So many yachts these days have brochures that list “twin-bed cabins,” but what does that really mean? During my recent boat tours at the European charter shows, I realized just how different some twin-bed cabins are from others.

Take a look at these shots from four different motoryachts and see for yourself:

The “twin” beds in the above photo are actually more like bunk beds–certainly unacceptable for many adults.

Similar story with the photo below, where I asked the captain to prove to me that an adult could actually fit into this twin bed, whose foot abuts a wall:

The kind of twin beds you should look for are more like the ones in the photo below, where the berths are wide enough for adults and the ends of the beds are open instead of jammed against a closet or doorway:

The beds above are certainly better for adults than the ones shown below, which just scream “slumber party for kids” in my opinion:

When you’re looking at brochures, make sure you look closely at the configuration of any “twin-bed cabins” before deciding they’ll be okay for adults at night. And, as always, work with a reputable charter broker who can tell you just what configuration each cabin is.

I spent some time onboard the beautiful 86-foot powercatamaran Bell’Mare during the recent Genoa charter show, chatting with the captain and crew about the differences between chartering “regular” powerboats and catamarans.

The captain mentioned that Bell’Mare is often charged one and a half times the regular dockage fees at some marinas simply because as a catamaran design, she’s about twice as wide as some “regular” powerboats. Marina owners, who typically charge for dockage by the foot, have to use a slip designed for a 150-foot-long “regular” boat to accommodate an 86-foot catamaran as wide as Bell’Mare, so they figure they’re losing out on a fat bit of profit if they don’t charge the catamarans more.

This, of course, translates into fees that are passed on to you, the client, at the end of your weeklong charter yacht vacation. It’s certainly something to be aware of, as extra dockage fees could push your overall costs higher than expected.

“On the other hand,” Bell’Mare’s captain said, “because of our efficient catamaran design, we use less fuel than most motoryachts–almost half as much in some cases. So from the client’s perspective, the expenses come out about the same overall.”

Well put.

Bell’Mare is part of the fleet at Fraser Yachts Worldwide. Look for my exclusive First Impression here on CharterWave soon.

As I look through my notes from the recent Mediterranean charter yacht shows, I realize that I am now familiar with no fewer than three motoryachts that go by the name Charisma.

One, of course, is the 130-footer built by Hatteras whose captain blogs for us here on CharterWave from the Caribbean and Bahamas. The second is a beautifully restored 150-footer built by Feadship that’s currently in the Western Mediterranean, and the third is a U.S.-flagged motoryacht that was built in Slovakia and is now operating in Turkey.

I bring this up because it’s important for you to know exactly what you’re getting when you decide which charter yacht to book. “I’m going to be onboard the motoryacht Charisma” could mean three very different things–in terms of your comfort, your destination, and the price you pay for a week’s vacation.

When you’re researching charter yachts, be sure you go by more than just their names when comparing amenities and rates. Look at their LOA–length overall–and the name of the yard that built them as additional identifying factors.

And, as always, work with a reputable charter broker who will make sure you get exactly the yacht you want.