Some yachts leave me with an impression that I can't shake for years. It was circa 2004 or 2005 when I stepped aboard the 257-foot Delphine, a steam yacht launched in 1921 for the family of automobile magnate Horace Dodge. She's a yacht with an incredible story--one that includes sinking, being recovered, being turned into a World War II admiral's flagship, and finally undergoing a five-year restoration that ended in 2003 and returned her to a look of unmistakable, classic beauty. I remember the details of this yacht as if I were aboard for a tour just last week. She made me feel like I could go for a cruise right into the Golden Age of Yachting.

All of which is why I am now thrilled to receive the news from management company Primo Yacht that Delphine not only will remain available for charter in summer 2010, but that she will be venturing away from her Monaco home base of recent years to offer bookings in Croatia.

Delphine will be in a Split, Croatia, shipyard for standard maintenance work in April, which is why the owner is currently accepting inquiries for charters in the island-rich nation. Officially, the yacht's location for summer 2010 is listed as "Croatia/South of France," which indicates that if no Croatia inquiries are received, the yacht will return to the Western Mediterranean for the duration of the summer season.

Thus, the opportunity to secure a charter aboard Delphine in Croatia seems best for May and June. The weekly base rate during those months is listed at €245,000 for 26 guests with 24 crew.

If you wait until the "high season" of July or August to charter Delphine in the prime Western Mediterranean locales, the weekly base rate will jump to €360,000.

Any reputable charter broker can tell you more about this exceptional yacht, or help you book a week onboard.

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