Click Here to Book This Yacht
I’m hearing a lot of chatter about the idea that CharterWave might be just another website that lists every available charter yacht on the planet–regardless of yacht quality or crew ability–and then posts links that say “click here to book this yacht.”
The truth is, CharterWave is the exact opposite. We strive to be the Good Housekeeping of the charter industry, giving our unbiased “seal of approval” to brokers, boats, crew, and destinations that we recommend based on first-hand interviews and experiences. We don’t ever take your direct yacht booking, or any amount of money that results from it. Instead, we find good yachts, crew, brokers and destinations, and then direct you to the reputable companies we trust to handle your vacation details and budget properly.
The past five years or so have seen a proliferation of mom-and-pop websites that promote just one owner-operated boat, sometimes with honest information and sometimes with exaggerated claims, and then a link that says “click here to book.” In our opinion, it’s just not worth taking a chance and trusting these sites. They are working outside the system in the same way that some homeowners are when they put up “for sale by owner” signs on their front lawns. Are all of these homeowners scam artists? Of course not. But when you’re new to the home-buying process, should you take the chance of working without a Realtor who holds the money in escrow during the sale? Probably not.
The same is true of yacht charter. CharterWave directs you to reputable boats, brokers and companies because we know they are at least trying to uphold the increasingly professional industry standards when it comes to booking charter vacations at every price point.
We’re not right about everything (who is?), but we certainly do our best to shine a light on what we find to be the best people and deals in the charter industry–so that you don’t have to go around clicking blind links in cyberspace.
November 2nd, 2006 at 1:32 pm
I think the difference is extremely important and it is good to know that there is someone in the industry able to and willing to signal out those who stand above the rest.
November 11th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
This is a great post Kim. It’s also important to remember that not only is CharterWave independant voice and resource for the charter industry, but Kim is also working very hard via CharterWave to promote charter to many who are currently booking cruise ship vacations but are looking to make the leap to charter. This is good for all charter brokers, boat owners and management companies.