What kinds of boats do you typically book?
We only book fully crewed charter yachts because there is a quality and standard that we can offer to our clients in doing so. Bareboats just do not offer this. There are very competent self-charterers who love to “do their own thing,” and I think that it is fantastic that they are able to get out there and realize their dream even if it is not what I offer here at SWC.
     On average, the majority of our bookings at SWC are on power and sailing yachts in the 80- to 150-foot range. My expertise encompasses the globe, and we offer worldwide coverage as long as there is a reputable charter yacht available in the desired venue.

What are some of the best charter destinations you’ve personally visited?
Alaska, Australia, the entire Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Belize, The Gulf Islands and British Columbia, New Zealand,  the Fijian Islands, French Polynesia & the Society Islands, the U.S., British  & Spanish Virgin Islands, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, East Malaysia,  the French, Dutch and British West Indies of the Caribbean, Panama and the Las Perlas Islands, Costa Rica, Mexico along the Baja Peninsula and the Sea of Cortez, the Caribbean Coast of Mexico including Isla Muejueres and Cozumel, the New England Coast, Florida, the San Juan Islands and the Turks and Caicos.
     I think that about sums it up, although I may have missed one or two spots!

What is the first thing you ask a new charter client?
We always ask, “Have you ever chartered a yacht before?”
     A new prospective client needs to be handled with kid gloves and be taken step by step through the entire process of booking a yacht as carefully as if they were purchasing their first home. They need to get the feeling of confidence from whomever they choose to work with that their yachting holiday is that broker’s only concern. They need to be heard and feel that the answers they receive from their broker are correct.
     At SWC, we offer this type of “hand-holding service” and we do it with a smile. I have to laugh at these last words because when I co-captained charter yachts with my husband, Dan, he and I were always the ones to coax the ladies, children and sometimes men who had never been in the sea or even snorkeled before into the water by offering to hold their hand while we snorkeled. Now, 26 years later, we still offer this same service for clients taking their first plunge!

Describe your ideal charter client.
My favorite client here at SWC is one who does not mind opening up and letting us know about their particular requirements, needs or expectations even if they are unsure of them when they call. As intuitive as we may be at times, for a broker it is hard to work with someone who doesn’t communicate their needs fully. 
Turnabout is fair play, and I also like a client who can listen to our recommendations. After all, that is why they called us in the first place, isn’t it? For our expertise. 
     Everyone gets the same preferential treatment that has become our benchmark at SWC. “Southern Hospitality” just doesn’t get any better that what we offer!

Describe your nightmare charter client.
My nightmare client is one who cannot listen or who tries to threaten and bully just to get their own way. There are times when certain requests cannot be fulfilled, period. Perhaps it is due to placing the yacht, guests or her crew in harm’s way or simply the wrong timing. Having worked on charter yachts for 10 years, I know that it requires a delicate balance of communication between broker, client and crew.
     Our job at SWC is to pave the way for the guests so that by the time that they board their yacht, they will have already communicated with the crew via telephone or e-mail and the awkwardness of their face-to-face meeting is greatly minimized. I always encourage prospective charter clients to be willing to be flexible and go with the flow as much as possible. It makes for a better trip for everyone.

Describe a previous booking where you worked “above and beyond” for a client.
I booked a 50th Golden Anniversary cruise for 60 people on a 450-foot private yacht. It was in Europe before there were any types of formal contracts or monetary deposits, so at my own expense I flew to the Eastern Mediterranean to inspect the ship and meet with the key crew personally. 
     I was very assertive during this visit because the yacht had never chartered previously. They had only done private owner trips, so the crew was not exactly sure what to do and what their positions were to be during the cruise. 
     The client wanted to begin the trip in Italy and end in Greece, so I also had to negotiate a fair delivery price for fuel. At the time, this was our “only” option for 60 people, so I decided to sign myself on as “Cruise Coordinator” and worked the eight-night charter alongside the crew. I wanted everything to go smoothly because the client was spending a small fortune and the trip was the culmination of 50 years of wedded bliss.
They were a darling couple, and it was a very successful trip, but not necessarily one that I would want to do again in that fashion!

What are a few of your favorite charter yachts, and why?
In the Bahamas, I like the 120-foot motoryacht Joanne. It’s a great family or couples yacht for eight people. The yacht is propelled by Ka-Me-Wa water jets offering shallow draft and cruising at 35-plus knots, which means Joanne can reach her destination twice as fast as most other yachts, offering the client the ability to maximize their charter trip by as much as an additional day and a half.
     In the Caribbean, I like the 65-foot sailing yacht Angel Glow. This exceptional catamaran and her crew are just fantastic. Communicative, professional and fun says it all. Plus, there are equal accommodations for 10 guests, including a master suite. It’s a very successful and popular charter yacht.
    In the Western Mediterranean, I like the 162-foot motoryacht Andale. This six-stateroom yacht and crew are a bonus to our industry. The service offered on Andale is second to none. Her owner is also very committed to chartering his yacht.
    In the Eastern Mediterranean, I like the 100-foot motoryacht Nitta IV and the 92-foot motoryacht Gina M. Great captains and great crew. We have had very successful bookings with both yachts. Good cruising venues, service and food were all favorable comments received back from these yachts.

Who are a few of your favorite yacht crew, and why?
My husband, Capt. Dan Webster, because he is an excellent, charming, “can do” charter captain who taught me everything I know about yachts. He loves his job, too!
    I also really like Shayne and Kim Didgeon onboard Angel Glow, and Capt. Eddie Cooney, who is on Andale.
    There are so many others that it would be hard to name them all. For the most part, crew in the yachting industry are always striving to improve and be one step ahead of each other. It is a competitive business, but not one where a lot of back-biting occurs. In unison we are all working together with one goal in mind: to make the first time charter client a repeat for both the broker and the yacht.
    Admittedly, there may be a few crew that do not uphold the same standard due to lack of budget, attitude or another reason. At SWC, we want to work with professionals. If they’re not professional crew, then they do not get our business.

What makes you different from other charter brokers?
Everyone is different. Just because another broker does not have the same persona or sales style that I do does not mean she does not know her job well.
     I feel that my hands-on 10 years of operating charter yachts is a bonus to anyone who calls SWC to book a charter. I used to live with more than 120 different charter guests every year! I try to sense people’s needs and ask intelligent questions that will let them open up to us and gain confidence quickly.
     I personally think that my natural love for life and people are conveyed to the client. Couple that with the fact that we at SWC genuinely enjoy working with them to help arrange their yachting holiday, and we have a winning combination. We all work very hard these days in this crazy multitasking world, and when it comes to our holidays we want them to be fun to plan, relaxing once we are there, and memorable for years to come!

How can CharterWave subscribers contact you?
www.shannonwebster.com