Y.CO has just welcomed the 298-foot Lürssen Lady Lara to the charter fleet. The lowest weekly base rate is $1.4 million for bookings this winter in the Caribbean and Bahamas.

The yacht is also listed for sale—at more than $254 million—for the first time since the German shipyard delivered it in 2015. Y.CO’s Max Bulley and Gary Wright, along with Merle Wood of Merle Wood & Associates, represented the yacht at the recent Monaco Yacht Show.

“With Lürssen quality and stunning Reymond Langton design, Lady Lara is an exceptional yacht that was conceived with family living in mind,” Wright stated in a press release. “Her adaptable spaces, variety and flexibility, in addition to all the amazing features like the breathtaking spa area, the beach club and two pools, are ideal for multigenerational groups and put Lady Lara into a league of her own.”

Accommodations are for 12 guests in their choice of eight staterooms (for private use, the yacht is built to accommodate 16 guests). Six of the guest staterooms are on the main deck, with one on the lower deck. The master suite has its own private deck with an exterior terrace, outdoor hot tub, and indoor library. The aft-deck space in the owner’s area is called a “winter garden,” with sliding glass panels that can be closed to shelter diners from the elements.

There also are two cabins for owner’s staff or supernumeraries, in addition to the yacht’s quarters for 27 crew.

Onboard amenities include an aft-deck pool whose floor can be raised to create a dance floor. A sound system on this deck helps to create a discotheque-style environment for parties. There’s another pool up on the sundeck, this one with a swim-up bar.

On the bridge deck, guests have access to the spa, which includes a hammam, massage room, treatment room, beauty salon and gymnasium. Guests who prefer to get their exercise outdoors can do so from the beach club at water level, which has a steam room and a sauna along with a sunbathing area.

For rainy days and relaxing nights, the lower deck aboard Lady Lara includes a cinema. There’s also a touch-and-go helipad on board, if guests want to escape to a different spot up the coast.

How fast can Lady Lara cruise? According to Y.CO, the yacht has a top speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots, which is plenty fast for exploring the islands.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at y.co

The post A $1.4 Million-Per-Week Yacht Charter Experience appeared first on Yachting.

The Dutch island of Curaçao is a Technicolor getaway. Its reef-rich seas shimmer with every possible shade of blue. Vivid hues glow from the historical architecture and street art of the capital, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cruisers can soak in the vibrant offerings by land and by sea.

Curaçao by Land

Christoffel National Park in the Westpunt end of the island offers an enticing array of guided activities in the largest and most diverse protected nature area of the Leeward Dutch islands. Choose among mountain climbs, bird-watching walks, history tours and Jeep safaris; check out the park’s website for more details. (En route to the park, keep an eye out for flamingos in the salt flat near Kokomo.) Afterward, head to nearby Restaurant Playa Forti for breathtaking sea views, cliff jumpers, and delicious seafood and local specialties such as keshi yena.

In Willemstad, a stroll along the colorful, mural-lined lanes in the neighborhoods on both sides of the iconic Queen Emma pontoon bridge reveals one incredible creative tour de force after another. Dancers leap and gardens sprawl across entire buildings. Parakeets the size of humans perch on a corner; a row of regal women returns your gaze. The free Amazing Punda Art & Culture Walk on Google Maps can get you started in the Punda neighborhood. Many of the murals in the Otrobanda neighborhood are pinned on Google Maps of Willemstad.

While in Otrobanda, dine at Ceviche 91 in Rif Fort, built in 1828 to protect the island against pirates. You can take in the waterfront views as you select from mouthwatering ceviches, tapas, sashimi, sushi rolls and Peruvian entrees.

If you have room for dessert, stop at Don’s Ice Cream Shop before exiting Rif Fort for the nearby Curaçao Maritime Museum. Models, maps, charts and other artifacts chronicle more than 500 years of Curaçao’s nautical and national history. Docents offer a historical harbor-walking tour every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m.

And by Sea

The fringing reef surrounding Curaçao makes the island a top destination for scuba divers and snorkelers of all skill levels. There are around 100 dive sites, the vast majority of which are shore dives. Tugboat, which lies in just 15 feet of water, is a popular site for its easy access and variety of marine life. Pair it with nearby Director’s Bay for a rewarding two-tank outing. Connect with one of the island’s 15 PADI 5-star dive shops to line up dives during your stay.

If you’re more of a beach person, check out either Cas Abao or Playa PortoMari. Both beautiful white-sand beaches along the west coast of Curaçao offer clean bathroom facilities, chair rentals, food and drinks, and even massages.

