On-Board 'My Way'

Our yacht for the night was the Admiral-built motor yacht MY WAY and as this was the first time she had ever been made available for charter since being built in 1994, we were excited to see first-hand what she had to offer. Upon boarding, we were immediately made to feel welcome and comfortable by her Captain and Crew, each of whom has extensive experience throughout the yachting grounds of Greece.

After the unsettled weather we had experienced in Nafplion during the week of the show, we were pre-warned about the choppy conditions that were forecasted for the cruise to Spetses. We didn’t need to be concerned however as the experience and forward planning of the Captain meant that he could find gaps in the weather and MY WAY could set out at an impressive speed of 30 knots. As we sat on the foredeck sunpads and seating areas, we were able to enjoy the cappuccinos brought by Chief Steward Aggelos in comfort and enjoy the breath taking views along the way.

The yacht has been well-loved and regularly used by the Owner for up to 200 days per year and continues to provide memorable vacations for his grand-children; something he believes is one of the main selling points in terms of chartering.

Captain George Dagiamos has been with MY WAY since she was bought by her Owner, a prominent Greek music industry executive, in 1995 and as such has formed a strong relationship with both him and the yacht. George has an extensive and varied experience within the yachting industry including seven years spent as Captain on board motor yacht LADY K.K along with Aggelos and over the years has developed an unrivalled knowledge of the Greek seas and Turkish coast.  The yacht has been well-loved and regularly used by the Owner for up to 200 days per year and continues to provide memorable vacations for his grand-children; something he believes is one of the main selling points in terms of chartering.

As we got closer to the Greek Island of Spetses, instead of heading to the port we anchored in the Owner’s own private bay which was backed by his very own secluded beach. This spectacular spot was surrounded by the clearest of turquoise shimmering waters that lapped the rocky outcrop of shoreline. Unable to resist temptation, we took a dip in the shimmering waters whilst a selection of breads, cheeses and meats were laid out on the al fresco dining table.

Feeling refreshed, we then jumped on board MY WAY’s tender for a personalised tour of the surrounding islands. Again, the Captain’s knowledge was second to none and we were taken from one beautiful port to another, marvelling at the charm and idyllic settings of the many islands including the privately-owned Spetsopoula. This tiny island was bought in 1962 by Greek shipping magnate and Onassis rival Stavros Niarchos, and has since hosted a collection of the world’s elite, from pop stars to Royalty – being the honeymoon destination of choice for Charles and Diana. 

MY WAY’s outdoor deck spaces omit some of the more modern frills such as Jacuzzi’s, hammocks and open-air bars in favour of practical, comfortable and uncluttered spaces that enable you to fully enjoy your surroundings. The generous sundeck offers a very large sunpads and an additional casual al fresco dining area, providing a space that can be used throughout the day, whether taking in the spectacular views of Mediterranean coastline or relaxing with a strawberry daiquiri while watching the sun go down.

Despite her age, MY WAY has been lovingly maintained and offers generous and comfortable interior living areas. Her large main salon feels spacious and bright, benefitting from wrap-around windows which allow for an abundance of natural light to flood in.

The cream carpet and seating contrast beautifully with the dark glossy woods that have been used throughout, showcasing a style of classic, understated elegance. The sofas here have also been intelligently arranged around the outside line of the room to not only provide a huge amount of seating to guests but also ensure clear and easy access through to the rest of the yacht.

Breakfast was presented first thing in the main deck formal dining room and included an impressive spread of omelettes, salmon roe, fruits, breads and meats prepared by Chef Konstantinos who has been with MY WAY for the past two years. The dining area is large and light, offering seating for all guests around the classic oval dining table. There is ample space around the room for the crew to serve food without disturbing guests and the combination of soft lighting with classic decor makes it suitable for special occasions.

Her four staterooms can be found on the lower deck, comprising a master, VIP and two twins, further confirming her ideal layout for family vacations. The generous master stateroom envelopes the same ambience of classic comfort as the rest of the yacht. Ample storage is provided in the form of a good-sized wardrobe and a compact office area has been neatly fitted into the corner. The en suite bathroom is well-appointed and includes a marble fitted sink, shower and large well-lit mirror.

The benefits of offering four cabins in a yacht of this size means that much more space is made available and all include private bathrooms and showers. The two twin cabins are situated adjacent to one another, each featuring plenty of storage and en suite bathrooms. Similar to the master stateroom, the VIP cabin is generous in size and presents a welcoming and warm feeling on entering amongst the warmth of the Cherry wood furnishings. Each of the staterooms features large mirrors which act to emphasize the feeling of space and override the lack of natural light on the lower deck.

Situated on MY WAY’s main aft deck is her covered outside dining area. Unlike many luxury yachts, the table has been placed to the side rather than centrally, allowing for clear and easy access to the interior as well as the swim platform. This is the perfect spot to enjoy relaxed al fresco meals or just enjoy the views in the shade. 

Her Captain is passionate about Greece as a yachting charter destination where ‘every island has a different philosophy and culture’, and this yacht can certainly offer a perfect way to discover this.

One of the main advantages of choosing a luxury charter yacht with crew that hold an in depth knowledge of Greek waters is that guests can enjoy the best that the region has to offer. This could include fresh seafood caught by a member of crew and cooked for you immediately or the finest ingredients sourced from the best locally known fish markets.

After breakfast we took up our favourite spot on the sundeck as Engineer Konstantinos and Deckhand Romanchoito prepared to anchor up and cruise to Athens.  We again headed out at full speed, taking in the magnificent views of hilltop villages, rocky coastlines and churches perched sporadically on top of the islets that dots the Greek waters and made it to Athens in just two and a half hours

Our time spent on board MY WAY demonstrates the importance of the charter experience as a whole. Her fantastic crew not only held invaluable knowledge of Greek waters, they were experts in making us as guests feel comfortable and anticipating what we needed at any time, ensuring never need ask for anything. As a charter yacht, MY WAY offers a way of life and a platform in which spend quality time with your family and friends knowing your are in safe hands. Her Captain is passionate about Greece as a yachting charter destination where ‘every island has a different philosophy and culture’, and this yacht can certainly offer a perfect way to discover this.

Our MY WAY trip was arranged by Julie Kourouvanis, Director at Seascape Yacht Charters.