Chartering a large yacht or superyacht is a luxurious and unforgettable experience, but it's important to be aware of the proper etiquette and behavior expected on board. Whether you are new to chartering, or if you have been invited on board as a guest, here are some detailed tips and advice to ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable time on board.

It is surprising, yet not surprising, that yacht co-ownership in Europe is seen to be growing, aided by the popularity of SeaNet fractional yachts. Europe was where the fractional idea was created, back in the 1970s. The first shared residence idea, was founded there. Since then, many UHNW lifestyle areas – residences, airplanes, clothing, came to see this idea as a benchmark of the sharing economy.

But yacht co-ownership is relatively new. Six years ago, SeaNet Europe developed a fractional program, steered by those at the helm who knew both viscerally and cognitively about the joys and challenges of owning and co-owning yachts.

Celine Robins, founder and president of One-To-One, has joined IYC as the company’s Director of Yacht Management Global Operations. With the inclusion of One-To-One’s yacht clientele, the IYC Yacht Management Portfolio more than doubled.

Northrop & Johnson is considered one of the world’s foremost yachting authorities, with more than six decades of experience offering sale, purchase, charter, management, and new construction services for an elite clientele.

Daniel Ziriakus is the COO and President of Northrop & Johnson. SherpaReport recently spoke with Daniel and discussed how Northrop & Johnson is doing post-Covid and what he sees in the future for the yachting industry, both in terms of buying and chartering.

Chris Cecil-Wright founded the Yacht brokerage, Cecil Wright & Partners, and has been in the field of helping people charter, build, and sell superyachts for the past 25 years. His focus is on super yachts over 40 meters (131 feet) and Northern European yacht builders, who he thinks are the best of the best.

His company is small and based in Monaco and London. There are 12 associates, which means, in his words, “we cannot be all things to all people.” Because his company is small, he has been able to unleash his passion for detail, as he is known in the field for knowing almost everything there is to know about the building of these yachts, the materials used in the building, who owned the yacht before, and all else.

The popularity of yacht chartering – both unanticipated, yet understandable -- seems to be the product of a perfect storm of nature and culture. Prior to the Pandemic, the cultural concept of luxury was already evolving from purchase of often superfluous commodities to the acquisition of positive memorable experiences. And then came nature: Covid-19, and all of its variants. The consequence of this storm was very little travel, with few options other than staying at home for two plus years. But late in 2021 yacht travel began again with an intensity even brokers were surprised at – distilled from the needs and wants from those that had been travel-suppressed for about two years.

Now, travelers seek luxury yacht vacation options that ensure a fresh type of exclusivity, security, and peace of mind brought about by a consistently hygienic, safe, elite environment – a sea sanctuary of safety and fun. These reasons, and others, have allowed an emerging, and not unexpected, popularity of private yacht and superyacht charter. This guide will answer questions regarding the decision-making process in chartering, so those who go to the sea do so with greater security and ease.

Heather Hatcher is the Director of Charter Management at IYC, the International Yacht Company, with offices all over the world. She works with yacht charter brokers and clients who wish to charter an IYC yacht, and helps with creating itineraries for those who wish to take week or longer cruises worldwide. She is a young woman who knows the yacht world, and knows the UHNW and UUHNW client’s needs and wants quite well.

We were fortunate to converse with Ms. Hatcher about the effects of Covid on the industry, and new, emerging yachting trends for 2022 and beyond.

The final list of the top 101 largest yachts in the world according to overall length, has been revealed by BOAT International, a global superyacht magazine. The full 101 list appears in the January 2022 issue of BOAT International.