The gift of experiences: personalised yuletide excursions

The heart of the festive season is about spending time with loved ones. While a superyacht charter offers family time, privacy and fun at any time of the year, it's also the ideal platform for hosting personalised yuletide excursions with something for every generation. Whether experiencing new festive traditions for the first time, or set on capturing home comforts at sea, with help from the crew, putting your own unique spin on a Christmas charter is the best gift this year.

Exclusive winter charter destinations

While the pull of the Mediterranean remains a summertime staple, a December yacht holiday is about venturing further afield. The beauty of a personalised yuletide charter is that it can be as festive or as laidback as you choose, starting with your choice of yacht and ending with your dream location.

Explore remote islands for a Christmas ringed in culture and mystery. Head to must-see beaches for those special memories. Feast on festive treats, both familiar and new. Wherever you head on a winter charter, the weather is there with you.

The Cayman Islands

Encompassing three islands in the western Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands is the place to be in the month of December. Join the locals at the beach on Christmas Day morning to sip bubbles or rum in Santa hats before making your way back to the yacht to indulge in a lingering festive lunch. Whether recreating family favourites or celebrating with a fresh seafood platter, it’s guaranteed to be accompanied with brilliant sunshine and a refreshingly cool sea breeze. 

The Maldives

A Maldivian Christmas gifts the freedom to drift from one picturesque atoll to the next. While diving, fishing and surfing are up for grabs, the barefoot allure of whiling away the hours under a coconut palm on a bounty island is too strong for most. That said, it’s also the ideal location for those who prefer a luxe spa pampering every day or an active surf break. Hop from resort to resort to sample what’s on offer, or simply stay on board and enjoy a massage to the sound of waves gently lapping the hull.

Koh Samui

Cast off from Phuket to explore some of Thailand’s 500 islands in the Andaman Sea. By December the rainy season has passed, and you can expect sunny days as you bask on the sun deck of your yacht, snorkel in clement waters or spend your days perfecting your watersports skills. Christmas in Thailand is all about diving, beautiful natural surroundings, and memorable food.

Ko Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, is loved for its sandy beaches, coconut groves and mountainous rainforest. Plan treasure hunts with the kids, host a private beach barbecue or kick back on the yacht after an incredible Christmas Thai curry.

Harbour Island

With more than 700 islands to explore, the island nation of The Bahamas pairs sunshine with cruising grounds that are just a stone’s throw from Miami. Christmas in The Bahamas is celebrated with joyful Junkanoo parades that stretch from Boxing Day to New Year’s morning.

On Harbour Island, swap white snow for pink sands. Enjoy picnic lunches and afternoons spent on deserted beaches. Spend Christmas Day on a remote sand bar with no-one else around aside from dolphins, or head ashore to join in with the colourful cacophony of music, dance and costumes.

How to make your holiday charter bespoke this December

While every superyacht charter is bespoke, it’s time to pull out all the stops at Christmas. Selecting a festive theme is a good place to start and will set the tone across the yacht, from tailored menus and music to games and activities with the crew. If your family have any special traditions, introducing them to the yacht will further the sense that you’re at home while at sea.

Your crew will have a wealth of ideas for entertainment and activities, but putting your own spin on it – including finding a Christmas Eve church service ashore if that’s your preference – will make it truly memorable.

Indulge in a gourmet festive feast

Nothing spells out yuletide fun more than a mouthwatering Christmas feast. In hot climates, cold ham, fresh prawns and salads are typically favoured over a roast, but the choice is yours. To keep it traditional even when the sun is high, request to have Christmas dinner on New Year’s Eve instead.

Get creative with your on board entertainment

For many families, the essence of Christmas is in the pine-fresh aroma of a Norway spruce. When on board a yacht, even artificial trees and floral bouquets can reflect the colour and dynamism of the festive season. Again, customisation is key and using the local area to inspire Christmas-themed decorations and entertainment is a fun way of embracing new horizons. It helps to share the culture and bring a new zest to the holidays, especially when you’re somewhere unique.

Host a private holiday party

A yacht charter is already the perfect platform for hosting the mother of all parties. A festive get together with friends and family is the perfect way to see the New Year in. Make it as low key or high profile as you wish — when on charter, the guest list is always strictly confidential.

Enjoy adventure and relaxation in equal measure this charter season

Kickstart Christmas Day with waterskiing and wakeboarding. Post-brunch, challenge the deck crew to a giant watersports assault course competing in inflatable duals, climbing and diving. In vast contrast, spend an altogether calmer and more intimate family affair on the quiet island of Canouan, an archipelago nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines. A gentle swim and sunbathe is ideal for a restful break.

Christmas Day brunch on the beach

Barbecued turkey puts a special exotic twist on celebrations. In the Caribbean, a Christmas Day brunch on the beach is the main attraction. Be sure to let your yacht chef know of any special requests in terms of provisioning – tinned cranberry sauce is a thing, but it needs to be ordered in advance.

Once you’re back on the boat, why not introduce family cookie recipes for the kids to bake with the chef, and other treats like Christmas puddings, mince pies, and foreign sweet candies.

Have a treasure hunt on a private island

Being aboard a yacht at Christmas provides the freedom to travel and encounter new cultures. In Antarctica, Christmastime is summer, making it a different kind of magical wonderland. These months bring the algae blooms, 24 hours of sunshine and huge numbers of penguins, whales and icebergs. The kids can build snow shelters or go on festive treasure hunts in a kayak along the penguin-lined coastline.

In The Bahamas, a treasure hunt on a deserted island gives the charter a real Robinson Crusoe vibe.

Enjoy your own private wine or spirit tasting

Savour the flavour of a good vintage this year and raise a toast in style. Your yacht’s wine cellar will be stocked to the brim with your favourite tipple, but hosting a private wine or spirit tasting will elevate the entire experience.

Request a wine flight paired with your Christmas Day meal or break open that bottle you’ve been saving all year. There is no better time or place to celebrate than on a yacht surrounded by your favourite people.

Take a personalised tour of the local area

Making the most of your new surroundings is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Whether it’s breath-taking beaches, reserving a table at the Antigua Yacht Club’s Christmas Day Champagne celebration with dancing and live music, or discovering carolling competitions in Barbuda, taking a personalised tour of the local area will get you fully acquainted with your surroundings. In the afternoon, stumble upon festivals and street parades or settle in for an intimate family golf day.

Make your December extra special with the help of Burgess Yachts. Contact a member of our charter team today.