School’s out for the summer

A superyacht is the perfect base for a family holiday, offering privacy, security and all the benefits of a five-star hotel, but actually ON the water. With endless activities for children, impeccable service from an intuitive crew and exquisite, tailor-made cuisine, all that’s left for parents to do is sit back and relax while the kids have fun.  

Endless entertainment

Whether it’s a magical cinema under the stars on day beds, or a dedicated movie theatre with reclining chairs, many superyachts in the Burgess fleet can provide a full silver screen experience for all the family. The 56.4m (185ft) MY SEANNA, for example, boasts an outdoor cinema screen, waterfall jacuzzi and beach club area with access to a plethora of watersports equipment. Inside, a state-of-the-art curved TV is connected to a submarine camera showing the ocean beneath.

Action-packed watersports

From a protected sea pool and inflatable waterpark for younger guests, to jetskis, underwater sea scooters and evem the very latest Flyboard for a teenage adrenalin rush, many superyachts have it all and some are even approved RYA training centres, meaning that the crew can train and certify their guests to use a range of personal watercraft, from the sedate to the thrill seeking. Watertoys on the 68-metre (223.1ft) TRIPLE SEVEN include a flyboard, Laser sailing dinghys, an inflatable slide and climbing wall, as well as a beach party and barbecue set-up to enjoy ashore. And when the children are worn out and need to recharge their batteries, there is a cinema screen in the sky lounge for the younger children and a projector screen on the sun deck for teenagers, so they can all be entertained without arguments over the choice of film while you are left to enjoy dinner or a little quiet time.

Magical moments

More than anything, family charters are about the time you spend relaxing together and sharing the fun activities that make for good memories. There is no better way to spend quality time with your family, exploring different places, educating the children on the various locations, with amazing food and crew to look after your every need.

A superyacht is big enough to give everyone their own space and small enough to spend quality family time together, whether it involves the beach club, watersports or watching movies on deck in the evening. For pure comfort, many of the most impressive large yachts have been built and designed with family charters in mind. For example, the vast outdoor deck areas on board the 44.2-metre (145ft) HEMISPHERE, the world’s largest sailing catamaran, comprises the ultimate sun deck dominated by a jacuzzi, while the two 4.8m-wide trampolines make great play areas even while cruising.

A jacuzzi with shade is a good option to keep your children entertained during longer passages underway, while a beach club allows for easy access to the water on arrival. Look into the cabin configuration and opt for a superyacht with twin cabins and nanny cabins, as well as perhaps convertible cabins. As an example, the 37.3-metre (122.4ft) HER DESTINY has a children’s cabin with two sets of bunk beds. And it’s not just the accommodation layout that is family friendly, because HER DESTINY also offers a wonderful sun deck with a jacuzzi surrounded by fitted lounging pads and shaded dining for casual family lunches, as well as plenty of watertoys.

Fun and games   

Families with teenagers may also want to have the latest game consoles and a good selection of board games on board, while good audio-visual systems are essential for quiet times when the sun is at its hottest or to keep the children entertained after their dinner while the grown-ups are eating. Many of the larger yachts also have gyms, which are popular with teenagers, and these can sometimes be converted into a playroom for younger children. The 70-metre (229.8ft) JOY is a delight for families with children of all ages. A games pitch on the foredeck for football and basketball activities provides hours of fun, while the beach club houses a large video wall and transforms into a kids’ zone with bean bags and games station.

Creative crew

A yacht with a child-friendly crew will enhance the entire charter experience. A crew that can transform even a rainy day into one filled with exploration and fun are an essential ingredient in a successful family charter. From beach barbecues and forest picnics to scavenger hunts and adrenalin-charged activities for the older children, the crew on most of the larger yachts are used to organising unique activities ashore to keep even the most active children entertained. Younger guests on the 56-metre (183.7ft) GALAXY will love the crew’s treasure hunt and famous Galaxy Olympics. Older children can enjoy waverunners, wakeboards, stand up paddle boards, a flyboard, kayaks and inflatable towable toys, along with a private cinema and studio-effect sound, Xbox, PlayStation, and an entertainment system with over 1,000 movies.

From finding the right superyacht to suit your charter party to recommendations on where to charter, Burgess charter experts have a wealth of experience.