The Charter Connection Blog

In the Mediterranean, Anahita is using the same figures, but instead of Euros, they are now US dollars! $8,500 for 2, $10,000 for 4 and $11,500 for 6, plus expenses. In addition, she is offering 8 days for the price of 7. She can charter in the Western or Eastern Med or Croatia with no delivery fees.

In the Caribbean, the popular 65′ catamaran True North has shaved $5,000 of their price for this summer and next winter. She is now $24,500 for 6 and $26,500 for 8 ($3,313 per person) for 7 nights, and this includes all meals, open ships bar, and scuba diving (scuba courses also available at extra cost). During August and September she moves to the Grenadines, but otherwise she is available anywhere from the British Virgin Islands and Antigua, to Grenada, depending on her booking calendar.

Further north, in New England, the 123′ luxury ketch Galileo G has dropped her rate to $39,000 plus expenses. This glorious yacht was designed for world cruising by Sparkman and Stephens and built by Palmer Johnson. The classic interior was done by John Munford. All are great names in the yachting industry! She accommodates up to 6 guests in three comfortable cabins. The master is however so huge and magnificent (it comes complete with a private study/reading room) that she could also be the ultimate private yacht charter for just two guests! Extravagant? Of course. Worth it? Absolutely!

We can find you the best value in every price range. You can call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com, read more on the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or tell us about your plans so we can suggest some suitable boats and crews!

Charter Yacht SUBLIME is offering a special deal for recent Grads in the month of June. One graduate goes free with a June booking of five or more guests for a week long charter in the British and US Virgin Islands.

Crew Brian and Stephanie Johnson are fun, accommodating hosts and offer free diving and dive instruction.

For those who do not have an interest in exploring the ocean from below, they also have a 90hp outboard on their tender, capable of pulling adults and kids alike on waterskis, wakeboards, tubes, etc. For a quieter activity, there are floating sun mats, snorkel gear, a kayak and fishing gear.

SUBLIME is currently available for the remainder of June. Contact us at info@ed-hamilton.com, check out the Ed Hamilton & Co website, or fill out a form for more information about this and other exciting offers!

We are heading back to the Cyclades Islands of Greece. Compared to Turkey and the Saronic Gulf, this area involves much more open sailing and winds can be particularly strong later in the summer. As the photographs show however, the weather we are having for this trip is just beautiful, with temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s. May and September are excellent months to visit these islands. The two most famous are Mykonos, which is everyone’s idea of what a Greek island should look like (small white box shaped houses with blue doors and curved edges) and Santorini, which is nothing like anything you have ever seen.

We have always said that if you like wild (expensive) nightlife and don’t mind all the trimmings and prices that come with the jet set,  then you will love Mykonos.  Be warned that we found some stores selling jewelry at twice and even three times the prices back in the US.  By local law, all residential buildings have to be the same design and while this keeps the traditional character, the sheer number of mostly holiday houses that have now been built on the island can make one wish for more variety. Having said that, the island is a photographer or artist’s dream and the narrow streets in the main town of Mykonos are very pretty. We just feel it is all a bit commercial.

Santorini is very different, but while it is on everyone’s list, it is actually quite hard to visit on charter. The islands are all that still shows of the rim of a sunken volcano, so the water in the center is extremely deep and there are few places to anchor. When the wind gets up, there are strong downdrafts and little protection, so some bareboat charter companies ask that you keep a crew member on the boat at all times, which can take away from the enjoyment. This is not as much of a problem for a private crewed charter, and we have sometimes used Santorini or Mykonos as a finishing port, allowing guests to spend a few days on the island after their charter.

Fira, the main town of Santorini, sits on the ridge. To say the view is spectacular is of course an understatement. The town is lively, with many narrow streets filled with stores, restaurants and nightclubs, but the atmosphere is more relaxed. Unlike many other islands, the town and even tourism, are relatively recent. Remember this is an active volcano (the last eruption was in 1950), but visitors should not be concerned as today these things are accurately forecast. There is an excellent ferry service from Athens and several nearby islands (and even a small airport), so you can visit Santorini before or after your holiday.

Santorini is the name given to the whole group of islands formed by this sunken volcano, but if you have trouble finding it in the atlas, look for Thira, which is the name of the main island and is sometimes more prominently marked.

Much of the Mediterranean can get crowded in July and August but the weather can also become unpredictable in the Cyclades during these months, with strong Meltemi winds, which is an additional reason to try to sail here in May and June, or September and early October, rather than at the height of the season. When chartering in the summer, your itinerary might well depend on the weather and in extreme conditions, boats can be ordered by the port authority to stay in the harbor. Keeping things flexible is therefore important. Ed Hamilton & Co can give you first hand advice when chartering in the Cyclades or any of the Greek Islands.

