5 MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRUISING ON PRIVATE YACHTS versus CRUISE SHIPS
If there was ever any question, that we humans are fascinated by water, the last decades’ explosion in cruise ship and river cruises, should answer that, right? It is by far the most popular way of traveling and still growing, but if you do not want to spend your vacation with 2000 other people and go ashore with them, as well as the 8000 from the other cruise ships docking in the same place that day, you might consider giving up on cruising, but don’t!
Funny enough, the perfect alternative to the popular cruise ships is the almost un-known possibility of vacations on private crewed yachts. And it is the most individualized vacation form ever invented. The private yachts come in all sizes & prices and you will be the only guests on-board. It does not have to cost more than a good cruise ship and no matter the size and price of the charter yacht, it is all about you! ⛵️ ?
Personalized services: The biggest difference between a cruise ship and a private crewed yacht is that on a ship you must fit into a mold, but on a private yacht you are the mold, and everything will be fitted around you. Working one-on-one with a charter yacht broker like me, everything will be arranged in advance from your favorite brand of herbal tea or red wine to a Brussels sprout and mushroom free menu, if that is what you wish. The food often plays a big role on vacations and crew yachts are no exception. But here you don’t have to queue up to get what you want or eat at certain times. Everything will be served, beautifully plated and presented at your table, along with your favorite wine at your leisure.
All-inclusive prices: Private crewed yachts are not nearly as expensive as you would think, but it is the best value for money you can imagine. Having your own yacht, with a dedicated crew, lots of activities and all your food and drinks included starts around $350/person/day or $2500 per week with 4 – 6 guests and it is worth every penny . . . and then some! It is first class treatment at coach prices. There are no extra bar bills and you do not have to pay for overprized water-sports or trips ashore. As one of my clients said: “By day two I already felt I had gotten all my money’s worth.”
Privacy vs. crowds: We all relax in different ways and if you want to meet lots of new people, a cruise ship might be the right thing for you. But if you want privacy and a chance to cement your relationship with a spouse, extended family or friends with no outside interference, a private crewed yacht might be just what you need. I have inspected hundreds of yachts and interviewed the crews, so I can help you to find the right boat at the destination of your choice and with your preferred activities like diving, water-skies etc. You can go to secluded beaches on deserted islands one day and hang out in a fun beach bar the next; it is all up to you.
Hidden Destinations: There are private crewed yachts all over the world, but the most popular destinations are the Caribbean and the Medirerranean. In the Caribbean it is especially the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines down south that are popular. In Europe Croatia, Greece and Italy are just some of the options, but you can go as far as Alaska or the South Pacific as well. Don’t worry seasickness, You will NOT be crossing oceans and we know where the protected waters are. You will be sailing short trips in the daytime, so you can enjoy the scenery and your captain will keep it comfortable and fun. At night you will be anchored in a sheltered bay and fall asleep with the calming sound of water whispering around the boat.
Adventure vs. predictability: The sheer difference in size between a cruise ship and any private yacht also dictates where it and go. A yacht can go into shallow bays and right up to white sandy beaches, but the ships have to stay in harbors or deep water. Of course, the ships also have to have an itinerary, but since you and your group will be the only guests on your yacht, you can just plan from day to day with your captain. It is like comparing a Greyhound bus to a chauffeured limousine.
You are bringing your own 5-star restaurant and hotel, so you can stay over-night in even the most remote bays. A funny thing about cruise ships is also, that they sail at night, so you don’t see the beautiful sea-scrapes and just wake up in a new destination each day. On a private yacht you plan the itinerary with the captain and if you see an interesting cove on the way, pull in and have a look around. You might stop in 2 or 3 places in a day, admiring the scenery as you go and even spend an evening ashore dancing on the beach.
Doesn’t that sound great? Well if this has peaked your interest, please BOOK A CALL and ask me anything you want. You can also FILL OUT THIS FORM, so I can get back to you with concrete options for your next exciting vacation ?
