Dutch shipyard Heesen has announced the sale of its 50m/164ft all-aluminium luxury yacht PROJECT SAPPHIRE, which will become the new superyacht BOOK ENDS for her Owners.

The Owners are highly experienced yachting enthusiasts who recently sold their 2017-built 47m/154ft luxury yacht BOOK ENDS, which was also built by Heesen. The new BOOK ENDS offers cutting edge technology for a better, more comfortable and environmentally friendly cruising experience implementing cutting edge technology.

A pair of MTU 16V 4000M 65L engines produce a top speed of 23 knots, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units reduce NOx emissions for more environmentally friendly cruising. The hull has been optimised to reduce drag, and a shallow draft of only 2.15m/7ft makes superyacht PROJECT SAPPHIRE ideal for the Bahamas and Maldives.

The accommodation is designed for up to 12 guests across 5 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite on the main deck forward, and 2 double cabins and 2 twin cabins on the lower deck. Cristiano Gatto and his team are currently working on further personalising the interiors for the Owners, bringing in a lighter and brighter colour scheme to the upholstery and flooring, plus carefully selected artwork and bespoke loose furniture inside and out.

Construction on motor yacht PROJECT SAPPHIRE continues and she is expected for delivery to her Owners in Summer 2022.

MORE PHOTOS AND INFO ABOUT BOOK ENDS…

The 127m/416ft Oceanco luxury mega yacht Y721, commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos left the shed at the Oceanco shipyard in Zwijndrecht this morning, revealing the black steel hull and aluminium superstructure together for the first time.

Designed as a three-masted schooner with a bowsprit, some of the hull was part-assembled at the Zwijnenburg facilities before being moved to Zwijndrecht.

S/Y Y721 is believed to have been commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and was sold in 2018. Other details of the build have not yet been released; however, it is rumoured that a support vessel will also accompany Y721 on future adventures.

Once completed, mega yacht Y721 will become the Oceanco flagship and take the second position in the world’s rankings of largest sailing yachts by length, displacing the current second-place holder, the iconic 106.7m/350ft sailing yacht BLACK PEARL. The world’s largest sailing yacht is currently the 142.8m/468ft motor-sailer A from Nobiskrug, launched in 2015.

Final outfitting is expected to take place shortly before S/Y Y721 undergoes sea trials then be delivered to her Owner in 2022.

‘The early bird gets the worm’ goes the saying, and now you can too with a 10% discount for any remaining week in April 2022, chartering the 25m Sunseeker yacht INFINITO in Corsica, book by the end of 2021 to take advantage of this great offer! Launched in 2007 and refitted in 2021, she accommodates 8 guests over 4 cabins and has a crew of 2, for a most relaxing luxury experience.

Stepping inside guests are greeted by a contemporary elegant décor of warm woods and neutral cream leather furnishings. 360-degree windows provide excellent natural light and endless views, either while lounging on the oversized settee or dining in comforting air conditioning. Below decks are a master stateroom, VIP suite, double cabin and bunk twin cabin.

On deck, M/Y INFINITO doesn’t disappoint one bit, she has a large aft deck with alfresco dining, sunbeds and access to the extended swim platform. Moving to the foredeck a raised built-in sunbed is the perfect escape to soak up the West Mediterranean sunshine. The Sunseeker yacht is sleek and eye-catching, reaching a top speed of 30 knots powered by twin MAN 2550 engines.

Highlights

Light and airy open-plan salon
2 Full beam suites
Alfresco dining
2 generous sunbeds
Large swim platform
Water toys
Sleek hull design with good speeds
Underway stabilizers

VIEW MORE INFO & PHOTOS OF M/Y INFINITO

Sunseeker luxury yacht MIRRACLE has recently joined the charter world in Florida and the Bahamas and is now taking bookings for spectacular holidays in winter 2021/22.

Built in 2018, this 29m/95ft motor yacht is ideally sized for extended families and friends groups to zip from island to island using her range of 1,200 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 26 knots.

Explore the Florida Keys or the Exumas with sunbathing facilities and a Jacuzzi on standby in the endless sunshine, or head inside to the refined and understated interior for a rest in the cool crisp environment. Celebrate the festive season with lavish meals prepared by your own professional chef that can cater to all dietary requirements, discover a different pace of life amongst the vibrant tropical islands of Mayaguana and Inagua.

The selection of water toys will appeal to thrill-seekers of all ages and includes:

2 X SeaDoo Spark jet skis
2 x Seabobs 
2 x Stand-up paddleboards
1 x hydro board, and
fishing gear

There is room onboard for up to 12 guests while cruising, and the overnight accommodation sleeps a total of 8 guests across 4 en-suite cabins: 1 split-level Master suite, 1 VIP stateroom and 2 twin cabins convertible to doubles. All guests will be taken care of by a professional crew of 4 for a stress-free holiday in one of the world’s favourite charter grounds.

