The Zero Speed Superyacht

Equip a superyacht with Zero Speed Stabilisation and a Dynamic Positioning device and you have in fact a yacht that stays in one spot and does not roll or pitch.

Estate Agents and Realtors have names for that sort of thing and they generally sound like: Villas by the Sea, Second Homes or Country House Estates.

When it comes to superyachts and luxury villas there is in fact a lot more in common than at first meets the eye.

Take for example some of the newly built Estate Homes on Jumby Island and idyllic haven off the coast of Antigua.  There, homes are for sale or rental through resident agents whose work more resembles that of a superyacht broker than anything else.

Like yachts, homes come with their own crew or staff.  A housekeeper instead of a chief steward, gardeners and handymen instead of deckhands.  The chef remains the same but there is no real equivalent for a Captain shore side.

When we toured the island with Realtor Andrew Robson we were shown two splendid examples of homes to buy along with many others available to rent.  Or should we call that Charter?

White Night BBQ at Jumby Bay

Off to the BBQ

On Sunday wait until it gets dark, put on something white and make your way down to the beach.  Take off your shoes and let the soft sand massage your feet as you walk barefoot across the white beach to the sounds of Da Vibz, a local steel drum band playing calypso music.

Its BBQ night at Jumby Bay and attendees are in for a delightful gastronomic treat.

Of the many beach BBQs we have eaten this was perhaps the best we have eaten since we were at Soneva Ghili in the Maldive Islands.  Believe us when we say there have been a fair few BBQs between then and now!

Among the delights on offer from three separate serving stations were:

• Seafood Salad of Clams, Shrimp and Tuna 
• Platter of King Crab and Crevettes

 For the main courses there were plates of:

• Mahi Mahi served in a Creole Sauce
• Chicken Curry with Coconut and Spinach Rice.

 On the Grill there were

• Pork Spare Ribs
• Lamb Racks
• Fillet Steak
• Shrimp Kebabs
• Local Lobster
• Chicken

But perhaps the highest praise must go to the resort's pastry chefs who produced a desert table to die for.  In fact our recommendation is to check it out first and then pace your self at the first two serving stations!

Sense Spa at Jumby Bay

One sure way to relax and unwind is to enjoy a spa treatment.  Sense, the Rosewood Spa at Jumby Bay, fulfilled this perfectly.  

I love a massage but for total indulgence it has to be a proper facial.

I chose the Neem Healing facial as it is perfectly designed to soothe and purify even the most delicate skin.

Extracts of the neem tree, which grows on Jumby Bay Island, are combined with soothing oils.  It is designed to heal, hydrate, restore and firm sensitive or irritated skin and balance its youthful glow.  

I am not sure about looking more youthful but I certainly felt great afterwards, properly relaxed and unwound too.

Revelling in luxury in Jumby Bay

Look on any official map issued by the Antigua Barbuda Tourism Authority and you will see it is called Long Island. 

To well heeled travellers and the cognisant it is better known as Jumby Bay Island, home to one of the most palatial and luxurious resorts in the Caribbean. It is also a naturalist's haven noted for its lush landscape, stately palm trees, protected nesting site for the endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle and three superb beaches.

Nestled two miles off the coast of Antigua, set on a 300-acre private island, the resort run by Rosewood casts a spell of serene enchantment.  It is the most perfect place to repair to after an exhausting week exploring superyachts available for charter.

The island has been claimed by royalty, possessed by smugglers, and in 1915, owned by an unusually free-spirited, pipe-smoking woman.  Now it is a secluded and all-inclusive hideaway accessible only by private boat from the mainland or by superyacht.  

The resort has just 40 beautifully refurbished rooms and suites, each suite an oasis of luxury embodying the island's stylish good taste. The rest of the island has small collection of privately owned luxury villas and estates some available for rent through Jumby Bay.

We revelled in luxury in a Rosewood Estate Suite. 
This gorgeous one-bedroom suite is huge, light, bright and airy with fabulous views across its own private infinity-edge pool to the Caribbean Sea.

A private courtyard, with pottery fountain and separate office, leads into the vaulted ceiling, spacious and comfortable living room. The huge and very comfortable bed in the master bedroom begs to be enjoyed for long luxurious lie-ins. 

A dressing area and large bathroom with indoor shower lead off here and in to the garden in a secluded walled courtyard.  This outdoor area includes a large rain shower and our favourite feature, a deep pedestal tub for wallowing under the stars.

