The 188-foot Abeking and Rasmussen Dream has just announced new availability for charter this summer in the Mediterranean.

“This yacht used to be known as Excellence III, and she has always been one of the most luxurious megayachts available for charter,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “She recently got a new owner who re-christened her Dream, and I’m thrilled to see that he is returning her to the charter market in all her well-earned glory.”

Dream (Excellence III)

The cabin configuration aboard Dream is ideal for adult couples chartering with children. Four of the cabins—including the main-deck master and bridge-deck VIP—offer king-size beds. The remaining two guest cabins have twin beds.

Also onboard are a sundeck hot tub, an air-conditioned gymnasium, and a plethora of water toys for all kinds of fun in the sun.

“Whenever a great charter yacht gets sold to a new owner, there is always the chance that he will remove the boat from the industry altogether,” Robertson says. “I’m so pleased that the opposite has happened with Dream. She’s a great charter yacht, and I’m thrilled that she’s once again available in the Mediterranean.”

The lowest weekly base rate to charter Dream this summer is €340,000. Contact Robertson today for booking details.

Croatia is fast becoming a must-visit destination in the Eastern Mediterranean. With ancient walled cities like Dubrovnik and stunning bays where development has yet to encroach, Croatia’s Adriatic coastline is a paradise for yacht charter during the summer months.

“Yacht charter itineraries in this region generally include both Croatia and Montenegro, which is also incredibly beautiful,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “People who have cruised all over the world say the Bay of Kotor, in Montenegro, is among the prettiest they’ve ever seen.”

O’Pati

Two leading megayachts that have availability this summer in Croatia and Montenegro are O’Pati and Inevitable.

O’Pati is a 129-foot Golden Yachts build with a striking black hull. She launched in 2011 and is currently a nominee for a World Superyacht Award. She will be available in Croatia and Montenegro starting in mid-July, with dates extending until early September. O’Pati can accommodate as many as 12 guests in five cabins.

Inevitable

Inevitable is a 164-foot Feadship that was built in 1990 and refit so beautifully in 2008 that she won that year’s Showboats International Award for Refit/Rebuild. She accommodates 10 guests in five cabins and boasts 11 crew, which means charter clients receive service at a ratio even higher than one-to-one.

“Both O’Pati and Inevitable are terrific megayachts that are built to compete in the most competitive charter markets,” Robertson says. “To have them in a quieter destination like Croatia creates some terrific opportunities for summer vacations. This caliber of yacht isn’t always available in these types of locations, so the time to book is now.”

Contact Robertson today to learn more about summer yacht charter in Croatia and Montenegro.

New England is a fantastic destination for summer yacht charter, with itineraries that can include historic ports and islands such as Newport, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

“This region really does offer something unique in the world for yacht charter,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “The history of New England is in great part the history of the early United States. Your charter yacht can even pull into Plymouth, Massachusetts, just like the Mayflower did with the Pilgrims all those centuries ago. Plus, the cruising is absolutely beautiful.”

Newvida

Two top-notch megayachts have availability in New England this summer. One is the 160-foot Delta Newvida, which is currently completing a refit and should be in sparkling condition for summer charters. The captain of Newvida, Sean Meagher, is a local expert on New England cruising and has been tapped to speak about the area at the Newport Charter Yacht Show in June.

Also available this summer in New England is the 120-foot Crescent Impetuous. Her crew have put together an outstanding sample itinerary for clients to consider. You can view it on the Yachtstore Featured Yachts and Destinations page.

Impetuous

“There’s nothing better than a great charter yacht whose crew has strong local knowledge of the cruising area,” Robertson says. “In New England this summer, Newvida and Impetuous really are offering terrific vacation experiences.”

Contact Robertson today to learn more about Newvida, Impetuous, and other yachts with availability in New England this summer.

Riots in Athens, Greece, have been a large part of international news coverage in recent months. The scenes unfolding in the capital city have hit the tourism industry hard, as travelers seek to avoid the scene being broadcast around the world.

“What’s unfortunate about the news coverage is that it paints the entire nation of Greece with one broad brush,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “The truth is that with yacht charter, clients don’t have to go anywhere near Athens. The Greek Isles sprawl all across the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and charters can start and end on quiet islands that are nowhere near the mainland.”

