MARK ELLWOOD
The epidemic altered the traditional pattern of the finest ships spending the winter in the Eastern hemisphere (mainly in the Caribbean) and crossing to the Mediterranean for the summer. Having the world’s finest boats available for charter a short distance from the United States mainland is a unique perk of summertime travel that many owners have chosen to forego.
LEEWARD ISLANDS
SHARLOU
The 140-foot carbon-fiber sloop is an excellent choice for a family vacation: Take a look at the fiber optic-illuminated starry ceiling in the kids’ cabin or the rear cockpit that can be quickly transformed into a paddling pool. The top-of-the-line Windy SR52 Blackbird pursuit boat is only one of several water toys available, along with Seabobs and sailing dinghies. As a bonus, the cuisine is excellent. Sharlou’s speed of 17-20 knots under sail means exciting travels.
Ideal Itinerary: Patrick Sassier and Martial Beguin, the regular summer captains who squire visitors around the Balearics, will be setting sail from Martinique this season. Saba, a popular diving destination, and Nevis, a little artistic enclave where painter Brice Marden has a second house, are just two stops on a seven-day tour of the Leeward Islands.
Cost: From $118,000/week
Broker: Camper & Nicholson’s, camperandnicholsons.com
THE EXUMAS
M/Y LAUREL
This magnificent vessel is 240 feet in length, making it the longest and most luxurious superyacht ever built. Wheelchair accessibility is ensured by the ship’s 24 strong crew and the availability of elevators to all passenger decks. For those special occasions, there is a dining room with a ceiling covered with stars.
Ideal Itinerary: Exuma, a group of islands located south of Nassau in The Bahamas, is a great place to go island hopping and get some peace and quiet. That’s a quick trip, but if you want to spend longer time at sea, you should check out the Leeward Islands, which include Antigua. The southern shore, where many Italian expats have built marinas, is like a little piece of the Mediterranean in the Caribbean.
Cost: From $525,000/week
Broker: IYC, iyc.com
SAN JUAN ISLANDS
KAORI
Kaori played the role of the billionaire’s yacht Grace in the 50 Shades of Grey film series. With her vast teak decks and vintage décor (heavy on wood paneling and plush armchairs), it’s easy to see the allure of this 115-foot, four-stateroom sailing boat, designed by Jane Plachter.
Ideal Itinerary: Learn about marine mammals including harbor seals, sea lions, sea otters, and orcas as you travel across the Pacific Northwest this summer. Hike to the peak of Mount Constitution or through Olympic National Park on Orcas, the biggest of the San Juan Islands.
One of the only temperate rainforests in the country, its woodlands are wreathed in lichen and fungus.
Cost: From $156,000/week
Broker: Abercrombie & Kent, abercrombiekent.com
BELIZE
NITA K II
The 171-foot Amels Tigre d’Or series steel and aluminum motor yacht was built in Holland in 2004. The three decks of this open-concept catamaran are designed for relaxing and gathering with fellow passengers. She spends the summer in Belize, so her at-anchor stabilizers are essential for the atoll-hopping itinerary.
Ideal Itinerary: As an English-speaking Central American country with bordering reefs and azure waters that more than rival those of the Maldives, Belize is an often-overlooked corner of the Caribbean. Travel to the Mayan ruins, the Glover’s Reef atoll, the Lighthouse Reef coral reef, and the tropical woods.
Cost: From $250,000/week
Broker: Northrop & Johnson, northropandjohnson.com
SPICE ISLANDS
GIGI OF LYMINGTON
The 65-foot vessel is only two years old and can accommodate six passengers and two staff members in its three staterooms. Jean-Marc Piaton created a spare and uncluttered interior that makes good use of the abundant windows and open floor plan. Gigi is mostly used by her owner and is only chartered for a total of five weeks each year. Her steward/chef just placed second in a cooking competition.
Ideal Itinerary: Among the Spice Islands, Gigi calls Grenada home. Grenada is home to not just one of the most beautiful capitals in the Caribbean, St. George’s, but also one of the nicest beaches in the region, Grand Anse. Explore a tranquil bay on the ship’s stand-up paddleboards in northern St. Vincent and the Grenadines. You might also pull into the Sandy Lane Marina on Canouan, which is owned and operated by the renowned Barbados resort and is the newest jet-set berth.
Cost: From $24,000/week
Broker: DiYachting, diyachting.co.uk
