First Impression: Va Bene

Date toured: December 2011

Va Bene is a 156-foot Kees Cornelissen motoryacht that was built in 1992. She underwent an extensive refit in 2008 that left industry insiders calling her an entirely new yacht, and the owner has continued to invest in her, including new carpeting, exterior paint, and a new Intrepid tender just before I stepped aboard in late 2011.

“The boat was gutted and rebuilt during the big refit, so now we are polishing and doing maintenance,” Capt. Peter Scott told me during my tour. “She looks great. And charter clients seem to really love her. We were flat-out in Croatia and Turkey last summer, and we’re already taking bookings for summer 2012.”

While Va Bene is marketed for 12 charter guests, she actually offers 15 places to sleep. The master on the main deck has a king-size bed with a study that includes a bunk-style Pullman berth. Belowdecks is another king-bed cabin, two queen-bed cabins, one queen-bed cabin with a Pullman berth, and one twin-bed cabin with a Pullman berth.

“Our setup makes us amazing for families,” stewardess Eliska Patient told me. “We can comfortably seat 12 guests at our dining tables, and our owner has young children, so everything is set up for that.”

To that end, Va Bene has child-sized life jackets, toys like an inflatable castle, Sony Playstation, Guitar Hero, and all kinds of games. The crew do face painting, cupcake decorating, and events like ’70s Night, Disco Night, a Pirate Day with a “guaranteed water fight.”

Adults, meanwhile, are likely to appreciate the hot tub, zero-speed stabilizers, satellite Wifi service, and comprehensive audiovisual system.

Va Bene is expected to finish the winter season in the Caribbean and then return to the Mediterranean for summer 2012. Her lowest weekly base rate is $179,000—and she remains priced in U.S. dollars while available for charter in Europe.

Burgess Yachts is the management company, and any reputable charter broker can help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin