 President, Jubilee Yacht Charters, Inc.
Date interviewed: January 2008How did you get started as a charter broker?
We have chartered bareboats ourselves, and then I worked part-time in the booking office of a bareboat company in 1978. In 1982 I established my own company, Jubilee Yacht Charters. What kinds of boats do you typically book?
I book both bareboat and crewed yachts.
What are some of the best charter destinations you’ve personally visited?
For that special trip, Turkey, Greece and the Dalmatian coast. Year in, year out – the Virgin Islands.
What is the first thing you ask a new charter client?
Have they chartered before, and where they want to charter.
Describe your ideal charter client.
Those who have done some research and know where they want to go but are open to suggestions.
Describe your nightmare charter client.
The constant changer – change of location, change in the number of guests, change in dates.
Describe a previous booking where you worked “above and beyond” to help get a client what she needed.
We have just returned from a yacht club winter cruise in the British Virgin islands with a combination of bareboat monohulls and catamarans and some crewed yachts. I arranged for some dinners ashore for the group as well as for the yachts and hotels.
What are a few of your favorite charter yachts, and why?
Stenella, because we sailed with them and the boat has three equal cabins, which means nobody feels like they get a "lesser" cabin during a charter. K.C. is a marvelous, award-winning chef, and Capt. Andy loves to sail. He sails that 63-foot yacht like a dinghy, but is also happy to share the helm if the guests want to give it a try. Who are a few of your favorite yacht crew, and why?
Randy and Shelley on the 72-foot sailboat Three Moons. She got rave reviews from clients, and she did the whole charter with her leg in a cast! What makes you different from other charter brokers?
I’ve been in the business over 25 years and have personally cruised in the areas I represent. |
Sharon Bahmer is an expert at booking charters in the Americas, from Alaska to Brazil. She's also a member of FYBA and CYBA. E-mail Sharon
Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon
Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina
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
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
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.
