Charter broker Missy Johnston of Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters in Newport tells us: “For families with children, a catamaran is a great option as there is a large aft cockpit opening generally right into a large main salon, which gives a large amount of open space for children to spread out and move around. Also there is generally an easy way down the pontoons aft for water access, and the front trampolines strung over the waters are generally very well liked by children as a place to play when at anchor. The British Virgin Islands is a great family location, as the waters are the most protected in the Caribbean and anchorages are just a short sail away. The best catamarans in the BVI for family charter are those with a lot of toys and a crew that loves children.  For family charter, I especially like the 50-foot Sea Chateau, the 58-foot Braveheart, the 67-foot Marmot, and the 76-foot Akasha.”

Charter broker Ann Landry of Northrop and Johnson in Fort Lauderdale says: “For families with active teens, I love the 150-foot Trinity motoryacht Vita, a brilliant new addition to the charter market. During a charter that I organized, the young, energetic crew were in the water continually during daylight hours to the delight of the young boys using the many watersports toys, from kayaks to bananas and tow tubes to the brand new trampoline. Vita is one of the few yachts that carries a pair of Laser sailing dinghies, allowing the charterer and his daughter, who are keen sailors, to stage races. For the less active teens, there is a treasure trove of movies, plus PlayStation 3. It was a fabulous family charter.”

Landry’s colleagues at Northrop and Johnson also recommend the 115-foot Trinity motoryacht Watercolours: “The owner of Watercolours has young children himself, and has therefore made the yacht incredibly child-friendly. There are many safety features onboard geared for children, including child nets and door locks.”

The team at The Sacks Group Yachting Professionals tells us: “The race car-themed ‘Pit Stop Suite’ aboard the 100-foot Inace motoryacht Unforgettable was designed with kids in mind. Decorated in bright, primary colors, it has bunk beds, an en suite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and shower, and a full entertainment suite including TV, DSS, VCR, stereo with surround sound, and Nintendo 64 game system. This yacht, which accommodates 10 guests total, also has all the water-sports toys needed to keep the young ones occupied, including a 20-foot Caribe tender with kneeboard and water skis, an inflatable Banana towable, and deep-sea fishing and snorkeling gear. What’s more, Unforgettable has a young, active crew that’s popular with the kids—and their parents, too!”

Charter broker Natasha Smekalina of Nemo Yachts says: “Last summer I had a great experience booking the 150-foot Feadship motoryacht Northern Light. There were three children in the family, including a one-and-a-half-year-old with severe allergies. There was a long list of foods, ingredients, and cooking methods that were not allowed, and another list of special things that had to be obtained on very short notice (like gluten-free pasta, for example). The entire crew did an amazing job not only providing everything for this baby—a cot and a high chair, special kinds of diapers,  hypoallergenic detergent for washing clothes—but also doing everything possible to сare for and entertain all three kids throughout the two-week charter. This crew is amazing!”

Charter broker Carol Kent of Carol Kent Yacht Charters tells us: “We have found the 40-foot sailing catamaran Chateau to be so kid-friendly and such a good value. Capt. Doug and Chef Barb, who are married, will help families explore the Baths on Virgin Gorda, snorkel the reefs, kayak the blue waters, or play one of the many musical instruments onboard. Mom and Dad can even enjoy a night on the town while Doug and Barb, who love children, keep the kids involved with activities such as swimming, karaoke, treasure hunts, cooking, and more!

CEO Expeditions says: “Our 120-foot motoryacht Kayana has a special private area off the master cabin for nannies and little ones. We also have tons of amenities (kayaks, fishing, hot tub, etc.), stewardesses with child-oriented backgrounds, wonderful shore excursions such as the Knights Templar site, a special media room with Xbox, Wii, and more, and a proprietary movie library system with more than 300 movies, many of which are family oriented. Kids live crabbing and shrimp netting where Kayana cruises in the Pacific Northwest, and we also do ‘lost treasure’ trips, hikes, and picnics on uninhabited islands.”

Edmison and Company recommends the 262-foot classic motoryacht Talitha, which has “a creative and imaginative crew for keeping the kids busy all day long with watersports and games.”

Fraser Yachts Worldwide says families with children should consider the 193-foot expedition motoryacht Seawolf: “She has a swimming pool with Jacuzzi, and a 28-foot Herreshoff sailboat onboard.  Very kid-friendly with all the toys.”

Churchill Yacht Partners recommends the 145-foot Heesen motoryacht At Last, which just underwent a two-year refit and now offers families “a completely refitted engine room and interior. She is a virtually new yacht with state-of-the-art equipment and an amazing array of toys.”