Chartering superyachts with your own crew and personal chef for a holiday is less expensive than you think.
Homebound Australians, forced to forego international travel because of the pandemic, need only pay around $4,000 a week per person to charter a stylish 35-metre superyacht to cruise the Whitsundays, Kimberley or Pittwater – and that includes food, drinks, crew and a private chef.
“This works out to be $4,000 per person as a 35-metre superyacht can comfortably sleep 10 people,” says David Good, chief executive of Superyacht Australia. “It’s cheaper than a five-star cruise on Seabourn, Silversea or Crystal.”
Come February 27, Superyacht Australia will host a soirée showcasing a range of superyachts at Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont where visitors can check out the yachts and savour the fine food specially curated by on-board chefs.
The soirée, from 2 -8pm, will have a Benetti Lounge offering wine, Manly Spirits tastings and food, hosted by Benetti Yachts, one of the world’s largest manufacturer of superyachts. Maserati will have three cars on display.
Superyacht Australia is offering a competition prize of 10 double tickets worth $500 each to Cruise Passenger readers to attend the event. To enter the competition, all you need do is visit our giveaway page and answer a simple question. Ten winners will be drawn and given a ticket for themselves and one other.
Mr Good said that the pandemic has been a blessing in disguise as more Aussies are chartering yachts for family holidays in Australia as they are unable to travel overseas.
“We have seen a sharp increase in the charter business. More people are re-evaluating their holiday plans. Instead of flying abroad to celebrate a major birthday, they are now chartering superyachts to spend two weeks holidaying in the Whitsundays, Fraser Island or the Kimberley.
“Our sweet spot is the 35-40 metre yachts which cost between $40,000 to $100,000 a week to charter and includes food, drinks, crew and a chef.
“The soirée is one of our best platform to showcase to visitors what yachts are available for charter.”
Many Australians who traditionally tend to cruise in the Mediterranean, are now starting with a weekend charter cruise around Pittwater before booking a longer holiday in the Kimberley.
He said that the pandemic has also seen a sharp increase in the sale of recreational boats with many buyers paying a 20 per cent premium for second-hand boats.
“There is now a two-year wait for Australian-made, bespoke superyachts,” he added.
Most superyachts head to the Whitsundays for winter and return to Sydney in October for the summer and festive season during which many corporates book the yachts for their Christmas parties.
Enter to win 2 of 20 Superyacht Australia Soirée tickets valued at $500!
