"Creating the perfect charter experience" - an interview with three captains

19th October 2016

When planning the perfect charter it is the crew who help to take a luxury yacht charter above and beyond. On many of the leading charter yachts the crew is handpicked to ensure that every single member of the team is passionate about creating the ultimate luxury experience for guests.

“We have a crew that truly want to do the best they possibly can, they love what they do and they want to make the guests happy,” says Captain Martin Andersson of 44.6m (146’) Lady L. “We try to put a personal twist on the service and always focus on the details that make the difference.” The crew of 62m (203’) Sealyon also understands that it is the sum of the parts that make a trip. “Sealyon’s crew works hard to customise trips to charterers needs and likes, offering personalisation for each of our charter groups” says Captain Chris Lee of Sealyon. “This encompasses itineraries, activities, cuisine, sea state, calm anchorages and creating an unforgettable safe experience.”

Creating the ideal on board setting is always a goal for the crew of Lady L. “We make the most of every space on board so guests can enjoy a variety of settings and we will always try and find the perfect anchorage for guests to enjoy the sunset during dinner” says Captain Andersson. “We seek out special places, each with their own unique feel, and use our local knowledge to help guests make the most of each destination.” Filling each day with memorable events is another way to make a charter special “Beach setups are our speciality,” says Captain Lee whose crew seek out stunning bays before going ahead to create the perfect setup, whether for family time at the beach or a romantic meal for two.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well,” wrote Virginia Woolf, and for many people the dining table is a place to come together, and share the day’s thoughts and adventures. On a superyacht, exquisite food forms the heart of any charter experience and creating a custom menu is top of the list for creating a memorable trip. “Our chef is amazing with a very adaptable style and he creates exceptional bespoke menus to suit the guests,” says Captain Roy Hodges of Match Point. “All of our guests leave remembering the food as a key part of their charter experience.”

The crew of Match Point especially enjoy basing a charter around particular events. “We create a really special set up on board, from cocktail evenings to themed menus so our guests will never forget their trip,” says Hodges. The crew of Lady L takes the same approach, dreaming up different themes to suit any occasion. Recent on board events have included birthday parties themed around favourite sports teams, with the main salon transformed to complement the theme and a menu to match.

For family-focused charters having a crew that is used to hosting younger guests can make a real difference, allowing the adults time to relax. “Our chef sometimes does cooking courses for the children which always proves popular,” says Captain Andersson. “Time on the water is always sought-after and we also think of lots of activities for the children to do.” Enjoying watersports is also incredibly popular with Sealyon’s guests, with a wide range of water toys on offer. “Watersports are our speciality, catering to all tastes and ages,” says Captain Lee. “Our crew are experienced to handle all types of water sports, including diving for certified divers, sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, water ski-ing to name a few.”

No matter what guests are after, every IYC charter crew will have the creativity and passion that ensures an unforgettable holiday, full of memories to last a lifetime. To find out more about yachts for charter with IYC contact out Charter team or an IYC Office conveniently located for you.