BOAT delves into the world of corporate charter to find out how to arrange the business trip of a lifetime and rounds up the best charter yachts currently on offer..
While one tends to think charters are reserved for groups of friends and families, superyacht charters can also be a fine base for corporate use. Whether entertaining clients or employees or laying on some kind of business retreat, many superyachts for charter are the perfect platform. But to pull off the perfect corporate charter, there are a few rules to follow which can help you get the most from it.
Plan ahead
Essentially, there is no such thing as too early when it comes to planning a corporate charter and from the offset it is advisable to get to grips with what the group expectations are and the overarching goal of the charter. Tom DeBuse, charter manager at Y.CO says, “Planning and open communication in both directions is key for a clear idea of entertaining requirements, guest numbers and the yacht’s capabilities and limits."
Burgess also emphasises the importance of open communication. "Ensure there is an open channel of communication between the organiser of the corporate charter, the yacht, such as the chief stew, captain or chef with the broker involved." The firm adds that this will make sure everyone understands what is expected and when.
Top corporate pick: Sherakhan
Stats: 69.6m, 2005, Vuyk, 26 guests, 19 crew
Sherakhan is able to carry more guests than most charter yachts so is well-equipped to accommodate larger groups very comfortably in 13 individually styled cabins. With a library and various different spaces, she can easily be adapted to have different meeting spaces and/or one large central area. Her decks are great for entertaining while her sun deck is perfect for cocktail parties or evening soirees, and her huge dining atrium is ideal for business conferences. With a DJ set and onboard DJs among the crew Sherakhan is sure to make a corporate event an amazing experience.
Sherakhan is available to charter with Y.CO with a weekly rate from €545,000 excluding the deal.
Consider the fine detail
To pull off a successful corporate charter it is important to get a clear understanding of what you're trying to achieve and the best way to do this is to speak to all parties involved. "The devil is in the details of any successful corporate charter," says Burgess' charter team. "Understand exactly what your client is trying to achieve, from party size to corporate gifts, cabin allocation to event planning."
Top corporate pick: Renaissance
Stats: 112m, Freire, 2024, 36 guests, 45 crew
One of the most expensive yachts on the international charter market, Renaissance was delivered earlier this year for her first season in the Mediterranean. Renaissance has been tailored to "blur the lines" between expedition vessels and luxury yachts, and has been built to Passenger Yacht Code which allows her to host an impressive 36 guests. With 19 cabins, a dedicated business centre and six decks, Renaissance is the ideal vessel to entertain corporate clients in style.
Renaissance is available for charter with Burgess with a weekly rate from €3,000,000
Top corporate pick: Titania
Stats: 73m, Lürssen 2006 (2018), 12 guests, 21 crew
There's space for 200 revellers on Titania's sun and pool decks alone, while a 3.8-metre stern extension houses a beach club with a sauna, bar and sofas, which converts into a stylish nightclub for those looking to continue the party into the night. For smaller gatherings, the pool deck bar seats eight – with another four pool seats – and can be set up for a DJ. For an elevated product launch, or an evening soiree, the classically elegant 73-metre with her formal silver service has a lot to offer. Clients, employees or business partners can get glammed up for events in the beauty salon with the help of the onboard beautician before other guests arrive, then unwind after the festivities with a treatment from the resident masseuse.
Titania is available for charter with Burgess with a weekly rate from €615,000.
Bring in some yacht-savvy help
With corporate charters, there is a lot to consider, so it's worth managing expectations to ensure that all parties are on the same page. "Corporate charters are quite demanding on the crew and the yacht, with back-to-back meetings, multiple lunches being served at different times and parties in the evenings," says Louise Bunce of Ocean Independence. "It is often not understood by clients that we only have one chef, that the crew are limited to x number, and that we need to respect the time of rest even for a static charter. This can be clearly explained to them if the client provides a clear schedule of events and if brokers manage their expectations by explaining to them what is in the limits of possible."
But there are ways to get around this without relying too much on internal communications. "Event organisers are the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to corporate charters," adds Bunce. "The stress levels that they alleviate are well worth the money. Companies often use in-house organisers, who unfortunately have never worked on a boat or don’t always understand the logistics of a boat versus a classic venue. Many details can be left out and at the last minute, it is required from the captain to sort the problem out with his local contacts, when he also needs to concentrate on supervising the good rollout of the charter on board. For all corporate charters, I would highly recommend using an onsite event organiser, which specialises in yachting events."
Combine the charter with an event
Having a group of associates or colleagues on board for a period when they are not used to spending time together may, for some, feel quite intense. To work around this, a good option is to focus on a central event and work backwards. "Combine the corporate yacht charter with a high-profile event, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah," advises Popy Kaia, charter director of Fraser Greece. "Guests can enjoy the race action from the top deck while having drinks on board."
Another option is to deploy the crew to help with arranging fun and engaging events on board. "The crew can organise engaging and interactive activities onboard such as a pizza masterclass or an intimate employee appreciation event like a cocktail hour, a fine dining dinner, or team building activities like water sports or on-shore excursions," adds Kaia. "Additionally, private afterparties can be arranged following trade shows and conventions."
Top corporate pick: O'Eva
Stats: 60m, CMN, 2009 (2023), 12 guests, 15 crew
O’eva offers a wide range of luxurious facilities tailored to meet specific requirements. Formal meeting spaces, like the C-shaped sofa and the lounge areas, are perfect for productive business meetings, and the state-of-the-art Starlink internet ensures seamless connectivity. Completely refitted by Golden Yachts in 2023, O’eva strikes the perfect balance between business and pleasure in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with refined materials and custom furnishings. For a 60m yacht, the interior and exterior spaces are hugely spacious. The crew is dedicated to accommodating every need, making O’eva an exceptional choice for a corporate yacht charter.
O'Eva is available for charter with Fraser Greece with a weekly rate from €280,000.
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