Zakynthos, Greece

Greece actually offers several charter regions. The Aegean Islands are closest to Athens, while the Cyclades and Dodecanese archipelagos are more to the east. The Dodecanese are close to Turkey, and charters can be arranged that include both destinations during a 10- to 14-day itinerary.

Even better, because demand has dropped due to global news reports out of Athens, there is still a great deal of availability aboard even the best charter yachts in the Greek Isles. Owners are willing to discuss incentive rates and other deals including bonus days onboard for full-week bookings.

“In past years, all of the best charter yachts in Greece would have long-ago been booked for the prime summer season,” Robertson says. “This summer is different, and the opportunities are really fantastic. It’s truly unusual to see some of the availability that we have this close to July and August.”

To book a yacht charter in Greece this summer, contact Robertson today.

The America’s Cup World Series is scheduled to take place June 23 through July 1 in Newport, Rhode Island. The New England port will be the final stop on the 2011-12 World Series and will be the location where the winner is crowned following one final, dramatic, winner-take-all race.

“Watching these boats practically fly across the water promises to be an incredible experience,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “This summer’s event in Newport will mark the first time that wing-sailed catamarans have raced in American waters, and some of the world’s finest competitive sailors will be at the helms.”

A number of charter yachts are available for the event. Guests can participate as spectators to the races while enjoying the celebratory atmosphere onshore. Itineraries can take place entirely in the Newport area, or can be combined with nearby cruising hotspots such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

32nd America’s Cup – Valencia Spain – Switzerland’s Alinghi in final

Newport and Narragansett Bay have a legacy of being linked to the America’s Cup, with connections dating back to 1930. The opportunity to experience World Series racing in such a historic setting is a rarity anywhere in the world.

“Just walking down the waterfront streets in Newport, you come across all kinds of sailing history that will really add to the racing atmosphere,” Robertson says. “Photographers have shops selling prints of some of the finest sailing yachts afloat. Chandleries offer all kinds of keepsake items for sailing enthusiasts. The vibe at this event should be absolutely incredible, especially for anyone chartering a sailing yacht right there in the harbor.”

Contact Robertson at Yachtstore today to discuss the best options for charter in Newport during The America’s Cup World Series this summer.

The Bahamas are terrific summer destination. What remains a secret to many people is that they are also one of the best locations in the world for springtime cruising.

“I have been boating in the Bahamas for years, and May and June are my absolute favorite months to be there,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “It’s far less crowded than during July and August, the sunshine is bright and warm, and the water is absolutely beautiful. Clients with the flexibility to travel during the spring are truly missing out if they forgo the Bahamas during May and June.”

At Last

A number of charter yachts have availability this spring in the Bahamas. Three of Robertson’s favorites are the 144-foot Heesen At Last, the 120-foot Crescent Impetuous, and the 116-foot Lazzara Serenity.

Impetuous

“All three of these motoryachts have something special to offer,” Robertson says. “At Last is one of about a dozen charter yachts in the world with a water slide that goes from her top deck down to the water. Impetuous has fantastic steam showers in both the master and VIP staterooms.  And Serenity is a yacht designed to be accessible for anyone in a wheelchair, in addition to offering all the traditional amenities that clients should expect.”

Serenity

Contact Robertson at Yachtstore today to book these or any other charter yachts in the Bahamas this spring.

The 125-foot Moonen Northlander has just announced a charter schedule for this summer that includes Turkey and Greece.

“Northlander is a true original on the charter scene because there aren’t a lot of Moonen builds that go into charter at all,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “Moonen is a Dutch builder known for top-notch quality and amenities, and owners generally build there if they want complete customization. That takes time to achieve in the shipyard, which is why it can be rare to spot a Moonen for charter—and why the precious few like Northlander are so unique.”

Northlander Upper Deck

One of the unusual features aboard Northlander is her sky lounge. While most yachts in her size range have an indoor sky lounge that opens to an outdoor deck, Northlander has a three-room design that creates a truly indoor-outdoor space. It can be mostly open or completely closed off depending on the weather.

The design makes it possible for Northlander to extend her charter season into months when cooler evenings are typical, because guests have an outdoor space to enjoy in warmth and comfort.