With your own pool, big comfortable sun loungers, huge flat screen TV, iPod dock, fridge filled with drinks, a Nespresso coffee machine and in-room dinning you need never leave your private haven.

Forget the World, Find Hermitage Bay

A view from our suite in the early morning

Avid environmentalist, Andy Thesen and his business partner, Jamaican born Andrew Michelin, set out to build the most beautiful of secluded hideaways in Antigua.  They embarked on a project, which has created a perfect all inclusive haven hotel.

As the name suggests, Hermitage Bay is truly a place of peace and tranquillity. Here man-made noises are minimized so that the natural noises prevail: the waves on the beach, the breeze in the trees, and the chatter of the birds. Add a location well off the beaten track on Antigua and you have the perfect antidote to modern, hectic life.

The hotel practises a "reduce, reuse and recycle" policy.  It also makes a conscientious effort to use natural detergents and beauty products, employ solar energy technologies, and source locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables.

SuperYacht Exuma at anchor off Hermitage Bay

Hermitage Bay ensures that the comforts of home are readily available, ultimately providing the best of both worlds. The hotel has just twenty-five suites. They truly feel enchanting and mix essential Antiguan style with understated elegance. Eight Beachfront Cottages are located on the edge of the white sand beach and in the gardens just beneath the hillside. 

The remaining seventeen cottages are Hillside Pool Suites where we stayed. Scaling four tiers of the hillside, each of these suites has truly awe-inspiring panoramas of the Caribbean Sea and lush landscapes that surrounds Hermitage Bay.

The dense foliage and flowering vines that entwine our suite’s dark lattice fencing shield the private sundeck, seating, double day bed and plunge pool from neighbouring suites and passers-by. But it is the view we love best.

The luxurious bedroom includes a huge bed covered with an enchanting mosquito net.  An essential additional if, like us, you leave the suite open onto the terrace, to enjoy the magical view from the bed, when you awake in the morning.

Add abundant cupboard space, fridge filled with a personalised selection of drinks, an iPod dock, ensuite bathroom with huge bath and outside shower and you have an ideal spot for lovers to enjoy

Leaving our suite is difficult, but the private beach and the warm Caribbean waters beckon. Add a very talent chef who mixes Caribbean cuisine in an inspired fusion, a barman who knows how to mix a mean cocktail and you have a hotel that is even more difficult to leave.

Antigua Charter Yacht Show Sailing Day

Maltese Falcon and Necker Belle leaving Falmouth Harbour

This year the Antigua Charter Yacht Show has been extended by one day. It gives charter brokers and yachting journalists the opportunity to sample a mini or micro charter.

On Saturday morning we drove back to Falmouth. Frances joined the four masted Phocea and Michael boarded the catamaran Necker Belle. We both set sail from Falmouth Harbour onto a well behaved sea and 15 knots of wind.

Captain Chris Gartner of the three masted Perini Navi Maltese Falcon was away ahead of us, hoisting his square sails at the harbour entrance. One by one he rounded on departing yachts circling each of them in a wonderful demonstration of what a superb sailing machine she is.

Necker Belle approaching Carlisle Bay

Richard Kellett, Captain of Necker Belle lost little time in hoisting her main and headsail. She was creaming along at nearly 10 knots herself when Maltese Falcon shot past under full sail to starboard and cheekily crossed ahead.

Phocea made a slower departure, her deep draught demanding caution in the shallow waters around her berth. With consummate skill Captain Juergen Mais took us off the dock and into deeper waters to raise the sails. We might have been last to leave but we were first to arrive in Carlisle Bay .

No sooner was the anchor down than everyone was in the water for a pre-lunch swim. The diving board on Necker Belle was put to good use with guests gleefully, and at times gracefully, entering the warm blue water.

Phocea departing Carlisle Bay and raising her sails

Lunch in the sun aboard Phocea was a five course feast, splendidly presented by Chef Alexander Frey and sous Chef Rogelio Gantuangco. Aboard Necker Belle it was a more casual, but no less delicious buffet. After lunch all the yachts sailed back to Falmouth and we returned to Hermitage Bay.

Maltese Falcon and Necker Belle charter through Burgess, and Phocea through Fraser Yachts.

Staying at Hermitage Bay Hotel

It is time for us to move from our rented apartment on Horsfield Hill to the wonderfully all-inclusive resort at Hermitage Bay.

This five star resort is in the north east of the island. It is best visited by SuperYacht or a four wheel drive vehicle as the approach road is “unadopted”.

