With Christmas fast approaching, it's time to book a luxury yacht charter if you're planning to spend the festive season on board. Offering something for guests of all ages, a luxury superyacht is an ideal vacation option for those looking to reconnect with family and friends in total privacy, and with most yachts heading to warmer climes, an excellent opportunity to soak up some winter sunshine. If you're looking to spend Christmas 2021 at sea, take a look at the best yachts still available to charter this holiday season...
Laurel
Stats: 73.2 metres, Delta Marine, 2006, 12 guests, 24 crew
Highlights: With a 24-strong crew made up of animals lovers, and dedicated facilities for bringing dogs on board, Laurel is perfect for gathering the whole family over Christmas. Feast under a festive starlit sky in the formal dining area, or soak up some sunshine on the upper decks with an al fresco meal or drink in the hot tub. For wellness fanatics, Laurel’s spa rooms and gym will allow you to reset over the holidays, plus a well-stocked toybox provides plenty of opportunity to spend time in the warm Caribbean water, from kayaking and scuba diving to to fishing and paddle boarding. There’s also an onboard golf system, mountain bikes and setups for beach games and badminton, so everyone in the family can be entertained.
Laurel is managed for charter by IYC with a weekly charter rate starting from $525,000. A security deposit applies for guests with pets.
Baba's
Stats: 56 metres, Hargrave, 2020, 12 guests, 12 crew
Highlights: A recent addition to the charter market, Baba’s is the largest Hargrave built to date. The extra space allows for three al fresco dining areas, two hot tubs located on the sun deck and in the fold-out beach club, a dedicated sunbathing area aft and multiple drinks bars dotted around her various decks which are perfect for enjoying a festive tipple or toast. There’s also a gym, steam room and yoga instructor on board as well as sport fishing gear, so multi-generational families will find plenty of entertainment on board during the festive period, when Baba's will be cruising around Costa Rica. Expect to be entertained with volcanic views, pristine beaches and treks through lush jungles filled with diverse wildlife.
Baba’s is managed for charter by Fraser with a weekly charter rate starting from $350,000.
Northern Sun
Stats: 51 metres, Narasaki Zosen, 1976, 12 guests, 12 crew
Highlights: Described by her broker as “family orientated,” Northern Sun is perfect for multigenerational groups thanks to her fleet of toys and multitude of socialising spaces for celebrating on board. Parents can relax in the hot tub or unwind with an afternoon of fishing while kids can make full use of the inflatable slide, Seabobs, electric surfboard or kayaks. Group activities on offer also include snorkelling or scuba diving in the colourful waters around the Thai island of Phuket, where Northern Sun is based.
Northern Sun is managed for charter by Ocean Independence with a weekly charter rate starting from $161,700.
Eros
Stats: 31.39 metres, Brooke Marine, 1939, 8 guests, 6 crew
If you’re a traditionalist looking for a classic Christmas experience, join sailing yacht Eros as she cruises around this US Virgin Islands this festive season. Step back into Christmases of the past on board the wooden schooner first launched in 1939, gathering for a Christmas dinner or drinks in her art-deco inspired interiors. Explore the Caribbean in style under sail, and make the most of your time in the warm waters with Eros’ fully stocked toybox, carrying the likes deep-sear fishing gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and equipment for waterskiing and wakeboarding.
Eros is managed for charter by Classic Charters with a weekly charter rate starting from $48,000.
Mia Kai
Stats: 30 metres, Bilgin Yachts, 2007, 8 guests, 7 crew
Highlights: Based in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia for the festive period, guests on board Mia Kai can enjoy incredible snorkelling and swimming experiences among the colourful coral reefs. Mia Kai also comes equipped with deep-sea fishing gear, kayaks, paddleboards and equipment for waterskiing and wakeboarding so active charterers can make the most of their time in the sun. A hot tub and al fresco drinking and dining spaces also provide perfect spots for socialising and enjoying a celebratory Christmas dinner.
Mia Kai is managed for charter by Ocean Independence with a weekly charter rate starting from $79,000.
Azteca II
Stats: 49.7 metres, Nereids Yachts, 2005, 12 guests, 11 crew
Highlights: Azteca II will be cruising the vibrant waters of the Sea of Cortez this Christmas. A UNESCO world heritage site known as the “aquarium of the world” guests on board will have plenty of opportunities for meeting marine life or swimming with whales this festive period. So that guests can make the most of their time at sea, her toybox is well equipped with the likes of a laser sailboat, Jet Skis, SeaBobs, paddleboards and gear for snorkelling, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing. Other amenities which are great for socialising with family and friends include the upper deck al fresco dining area, the panoramic skylounge and a new six-person hot tub on the sundeck.
Azteca II is managed for charter by Edmiston with a weekly charter rate starting from $220,000.
Legend
Stats: 77.4 metres, IHC Verschure, 1974, 22 guests, 28 crew
Highlights: Want to spend your Christmas holidays in a winter wonderland? Join classic explorer Legend as she journeys through the icy waters of Antarctica on a voyage fit for a true adventurer. Spend your days submerged in the depths with the on-board submarine and ice-diving gear, kayak past giant icebergs and look out for penguins, whales and seals, or take to the heights for a heliskiing session unlike any other from the commercial helipad. Once you come in from the cold, warm up in the ornate Balinese spa complete with a hot tub, sauna and treatment room, or head to the waterfall Jacuzzi on the main deck to take in the snowscape while you unwind. In the evening, gather for carols around the piano, sip a hot toddy in the whiskey bar or cosy up with a Christmas film in the on board cinema.
Legend is available for charter with Y.CO with a weekly charter rate starting from €545,000.
Island Heiress
Stats: 44.1 metres, Cheoy Lee, 1996, 12 guests, 12 crew
Highlights: Island Heiress offers all the amenities for the perfect Caribbean cruise with family or friends this Christmas. for enjoying a festive cocktail there are both indoor and outdoor bars, and there's also a karaoke setup, games table and six-person Jacuzzi to keep guests of all ages entertained. For spending time on the water, Island Heiress boasts a giant inflatable water slide and a climbing wall, plus four Jet Skis, a pair of SeaBobs, two e-foil boards, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and gear for scuba diving and fishing.
Island Heiress is managed for charter by Hill Robinson with a weekly charter rate starting from $125,000.
Sunrays
Stats: 85.5 metres, Oceanco, 2010, 12 guests, 29 crew
Highlights: Looking to splash out this holiday season on board one of the world's most expensive charter yachts? Designed by Terence Disdale, the multi-functional interior of Sunrays makes her an ideal charter yacht for families to celebrate. Her lounge and formal dining area offer a perfect setting for a Christmas dinner and present unwrapping, or guests can enjoy a game of pool in the cosy billiards room and watch festive films in the cinema lounge. A lavish spa with two on board therapists and well-equipped deck spaces offer plenty of entertainment and relaxation for guests of all ages, with highlights including a semi-enclosed air-conditioned bar, three hot tubs, a tee-on golf system, and a recently refitted gym. This Christmas, Sunrays will be cruising through the pristine waters of the Maldives, so guests will also be able to make full use of her diving gear and range of water toys.
Sunrays is managed for charter by Edmiston with a weekly charter rate starting from €1,000,000.