10 of the Best Options for a Christmas and New Year’s Charter in the Caribbean

1. AQUARIUS          Choose For: Christmas and New Year’s between St Barts and St Martin

If the combination of Terence Disdale’s design expertise and the shipbuilding prowess of Amels is a guarantee of one thing, its quality. In 2007 AQUARIUS came to fruition – a head-turning superyacht of 67 metres (220 feet) boasting one of the charter market’s most well-appointed water toy chests - including an inflatable waterslide, huge deck spaces and a style which manages to perfect the opulent yet understated look sought-after on so many yachts. She even includes a small teeing off green and floating balls, should guests be in the mood for a spot of golf.

For enjoying the sunshine of the Caribbean, a 27-metre sundeck appointed with both a spa pool and plunge pool with counter current and the perfect view of a drop-down television and a few short strides from a bar and sofa area. Elsewhere, al fresco dining for up to 18 people is on offer at her upper deck, with her light and airy 13-metre salon an elegant alternative to relaxing outside.

Extremely child-friendly, the continually updated motor yacht AQUARIUS provides 6 staterooms to sleep up to 12 guests and will consider enquiries in the Bahamas.

2. TWIZZLE          Choose for: Christmas and/or New Year’s in St Barts

The state-of-the-art 57m/189ft superyacht TWIZZLE is the perfect option for those looking for an exquisitely performing ketch with multiple yachting accolades to her name. Most notably chose as ‘Best Sail Yacht 40m+’ at the 2011 International Superyacht Society Awards, both her interior and exterior and styling have enjoyed critical acclaim, with her elegant interior providing the perfect retreat for lazy days in St Barts. Her expansive, well-appointed deck areas and transom (extendable to create a large Beach Club) are also hand for that all-important New Year’s soiree.

Extensively refit in this year, she is in excellent condition for the winter season, and comfortably accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 staterooms, including a master suite with a private study. TWIZZLE will be available at a slightly higher rate starting at €217,000 per week.

3. ‘Blue Moon’          Choose for: Christmas Charter throughout the Caribbean

For a winning combination of Feadship’s build quality and idyllic Caribbean sunshine on your Christmas vacation, look to the 60m/198ft multi-award winning superyacht Blue Moon. Benefitting  from a ‘mini-refit’ last year, involving an update to furnishings and upholstery (including a new outdoor 55” television), highlights from Blue Moon’s impressive list of features include Zero Speed Stabilizers, an elevator to all decks, two state-of-the-art gyms and an original, fully-restored 28ft Riva day boat, built in 1972.

Well established over 6 years of chartering to select charter clientele, Blue Moon must be charted for a 10-day minimum to secure a holiday booking. Her classic, Donald Starkey-designed mahogany interior provides 7 cabins to sleep as many as 12 guests, including a lavish master suite spanning 1200 square feet.

4. TURQUOISE          Choose for: Christmas and/or New Year’s throughout the Caribbean

Cruise the Caribbean in "Nikki Beach" style on board a yacht that truly lives up to the description of ‘a floating palace’ - Proteksan Turquoise showpiece, the 55m/182ft superyacht TURQUOISE. After completing a recent refit to the high standards of the H2 design team, she is in prime condition for a holiday charter with close friends of family – and equipped with Zero Speed Stabilizers.

Ultra-modern yet exuding a timeless elegance, TURQUOISE’s neutral interior accommodates 12 guests in 6 staterooms and features. Her sophisticated sky lounge, featuring a grand piano, leads onto large deck spaces appointed with a large 14-person Jacuzzi, gym area and one of the global charter fleet’s finest outdoor cinemas. Not forgetting her Boomswim with trampoline and waterslide, which is sure to be hit with younger charter guests.

5. 'Mondango 3'          Choose For:  New Year’s in St Barts

Fresh from her adventures in the South Pacific, the recently delivered Dubois-designed 56m/185ft ketch sail yacht Mondango 3 is offering the opportunity to be one of the first to charter her in the Caribbean this winter. Delivered only last year by New Zealand-based shipyard Alloy Yachts, she can sleep as many as 10 guests in five staterooms for a glamorous vacation in St Barts.

Reymond Langton Design’s modern, Asian-inspired interior - featuring a leather-look salon boasting a 103” television - and ample deck space with a secret aft deck spa pool, sets the scene for a memorable vacation celebrating the start of 2016 in style.

