Not all yacht charters are in the well-traveled ports of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Increasingly, charterers are looking to cruise in remote areas such as Alaska, the Galapagos, Patagonia, Myanmar/Burma and Belize – areas where nature is essentially untouched and yachting is truly an adventure that will never be forgotten.  This type of yachting is growing for many reasons, one of which is man’s increasing understanding of how fragile our planet is.

Expedition Yachts tend to be sturdier and have a longer range than typical charter yachts, and may contain scientific equipment and tenders designed for exploration. But this doesn’t mean that you have to be “roughing it” on this type of charter. Quite the contrary, many expedition yachts have plush interiors with all the amenities including internet, a vast array of entertainment options, water toys, saunas, etc.

Key Expedition charter areas include the Galapagos, where we have both expedition sailing yachts and motor yachts, Belize, the Mergui Archipelago, Patagonia, even the Arctic Circle.  The commonality is untouched nature and a desire to immerse oneself in it.

We have compiled an exclusive listing of some of the world’s most amazing Expedition Charter Yachts. Look at them, dream of the ultimate escape vacation, and then please contact us to discuss some alternatives!

If you’ll be headed to the French Riviera for a conference or charter, be sure to download our free iRiviera iPhone app! Boatbookings has joined forces with several companies who have the “pulse” of the Riviera, and will be providing constantly updated information about happenings in Cannes, St Tropez, Monaco, Antibes and all the other renowned areas of the French Riviera. 

News, hot spots, parties, conference information, restaurant recommendations, videos, special offers, and of course our selection of great yachts for the Riviera are all featured in one iPhone app. It’s interactive, so you can add your comments and communicate with people who are in the Riviera as well.  Check it out in the App Store, and let us know if there are types of information that you’d be looking for, and we’ll try to add them!

As the 2010 Miami Boat Show comes to a close today, it’s difficult to know if  the beautiful yachts on display or the weather is what visitors will most remember!  Being based in Ft. Lauderdale, I was able to get to the show easily and had the pleasure of viewing Lagoons 500 & 420 which are luxurious options if  a bareboat catamaran Caribbean charter is in your future.

In a 14 February 2010 article in the New York Times about chartering with large groups, Boatbookings.com was featured both for its Gulets and experience with large group charters.  You can see the Article here: Is This How Cleopatra Felt? and you can read about Gulet Chartering in our Gulet Charter Guide. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in arranging a group charter in Turkey (or just about anywhere, for that matter!)

Boatbookings was at the Miami Boat Show yesterday in chilly weather, and saw plenty of excellent charter yachts. We also attended a captivating presentation about Cuba and their plans for building the yacht charter industry in the waters that Hemmingway loved so much.

Top yachts from the Miami Boat Show: We had a tour of ODESSA with the project manager at Christensen, and we think she is one amazing yacht!  She is a brand new (2009) 160′/49m luxury motor yacht, with 6 beautiful cabins.  The fit and finish is superb, and the decoration is contemporary, minimalist, using the finest woods (mainly walnut), silks and leathers. She is the talk of the show, and you can get complete details by contacting us for more information.

We also were impressed by the superb interior of the Trinity Yacht CARPE DIEM (150′/45.7m 5 cabin semi-displacement motor yacht) – with its white carpets accented with dark brown wood accents and trim.  Everything about the yacht works together perfectly, and delivers a feeling of class and relaxation.  Contact us for complete details.

For a complete update on news and hot yachts from the Miami Yacht Show, feel free to contact our Ft Laudersdale office at +1 954 584 0026.

Cuba! Ernest Hemmingway fell in love with Cuba – for its beautiful waters, sport fishing and carefree lifestyle.  There are movements afoot to rebuild Cuba as a major holiday and yachting destination, beginning with the construction of several marinas that will soon be able to better accommodate yachts of all sizes, including mega and super yachts. Cuba offers superb beaches, excellent deep sea fishing, amazing marine life, interesting history and architecture and the famous Cuban food and libations.

For the second time, the first race of the America’s Cup was delayed-this time for too much wind!  They’ll try again on Friday, Feb. 12.