The migration of the milk run: a look at new yacht charter itineraries
New destinations, new experiences & new adventures for superyachts
Traveling via superyacht is all about living out experiences that others only dream about, right? It’s about seeing parts of the world that others simply can’t. For some time, most of the industry's fleet has been dotted along the popular milk run, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas — rinse and repeat. But the tides are turning. The younger generation entering the industry has itchier feet and has already outgrown the usual yachting destinations. They want more adventure.
Shift in location
So, where is the new "vacation vibe"? And why is it popular now? Cruising off the beaten path is becoming increasingly popular; clients want to be able to get more authentic and unique experiences instead of just following the crowd. These locations are, of course, driven by personal preference, but we are seeing a few interesting trends throughout the industry.
The Pacific is a new frontier with hotspots such as the Galapagos islands through to French Polynesia, attracting more yachts each year. Indonesia's rugged and remote terrain is also appearing on charter bucket lists. Antarctica and other extraordinary locations, once seemingly out of reach, are now becoming common booking spots.
Apart from a change of scene, new cruising destinations offer more diverse activities for clients. Think, replacing wandering the old town streets of Amalfi and sipping rum cocktails in the BVI's with penguin spotting in Antarctica and fjord cruising in Norway.
Rethinking equipment and crew
With a change in typography comes new requirements for equipment and new training for crew. One component that may hold clients back from visiting these new locations is their yacht's capabilities; whether that be the range, comfort, or ice-breaking abilities, the criteria for adventure differs compared to tropical cruising. Traditional white-hull charter vessels often do not meet these new needs.
Consequently, the industry has seen an exponential increase in explorer yachts being built, paralleling the growth in explorer yacht charter requests. These specific builds are some of the only ones on the market that enable clients to venture off the beaten track.
Operating in remote regions and far-flung corners of the earth means specialist requirements need to be added for not only the yachts but also the crew when visiting these areas. Knowing how to prepare the explorer yacht's limited storage for longer durations without the ability to restock provisions is vital. Additionally, timing the lifespan of perishable goods becomes a logistical labyrinth.
The new charter activities also call for the crew to have additional expertise — advanced medical, trail guide training, or extreme sports knowledge such as heli-skiing — are a few that come to mind. If you’re not working with local experts who can show you around as you would in more popular destinations, you’ll want to have someone on board who knows how to carry out the activities properly, service equipment that’s available when needed, and a regular check that everything meets safety standards. These skill requirements make the pool of viable candidates for the crew a lot smaller than the more traditional needs.
Chartering beyond the boat
Explorer yachts are packed with toys and tech designed to get the most out of the destination. From the polar-classified yacht Esquel, the infamous Octopus, to the still-in-build REV Ocean (due to launch in 2024), some amazing vessels are available for clients to jump aboard!
These thrill-seeking clients don't just want to be limited to the water's surface. I mentioned heli-skiing before, which, of course, requires personal choppers; but there has been an increase in superyachts having personal submarines in their garages for both adventure as well as scientific research. Why wouldn't clients want to travel to further depths with so much unexplored ocean surrounding them?
There are a few innovative companies taking things under. U Boat Worx, Triton, and Seamagine have several ranges and styles of submersibles. U Boat Worx is going the extra mile. They have recently launched their Nautilus concept, a 1,250-ton superyacht submarine valued at $25 million. The 123ft vessel has unique capabilities, including the ability to dive down to 650ft!
Experiential yachting
So you now know about the new extreme destinations and activities pushing the boundaries of superyacthing … but there’s more!
“Experiential yachting” has now reached the market. Experiential yachting is a new niche and philosophy within the industry which enables clients to discover unique experiences that add value and purpose to the use of a superyacht.
Yachting is now about more than just the yacht. Recent years have seen clients commissioning yachts that will be used beyond the boundaries of conventional yachting uses, transforming them into superyacht hospitals, wellness centers, education centers, art galleries, private membership clubs, scientific centers, and more.
Experiential yachting is not only changing the function of yachts but also opening up several doors as it changes the perception of yachting, relishing in the era of the experience economy. These experiences are combining fields of marine science, philanthropy, metaverse technology, and more —with companies such as Berkeley Rand paving the way.
The final frontier
From under the sea to the world above: with new bucket list destinations and out-of-the-box experiences, you have to wonder what's next.
Perhaps the realms of space aren't too far away from yachting. I have been hearing about various yacht charter expeditions involving space travel...
What are your thoughts on these new frontiers? If you want to chat more about these developments and chat about new charter options, shoot me a note.
