At first glance, the cockpits of airplanes and yachts seem like worlds apart. One a high-tech marvel soaring through the clouds, the other a privately crewed charter yacht dancing on the surface of the sea. Yet, for some airline pilots like Captain Dan & Jo Gronstal of United Airlines, there's a surprising allure to the world of sailing, and the skills they've honed in the skies translate very well to navigating the waves. Even more surprising is that the yacht that they booked for their vacation, 59' Catamaran Odyssea, has hosted two weeks of charters recently with UAL pilots in the B ..read more

Insights about working as yacht charter brokers in the private, professionally crewed luxury charter market in the Caribbean and Mediterranean How did you get started? We learned to sail after enjoying a private yacht charter in the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands in 1989! It was fabulous! On our return home, when our flight made its approach to land at BNA in Nashville, TN, we noticed a sailboat race nearby at Percy Priest Lake. Within 3 months, we bought our first boat! After learning to sail confidently, we gathered groups of friends for flotilla charters in the U.S. Virgin I ..read more

Is Your Yacht Charter Contract Real? Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum! Arrgh...Pirates! The word pirate conjures images of peg-legged scallywags brandishing cutlasses, parrots screeching on shoulders, and buried treasure maps leading to untold riches. While the golden age of piracy may have faded into history, the reality is far from buried. Modern day pirates still prowl the internet, posing as legitimate yacht charter brokers, driven by desperation and fueled by opportunity. The fight against modern contract piracy requires a multifaceted approach. Recently, it has come to our attention that th ..read more

A private yacht charter as a special vacation experience can be shared by everyone, regardless of physical limitations. We want to highlight destinations known for their accessibility & inclusivity, making everyone feel welcome. Some things to think about when bringing a family member on a yacht trip who has mobility issues: Their preferred pace, special consideration for their preferences of different activities and a willingness to pay attention to their comfort level. With respect, openness, and a genuine desire to explore the world together, our clients are finding ways to ex ..read more

The "Big Charter Yachts": From 312' Gigayacht Whisper to Superyachts, Megayachts, to the ever popular 288' Sailing Yacht Maltese Falcon were present in 2023 to show off their luxury charter vacation lifestyles! Now in its 62nd year, this exclusive invitation-only event unfolds against the picturesque backdrop of English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour in Antigua. Industry giants such as 295' Motor Yacht Nero, 288' Motor Yacht Project X, and 290' Motor Yacht Samsara will grace the harbours with their presence. The competition level at the 23rd Annual Antigua Concours de Chef and Tablescaping Com ..read more

In order to be knowledgeable of all the best crewed charter yachts in the Virgin Islands, we've been attending multiple yacht charter shows for professional yacht charter brokers! 2023 was full of great, winning crewed charter yachts which are based in the U.S. Virgin Islands and visit the British Virgin Islands with their guests. We work together with yacht charter brokers as a community and honor the award-winning USVI based charter yachts in 2023. Enjoy seeing all the winners! USVI - Best Yacht in Show – 50’ & Under Winner: Catamaran Koru, Crew: Findlay Mack, Cara Whiteman Runner Up: P ..read more

The British Virgin Islands BVI Fall Charter Yacht Show may be over but the sailing season has just begun. And those who won awards at the show get bragging rights all year long! In the crewed yacht industry, charter yacht brokers are matchmakers. Every year, we as members of The Charter Yacht Brokers Association attend the annual BVI Charter Yacht Society charter show to update our knowledge on the availability of crews and yachts so every "match" is a set up for the vacation of a lifetime. BVI - Best Charter Yacht up to 53' 1st Place - UNWAVERING with Adam Hughes & Rosie Kirk 2nd Place ..read more

Join us on a familiarization trip for yacht charter brokers in the Dominican Republic with the owner of a boutique inbound travel company that focuses on authentic experiences across the country. We were given a great introduction to the Dominican Republic by a team of passionate individuals with a desire to introduce the real "local" feel of the DR to discerning travelers. Sergio Taveras, owner of ,Bonvidó, excels at using his local knowledge, network & insider access to experience the best the island has to offer in terms of culture, gastronomy, and water adventures! Our likeminded beli ..read more

As the temperatures begin to cool down stateside, things are heating up with the crews and yachts planning the fall/winter yacht charter season in the Caribbean! Below you see some of the newest crews aboard the newest yacht vacation catamarans! CREW UPDATE: Capt. Doyle Van Horn and Chef Maya Walsh are officially returning as crew on NAE KAE for the 2023/2024 season! Here’s to another year of awesome charter memories on NAE KAE! See our amazing lunch aboard Catamaran Nae Kae! https://youtu.be/FwvFCfCYXII?si=Zk0mMFHJLUcT5cNL CREW UPDATE: Capt. Troy Vile (formerly on Black Tortuga) will be the ..read more

The U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands Yacht Charter Holiday Calendar is Available! We still have a selection of stunning yachts with availability during the upcoming holiday season. Here's how it works: The yacht charter industry typically divides into 2 separate holiday surcharge weeks. Christmas Week is December 19-26, 2023 New Years Week is December 27-January 4, 2024 If the yacht's booking schedule allows it, you can move 1-2 days earlier or later. Here’s a few quick questions for you: • Is anyone a certified scuba diver? • Is anyone an avid fisherman? • Does anyone smoke ..read more