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With the winter yacht charter season about to kick into high gear in the Bahamas and Caribbean, several top management companies have welcomed notable motoryachts into their fleets.

Perhaps the largest yacht in this category is Samsara, a 290-foot Oceanco that recently joined the Y.CO charter fleet. Brokers are now accepting inquiries for winter charters in the Bahamas and Caribbean (and for summer 2024 bookings in Greenland and Iceland) at a lowest weekly base rate of $1.1 million.

Samsara is a 2015 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in seven staterooms. This yacht has a private owners’ deck, swimming pool, gymnasium, massage room and hair salon, along with an elevator for guest use. “Her seven-cabin layout is ideal for multigenerational groups or two families traveling together,” says David Price of Y.CO Charter Management. “It offers the flexibility to suit many kinds of charter groups.”

Meanwhile, over at Edmiston, two notable yachts have joined the charter fleet.

First is Wayfinder, 223-foot powercat that Astilleros Armon built in 2021. This yacht has an unusual layout, with 11 en suite staterooms (nine singles and two with twin berths) for 12 guests, along with quarters for 20 crew. It can be booked as either its own charter yacht or as a support vessel for more traditional charter yachts.

Wayfinder has an open aft deck with a helipad that doubles as a pickleball court. This yacht also has belowdecks storage for six tenders and four Sea-Doos. The lowest base rate to book a week in the Caribbean is $300,000, with inquiries also being accepted for the Mediterranean and other destinations in summer 2024.

Also new to the Edmiston charter fleet is the 164-foot Home, a 2017 Heesen that will be in the Bahamas this winter at a lowest weekly base rate of $245,000.

Home accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and charters with nine crew. Interiors are by Cristiano Gatto—Edmiston describes them as “crisp, light-filled and Ibiza-inspired.” For outdoor fun, the complement of tenders and toys includes a 34-foot Jupiter towed tender, a 21-foot Williams jet tender that can reportedly hit 35 knots, Sea-Doos, standup paddleboards, skis, inflatables, snorkeling gear and scuba equipment.

And, last but not least, IYC has added the 162-foot Christensen Remember When to the charter fleet, with bookings available this winter in the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $230,000. It’s a 2011 build that was most recently refitted in 2020, with accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms. An elevator services all four decks, and the full-beam main-deck master has a private office.

Is it too early to call for summer 2024 yacht charter bookings? Nope. In fact, IYC also just welcomed the 90-foot Sanlorenzo SAL to the charter fleet. It’s a brand-new build for 2023 that’s currently accepting bookings for the West Mediterranean, Croatia and Montenegro in summer 2024.

Take the next step: head over to y.co, edmiston.com or iyc.com

The post New Options for Winter Yacht Charter appeared first on Yachting.

The management company IYC proudly describes its charter fleet as having more Mangustas than any other, with the yachts ranging in size from 92 to nearly 150 feet length overall. Charter manager Monisha Issac in Monaco personally oversees several of them, including the 131-foot Beachouse, which recently returned to the IYC fleet.

“It has always stood out among the other Mangusta 130s because of its layout, its selection of water toys and the standards of its crew on board,” Issac says. “It’s very strong—one of the best Mangusta 130s on the market.”

The yacht, which is accepting inquiries for the Caribbean and Bahamas this winter, has numerous repeat clients, several of whom have returned four or five times. In some cases, the clients will not even consider any other brand of yacht for charter, Issac says.

“Some will only charter a Mangusta,” she says. “They love the sleek lines, the speed—so many things. I have one client doing a one-month charter on a Mangusta. Some clients will change their destination just to get a Mangusta.”

The Italian builder currently offers the 104 REV, 165 REV and 132E in its Maxi Open line, in addition to two additional lines of yachts: the Gransport line, from 109 to 177 feet long; and the Oceano line, from 128 to 196 feet length overall. But it’s the Mangusta 130 that tends to populate the charter market—and with Beachouse, there’s an unusually long list of tenders and water toys.

Charter clients have access to a 33-foot Scorpion, Sea-Doo Sparks, Seabobs, an electric foiling board, paddleboards, tow toys and floats. Fitness enthusiasts will find a surprising list of onboard equipment too, including a boxing bag, a speed ball, dumbbells, kettlebells and a suspension training kit.

And, when it’s time to relax, the yacht has Starlink unlimited satellite internet. That’s a feature Issac says she’s seeing aboard an increasing number of charter yachts in the IYC fleet: “If you’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s really useful.”

Easy Water Access

Port and starboard staircases with railings lead down to the swim platform from the aft deck, making it easy for charter guests to use the yacht’s extensive list of water toys.

