Yet another luxury yacht brokered by Edmiston, the Perla Blu yacht has hit the market. It is a 157ft yacht built in 2005 by Trinity Yachts, it can accommodate up to 10 guests and has sun decks, external eating places and a Jacuzzi as well as a cool swimming pool, and the modern interior design by Peter Knowles is superb!

The listing price is $28 million (down from $29.5 million).

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Perla Blu Yacht for Sale

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As reported yesterday, there are more large yachts on display at the London International Boat Show than ever before, despite fears of a global recession. But to give you the other side of the story, many of the world’s richest have indeed lost fortunes and are now selling their super-yachts.

One of them is Ron Perelman, who once was the richest man of the world. He had an estimated net worth of $12 billion, most of which he made when taking cosmetics company Revlon private in 1985. However, the billionaire has decided to sell off his luxurious super yacht Ultima III.

The 190ft yacht is sold through yacht broker Edmiston with a price close to $70 million. The large boat can accommodate 16 guests, it has several staterooms and a Jacuzzi. In addition, it boasts a stunning sun deck and some other luxury items.

Edmiston is also the broker of some other luxury yachts, including the Irvine Laidlaw’s Lady Christine (named after his wife). Laidlaw has put the 182ft yacht on the market at €45 million.

Also for sale are the Maltese Falcon, owned by venture capitalist Tom Perkins. It is one of the world’s largest privately-owned sailing yachts with a length of 290ft. The sale price is a cool €115m. Then you can also buy the Enterprice V (167ft, $22.5m), Excellence III and a bunch of others.

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Ultima III and other Super-Yachts for Sale

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Enough about mechanics though because Carnival’s got the fun don’t they? Yes sir, they do. The Carnival Elation has three swimming pools. One with a 214 ft water slide! This is where the music is and the pool games. Expect it to be busy the first few days. My favorite pool is the one at the back of the ship on verandah deck because it takes new passengers about 3 days to find it so for the first couple days of your cruise it is uncrowded. The last pool is the kiddie pool on promenade deck at the ship’s aft (back). This pool is a bit like swimming in a toilet with all the babies in their swim diapers-which are not allowed.

If gambling is your thing then head down to the Casablanca casino. There are more than 200 slot machines to choose from including several mega cash machines that are linked with other Carnival ships fleetwide. The biggest jackpot that I have seen was over a million dollars won on the now defunct Carnival Jubilee. I stick to the slots, I figure it’s the quickest way to lose my alloted gambling cash then I can get on with the rest of the cruise. If you are a more sophisticated gambler than I there is also roulette, black jack and Caribbean stud poker to play.

Free drinks on a cruise-impossible you say? Not so. You can attend wine tastings or as we do go to check out the art an hour before the famed art auction where they pass out free wine and cheese. If you have been on more than one cruise with the same line you can attend the past guest party. Don’t dismiss this as a waste of time if you like to drink-the drinks are free and plentiful and all you have to do is watch a short spiel where the cruiseline pats themselves on the back for giving you a great vacation. There is usually one evening where the liquor is free for tasting in the shopping area.

If you are into healthier pursuits then you can head up to the jogging track on the Elation’s Sun deck or to the gym on the Sports deck. The Carnival Elation has a half court basketball court for your enjoyment and they do supply the basketball to play with. Elation has a full service spa onboard. I confess I have never got around to the spa but I know they do offer foot massages for about $20 and everything up to a couples massage for $220. It sounds steep but just imagine how relaxing it would be to have a message and after you don’t have to massage someone else!

For the kids there is Camp Carnival. Our son has gone to Camp Carnival on many many cruises and loves it everytime. The children are divided by age groups and have activities planned for those ages. I recommend that your child goes to the first night where you can sign them up for the camp. There are introduced to each other and socialize a little. It doesn’t mean they ever have to go again and there is no extra charge although we usually tip the staff because they can make of break your kid’s cruise experience. Our son went to an activity called swimming under the stars where the pool was off limits at night except to kids in the program and so they had the pool and slide to themselves. You just drop your kid off for whatever activities they would enjoy. For small children you will be supplied with a pager so the staff can contact you in case your child wants to leave. Their activities take place inside Children’s World which is an area of 2500 sq ft filled with computers and toys and games. Activities for older children take place in different areas on the ship-for example pizza making takes place in Tiffany’s. On the last night there will be a farewell party for the kids. Get there on time or you may not get in. All the children receive a parting gift at this party ie a backpack or CD case.