Alfresco Dining on Northlander

“This is an especially great feature for Greece and Turkey,” Robertson says. “Some of the best cruising areas in Turkey have weather that is warm enough for swimming until well into October—far longer than most Western Mediterranean destinations. So even if it’s a little chilly after sunset, guests won’t notice aboard Northlander because the crew can enclose that sky lounge area.”

Northlander accommodates 10 guests with six crew. She offers many fun water toys including an inflatable water slide. Contact Robertson today to book a week onboard this summer in Greece or Turkey.

More than a dozen megayachts available for charter now have custom-built water slides for guests to enjoy.

Northlander

“These slides are the latest craze, and they are seriously fun,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “The crew inflates them once the yacht is at anchor, and guests can slide from the megayacht’s top deck right down to the water’s surface. On some of the larger yachts, this means a slide that is two or three stories tall. It’s like having your own personal water park in a secluded harbor.”

Party Girl

Some of Robertson’s favorite motoryachts with water slides include the 125-foot Moonen Northlander, the 144-foot Heesen At Last, the 146-foot Christensen Party Girl, the 201-foot Amels Solemar, and the 168-foot Oceanco Lazy Z.

Solemar’s toys on the bow

“Lazy Z was actually one of the first motoryachts to get a slide, and the popularity has just grown like wildfire ever since,” Robertson says. “Each slide is custom-built to fit the design of the specific megayacht, so it’s a serious investment by the yacht’s owner—one that the charter client gets to enjoy at no additional cost.”

Lazy Z

Charter yachts with water slides are expected to be available this summer in the Mediterranean, Bahamas, and beyond.

At Last - giant water slide (36’) from top deck!

To book a week onboard any charter yacht with a water slide, contact Robertson at Yachtstore today.

Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson spent some time aboard the 157-foot Trinity Cocktails at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida.

“Cocktails just underwent a major interior and exterior refit, and wow does she look great,” Robertso says. “She got a fresh coat of paint, new teak decks outside, and all new soft goods inside. She was a great boat before, and she’s a really dynamite boat now.”

Cocktails is based year-round in the Bahamas, and she has all the water toys to make the most of the destination. She tows a 33-foot Intrepid tender, has a second, 18-foot tender, and has two dive instructors onboard for charter guests who are scuba enthusiasts. She also carries a pair of Sea Doos, lots of water skis and tow toys, and plenty of fishing gear for anyone who wants to do day trips in the larger tender.

The yacht has five staterooms that can accommodate a total of 10 or 11 guests at a weekly base rate of $185,000 with nine crew.

“This owner has been involved in charter for a number of years, and his crew are always top-notch,” Robertso says. “I look forward to helping clients book Cocktails this summer in the Bahamas. She’s a great yacht for the location.”

Contact Robertson today to learn about available dates aboard Cocktails in the Bahamas.

The 183-foot Benetti Four Aces has announced plans to return to the Mediterranean for the upcoming summer charter season.

“I was just onboard this yacht at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in Florida, and she looks great,” says Yachtstore charter broker Gina Robertson. “I’ve known Capt. Will Keiser for years, and he has a fantastic reputation in the crewed charter industry. He has spent a lot of time cruising in the Mediterranean and does a great job for clients there.”

Four Aces offers a split-level master suite all the way forward on the main deck. A private staircase leads to a personal gymnasium with sweeping views over the yacht’s bow. From this gym, the charter client also has access to a private doorway that leads outside. Even more, there are sliding doors that can enclose the entire gymnasium area so that anyone in the master suite’s sleeping and sitting areas will not be disturbed.

The yacht also offers a fantastic array of water toys for all charter clients to use. Four Aces tows a 33-foot Intrepid tender and carries two Wave Runners, a pair of Windsurfers, kayaks, standup paddleboards, water skis and other tow toys, snorkeling gear, and more.

Four Aces is expected to be based in the South of France with itineraries that can include everything from the hotspots in St. Tropez to the quiet island of Corsica.

“Capt. Keiser has done more than a few charters in all of these West Med locations, so he’s great at crafting an itinerary that is truly personalized for each client,” Robertson says. “Whether you want to lounge on the most popular beaches or tour historic castles, the possibilities are nearly endless.”

Four Aces has a lowest weekly base rate of $240,000 for 12 guests in six staterooms. Contact Robertson today to book a charter this summer in the Mediterranean.