Top five features for an incredible charter

Whether you’re after the perfect couples retreat out in the uninhabited wilds, after family fun with an ever-changing beach backdrop, or looking to hit the highlife with friends, superyachts offer a unique five-star-plus residence that no hotel can match. What’s more, chartering means you can enjoy the superyacht good life without the cost of full ownership – and with the European summer just around the corner and the Mediterranean casting its beguiling charm to enjoy this most famous of cruising regions, there’s never been a better time to slow down and switch off on board.

The growing range of superyachts available to charter worldwide can make finding the one that best suits your family’s needs feel like a daunting task but look for the ultimate feature to elevate your time on board and the rest will follow. Here we highlight five cruising features aboard five superyachts at the 2022 MYBA Charter Show.

1. Heavenly helipad

The joy of a superyacht is the ability to go anywhere, at any time. But in the wilds of Patagonia, the addition of an onboard helicopter converts hours into minutes when covering vast distances. For those who fancy heli-skiing while on charter, a yacht with a helipad is a must. But the fully operational sun-deck helipad aboard 72m Stella Maris elevates the concept still. When Stella Maris was delivered in 2015, she was one of only four yachts to achieve certification by the Helideck Certification Agency (HCA). Designer Espen Øino decided to make the functional landing pad a feature, which means the helipad extends outboard of the yacht’s profile. By evening, it doubles as an entertainment space twinned with a dual spa pool sun deck with room for 100 guests and atmospheric lighting. Guests can fly in and out, day or night, whether with side landings or those practiced by the Royal Navy, and either keep an eight-person helicopter parked on board or hop and drop as they like. Genius.

2. VIP upgrade

The 82.5m Secret has the ability to turn heads on the dock. Once on board, however, it is the full-beam ‘Valentina’ main deck VIP guest suite that steals the show. Allocated to, and decorated by, the owner’s adult daughter when the family are on board, the monochrome space is the equivalent of an unmatched second master suite. A white and royal blue bedroom, complete with a Valentina-esque spine-covered headboard, is teamed with a decadent black and white striped en suite and generous walk-in wardrobe. Two day heads – one with bidet – are joined by a central wet room that enjoys a shower and full-sized bathtub for end of day soaks. For couples, groups of friends and families with two principal guests looking to charter a yacht together, the benefit of two masters – without a hint of compromise – is a charter feature to dream of. “Aside from being a nice perk, having a full-beam VIP that shares a similar footprint to the master suite encourages families with adult children to still holiday together,” says Secret’s chief stewardess. “It’s a bonding experience for all.”

3. Tender time

The contemporary interior spaces found aboard 62m RoMa may be inspired by the ocean, but its 16.9m chase tender Anvera provides access to shores and bays where the yacht can’t follow. Built in 2019, Anvera enjoys a rapid top speed of 45 knots (28 knots faster than the mothership) powered by two Caterpillar 650hp engines. It’s ideal for day trips on the water, particularly for guests looking to make the most of RoMa’s PADI Superyacht Dive Boat status and onboard scuba instructors. It has two ladders, an on-deck shower and a set of submerged steps.

The mini-yacht can even host charter guests overnight if so desired. A saloon, bathroom and double cabin – plus space for two crew – provide all the comfort inside, while a fridge, bar and hot plate make meals and refreshments easy. “Having a tender of this size means families and diving enthusiasts can enjoy whole days away from the mothership in comfort,” says RoMa’s captain, Janusz Walinski.

“I also captain Anvera, and I’m a PADI and RYA instructor. My crew are always diving too, so on day trips aboard the tender, guests enjoy the superyacht experience with the freedom to explore further, for longer, together.” Post dive, guests can lounge on the sofa, enjoy the view from the sunpads forward or recline on the aft deck, which has fold-down sides to create room enough for three sun loungers. Superior to even the finest tenders on water, a chase boat like Anvera creates the perfect charter partner for an exceptional experience.

4. Bedouin Bemini

Hearing the flap of a headsail and the splash of salty sea spray as the yacht keels over is what makes being aboard a sailing superyacht quite so invigorating. But in calm seas on hot sunny days the relaxing element of being on the water comes to the fore and few features compare to the Bedouin-style Bimini found aboard 44m Fitzroy Mes Amis. Offering charter guests luxurious living at its best, Mes Amis’s 6m tender pit forward transforms into a sunken seating area in which to while away the day. A custom-built false floor, pillowy seating, soft scatter cushions and rigid linen curtains (to maintain the setup when sailing) convert the space into a luxurious lounging area, complete with mini tables on which to perch your Champagne.

“The owner was really keen to create an area that could be enjoyed by all ages, whether at anchor or underway,” says Mes Amis captain, Ross Palmer. “It’s a focal point that highlights the joy of sailing, feeling the wind in your hair or the calm of flat seas, with a focus on fun and comfort.” At dusk, disco lights that flash to music up the ante, bringing a party vibe to an otherwise tranquil setup. With room to stretch your legs and drink in the views, it’s a cross-generational charter feature rarely seen aboard a flush-deck sailing yacht.

5. Inflatable beach club

Of all the yacht design trends to explode in popularity in recent years, beach clubs top the bill. Providing easy access to the water, as well as an ideal setup for watersports enthusiasts and often paired with a luxuriant waterside lounge, they offer the best of time spent at sea. For guests looking to expand the benefits, Triumph’s bespoke, inflatable platform is just the ticket. Made by Superyacht Tenders & Toys, the 50sqm floating area extends the yacht’s already considerable beach club footprint. It makes docking jet skis and storing sea bobs easy, serves as an alternative embarkation platform for guests arriving by tender, and leaves the stern area of the boat free for operations. It also contains steps for easy access in and out of the water and a buoyant alternative for sun lounging. By day, the beach club side terraces drop down to reveal blue skies and see breeze. By night, it converts into a brooding night club. The ultimate perk for a flexible charter, and something the kids and adults alike will love.