Learn more about luxury yacht MIRRACLE and plan your own winter escape in the Bahamas for 2021/22.

The 60m Abeking and Rasmussen built motor yacht DREAM is offering an unmissable discount over Christmas for 7 days ending no later than December 28th in St Martin, Leeward Islands, Caribbean. Launched in 2001 and refitted in 2017, Bannenberg & Rowell is responsible for her beautiful interior styling, which accommodates up to 12 guests, in 7 exceptional suites.

Beautiful finishes of warm woods, bespoke detailing and stunning artwork give this yacht a really elegant inviting atmosphere. Her spacious living areas include a generous main salon, formal dining room, sky lounge, fitness gym and relaxing massage room. Large windows surrounding each living area ensure ample natural light, while framing the idyllic scenery. Accommodation aboard is versatile, with the master stateroom on the main deck forward, an upper VIP cabin on the bridge deck, 1 twin suite also situated on the bridge beck, plus 2 double and 2 twin cabins located on the lower deck, which convert to king cabins if required.

M/Y DREAM offers charter guests plenty of exterior living over 3 decks, perfect for the Caribbean climate. Aft of the salon is a large seating area with overhead shade. The upper deck is well-appointed, with seating, dining and lounging. The sundeck is a great spot to gather with family and friends, soaking up the sun on loungers. Sipping cocktails in comfortable outdoor sitting space, or enjoying the relaxing jacuzzi.

Highlights:

Versatile accommodation
Plenty of interior gathering areas
Exceptional outdoor living
RYA approved water sports
An array of sea toys
New 32’ Intrepid with day head
Gym
Jacuzzi
 Zero speed stabilizers
Wi-fi

VIEW MORE INFO & PHOTOS OF ‘DREAM’ HERE

Since launching in 2014 under the helm of experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov, Dynamiq Yachts has proven that it can produce bespoke vessels both refined and ready for the future of luxury yachting, and 41m/134.6ft STEFANIA is no exception. No one would dismiss the golden hull as simply a glamorous/dazzling veneer, and a look onboard reveals the opulence she bestows on her 10 guests, who are accommodated in five ample en-suite cabins and looked after by a talented crew of six.

CONTINUE FOR THE ENTIRE YACHT REVIEW …

Dutch shipyard Van der Valk has launched its latest 34m/111.6ft luxury expedition yacht: LADY LENE. The tri-deck design features a Fast Displacement hull with a wave-piercing bow, all finished in a metallic pale brown to contrast the white superstructure. The exteriors are the work of the Owner’s representatives YachtCreators in collaboration with Guido de Groot Design, while the naval architecture is by Ginton Naval Architects and Diana Yacht Design, and the interiors from Carla Guilhem.

The balance between interior and exterior spaces provides a fully open-plan main deck salon and dining area within, while the refined alfresco living areas offer a choice of sunbathing, lounging and dining options. Renders reveal dark and mid-toned wood varieties contracted by white furnishings and accents in a dusky blue and an earthy brown that match the hull colour.

Guests on board will be able to venture off to the remotest corners of the world in comfort as well as style: Gyro stabilisation systems will keep life on board smooth while at zero speed (i.e., at anchor), and a fin system reduces roll on rough passages.

The accommodation is designed for up to 8 guests across 4 generously proportioned en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite and 3 VIP staterooms. The Master suite is placed amidships on the lower deck to make use of the full beam, with two of the VIP staterooms forward and the third VIP stateroom enjoying the views from its aft position on the bridge deck. There is a crew of 7 on-hand for first-class service and to ensure that everything runs at peak efficiency throughout every cruise.

In terms of performance, M/Y LADY LENE is capable of a maximum speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots using twin MAN V12-1650 engines of 1,650 HP, while significant fuel efficiency is achieved through the Hull Vane transom wing.

Superyacht LADY LENE is scheduled for delivery in 2022.

Dutch shipyard Heesen has announced that it has commenced construction on the 50m/164ft luxury yacht PROJECT OSLO24. The keel-laying ceremony took place on the 4th of October in the presence of the Owner and their family, who witnessed the traditional welding of coins to the keel for good fortune.

M/Y PROJECT OSLO24 is based on the Heesen 50-metre Steel model and has been significantly modified to meet the Owner’s desires: The experienced yachtsman chose the shipyard’s hybrid system for reduced noise and vibrations as well as a cleaner output and greater efficiency on the water.

The interiors will be completed by Luca Dini Design and Architecture, combining an aesthetic of life at sea with elements from the destinations the family intends to visit on the first few cruises. The wood finishes within will contrast dark, light, high-gloss and matte finishes, and a ribbed canneté texture will add the illusion of a forest. This will be accented by furnishings such as soft leather in warm tones.

