Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
CharterWave's Digital Newsstand is your one-click spot for all the newest charter information from around the world.
Maltese Falcon Takes Perini Cup
On September 9, Synfo.com posted this article about the world's largest sailing yacht, Maltese Falcon, winning this year's Perini Cup in Italy. The Falcon is part of the charter fleet at Burgess Yachts.
Selene Annapolis Adds 47-footer to Fleet
On September 9, OceanLines posted this item about Selene Annapolis now making a 47-foot model available for captain-only charters in and around the Chesapeake Bay.
Refit Complete, Yacht Heads to Caribbean
On September 8, MegayachtNews.org posted this article about the 145-foot Heesen motoryacht At Last, which recently completed an extensive refit. The yacht will be available for charter this winter in the Caribbean.
Interesting Look at Charter Contract Detail
On September 8, Comprehensive Yacht Assurance posted this article about a real-life situation in which a captain refused to leave the dock during a charter, then tried to invoke a standard contract clause about "force majeure" so that the charter client could not get a refund to which he may have been entitled. This article is a great window into the nuts-and-bolts of charter that you will never see in the promotional materials that highlight sandy beaches and blue lagoons.
Boat International buys Showboats
On September 4, Boat International Media announced in this press release that it has acquired Showboats magazine. Boat International USA magazine will cease to publish, dwindling to less than a half-dozen the number of U.S. magazines that cover the international charter industry. The current editor of Boat International USA, Rebecca Cahilly, will become editor of Showboats beginning with the next issue.
Industry Outlook Good, Retailer Says
On September 4, Boatbookings.com uploaded this blog post offering the company's charter industry outlook for the next year. Interestingly, the company says that inquiries for winter charters are now more than double what they were when the industry collapsed along with the global economy last September.
Inexpensive Crewed Yacht Options
On September 1, Ed Hamilton & Co. posted this article whose headline says it all: "Quality crewed charter yachts that won't break the bank."
Chocolate Yacht Charter
V.I. Sailing posted this item on September 1 about a Grenada charter base offering tours of a local organic cocoa grower.
Taylor'd Yacht Charters Featured
Longtime brokers Sandy and Tom Taylor were featured in this August 31 article in the Natchez Democrat, in Mississippi.
Demographics of Wealth are Changing
On August 20, The New York Times posted this article about how the "super-rich" are getting poorer for the first time in decades, and how they might not be able to return to previous levels of wealth anytime soon. This could have dramatic implications on rates for 150-foot-and-larger charter yachts, which saw unprecedented price increases of as much as 40 percent between 2007 and 2008, but that are now seeing less demand than they have in years.
Report from a Coastal Maine Charter
On August 17, broker Ed Hamilton posted this item about a recent cruise along the coast of Maine, where his charter agency is based.
Report from a First-Time Charterer
On August 17, Yachting magazine posted this article about a first-time charterer's experience aboard a sailing catamaran in the Northern Caribbean.
How Much Should You Tip on Charter?
On August 14, Yachting magazine posted this article by CharterWave's editor about the ongoing debate concerning appropriate gratuities for charter yacht crew.
Crewed Charter in the Maldives
On August 12, Yachting magazine posted this article by CharterWave's editor about several new motoryachts that have recently joined the crewed charter market in the Maldives.
San Juan Islands Charter Options
On August 11, Boats.com posted this article (written by CharterWave's editor) about current discounts being offered for summer charters in the San Juan Islands.
Symphony II Drops Rate--First Time Ever
On August 7, Camper & Nicholsons International posted this item about the 112-foot Westport motoryacht Symphony II, which has dropped its weekly base rate for the first time ever. The deal is $10,000 off, a 20-percent cut that makes the new base rate $39,500 for eight guests.
How to Use Social Media on Charter
On August 6, CNN.com posted this interesting article about how people are using social media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to enhance general travel experiences. With more and more charter brokers now in these social media spaces, there's no reason these lessons can't apply to charter, too.
Interesting Take on Charter Statistics
The Wealth Bulletin posted this article on August 4 featuring data from the yet-to-be-released-in-full Superyachting Index compiled by Camper & Nicholsons International. (In 2008, the annual Index had been released by May.) The new article says the number of weeks of charter booked aboard large yachts in 2008 was up 25 percent over 2007--which, if true, would be saying a lot about that year's summer season in the Mediterranean, given the way the market virtually collapsed during the 2008 winter season.
New Motoryacht Brochures Available
On August 1, International Yacht Collection announced that new brochures are available for the 155-foot motoryacht Triumphant Lady and the 130-foot motoryacht Charisma. You can download them here.
Ocean Getaways Launches New Site
Longtime charter broker Trish Cronan of Ocean Getaways contacted us on July 31 to say that her company has just launched this new website. Make sure you bookmark this new page, which features current yacht charter deals and discounts.
MegayachtNews.org posted this item on July 27 explaining that some megayachts plan to offer pre-arranged "test rides" during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from Oct. 29 through Nov. 2. No word yet on how many of them will be charter megayachts. Stay tuned.
Good, Basic Info on Greece Itineraries
On July 23, JustLuxe posted this article about possible yacht charter itineraries in Greece. The information is basic, but should be helpful to anyone trying to narrow down island group options.
Med Captain Notes Business Upturn
On July 22, The Triton posted this article with quotes from the captain of the 140-foot Christensen motoryacht Daydream, who says summer charter business in the Mediterranean appears to have picked up at the last minute thanks to clients taking advantage of deals being offered by yacht owners.
New Video: BVI Sailing Cat Catatonic
On July 22, our editor received word that the 44-foot sailing catamaran Catatonic just created a new promotional video. It includes a look at the boat, an introduction to the crew, and some great information about itineraries in the Virgin Islands:
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Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ
Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole
