Choosing the right yacht for you

The most popular charter yachts are designed for maximum enjoyment and holistic living, with current trends leaning towards indoor/outdoor living, multi-use deck areas, private owners’ decks, and dedicated wellness and entertainment areas. Burgess charter experts explain what layout elements to look out for when choosing the right yacht for your next charter.

Indoor/outdoor living 

One of the most popular trends to be found on recent superyacht builds are layouts that bring the outside in and vice versa. Blending the indoor and outdoor experience enhances the feeling of being on the water, while at the same time adding to the holistic, relaxed atmosphere. This can be achieved by balconies and sea terraces found in the master cabin and even some VIP cabins, and more and more new designs feature floor to ceiling glass doors that allow the sky lounge or upper deck areas to open seamlessly onto the aft deck lounging and dining.

Formal and informal dining

Formal dining areas are rarely used, however, it is important to ensure that there is a dedicated indoor dining room somewhere on board should you run into inclement weather. Many charterers also find them useful for holding business meetings, or getting some work done somewhere quiet. Most dining experiences on board take advantage of the surroundings and the warm climate, so al fresco dining areas need to fit and seat the maximum number of guests that might be cruising on board during your charter.

Multi-use spaces 

Along with the trend for indoor/outdoor layouts, the need for large outdoor deck spaces with flexible uses has also increased in popularity. From spacious dining and relaxation areas, outdoor cinemas, and fitness and wellness areas, many of the typically less used spaces of a yacht, such as the foredeck, are now being used as additional recreational areas.

We are also seeing a trend for multipurpose areas, such as pools that turn into an al fresco cinema with screens set up above the pool, or a beach club by day that becomes an al fresco dining area by night.

Flexible accommodation  

Many charter yachts offer flexible layouts, with convertible cabins to suit several different accommodation requirements. These include double cabins that can be converted into twins, two doubles that can be converted into a VIP suite, a twin cabin that has extra pullman berths for children or cabins for nannies or security staff. Every cabin will feature an en-suite bathroom, while many yachts have a master suite for the principal charterer, usually located on the main deck but sometimes on the upper deck to take advantage of the better views. A handful of charter yachts also offer two master suites or a VIP suite that rivals the master. Should there be two principal charterers in your party then this layout avoids the question of who gets the master cabin.

Whether a motor yacht or a sailing yacht, the layout is certainly a factor to consider when planning your next charter.