A pair of MTU V4000 M63 engines designed to IMO Tier III standards will power her through the water and will be sure to take her Owner on adventures across the globe.

Superyacht PROJECT OSLO24 is expected for delivery in the first quarter of 2024.

Taiwanese shipyard Horizon Yachts has announced the launch of the luxury yacht VALIANT, the second E81 model, from its shipyard in Kaohsiung.

The 25.32m/83.1ft motor yacht was designed entirely by the shipyard, which worked closely with the Owner’s representatives to personalise the build. Silver and white oak as well as accents in silvery grey and stormy steel complement the quartz surfaces, as seen in the main salon which is combined with an open galley to create an inviting home environment.

There is a 46-bottle wine chiller beneath the stairs up to the pilothouse, where a C-shaped sofa and table are placed opposite a wet bar.

The outdoor spaces provide sheltered and sun-drenched areas for guests to make the most of every location, and the upper deck aft comes with a corner sofa, barbeque, wet bar and plenty of space for storing the tender and water toys.

The accommodation for the E81 is designed for up to 8 guests over 4 en-suite cabins, however, the Owner of VALIANT opted instead to turn the fourth cabin into a library and office/study.

The launch of M/Y VALIANT comes only a few months after the delivery of the first E81 model to her Owner, and VALIANT will shortly be delivered to her American Owners before she makes her public debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) which will run from the 27th until the 31st of October.

Northern Europe is amongst the numerous extraordinary luxury yacht charter destinations in 2022 and one of the best kept secrets: While the rest of the world flocks to the Mediterranean, the white sand beaches of Sweden and the golden sands of the Netherlands are mostly populated by the locals. Although temperatures don’t climb as high as they do in the Mediterranean, this might prove to be another bonus: No need for a siesta at the height of the day – instead, you can tour the historic Diamond Quarter in Antwerp, cycle along the stunning coast or put your energy to kayaking and paddleboarding through the Norwegian fjords to see the waterfalls up close.

Far to the east of the Gulf of Finland lies St. Petersburg, a fantastical city both familiar and enchantingly otherworldly at any time of the year. The strong cafe culture and wide-open parks reveal the city to be one of opulence today as well as in times gone by. On a whirlwind tour, charter guests should visit the State Hermitage Museum for art and culture, the late 19th Century church ‘Saviour on the Spilled Blood’ which is as lavish inside as its colourful onion domes, and former-palace-turned-museum Peterhof, complete with gardens and an impressive fountain display.

Iceland, Greenland & Svalbard

These Arctic destinations are an unusual choice for a summer luxury yacht charter, but their unique beauty has been gaining more mainstream interest in recent years. The volcanic landscapes in Iceland look as though they have come straight out of science fiction: Windswept black sand beaches and incredible brilliant orange lava creeping across dark lifeless fields. The glacial caves along the southern coast glow like blue and white glass, and waterfalls ensconced in wild forests billow endlessly.

There are natural hot springs to settle into and soak tired muscles while you admire the surrounding snow-capped peaks, and the adventurous can kayak through the bays and dog sled to the best winter sports sites. The summer days are everlasting under the midnight sun, and in winter to see the Aurora Borealis in person is an experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

In addition to these impressive natural wonders, there is the opportunity to learn about local culture, taste local cuisine and discover the art and history that characterise these amazing countries.

Alaska, Patagonia & Antarctica

Three other destinations in the Pacific are worthy of consideration for explorer yachts that want to roam to the ends of the Earth and come back with a few tales to tell.

One incredible sight follows another as you cruise through the Alaskan wilds, perhaps the greatest being Glacier Bay and its crackling, calving glaciers. Hike along trails, go wildlife watching and learn about the history of the region through national park guides. Head west for the Kenai National Park to spot otters, black bears and eagles, and satisfy your lust for adventure by kayaking, fishing and other sports.

The huge expanse of Patagonia is home to many striking landscapes, among them deserts, grasslands and forests as well as sandy beaches for sunbathing and partying under the stars. See the namesakes of the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares reflected in its mirror-like lakes, marvel at the breath-taking Marble Cathedral and find even more scenic locations amongst the archipelagos as you cruise south to the Tierra del Fuego National Park.

A trip to Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness whales, penguins and seals living in pace with the seasons. Learn about the experiences of those working at the old whaling stations, take in the famous Drake Passage and kayak through the ice floes to better connect with this powerful environment. Warm-up in the hot springs-fed waters at Deception Island and then return to your luxury yacht for a top-quality meal, entertainment and a perfect night’s rest.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO ON ADVENTURE-FILLED YACHT CHARTERS AROUND THE WORLD