The Mangusta Story

When Mangusta premiered its 80-footer in 1985, it was a revelation. Until that time, open yachts had been smaller. The 80 became the basis for the Maxi Open line that is still in production today.

The post Charter the Mangusta ‘Beachouse’ in the Caribbean appeared first on Yachting.

RJC Yachts has welcomed the 140-foot Feadship Never Enough to the charter fleet. Inquiries are being accepted for charters in the Caribbean and Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $125,000.

Never Enough is a 1992 build that was most recently refitted in 2019. The yacht accommodates 10 guests in five staterooms, and it charters with seven crew.

A 33-foot Boston Whaler tender that’s fully rigged for fishing is part of the water-sports package, which also includes a pair of personal watercraft, Seabobs, wakeboards, water skis, tow toys and snorkeling gear. The yacht encourages family charters and stocks watertoys that are sized for kids as well as for adults.

What else is new at RJC Yachts? The company recently acquired Churchill Yacht Partners, which was founded in 2004 with a focus on crewed yacht charter. Longtime charter broker Maggie Vale will move from Churchill to the RJC team.

How to book a charter on board Never Enough: Contact a charter broker at rjcyachts.com

The post ‘Never Enough’ Joins RJC Yachts Charter Fleet appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser says 124-foot Heesen Unexpected is coming off a successful Mediterranean charter season, with dates still available for bookings this winter in the Caribbean.

Unexpected is a 2001 build that most recently was refitted in 2021. The Fraser team says the yacht “presents like new” and carries an “armada of watertoys” for hours of fun at anchor.

Accommodations are for 10 guests in five staterooms, and the yacht charters with seven crew.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Unexpected in the Caribbean? It’s about $105,000.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post This ‘Armada of Watertoys’ Is Caribbean-Bound appeared first on Yachting.

Fraser has just welcomed the 185-foot Sanlorenzo Virtuosity to the charter fleet. This is a brand-new, 2023 build that will make its charter debut this winter in the Caribbean.

Virtuosity is one of Sanlorenzo’s 57Steel models with design by Zuccon International Project. The owner’s stateroom is on the upper deck with a private terrace and a hot tub. There are accommodations for another 10 guests in addition to the master, with several of the guest staterooms able to convert from twin- to double-berth setups.

Onboard amenities include a glass-bottom, heated swimming pool with jets; a beach club and gymnasium with foldout doors to port and starboard; a hammam and a sauna; a bridge-deck DJ booth near the bar and lounging area; and a custom-made inflatable platform as one of the watertoys.

After the yacht’s debut season this winter in the Caribbean, it’s expected to charter in the Mediterranean during summer 2024.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Virtuosity this winter in the Caribbean? It’s about $426,500.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at fraseryachts.com

The post This Brand-New Sanlorenzo Is Open for Charter appeared first on Yachting.

Edmiston says the 236-foot CRN Arbema is almost ready for the winter charter season after a multimillion-dollar refit.

Launched in 2010, the yacht’s nearly yearlong refit period in the shipyard is expected to finish in November. Charter availability is expected to begin with the Christmas holiday season in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central America.

Work has included a full paint job, what Edmiston calls “major” technical upgrades, installation of a new interior, the addition of upgraded toys and more.

Accommodations are still for 12 guests and four supernumeraries in eight staterooms. The master is on the main deck and spans the full beam with a fold-down balcony. It also includes a private TV room and massage room.

Following the winter season, the yacht is expected to move to the Mediterranean for summer 2024.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Arbema? It’s $600,000.

How to book a week on board: Contact a charter broker at edmiston.com

The post Refitted and Ready to Charter appeared first on Yachting.

Long a top honeymoon destination, St. Lucia has lots to love for all visitors. Its lush, natural beauty, rich history and culture, delectable food scene and welcoming atmosphere beckon cruisers to drop anchor and linger awhile in this lovely and laid-back Caribbean port of call.

The Pitons

The twin peaks of the Pitons are the beloved symbol of St. Lucia and the island’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed 30 million to 40 million years ago by a volcanic eruption, these iconic peaks are now blanketed with a lush tropical forest that’s home to 27 bird species and many rare plants. The shorter, steeper Petit Piton (2,438 feet) is a realm for professional climbers only. But the taller Gros Piton (2,619 feet) is popular for its guided day hikes.

Castries Central Market

Replenish your provisions at the colorful Castries Central Market, opened in the heart of St. Lucia’s capital in 1891. The produce and spice vendors are considered the highlights among the 100 stalls, but you’ll also find handicrafts and souvenirs. It’s busiest on Friday and Saturday mornings, and closed on Sundays.

