As a senior charter manager and group director with Ocean Independence. Daphne D’Offay (far right) oversees the charter marketing operations for the company’s American-managed fleet. Due to the pandemic, D’Offay and her colleagues have seen a meteoric-like rise in inquiries for yacht charter for first-timers. Even we at MegayachtNews.com have seen a marked increase in…
The heat of the summer is here, and yacht owners everywhere are escaping to the water. Celebrities are, too. More to the point, they’re escaping all over the Med aboard superyachts, naturally, ones belonging to friends or for charter. Here, we engage in one of our favorite pastimes, summer superyacht celeb spotting. We can tell…
For decades, the majority of charter yachts operating in Greek waters flew that country’s flag. While non-Greek yachts have been able to book charters, this has required establishing a physical presence in the country. Newly passed regulations, however, change that. Greece yacht charters can occur aboard certain-size superyachts regardless of flag registry, and without the…
While we don’t know whether he has hair down to his knee, we do know that the owner of Come Together is a huge Beatles fan. He’s also a repeat yacht owner, having christened several superyachts after the band’s songs. His latest yacht, the first Amels 60, is in his hands. She’s further in the…
If you haven’t finalized your summer cruising plans, consider booking one of the world’s most famous yachts. There’s still time to enjoy Octopus for charter in the Caribbean this summer. Octopus, of course, rose to fame upon delivery by Lürssen in 2003 to the late Paul Allen of Microsoft. The 414-footer (126.2-meter) was the largest motoryacht of that…
Covid-related border closings and restrictions are finally lifting in New Zealand, along with Tahiti, Fiji, and Australia. In fact, the four countries have coordinated arrival procedures for owners, crew, and guests. Jointly, they are providing information on a new website, Superyacht New Zealand. It’s their way making things easier as the South Pacific reopens for…
While Silent Yachts focuses on solar-powered cruising catamarans, its sister company, Silent Resorts, equally focuses on solar-powered waterfront residences. The two are coming together for a residential co-ownership development where Silent Yachts’ megayachts are part of the allure. Club Ki’ama Bahamas is for those seeking a higher level of sustainability and, of course, luxury. Club…
If you had to deal with nearly a dozen different companies to get something done for your home or yacht, you’d be frustrated, right? Tom Mukamal, IGY Marinas’ CEO, sees this happen with superyacht owners. “Between the owner and marina, there are 10-plus different stakeholders,” he says, so no wonder “people want simplicity in a…
UPDATE, APRIL 9, 2024: Octopus is chartering through a new central agent, Big Blue Expeditions. Antarctica remains among the extraordinary locations you can visit. Jacqui Lockhart, previously with Camper & Nicholsons (mentioned below) when it held the yacht’s central agency, currently heads Big Blue Expeditions’ charter operations. Visiting Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Doing…
The first Jamaica yacht registry inaugurated nearly a decade ago. Since then, yachts and superyachts have been able to fly the country’s national flag. Those yachts now have another choice, that of the red ensign. Jamaica is therefore among a number of countries offering a red civil ensign. The International Yacht Bureau (IYB), which assists…