At anchor off the hotel’s beautiful golden beach, illuminated like a fairy castle, was St Ekaterina, the 60 metre Benetti built as Xanadu. She is still available for charter through Camper & Nicholsons International.

The resort consists of luxury chalets on the beach and the hill side. It is definitely amongst the top hotel on the island and of special note is the food.

Far too many Caribbean hotels and restaurants ignore island cuisine, fearing that visitors might not like Callaloo or Salt Fish and Aki. Here at Hermitage they show no such reluctance, fusing Caribbean flavours, cultures and ingredients into meals fit for five star restaurants around the world.

Add to that the well trained attentive staff, whose discreet service is a model for others to follow and you have a recipe for a perfect all-inclusive hotel

Fifth Day of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

Silver Cloud at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

One of the more intriguing of yachts here at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show is Silver Cloud the 41 metre SWATH yacht built by Abeking Rasmussen.

Built for world exploration. She is the complete opposite in style, looks and characteristics of Exuma the Picchiotti yacht reviewed by us in a recent edition of SuperYacht World.

Where Exuma is long lean and slippery Silver Cloud is wide and chunky. The hull of Exuma is finished to a silvered sheen in which you can see your face. The dark blue hulls of Silver Cloud are an unfared finish, reminiscent of the commercial craft she was built to mimic.

Both are however the pride and joy of their respective owners and both were here at the show with their yachts. Despite having so very much in common with each other, neither had met the other and we very, very honoured to make introductions.

Exuma is available for charter through Fraser Yachts whilst Silver Cloud can be chartered through Camper & Nicholsons International

Fourth Day of Antigua Charter Yacht Show

From the Crow's Nest aboard Marie

The day begins well with an invitation from Fraser Yachts for breakfast aboard the 75 metre Phocea, the long skinny sailing yacht with 4 masts.

It is only when you get on board do you realise quite how wrong you have been to classify this beautiful yacht in such a nonchalant way.

Her interior is so well done it is almost timeless in design and execution. Light and airy with limed oak bulkheads she is a delight with all accommodation on the main deck.

The Master cabin is enormous and forward of it a walk in wardrobe with enough shelves for shoes to satisfy Imelda Marcus.

On deck the crew were fighting a loosing battle with those trying to sit down to a sumptuous looking breakfast. It was a case of first there stayed there leaving others to walk away somewhat enviously.

Lunch for Frances was deliciously, served by the attentive crew aboard 66 metre Natita (ex Dilbar) where she was the guest of Burgess. The 72 metre Kogo another yacht managed by the same agent was the subject of an afternoon tour. The crew of this boat really know and understand the meaning of service. They have taken it to a whole new level.

On display with Peter Insull Yacht Marketing, the 58 metre Islander became famous as a motor sailer. She is likely to become an equally famous motor yacht now that she has had her mast removed. Her Captain and crew hosted a delightful cocktail party for guests in Falmouth Marina. After leaving her we walked down to English Harbour for that marina’s Yacht Hop.

Stars of the evening included the 55 metre Feadship Illusion from Edmiston and Solemates from the Luxury Yacht Group. The upper deck of this brand new 60 metre Lurssen superyacht converts from a gymnasium by day into a disco at night and it was put to very good use. Be sure to see our feature on the beautiful yacht in the next issue of SuperYacht World

Third Day at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

Alice in Wonderland came to Lazy J last night

Walking the docks today we make another very special find. Diamond A is the new name for a new 57 metre yacht.

Except she is not new at all and was in fact built as Ultima III by Abeking Rasmussen in 1998 for the US investor Ron Perelman the very, very secretive superyacht owner who became renowned for not allowing access to his yacht to any but his very close friends.

Well now brokers can board her and walk her newly refitted interior, because the yacht is for charter through Hill Robinson.

We get many invitations to take lunch aboard superyachts at shows. Most come from brokers, but it was a special honour to learn that we had been invited to lunch aboard Exuma by her Owner. He loved our article about the yacht in a recent edition of SuperYacht World. Over lunch he told us of his plans to take the yacht far and wide and throughout her two year plus circumnavigation. She will be available for charter through Fraser Yachts. As the owner said “Travel, travel, travel” especially off the beaten track.

Wednesday was Yacht Hop night at Antigua Yacht Club Marina and many of the yachts have decorated in a special theme to make their yacht special.

Highlights included: Sweet Escape and Lazy J from Northrop and Johnson, Teleost and Tiara from Edmiston with Silver Cloud and Panthalasa from Camper and Nicholson. Time for Us a beautiful classic lined sailing yacht from Ocean Independence was very busy but we simply did not have time to visit them all.

