Charter yachts are continuing to see a surge in demand, and for good reasons. First, there is the ability to create your own itinerary. Next is the privacy, and lastly, there is the service element.
While land-based resorts struggle to restore high-touch service, the crew on your yacht will cater to what you want, when you want it.
This week we tap into leading charter broker Northrop & Johnson to get their recommendations for top superyachts available for charter this Winter.
1. W
2. Revelry
3. Balista
4. M2
5. El Rey
1. W
Length: 189′; Builder: Feadship; 5 Cabins; 10 Guests; 12 Crew
The 189-foot charter yacht W offers on-water living at its finest. From her Feadship quality to her copious deck spaces and inviting interior, charter guests will be dazzled by everything this superyacht offers. Receiving an extensive 10-month refit at Feadship in 2020, W is in “as new” condition and showcases impressive new amenities and a striking grey hull.
Charter yacht W’s interior, designed by Bannenberg & Rowell with touches by A La Mer during her refit, boasts chic modern elegance with a relaxing ambiance. Guests will be captivated by the superyacht’s use of wood and stylish furniture. Both the main salon and bridge deck offer guests excellent areas to gather socially as well as relax. The bridge deck has an impressive flexible dining space that blurs the lines between inside and out with fully retractable doors for indoor/outdoor dining.
Superyacht W welcomes up to 10 guests in the comfort of five staterooms. The main deck master stateroom is with its own private balcony. It is the perfect private retreat for morning coffee or a book. The expansive suite also features a lounge, a large walk-in closet with a dressing room, a king-size bed, and a lavish ensuite bath. Below deck, the superyacht features two VIP staterooms with king beds and two convertible twin staterooms. An additional stateroom on the bridge deck can accommodate two guests on a queen murphy bed.
Featuring vast outdoor living areas, charter guests will enjoy living the alfresco lifestyle while aboard W. The superyacht’s 68-foot extended sundeck is the hub of the yacht. Perfect for spending days soaking in the sunshine and relaxing, the sundeck features several sunbathing spaces, a large Jacuzzi, a shaded bar, and alfresco dining. On both the bridge deck aft and main deck aft, charter yacht W showcases lounging areas ideal for socializing. Charter yacht W is also equipped with an extensive array of water toys to have guests having fun all day.
2. Revelry
Length: 180′; Builder: Amels; 6 Cabins; 12 Guests; 14 Crew
The 180-foot Amels luxury superyacht Revelry (formerly 4You) provides charter guests with a memorable on-water holiday. Launched in 2012 and refitted in 2019, this motor yacht features an interior design by Laura Sessa Ramboli, and her exterior design is courtesy of Tim Heywood Design.
Guests of Revelry will find comfort as well as chic sophistication aboard. The yacht’s main deck is home to the main salon, where guests can often socialize and relax. The color palette of browns and creams is layered with rich woods to create a warm and inviting space where guests will feel right at home. Forward of this space is the yacht’s formal dining area. Eight plush, white chairs surround a dining table where guests can enjoy meals.
The large windows that flank this deck provide views and ample natural light. The main deck also has a stunning bar and a staircase that is almost hidden in plain sight that leads to the lower deck. The sky lounge features a lighter color scheme that provokes relaxation. Lounge seating, a games table, and a full bar further add to the laid-back feel of this space.
The main deck of Revelry also is home to the yacht’s master stateroom, which offers a private study, lounge, ensuite bathroom, and walk-in wardrobe. A twin cabin is located behind this stateroom, ideally suited for children or staff, and it also is outfitted with an ensuite bathroom. The lower deck is home to the yacht’s remaining four staterooms, two twins, and two doubles, both of which have ensuite bathrooms. This deck also is where the yacht’s beach club is found.
Guests chartering Revelry are likely to be found on deck, enjoying the sunshine, views, and the yacht’s many amenities. The main deck aft lounge space is perfect for morning coffees and casual outdoor dining. It provides access to the swim platform, beach club, and the bridge deck aft, where guests can enjoy alfresco meals together.
The aft lounge space on this deck can be shaded via a canopy if requested. Moving one deck up, guests will fall in love with the sundeck, which features uninterrupted views forward from sun loungers. The wet bar and alfresco dining table for 12 are covered and centrally located. This space can be set up as an outdoor gym for fitness-minded guests. Aft on this deck, guests can enjoy the Jacuzzi and sun pads.
3. Balista
Length: 153′; Builder: Cantieri Di Pisa; 6 Cabins; 12 Guests; 9 Crew
Launched in 2013 and with a recently completed refit, Balista offers the best in luxury on the water. Adorned with Italian woodwork, marble, and plush furnishings with leather trim, Balista ensures luxury and class. The main salon and sky lounge are spaces to relax and socialize, offering ample seating as well as a piano and bar in the main salon. A standout feature is the yacht’s Asian-inspired sliding doors in the sky lounge that open to reveal a drop-down balcony. This blurs the lines between inside and out as well as provides a private escape.
