Published in El Cronista  on May 27th

Boats with all the comforts, destinations that are best enjoyed from the sea, different experiences and a greater connection with nature. Groups of friends, families, couples and even work teams opt for experiences in which they can combine their stay on land and sea. In this note, for those who can aim high, a selection of hotels and firms that offer the navigation proposal. Either to vacation completely on board, to combine the stay on land with a few days at sea or to be able to rent a boat with crew and all the personalized services for a few hours.

1) AND BEYOND YACHT CHARTERS: ON A YACHT MANNED BY THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Created by Collin and Corinne, two lovers of the sea, «& Beyond Yacht Charters» is a manned boat rental firm with an all-inclusive service at sea. Based in the US Virgin Islands, their yachts cruise through several of the Caribbean’s most stunning islands and destinations. They have a fleet of 20 manned yachts, all in “exclusive, all inclusive” service mode through which they create totally personalized itineraries for their guests. For those who are not yet encouraged to live on board for the entire stay, «& Beyond Yacht Charters» has an agreement with Lovango Resort through its “Stay and Sail” program, thus offering the possibility of enjoying a stay on a boat and in hotel, both with all the comforts.

https://andbeyondyachtcharters.com/

2) LA CORALINA ISLAND HOUSE: ON THE “DON JUAN” DESIGN SAILBOAT IN THE BOCAS DE TORO ARCHIPELAGO IN PANAMA.

In the heart of Bocas del Toro, an archipelago of seven islands surrounded by the tropical setting of Panama, La Coralina Island House is the newest concept in oceanfront luxury in the Caribbean. Officially opened in December 2021, the destination, its villas and suites provide an immersive experience in the exuberant nature of the country, with the best views of the ocean. One of its differential services is to offer its guests the possibility of embarking on board “Don Juan”, a ship designed by a world-renowned naval architect. Your vessel, Don Juan, is fully equipped to accommodate up to 6 passengers with 3 separate suites and bathrooms, kitchen, and service on board. On board Don Juan, guests have the opportunity to discover some of the best islands in Panama, such as the Escudo de Veraguas, in a unique way.

https://www.lacoralinaislandhouse.com/

3) HOTEL LAS ISLAS: WITH A NAVIGANT HOUSE IN BARÚ, COLOMBIA.

The Las Islas hotel, located in Barú, Cartagena, offers its guests the possibility of staying in one of its 56 bungalows: 23 at sea level, 33 in height with a view of the sea and internal gardens of the hotel and a navigator’s house. For a completely different experience from the concept of bungalows, Hotel Las Islas offers the possibility of living a stay in its Casa Navegante, located in the Ciénaga de Cholón. The Casa Navegante experience includes two bedrooms with a king-size bed, two sofa beds, a living room, a freshwater or saltwater pool, a Japanese dining room and a regular dining room, two bathrooms, a freshwater shower, and amenities.

https://www.lasislas.com.co/es-co/casa-navegante

4) FASANO HOTEL AND ITS MANNED BOATS IN ANGRA DOS REIS, BRAZIL.

Fasano Angra dos Reis opened its doors in December 2017, on the Costa Verde, one of the most unique destinations in Brazil. A hotel located in one of the most stunning areas of the region and with access to beaches, boutiques, golf courses. Although the hotel offers absolutely all the comforts, they know that one of the best ways to get to know Angra is from the sea. This is why they offer their guests the possibility of renting personalized boats to discover the most incredible scenery of the islands. You can also snorkel or dive. The hotel has its own marine crew and the tours are personalized with a duration of 4 to 8 hours. They also offer the possibility of taking navigation classes for those who are interested.

https://www.fasano.com.br/hoteis/fasano-angra-dos-reis

Production and photos: courtesy of Cocó – Communication Committee -.

Published in La Nacion on May 29th

The rental of private yachts with crew and all services included registers an unusual growth in Latin America.

Sailing on a private yacht has long ceased to be the preserve of Hollywood stars and oil tycoons.

The options to go out with family and friends in small manned boats with all the services on board have multiplied in recent years and the demand has skyrocketed. The pandemic gave one more push: while the large cruise ships were stopped for a long time due to the risk of contagion on ships with thousands of passengers, the closed departures on ships for 8 or 10 passengers grew and continue to grow. Surely in the bravest moments of the pandemic it was for the security of staying inside a bubble, without contact with too many people, but now the success is undoubtedly due to the exclusivity and personalized treatment they offer.

The reservation also became more flexible, with the emergence of platforms in different countries that bring together the offer and allow you to compare rates and services. They are contracted with a simple click, with the same ease as a hotel night. In many cases, the owners of the boats themselves live on board and receive passengers and in others they rent them out when they are not in use.

The French platform Click&Boat, one of the many that have proliferated in recent years, recorded an 87% increase in manned boat reservations globally in 2021 compared to 2019. The company currently offers more than 40,000 boats for rent, in the most varied regions of the world.

The San Limi, a luxury sailing yacht marketed by Dawe Yachts, makes itineraries along the coast of Croatia

New navigators

“Rentals are growing a lot and in Latin America very strongly. Departures from Latin Americans are expected to increase between 15 and 20% in the coming years”, says Ignacio Peluffo, partner of Dawe Yachts and My Yacht Company, companies specializing in yacht charter for the Latin American market, with close to than 20,000 boat options in more than 150 destinations. Peluffo explains that Latin America is a relatively new market, which in recent years has been discovering these proposals: “Many thought that renting a yacht was for soccer players or royalty, but it is one more type of accommodation, which can even be cheaper than a hotel, there are accessible proposals that are around 2,000 euros for a week for 4 people and also premium yachts of 500,000 euros for seven days”, he adds.

Among the most sought-after destinations, outings around the Mediterranean stand out, with itineraries along the Dalmatian coast in Croatia, Italy and the Greek islands. In the Caribbean, the favorites are the itineraries through the Virgin Islands.

The Leopard 51 power catamaran sailing through the British Virgin Islands.

Unlike the big cruise ships, on yachts much shorter distances are made, generally within the same area, they do not sail at night but they access places that the big ships have restricted.

&Beyond Yacht Charters is another of the companies that sees how the yachts for rent are taken out of their hands. Led by a South African couple, it was born two years ago, in the midst of a pandemic, and offers catamaran trips through the Caribbean, based on the US Virgin Islands.

“It is necessary to reserve six months in advance and there are boats that have even more time, explains Liza Kharoubi, Chief Charter Consultant of &Beyond Yacht Charters.

Kharoubi says that the proposals are all inclusive, the outings include meals, drinks and also the activities that are carried out, such as snorkeling or diving.

“All ships are different and passengers can choose which islands to go to; although we suggest itineraries, they decide. Also the number of days, although the minimum is three, ”she adds. She is in charge of doing a personalized job: “I take care of exhaustively finding out the tastes of each group and I recommend a suitable crew and boat. We also consult for special needs in meals and other requirements”.

A one-week outing for 4 people on one of the yachts offered by &Beyond costs from $15,000.

By Andrea Ventura