As for my favorite part, the art of gastronomy there are a myriad of choices. The two formal dining rooms on Carnival Elation are the Inspiration and the Imagination named after sister ships in the fleet. You will be assigned one of these with a specific dining time. I always check the menu early in the day so I can decide if I want to show up at my appointed time or eat elsewhere at my leisure. The other places to eat aboard the Elation are Tiffany’s which is the buffet restaurant that changes the menu everyday and is different for lunch than dinner or the snack bar on Lido deck where fries and burgers are available for lunch. Tiffany’s lunch menu’s are called taste of nations where one day may be Mexican food with salsa and chips and another may be American BBQ where fried chicken and potato salad are offered. There was also Indian and Italian that I can recall. At the far back on the right hand side of Tiffany’s you will find Carnival’s famous pizza being made fresh all the time. You can order a whole pizza and choose you toppings of get a slice fresh from the oven. At the same location deli sandwiches are made. This is a wonderful spot to eat early on in the voyage as your fellow passengers won’t know about this yet therefore there will be no lining up for you.

Sushi is served on promenade deck every evening. There was no raw fish (Sashimi) the week we sailed but many varieties of fresh made before your eyes sushi to select from. Of course Wasabi and pickled ginger and soy sauce were all available as well. There is also never a sushi line I presume because no one seems to realize that this also is included in your cruise fare. Needless to say we went there every single evening. Tortillas chips and salsa were served on Promenade deck on Mexican day in the evening while a mariachi band played for us.

Room service, room service how do I love thee, let me count the ways. Room service is free but a tip is in order. Pretzels or chips can come with any sandwich- a tasty midnight snack. Room service was always speedy and correct. You can also order cookies, “crudites”, fruit and salad. At your service 24 hours a day.

If you need to keep in touch the Internet cafe offers internet usage at 75 cents a minute and different packages up to 250 minutes for 40 cents a minute. You can bring your own laptop and use it in the cafe but not in your cabin on the Elation. You pay for usage whether you use theirs or your though. Not sure if that makes it worth lugging it around.

Speaking of cabins, we had an ocean view cabin category 6C. We had three people on the cabin and we fit comfortably. This ship has only 26 demi suites (category11) and 28 suites (category12). It really doesn’t matter to me which deck as there are elevators to take you up and down.

Virtual World video game arcade is right beside the Mikado lounge-a perfect spot to let your teen hang out while you catch one of the Las Vegas style shows in the lounge. There are the usual driving games and shooting games. The video games take tokens that are bought right inside the arcade. You can use your sign and sail card to buy tokens. At some point during your cruise there will be a video game tournament for the kids in this case the games are free. It is part of the Camp Carnival program.

The Mikado lounge is where all the shows take palce. There was a comedy show, a magician, a hypnotist, dancing show girls-rated G. There are musical shows too. The week I sailed there was a special guest announced at he end of one musical show. After much preamble Mr Stevie Wonder was brought onto the stage. People went running from the lounge theater to get their friends and family to see Stevie Wonder. There was screaming that I thought only the Beatles could elicit. Being a pale face from Canada I’m not too clear on the likeness of Mr Wonder but I was pondering which cabin would Stevie Wonder stay in On the Carnival Elation. Don’t get me wrong the Carnival Elation is a nice ship but someone of this caliber on my ship , how could it be? The lights dimmed, I could hardly see. As I stepped forward to get a better look at our famous shipmate I fell down the stairs. I tumbled head over heals down several flights. Not one person turned or helped me up so enthralled were they to catch a glimpse of this celebrity. In the end “Stevie” took his wig off so that it may be revealed that it was only a celebrity impersonator. Everyone groaned that they knew it all along and they were never fooled. The next day I looked like I had a run in with the UFC star Tito Ortiz.

The Mark Twain library is a bit of a misnomer. There doesn’t seem to be a convenient way to get at any books so bring your own. It is beautiful and usually quiet.

Romeo and Juliet lounge is an elegantly styled room which was used for private parties some nights and for karaoke on others. Salsa dancing was a popular evening activity here.