Charter yacht Balista welcomes 12 guests in six staterooms. The yacht’s main deck master suite is the perfect retreat offering comfort and ample natural light from large windows. It features a king-size bed, office, and his-and-hers ensuite baths, a soaking tub on her side, and a shower on his. The VIP stateroom can be a full-beam stateroom with a lounge or split into two separate staterooms with a pull-out couch, which is ideal for kids. The yacht also offers two double-bed staterooms and two twin-bed staterooms. Each stateroom is complete with 42-inch TVs and an ensuite bath with a rain shower.
Set over three decks, her fantastic deck areas play host to a wide range of amenities to keep the whole family entertained; divided into three sections, the sundeck is the hub for alfresco living. Guests can sunbathe on the aft sun loungers, soak in the Jacuzzi in the middle, and relax on the U-shaped lounges under umbrellas or enjoy drinks at the bar forward—all are enjoyed while taking in sensational views of the cruising destination. The charter yacht also offers an expansive main deck aft, perfect for enjoying cocktails before dinner.
Dining is a highlight aboard Balista. With the ocean as the backdrop, guests can dine alfresco on the sky lounge. Also, charter guests can dine in the formal dining just outside the main salon. The chef and crew will make dining extra special by providing first-class service and creating delectable meals and theme nights.
On the water, she is a dream, with a top speed of 22 knots, allowing you to get to your next destination quickly. Equipped with a vast array of water toys and a 37′ towed tender, ensure there is not a single member of the group that isn’t always entertained. Whether you want to charter in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean, Balista is a perfect choice.
4. M2
Length: 120′: Builder: Benetti; 5 Cabins; 10 Guests; 7 Crew
The 2008 Benetti M2 is an idyllic luxury yacht for charter. At 120′, M2 showcases all of the required components that make for a memorable charter. M2 underwent an extensive refit in 2018, leaving her in primed condition. The yacht keeps guest comfort in mind courtesy of the Zero Speed stabilizers. The Benetti welcomes up to 10 guests to enjoy her luxurious amenities and unparalleled hospitality.
With five staterooms to choose from, M2 allows each guest on board to experience the luxury of a charter yacht. A professional crew of seven ensures your every need is taken care of during your trip. The full-beam master stateroom on the main deck features a king-size bed, comfortable lounge chair, and white marble ensuite bathroom with a rainfall shower and Jacuzzi tub. There is an abundance of natural light that flows through the bedroom and bathroom, adding to the feeling of serenity. Below deck via the spiral stairwell are the four additional staterooms. M2’s decorated staterooms are positioned at water level, offering great views. The other accommodations include two queen-size staterooms and two twin-size beds, all with ensuite bathrooms.
M2’s main salon offers ample lounging areas, including a large, oversized couch and chairs. The beautiful light-colored furnishings complement the deep, dark wood finishes. A large flat-screen TV and surround sound further contribute to the entertainment capabilities of M2.
A full bar with seating for three welcomes guests to relax with their favorite cocktail. Adjacent to the main salon is the formal dining area for 10. The easy “one-touch button” allows seamless access from the main salon to the aft deck, with more seating and lounging areas available. The Benetti’s lovely sky lounge features even more lounging areas, large windows, and easy access to the sky lounge deck.
M2’s iconic Benetti-styled exterior showcases a tri-deck, charter-friendly layout. The aft deck features casual seating for up to 10 guests with access to the sky lounge deck. Here, guests can dine alfresco on a completely covered table or relax after a day on the water in the chic lounge area. M2’s massive sundeck is divided into three sections. The aft area includes oversized chaise loungers with optional shading from the sun. There is shaded lounge seating for four and an electric barbeque for delicious meals in the middle. Forward is a stunning Jacuzzi where guests can take in the views and unwind after a day of fun from M2’s extensive selection of water toys.
5. El Rey
Length: 116′; Builder: Deep Sea Marine; 5 Cabins; 10 Guests; 5 Crew
For cruising Mexico’s West Coast (or British Columbia in the Summer), the 116′ charter yacht El Rey is the perfect example of an explorer yacht mixed with a sport fisher. The yacht was built in 1987 by Deep Sea Marine and has benefitted from an extensive refit in 2016 that left no stone unturned. In 2022, she received additional updates to optimize her space further. This refit modernized El Rey’s interior with upgrades like new hardwood floors and updated furnishings to keep her interior cozy and comfortable and her cabins fresh, light, and peaceful. El Rey is the largest yacht built by Deep Sea Marine and showcases a balance between an adventurous explorer yacht and the luxury superyacht lifestyle. The charter yacht boasts a massive range and economical fuel consumption that is not seen on other yachts of her caliber. The Veem Gyro stabilizers ensure guest comfort.
El Rey welcomes up to 10 guests in her five well-appointed cabins. The master cabin located on the lower deck features a king-size bed and ample closet space. The ensuite bathroom has his-and-her vanity and a large bathtub/shower combination featuring sleek, high-quality finishes giving the bathroom a spa-like feel. Additional accommodations include two identical double cabins with walkaround queen-size beds, a double cabin with a double bed, and a twin cabin with twin bunk beds. Her experienced crew will tend to each guest’s every need, ensuring a seamless and memorable time aboard.
