough to step on board. Her striking exterior will turn heads during the day, but it is the 46 underwater lights that ensure she continues to do so long after dark. She also has a superb reputation for dining and comes with not one, but two highly experienced head chefs on rotation. Bespoke menus will be served nightly in the striking 12-seat dining room. A stunning master suite comes complete with an entirely private deck with its own jet pool which offers stunning 180-degree views.
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Elena
©Alexis Andrews
Rate: From $90,000 per week
Location: West Mediterranean
Built: 2009
Length: 55m (206.7ft)
Guests: 8 in 4 cabins
Elena is a meticulous recreation of a 1910 yacht of the same name, so when you step on board you are stepping back into the golden age of sailing. A vessel for those who like to get stuck into the craft of sea travel, Elena is perfect for those who have a true passion for the water. Of course, she comes with a highly skilled captain and crew who will put in the hard graft day-to-day, but the work is there for any guest fit, able and willing to do it. Each of the four cabins offers stately, classic accommodation styled on a country home, but with all of the modern comforts of the 21st century. With the world of superyachts unashamedly heading into the world of ultra-modern, Elena becomes more of a rarity with every passing charter year.
Tiara
Rate: From $199,000 per week
Location: Mediterranean
Built: 2004 (refit 2019)
Length: 54.27m (178ft)
Guests: 12 in 5 cabins
Another modern marvel plucked from the past and fit for the future, Tiara offers a pure sailing experience with an interior inspired by the 1930s. A recent refit has brought this stunning sailing yacht up to modern standards, including state-of-the-art entertainment systems, an outdoor cinema, DJ decks and Jacuzzi. The interior has been designed by John Munford, who has used flamed mahogany, leather and lacquer throughout to give it a distinct 1930s feel. The master cabin is spread over two levels and includes a home cinema system in the bedroom. She also comes with a kitesurfing specialist with the captain ready to whisk you away to the best kite spots at a moment’s notice.
[See also: Yersin: The Eco Superyacht for Sustainable Explorers]
Vivid
Rate: From $39,555 per week
Location: UK
Built: 2001 (refit 2019)
Length: 26.82m (88ft)
Guests: 6 guests in 3 cabins
Most charters will be based in one of two places, the Bahamas or the Mediterranean. But if find yourself covering the same ground year after year, it might be worth looking to more unorthodox locations for this year’s summer yacht charters. Vivid is one such alternative. The comparably small yacht is offering charters around the south of England this summer, where you can retrace the first steps of maritime royalty. Enjoy the temperate waters of the English Channel and explore the beautiful islands within it. The yacht itself oozes sailing pedigree and comes with first-class amenities following an extensive refit in 2019. Perfect for smaller groups and families, Vivid has a large sunbathing area and the ability to make a plunge pool in the sea. Despite her small stature she still contains a vast owner’s suite and indoor dining space for eight.
diyachting.co.uk
[See also: The 10 Biggest Superyachts in the World]