The Cole Porter lounge has folk and country music playing and dancing. I only passed by here on my way to the ocean facing massaging chairs. Duke’s is the piano bar named after the talented Duke Ellington. It is a jazz club with a striking entrance modelled on the Triumphal Arch from Washington Square park. This is an ideal place for photos around the white baby grand piano. We saw a wedding reception being held here. The Jekyll and Hyde disco is the place to party. Monitors show your fellow cruise mates dancing to the scintillating beat. The giant Jekyll and Hyde heads move to the music too-a bit creepy but cool after you’ve had a couple drinks.

The Carnival Elation is a gorgeous ship. Somewhat muted by Carnival standards. It’s decor is of copper and inlaid woods. If you are hesitant to try Carnival Cruise Lines then this is the ship to try first. The service was second to none. The price of a Carnival cruise is always reasonable but by booking way in advance, about eight months we got an even better deal some would call it a cheap cruise. Don’t be scared off by Carnival’s old reputation for being a bunch of party ships. They are The Fun Ships after all. There is partying for sure if you want it but there are dozens of places to read or sit quietly on the Carnival Elation. Nothing is more peaceful than sitting on a chair atop the teak deck on the Carnival Elation looking out at the ocean passing slowly by. Whatever your concept of fun is they offer it. Believe them when they say Carnival’s got the fun.

A Carnival Elation Cruise is the experience of a lifetime. With the soft powdery beaches and duty free shopping, Caribbean cruises continue to grow in popularity. In fact, the Caribbean is one of the most popular cruise destinations of all cruises worldwide.

To learn more please visit => http://www.cruise-travel-review.com or post your own reviews at =>http://www.cruise-travel-review.com/forums

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Childs

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Carnival Elation Cruise Review

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This year there are more large yachts on display than last year. For example, there is a 111-foot Sunseeker yacht priced at more than $10,000,000. But the highlight of the show is another Sunseeker, namely the 121-foot Sunseeker tri-deck luxury yacht valued at around $17 million.

It is kind of strange that everybody seems to be complaining about today’s economic situation being bad, and yet it is more profitable than ever for the ship builders to build and sell their high-priced mega yachts to their customers. Those customers might not be as affected by the credit crunch as you would have thought. At the very least, they still enjoy a high-class lifestyle, and that is what makes this year’s International Boat Show in London a big success, which will hopefully pay off for the ship yards and designers in the end, so that they will have even more nice yachts for us next year!

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Expensive Yachts at Boat Show, despite Credit Crunch

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The current owner, Cindy McGrail, said the yacht became too big a commitment for her family. The McGrails would like the yacht to stay in Britain, which is too bad considering that this way they might not get offers from international buyers who would otherwise have been interested in the prestigious 63-foot vessel.

The yacht was once valued just under $1.5 million; today’s sale price is unknown as of this writing.

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Prince Charles’ old Yacht For Sale

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Basra Breeze is a 269-ft. motor yacht, but its interior is outdated, according to the London Times. This means the buyer will have to invest millions more to get the 1981 yacht fully back in shape. Still, the interior is pure luxury:

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Saddam Hussein’s Yacht for Sale

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Corsica’s average of 250-300 days of sunshine per year (April - October being the sunniest) is the highest in France, and as a general rule, the northern part of the island is warmer than the south. You can find all types of yachts to charter on Corsica - bareboat, skippered, crewed, catamaran, sailboat, motoryacht and luxury yachts. The island is easy to get to. There are 4 airports - the Campo dell Oro Airport in Ajaccio, Poretta Airport in Bastia, Calvi (in Calvi), and Figari (in Figari) - as well as ferry service from France (Marseille, Toulon and Nice) and Italy (Genoa and Livomo). Of course, if you charter a yacht in France or Italy, you’ll be arriving on your own boat. Corsica is about a day’s sail, or 3-4 hours by motor yacht, from the French Riviera.