Second Day of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

The heavens opened and poured tropical rain on to the sunshine isle of Antigua on day two of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show.

With the morning dampened there was a slow start to broker activity on the docks. But we braved the rain and started to explore the many yachts berthed on the Falmouth Marina Docks.

Necker Belle the catamaran now owned by Richard Branson and marketed for charter through Burgess Yachts was our first port of call. Her crew taking pity on two somewhat drenched journalists, showed us around this newly refitted yacht. Her permanent, year round, base will be Necker Island in the BVI.

Maltese Falcon is on the same dock and is as splendid as ever. Today Islander the former motor sailing catamaran made her appearance sans masts. She now boasts the distinction of being one of the very few yachts to have had the gender change from sailing yacht to motor yacht.

Lunch was aboard the magnificent ketch Marie hosted by Fraser Yachts with an all-star cast of top brokers. Ten of us sat around for a spectacular lunch that only goes to prove how many talented chefs there are in the Super Yacht World.

Afternoon visits included our boarding Eros. Built in 1937 she has an amazing history including a long restoration with many years in pieces on the floor of a Californian shipyard. Now fully restored to her former glory this yacht once owned by Stavros Niachos is available through Camper& Nicholson.

Andreas L the former Amnesia was named after the famous charter yacht owner Andreas Livereas. His equally charismatic son Dion was our host for a wonderful cocktail hour.

Frances was privileged to enjoy a wonderful 5 course dinner served aboard Solemates the newest charter launching from Lurssen. The crew, led by Captain Glynn Smith, perfectly demonstrated the top level of service found on a charter of this calibre.

Michael meanwhile was in Falmouth Harbour particicpating in their Yacht Hop hosted by IYC and Nicholson Yachts. Among the more popular yachts there was the famous Casino Royale and Atalantica both managed by IYC and the Cari Ali from Nicholson Yachts. Maltese Falcon put on a head turning show by turning a lower sail into a huge movie screen showing Avatar at a mind boggling size.

First Day at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show

On the Dock, Antigua Yacht Club Marina

The first day of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show was mainly overcast and once or twice we even had some "liquid sunshine" - rain to anyone not from the Caribbean. Still it failed to dampened the enthusiasm of the crew aboard any of the participating yachts.

We were at the Show bright and early to register and visit English Harbour. Here larger than usual motoryacht are alongside among them Soulmates from Luxury Yacht Group and Andreas L the former Amnesia.

Clearly this is an attempt to spread the charter brokers among the three Marinas hosting the 100 odd yachts here at the show.

The weather in Europe has played havoc with the arrival of yachts and indeed of brokers. Among the yacht is not attending are:

• Cocktails
• Mirabella III
• Natita II
• Odyssey
• Resilience
• Stop the Press
• Northlander.

The list of boats we did not expect to see however is much larger and among the new entries are

• Blind Date
• El Jefe
• Go
• Islander
• Lady Joy
• Newvida
• Ocean Emerald
• Perseverance II
• Sun Ark
• Silver Cloud

Lunch on board the 40 metre Sweet Escape, managed by Northrop and Johnson, was delightful and the highlight of today.

Captain Paulo is young charismatic and bounding with energy. It is so easy to see why he has a staggering percentage of repeating clients. Over 80% of them return time and time again to charter with him and his very loyal well trained crew.

Pre Antigua Charter Show

The view from our apartment

Flying to Antigua with British Airways from Gatwick Airport at those times when major boat shows are taking place around the world is never an easy task.

The plane is always full, spare seats are few if not unavailable. But the up side is that on getting to the departure lounge you discover you know about 30% of the rest of the passengers. Networking begins early!

Landing in Antigua we joined the impossibly long immigration queue. It zig-zaged its way lazily towards the desk giving us the perfect opportunity to meet and greet old friends - brokers, managers and other superyacht professionals from around the world.

Yes in the usual airport mess up the international flights from USA and UK all landed at exactly the same time. The airport handling facilities were completely overwhelmed, lucky everyone was cheerful.

One hour later we were clear of the airport having collected rental car. We made our way to Horsefield Hill where we have rented an apartment with stunning views over the Falmouth Harbour and part of the Show.

We went to sleep listening to the delightful sounds of the Caribbean fauna night. We woke with the dawn light to a glorious sunrise ready to enjoy the Antigua Charter Yacht Show.