Crafting unforgettable experiences on a family yacht charter
A luxury yacht charter is not an experience reserved solely for adults. If you, like many others, dream of exploring exclusive horizons with all the family and building memories to last a lifetime, you’ll likely have questions about the safety aspects of a yacht charter with young ones onboard.
In this article, we’ll discover the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a yacht to charter and the magical ways to evoke a passion for the sea in all the family.
Safety Never Takes A Day Off
When planning a family charter holiday, your first consideration should be the suitability of the yacht and the crew. It’s crucial to ensure that the yacht is a reputable charter vessel. A charter agency like Morley Yachts plays a pivotal role in guiding you and recommending the most suitable yacht for your family. Their expertise ensures your safety is never compromised, and they conduct thorough safety checks on all their charter yachts to meet the highest safety standards.
Many yachts are fully equipped and experienced in providing outstanding service for the whole family. When choosing between a sailing or motor yacht, consider your family’s comfort and safety. For those with toddlers and babies, a catamaran’s stability and spacious deck area may be more appealing. However, a motor yacht is typically the preferred choice for families with young children, offering comfort at sea with stabilisers, the ability to outrun undesirable weather systems, speed to decrease cruising time, and unlimited air conditioning. A motor yacht also provides more exterior deck space with alfresco dining opportunities and impressive cabin space, as well as offering better entertainment for the entire family.
Mitigating Risks With Young Charter Guests
Regardless of the charter yacht you select, rest assured that a charter agency like Morley Yachts will do its due diligence and assist you in finding the perfect yacht for your family vacation. Our Captains and crew are fully certified and well-versed in safety protocols, ensuring the security of the entire family while onboard, from supplying the correct life jackets to meticulously following manning regulations. They will also brief the charter guests on the rules, guaranteeing a positively memorable yachting experience for everyone.
With younger charter guests onboard, the Captain and crew take extra precautions to ensure their safety. These measures include providing life jackets suitable for children, securing dangerous areas with baby gates, and maintaining constant supervision. Young children will not be able to roam freely between the interior and exterior of the yacht to guarantee that everyone knows where they are at all times. Chartering a yacht >24m ensures that young children are always within audible range.
However, the crew cannot be solely responsible for the safety of your children at sea. It is beneficial to share your charter with another couple or extra personnel, such as a nanny. Sharing responsibility among guests for supervising the children will reduce the pressure on the crew, ensure the safety of the children, and allow parents to escape for some relaxation alone. Although it is their priority, Captains and crew are not just there to ensure your safety; they are also there to make your charter experience as enjoyable as possible.
A Fully Provisioned Family Yacht Charter Experience
Embarking on a luxury yachting holiday is a uniquely stress-free experience where you don’t have to take care of provisioning for your family. Upon signing a contract with a charter agency, you’ll provide us with a preference list, which allows us to get to know you better. We will then communicate this to the crew, who will ensure that everything you need is onboard for your arrival.
From special dietary requirements to accommodating the needs of even the tiniest sailors, the luxury yacht crew will endeavour to satisfy every family member during the charter. Crew can even arrange the more cumbersome essentials, such as changing tables, cots, and high chairs for your little ones. Two weeks are required to arrange these items as they do not come as standard provisions and entail a supplementary charge. Crew members understand the importance of a comfortable and child-friendly environment, going above and beyond to ensure every family member feels at home.
Shared Adventures That Leave An Indelible Impression
When considering activities for a yacht charter with the whole family, one great place to begin is to keep a shorter itinerary to ascertain that children are comfortable and entertained while underway. Shorter cruising distances are favourable. We spoke with Captain Ante of Motoryacht Viva, Azimut 78 Fly, to learn more about how a charter with young children might unfold.
“Captain and crew understand that the secret of a happy client is creating extraordinary experiences and moments for the children.” Captain Ante, M/Y VIVA.
Many motor yachts for charter offer a plethora of activities to keep children entertained and engaged while at sea. From a wide range of onboard water toys, including sea bobs, stand-up paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, and jet boards, to indoor games rooms and cinemas, the whole family can create unforgettable moments together.
For parents of teenage children hoping to invoke the desire to spend quality family time while onboard, Captain Ante explains, “On Viva, we have an extra masseuse onboard, and teenage girls also like to get facials, pedicures, and other spa treatments.” Activities like these can offer families the occasion to enjoy time together while experiencing the luxurious aspect of a family charter holiday.
Unrivalled Serenity for Adult Guests
Although many parents appreciate quality time with their children on charter, yacht crews understand the importance of adult relaxation and strive to provide the best possible environment for it. Many yachts offer onboard luxuries, such as an onboard spa, gym, or masseuse, for personal rejuvenation.
As experts in providing luxury service, the crew is equally capable of ensuring that the adults enjoy alone time while onboard. On M/Y Viva, parents can disappear to the flybridge for a romantic evening under the stars with dinner service prepared by the onboard chef. At the same time, the children sleep safely below decks or watch a Netflix movie in the salon.
However, many parents share a growing concern about keeping their children away from screens or limiting their screen time while the adults relax and unwind. Although the crew cannot change your children’s habits if they are used to unrestricted screen time, they can create activities that encourage children to enjoy the unique experiences available during a yacht charter and inspire a desire to explore the magic of the sea.
The Captain and crew are professionals in crafting engaging activities for your children to feel included and fulfilled in their yachting experience. Whether devising treasure hunts at the beach, curating themed table decorations for quality dining experiences as a family, and inviting the children to get involved in the galley with the chef, there are endless opportunities to include children while at sea.
Adventure Awaits Beyond The Horizon
The sea offers every individual the desire to adventure. It’s a place where dreams really do come true, whether simultaneously witnessing the moon from the foredeck and the rising sun from the aft deck or sharing the wonder of seeing a pod of dolphins in a phosphorescent sea with your children. While safety must remain the primary consideration, a family yacht charter provides shared experiences to create lasting memories with your young ones.