Port towns on the island include Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the capital of Corsica. It is located on the west coast and home to the both the largest airport and harbor on the island. Bastia, on the northeastern coast, is Corsica’s largest. The old town was built around the harbor and it is the most picturesque port on the island. Bastia is also known for its wines. Porto Vecchio on the south coast is the most sophisticated resort on Corsica and sees many Italian tourists in the summer months. It is known for its quaint, Genoese walled old town and its many, beautiful beaches. Calvi (rumored to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus) on the east coast is simply stunning with its beautiful port (lined with bars and restaurants), towering citadel and 4-mile sandy beach where jet skiing, windsurfing, waterskiing and paragliding are popular pastimes. There are also plenty of private little coves if you are looking for something a bit more intimate. Bonifacio, just 7.4 miles north of Sardinia, sits high on a limestone peninsula at the southernmost tip of Corsica, and absolutely has to be approached from the sea in order to fully appreciate its jawdropping setting. There are plenty of sandy beaches, grottoes and caves in this area, and don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Lavezzi islands, which are part of the nature reserve “Bouches de Bonifacio”.

There are of course many, many more ports, towns and villages to explore all over the island, but these will give you a starting point, and hopefully inspiration to start planning your next chartered yacht trip to Corsica.

This is a guest post by Cattie, who writes about luxury yacht charter and how to choose the right one for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cattie_Coyle

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Luxury Yacht Charter in the Mediterranean - Corsica

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All this luxury usually floats in one of the world’s paradises, be it the Caribbean Islands, the French or Italian Riviera, Sardinia, Greece, Spain or lesser known but equally enchanting areas of Asia, Australia, South America or Africa. It is common for a Super Yacht to spend the summer in Mediterranean hot spots and then cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean for the winter, to hop between St Barts, St Lucia, St Martin, Martinique and/or the Grenadines.

All of this luxury can also be yours. The Super Yacht charter market is growing fast, with more and more gorgeous yachts being launched every year. You don’t have to be named Onassis or Armani to be on their boats! And the costs need not be only for the super rich. If you divide the price of a Super Yacht by two or three couples, often the prices work out the equivalent to what you would spend at a Five Star Resort.

Chartering a Super Yacht

Many people are a bit intimidated about chartering a Super Yacht - there are lots of terms and customs that they don’t understand. But there is no need to be! Chartering a Super Yacht is really no different than booking a luxury hotel, in fact it’s easier because your broker will do the work for you (for no charge)! Here are some tips about chartering a Super Yacht:

Plan your holiday or event.

The most important thing you can do for us is to give your broker as much firm detail as possible for what you are looking for. The “W”s come to mind:

Who will be going (how many cabins required, children, etc.)

Where do you want to charter (where will you be flying into, sites you want to see),

What type of yacht do you want - Motor, Sail, Classic, Modern

What is your general budget;

Why are you chartering - Holiday, Event, Family Gathering, Business Meeting.

The more of the above questions you can answer, the better the broker will be able to find you the perfect boat.

Book Early.

The best Yachts are booked 6 months or more in advance. If you want a summer holiday charter in the Mediterranean you should start thinking about it in November and try to book by the end of January. If you’re looking for a winter holiday in the Caribbean it’s best to plan it during the summer.

Look at Several Alternatives and Ask Questions.

This is the fun part! First, familiarize yourself with the types of yachts available by surfing some of the more popular yacht charter web sites. You’ll soon spot the types of yachts that appeal to you (sailing vs motor, classic vs chic, etc.) and the costs that are associated with these choices. Then look for a broker who you like working with (you should get GREAT service from an online broker, or switch to someone else). The broker will normally provide you with online brochures of 4-5 yachts that meet your criteria. This is the time to dream, ask questions, and make sure you are getting the yacht you desire. Your broker can often visit the yacht and speak with the crew, and help you plan your itinerary or assure that the crew understands your specific needs. No question is too small - you are making a substantial purchase so make sure you get exactly what you want!

The Crew makes the Charter.

Even if you find the perfect yacht, it’s the crew that makes for the most spectacular charters. Some crews are traditional and formal, some more relaxed and fun loving. Your charter broker will be able to provide you with a crew profile, and in many cases will have already met them in person and can tell you if the crew is a good fit for your needs.

Charter costs.