Diamond Falls Botanic Garden and Mineral Baths

This 6-acre retreat checks all the boxes for a relaxing afternoon. Hummingbirds flit between the hibiscus, heliconia and other beautiful tropical blooms filling the flower gardens. Stroll along the winding path to the 55-foot-tall Diamond Falls, its surrounding rock face a kaleidoscope of colors. And, naturally, follow in the centuries-old tradition and take to the therapeutic mineral waters, choosing between a public or private soak. Guided tours are available, but this is a place where a leisurely wander can be equally rewarding.

Pigeon Island National Landmark

Once the lair of a 16th-century French pirate nicknamed Wooden Leg, Pigeon Island now attracts a variety of visitors for far more legitimate reasons. The trails crisscrossing this 44-acre national landmark off St. Lucia’s northwest tip lead up to the remnants of Fort Rodney, an 18th-century British garrison, as well as to the museum and interpretive center, which provides context for the island’s ecological and historical significance. The island’s two small, calm beaches are considered among the top beaches on St. Lucia and are popular picnicking spots. (A pub and a restaurant are on-site too.) The island is at its liveliest every May when it welcomes music lovers from around the world for the wildly popular St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.

Big Chef Steakhouse

For an indulgent dinner out on St. Lucia, reserve a table at Big Chef Steakhouse in Rodney Bay Village. Since 2007, chef Rosie Joinville and her husband, Marc, the manager, have served up mouthwatering steaks and seafood, wickedly rich desserts, and well-curated cocktail and wine selections.  

The post Cruising Stunning St. Lucia appeared first on Yachting.

Trinidad and Tobago reward cruisers with far more than merely beautiful beaches. While best known for the Carnival celebration, these twin isles tempt travelers ashore year-round with awe-inspiring architecture, bountiful biodiversity, and memorable mouthwatering meals. Continue reading to learn more about our favorite destinations in Trinidad and Tobago.

This article was adapted from our Island Icon Series in the June 2023 Edition of Yachting Magazine.

1. Magnificent Seven

The 260-acre Queen’s Park Savannah is the nexus of social and cultural events in Trinidad’s capital, Port of Spain, particularly during its internationally renowned Carnival and steel-pan festivals. But any time of year, visitors can take a stroll along its western edge to take in the Magnificent Seven. This architectural sampler of resplendent early 20th-century mansions fully lives up to its moniker.

Castle Killarney—also known as Stollmeyer’s Castle—was the first to arise on the block, its design inspired by Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The Palladian-style Whitehall takes its name from the gleaming coral used in its construction. The Archbishop’s Palace melds Indian Empire design with red granite and marble brought over from Ireland. Intricate iron railings adorn the elaborate Roomor, while stonework stands out on the French Colonial-style Hayes Court. A 93-foot-tall clock tower dominates the German Renaissance design of the Queen’s Royal College. The elegant French Provincial Mille Fleurs was originally built as a gift for Port of Spain’s mayor and still stands as a gift that keeps giving to all who pass by.

2. Maracas Beach

The 1.25-mile crescent-shaped Maracas Beach on Trinidad’s north coast is as much a destination for its natural beauty as for its “bake and shark” vendors. This classic street food wraps shark meat in fried flatbread and slathers it with condiments of your choosing.

3. Asa Wright Nature Centre

Trinidad’s remarkable biodiversity is on full display in the Asa Wright Nature Centre in the Arima Valley. Schedule a tour to this 1,200-plus-acre preserve, where more than 600 butterfly species flit among the more than 2,000 varieties of flowering plants. The center’s 400-plus species of birds draw in enthusiasts eager to spot tanagers, toucans, colorful motmots and the elusive oilbird.

4. Veni Mangé

For a culinary and visual feast, dine at Veni Mangé in Port of Spain. Opened in 1980 by a Cordon Bleu-trained chef and her sister, this bustling, art-filled restaurant sets the standard for authentic West Indian fare on the island. It’s best known for its rendition of callaloo, Trinidad’s national dish, as well as oxtail.

5. Fort King George

If you’re spending time on Tobago, see the restored 18th-century colonial buildings and beautiful vistas at Fort King George, overlooking Scarborough and Rockly Bay. The officers’ quarters house the Tobago Museum and its collection of Amerindian artifacts, 17th-century maps and military relics.

Other Island Hopping Tips:

• Best Places to Unwind on Bahamas’ Harbour Island
• Things to Do and See on Catalina Island
• 3 Unique Things to Do in BVI

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