31 May 2013

M/Y Ulysses – A Class Act Protected by Griffins

Motor yacht Ulysses
Griffins, birds, lions, faces, all in galvanized bronze, decorate the sun and upper deck of M/Y Ulysses, and Captain Jorgen Gormsen, or known to his crew as Gorm, speaks of the instant wow factor when she turns up in port or off Pampelonne beach with her beautiful black hull. “When we park up, generally other boats like to be around us; we are different.” The owner said “the Griffins are heraldic symbols,” which “act as guardians and minders….caretakers of the boat.”
As we follow the chief stewardess Amy into the salon of this voluminous 56m Benetti yacht, a shiver goes up your back; you know you are in for a surprise. And there are lots of pleasant surprises aboard M/Y Ulysses even after a classical welcome from a 113 year old Steinway that plays itself. The secret hair washing station, the lift down to the guest cabins, the marble steam room, the pizza oven on the sun deck, and the cinema room in front of an impressive master suite also continue to excite. The sun deck is different. It is vast but somehow also private at the same time. Amy talks of guests spending long lazy days up here. You do get the feeling you are on top of the world, and the BBQ, pizza oven, Jacuzzi, amply stocked bar, and couches that go on and on, help to keep you there as the conservative and professional staff continually serve your every need. Some boats are fun, but M/Y Ulysses is a class act. The crew members are soft, conservative with a pleasantly dry sense of humour. You know you will be looked after at the highest level with a ‘stay calm and carry on’ attitude. I think the boat suits executive class guests, groups of friends and maybe an older generation. Will kids have lots of fun? Probably, they have a huge inventory of the best toys available for fishing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, waterskiing, jetskiing, and snorkelling. Built by Benetti in 2012, the Ulysses yacht boasts all the latest technology and accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, all ensuite and it’s brand new. As you hop from yacht to yacht at the Genoa charter yacht show it is apparent that M/Y Ulysses is one of the best. The rooms on Ulysses are large and spacious with a beautiful wooden veneer that apparently comes from one huge old German tree – the magic tree as it is known. Food is eclectic from Shane Wyatt, who has worked with Gorm the captain for 9 years, and guests can order anything they desire with all the best ingredients available. An obvious hit with the Russians, Ulysses charters year-round in the Mediterranean, mainly in the south of France and Italy during the summer. She is already booked for 5 weeks this summer and a week in the Caribbean but is available for June, 1st week of July, end of August and September. Gorm, as his crew endearingly call him, will make the Atlantic crossing in November. High season yacht charter price is 280,000€/week.