6. USHER          Choose for: Christmas and/or New Year’s throughout the Caribbean

Selected as ‘Best Semi-Displacement Yacht’ measuring over 40 metres at the 2008 World Superyacht Awards, USHER completed at extensive refit in June of last year to emerge fully repainted and boasting up-to-date equipment and furnishings. Her luxuries include an on-deck Jacuzzi, a fun underwater camera, Zero Speed Stabilizers, a full gym and an elevator from her lavish guest accommodation to her skylounge, offering stunning viewpoints of the Caribbean. 

The luxury continues into her staterooms, with a master suite with a private office and a 55” television with surround sound, accompanied by four double cabins, with two Pullman berths – featuring bamboo, African walnut and Bubinga. USHER asks for a 10-day minimum booking for holiday charters, with her rate starting at $225,000 per week, and including access to her 56ft Hampton chase tender.

7. RAINBOW         Choose for: Christmas and/or New Year’s throughout the Caribbean

A specialist choice for those looking to enjoy a holiday charter, the 39m/128ft Holland Jachtbouw sailing yacht RAINBOW is an exquisitely crafted replica yacht which pays homage to the legendary J-class fleet of racing yachts. Winner of multiple yachting accolades, at the 2013 edition of the World Superyacht Awards she was chosen as ‘Best Sailing Yacht’ measuring over 40 metres.

Delivered in 2012 by the Dutch shipyard, the eco-friendly and silent vessel is classically styled with mahogany-panelling, oak flooring and Art Deco touches and sleeps as many as 8 guests in 3 cabins. Based in Antigua, RAINBOW is available at from 20 December to 3 January at her high season rate, starting at €70,000 per week.

8. COCKTAILS          Choose for: Christmas and/or New Year’s in the Bahamas

This 2004 delivery from Trinity Yachts has a built a notable charter reputation on behalf of her well-appointed deck spaces and sumptuous modern styling. Channelling the sophistication of the most exquisite interiors found ashore, 48m/157ft superyacht COCKTAILS perfectly balances luxury with a homely feel to be the ideal choice for a charter during the holiday season.

A favourite spot amongst guests, her sundeck features a Jacuzzi surrounded by 200-degree sunpads, two wet bars, a 51” television and a barbecue grill - from which freshly caught fish caught from her a 35-foot Intrepid tender (fully rigged for fishing) can be prepared. COCKTAILS accommodates as many as 11 guests in five staterooms, including a full-beam master suite with a private office and 50” flatscreen television. Her holiday rate starts a $225,000 per week.

9. 'H'                    Choose for: Christmas and New Year’s throughout the Caribbean

For those looking for the brand new addition to charter market this holiday season, they are few options that offer the same level of luxury as 42m/138ft Benetti motor yacht ‘H.’ Short in name, but not short in luxuries, this well-spaced superyacht boasts a modern, Redman Whiteley Dixon-designed interior, an impressive top speed of 21 knots and surprisingly vast range of water toys for a yacht of her size – with highlights including Seabobs and an inflatable waterslide.

With sycamore walls, wenge flooring and bespoke fabrics throughout, she sleeps up 10 guests in five luxurious staterooms. Outdoors, H’s stylish deck features a shaded bar with a television, sun pads, a lower deck gym and a foredeck Jacuzzi. She is available to rent in the Bahamas, and is fitted with Zero Speed Stabilizers.

10. HARMONY          Choose for: Christmas in the Northern Caribbean

A well-appointed Westport 164’, the 50m/164ft Donald Starkey-designed motor yacht HARMONY ensured guests’ every need is taken care of on a New Year’s celebration in the sunshine of the north Caribbean.  Styled with elegance, from her cream furniture to her light wood cabinetry, she provides 6 spacious staterooms to sleep 12 guests (including a master suite with a private office) – all easily accessible via lift.

Able to reach an impressive top speed of 23 knots, her deck spaces create the perfect environment for entertaining – featuring a large sundeck Jacuzzi, two outdoor bars, an al fresco dining area on every level and an array of chaise loungers and sunpads. HARMONY is based in St. Maarten for the winter season.

Please note that charters in St Barts during New Year’s should be planned early to secure a berth at the port of Gustavia. For more details on renting any of the superyachts featured, get in touch with your preferred charter broker.