The general charter fee you pay rents you the boat and the services of the crew for your stated charter period. Unless stated otherwise, Food, drink, and fuel will be extra. There will normally be mooring fees and possibly fees for scuba, water toys and communications. To facilitate this process and build trust, the industry has developed the Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) system. The Charter Operator estimates the expenses that will be incurred, depending on your itinerary (usually 20% to 30% of the charter fee) which is paid by you up front. This provides a bank account for the Captain, who makes expenditures on your behalf and keeps accurate records. At the end of the charter, they will refund you the difference, or ask you to pay more to cover any shortfall.

Tipping is not obligatory, but common practice on Super Yachts - normally 5% - 20% of the charter price on a sliding scale depending on how great you thought the crew was.

Normally, you will be asked to pay 1/2 of the charter fee upon signature, and 1/2 approximately 30 days before the charter. For obvious reasons, the charter will not begin until all payments are made.

Other Useful Information.

One you’ve booked, you will normally be asked to fill out a passenger list (with people’s likes and dislikes, allergies, and any special needs), desired itinerary form and provisioning requests. Please fill these out and return as soon as you can - they’re critical to your overall satisfaction.

Super Yachts normally use a MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) contract that is designed to standardise charter terms and protect both the Charterer and Owner. It has standard protections and escalation clauses in case there are problems. Your broker can send you one prior to making decisions if you want to familiarise yourself with the terms.

You should also know that, once booked, you have signed a legally binding contract. You are obligated by law to pay the entire charter amount regardless of whether you actually board the yacht. In exceptional cases, you may be able to cancel, but monies will be refunded only if the yacht can be chartered to another client. Because of this, many clients purchase insurance against cancellation.

Yacht Types

Motor yachts are generally categorised by Length (30, 40, 50 meter), number of cabins, manufacturer (Benetti, Feadship, Sunseeker, Dubois, Rodriguez) and propulsion type (sail vs. motor). A S/Y is a Sailing Yacht, a M/Y is a motor yacht. Each manufacturer has its own style, from a Rodriguez sleek Mangusta to the classic looks of a Benetti.

Charter Locations

You can charter a Super Yacht on virtually any sea. The standard cruising areas for these Yachts tend to be the Western Mediteranean, normally starting from one of the famous French Riviera ports such as Cannes, Antibes, St Tropez or Monaco. Corsica and Sardinia are hugely popular cruising areas, as is the lovely Italian Riviera. Naples/Amalfi Coast, Capri and the beautiful island of Sicily are also popular if you want an Italian flavor. To the West, you have the Spanish destinations including Barcelona, the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza and the Costa del Sol. Crusing the Greek Islands provides a the famous mixture of beauty, history, culture, food and tranquility, and Croatia is the up-and-coming hot Mediterranean destination with its hundreds of beautiful and secluded islands.

A SuperYacht holiday in the Caribbean or Bahamas is also legendary. Hot spots these days are St Barth’s, Anguilla, St Martin, and Barbados. We’re also seeing many more exotic locations - Alaska Wildlife Adventures, Patagonia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos, even Antartica. Your broker can arrange an itinerary for any of the above destinations, on a yacht that is specially selected for your needs.

If you’d like to learn more about Super Yacht Charter, feel free to contact the friendly yacht charter agents at Boatbookings.com or any broker of your choice.

This is a guest post by Tom Virden, who is a 25 year veteran of computer and internet companies including Apple, Netscape and lastminute.com. He is currently founder and Managing Director of Boatbookings.com, a leading online charter company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Virden

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

All About Chartering a Super Yacht

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Lürssen is going to deliver a total of 5 superyachts in 2008. Inter alia: Martha Ann (70m), Bounty Hunter (60m), Bermuda (77m) and, of course, Mad Summer (79m). Lürssen is also planning to deliver a 150m yacht this year.

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

Mad Summer Superyacht Trial

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The Starfire luxury charter yacht, which is currently owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn, has been put up for sale. The 178-ft. yacht, which was originally built by Benetti in 1998, has undergone two refits in 2002 and 2004. Today, the high-end motor yacht has an extravagant Art Deco interior with a bar, dining room, 6 cabins and bathrooms with a jacuzzi bath tub.

The Starfire yacht chartered for $196,000 to $250,000 per week. Now it can be yours forever: Yacht broker Northrop & Johnson is selling it for $37.5 million.

More photos after the fold.

Copyright (C) 2009 by OceanYachts.info. All Rights Reserved.

For Sale: Starfire Charter Yacht

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