With the global recession lingering, what booking trends are you seeing so far for the summer 2010 Mediterranean charter season?

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.

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

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

Ed Hamilton has worked in every part of the charter industry over the last 37 years and heads one of the largest, most respected charter brokerages.

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

Liz Howard joined Fraser Yachts as a charter broker in 2002 after more than 15 years in the maritime industry. E-mail Liz.

With the global recession lingering, what booking trends are you seeing so far for the summer 2010 Mediterranean charter season?

Three Brokers Say

Kathleen Mullen, Regency Yacht Vacations
This winter in the Caribbean, I am seeing a lot of bookings being made at the last minute. The popular charter boats are being booked in advance by repeat clients, but the rest of the yachts are having to book their charters very close to the actual charter dates.
I think the same will be true in the Mediterranean this summer. And for yachts at the most expensive end of the charter market, those last-minute bookings are likely to translate into some of the best values for charter clients, since the prices will be negotiated right up until the charter dates themselves.

charter broker Trina Howes

Trina Howes, CharterWorld.com
We are actually finding that inquiries for the Mediterranean are up on last year already. Many clients who did not charter in 2009 are keen to secure something for summer 2010. For most clients, “uncertainty” was a major contributing factor in the downturn. Over the last six months, much of this has dissipated, and clients are keen to have some fun.
In respect to rates and discounts, much of the desperation has also abated as many yachts have changed hands in terms of ownership. There has certainly been an adjustment in the marketplace, and owners are willing to consider reasonable discounts for early bookings, however, some of the crazy last-minute discounts we saw in 2009 are less likely to occur as yachts fill their calendars earlier for summer 2010.

charter broker Missy Johnston

Missy Johnston, Northrop and Johnson Worldwide Yacht Charters
We are pleased to say that despite the recession lingering, people are calling and have been calling all fall for charters for summer 2010. This suggests a bigger consumer confidence in general as charterers are not only booking, but are booking more than a few months in advance once again.
Clearly for Americans, the weakened dollar is not making international travel a bargain, however, as far as charter pricing, many yacht owners are not raising their rates for summer 2010 for yet another year running, which helps soften the increase in pricing due to the strength of the euro. In many cases, clients can book for summer 2010 at the same pricing as 2008.
So far our strongest charter interest for summer 2010 has been in Greece and Turkey, charter locations that are at either end of the charter pricing spectrum, which I believe reflects a renewed confidence in these cruising areas rather than any concern about pricing.