How to choose a charter you will never want to leave

When your charter yacht is a destination in itself, there is no need to go ashore. Choose these key onboard features, recommended by the Fraser Charter Team, to make your charter so entertaining that you will never want to return to land.

The best charter yachts are loaded with toys that make the charter experience more special for all the family, as well as trained onboard instructors. Looking for action? Ask your broker to recommend yachts with jet-skis, Seabobs, JetLevs or kitesurfing gear. Prefer peaceful exploring? Request plenty of kayaks, canoes or paddle boards. Planning a family charter? Ask for a yacht with a slide, inflatable water playground, and jellyfish pool for safe family swimming.

Most yachts offer snorkelling gear, but did you know that many yachts also offer deep-sea diving experiences, with full gear, decompression chambers and sometimes even submarines on board? If you have never tried diving before, this is the perfect opportunity to try the experience of a lifetime, in a safe private setting with PADI certified instructors, often already on the crew and easy to bring on board if not. (Pictured below:The Deep Blue Experience by Fraser & U BOAT NAVIGATOR)

Perhaps now more than ever, we are realising the importance, and the benefits, of deep relaxation, both physical and spiritual. While massages can always be arranged on deck or in-suite, the best large yachts offer dedicated spas with saunas and hammams. If you love working out, ask for a yacht gym with floor-to-ceiling or 360-degree ocean views.

Almost all charter yacht crew today go far beyond 5-star service, to offer extra skills that enhance any charter experience, however you choose to spend your time on board. Massage therapists, yoga and Pilates instructors take your feeling of relaxation to a new level. Personal trainers get you to your fitness goals. Drone pilots create permanent memories of your charter holiday from every possible angle. Trained watersports instructors show you how to get the best of the underwater world and teach you to master any toy from JetLevs to Jetsurfs. Interior crew transform deck spaces for unique themed evenings, from a Venetian terrace to a Vegas casino, and know how to make any special event on board magical. A unique insider’s knowledge of your destination, possessed only by those who spend their lives exploring by yacht, means crew can also share the best dive sites, nature sites, beaches, coves, anchorages and the perfect deserted spots for sundowners.

Cutting edge technology including VSAT antennas, Sat Com equipment and specialist wireless access points keep you connected and online anywhere in the world, so you can run your business and your children can continue their education wherever you are. Many yachts offer conferencing facilities with video setup, spacious boardrooms and dedicated workspaces, plus accommodation for tutors or key staff.

Most yachts come with a host of options for entertainment, from outdoor cinemas to gaming rooms. But some yachts offer that extra element to elevate your time on board. If you’ve always wanted to play basketball or hit golf balls from the decks of a yacht, just ask your broker. Missing the club scene? Some yachts are geared up with dedicated dancefloor areas with DJ and karaoke set-ups, smoke machines, sound systems and lights. Aquariums and even ski rooms can be found on select yachts, as can professional 12-seat 3D cinemas with surround sound.

A great water-level space for relaxing, sunbathing and sipping cocktails, the beach club also offers easy access to the water toys, with a shower for rinsing off sea water as soon as you step on deck. Some yachts feature a lower deck entirely dedicated to relaxation, with a sauna, lounge, bar or balconies.

Concerned about a guest who suffers from seasickness on your charter? Thanks to zero-speed stabilisers, all guests can feel comfortable at anchor in any sea conditions.

If you want to surround yourself with those you love, a yacht is the place. Equally, if you need time alone to relax, read or sunbathe in silence, there is always the perfect space. Let your crew know if you prefer to be left undisturbed.

Your commitment to living an environmentally friendly life on land is easily transferrable to a charter vacation. The top yacht Owners have put in place onboard sustainability initiatives, from less plastic to carbon offsetting, that reduce the environmental impact of a charter without impacting enjoyment. You can feel reassured that as you enjoy your charter, the yacht’s footprint can be controlled. You can help by agreeing to a number of onboard initiatives, such as reduced linen changes and no (or reduced) bottled water during your charter.