Fran & Stu are presently half-way between Panama and the Galapagos en-route to Tonga on their catamaran, ‘Two If By Sea’. They report fair winds, clear skies and an uneventful passage so far. The Canal transit was great, without dramas or problems.

They have produced a new website to promote their venture, which covers everything from flight information, activities and what to expect from a vacation aboard ‘Two if by Sea’ in Tonga.

We have had many successful charters on this boat.  She made her name in the British Virgin Islands, but Stu and Fran love exploring less known places, so decided to relocate to unspoiled Bocas del Toro, Panama (see our past newsletter article), where they spent last season.

They plan to charter in Vava’u, Tonga for 2 years starting this September, eventually moving on to Fiji and New Caledonia. Tonga is traditionally a bareboat destination and there are few boats based there that have a full-time professional crew. In addition, ‘Two if by Sea’ can offer scuba diving at any level (Stu and Fran are both PADI instructors), plus a wealth of water toys for guests’ use. Based on our past experience with this great boat and crew, we feel they will be very popular and look forward to helping them fill their calendar.

Sounds interesting? Email us for more information on ‘Two if by Sea’ and start planning a holiday of a lifetime in the Pacific Islands. Considering other areas? We can suggest other crewed sailing charters in all kinds of romantic destinations. There’s more information on the Ed Hamilton & Co website.

For lovers of modern boats built along traditional lines, they don’t get much prettier than the 57′ Bruce King designed cutter Saskianna. She’s offering lower rates if you book her in New England before June 15th. $8,500 for 2, plus expenses.

Email us for more details on Saskiana, or ask us to suggest some other private yacht charters in New England. There are also other specials and more information on the Ed Hamilton & Co website.

You can find many Virgin Island crewed charter deals on our website’s ’specials’ page, so we don’t post every one in our blog, but these two caught our eye.

Pas de Deux is offering 7 nights for the price of 6 from now until July 7th! Six guests can therefore have 7 nights on this great 60′ cat for $2786 p.p. instead of $3250, including all meals and open bar. Harvey and Tracy are an excellent young crew. This is a good price for a 60′ cat offering this standard of quality.

For two guests looking for an inexpensive 54′ monohull, the Gulfstar Verna Breeze is offering full board and half board specials up until December 15th, 2010.

Full Board all inclusive special - $5999 for 2 adults. $500 for each additional child.
Half board (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners) $5499 for 2 adults. $400 for each additional child.

This 1987 Lazzara design had a refit in 2006 and is in nice shape. She has a traditional interior with plenty of varnished wood and lots of charm.

For deals offered by bareboat charter companies check out our bareboat specials on the Ed Hamilton & Co website. Click on your favorite cruising ground for a full list.

Another great special that just came across our desk - Motoryacht Monte Carlo will not be going to the Mediterranean and will be staying in Florida. She is available for charters in the Bahamas and has reduced her rate to $65,000/week plus all (from $85,000) for charters booked by March 31st and taking place in April and May this year.

We would be happy to send you details of this nice 130′ Amels. Email us if a discounted charter in the Bahamas sounds interesting this spring, which is considered the best time to visit these islands. For other luxury motor yacht charters, ask us to suggest some other suitable yachts or look for more specials on the Ed Hamilton & Co website.

Now is the time to take advantage of a fantastic special being offered by the 76′ Matrix Luxury Catamaran AKASHA in the British Virgin Islands. This spacious yacht is offering 7 nights for the price of 6 for any dates between April 6 - 19, 2010. This is a great value considering how popular and successful this beautiful yacht is. You will be pampered by your crew of 4. Captain Chris and Chef Jo are joined by professional mate Arnold and Stew Rica. Rica is also skilled in Massage and offers guests pedicure and manicure services.

The Master Cabin features a jacuzzi tub, separate shower, king sized bed and panoramic views. Four other cabins have queen beds (one of which can be split into two twin beds), so there is plenty of room for up to 10 lucky guests. In addition to the Cabins and large indoor salon, there is also an expansive cockpit, the kind of deckspace you’d expect from a 76′ cat with 40′ beam as well as the added space on the large flybridge. These features paired with an impressive list of water toys promises the Caribbean vacation of a lifetime!

Email us or if Akasha is not what you are looking for, ask us to suggest some other suitable yachts. We have plenty more specials on the Ed Hamilton & Co website