The 255-foot superyacht Malia was sold in 2023 for $120 million.
But you can have her for a fraction of the cost: $930,000 a week.
But for many large yacht charters, surcharges such as fuel, food, beverages, marina fees, shore activities and special requests are usually 35% of the base price.
Cruising in Europe is also subject to VAT of around 20% of the base fee, but this may vary from country to country. Crew tips are also 10% to 20% of the charter fee.
All in all, a week’s cruise on the French Riviera in Malia costs a whopping $1,441,500.
At great prices, Malia can take guests on stunning Mediterranean itineraries, from Monaco to the Italian Riviera, island hopping from Sardinia and the Maddalena Islands, and to iconic French destinations such as St. Tropez Center stay.
Yacht broker Sacha Williams said people have been chartering yachts for longer periods of time since the pandemic began, sometimes as long as five weeks.
Source: Northrup & Johnson
The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in eight staterooms, including a VIP master suite, all with luxurious ensuite bathrooms.
“The bedrooms are comparable to hotel rooms. You don’t feel like you’re on a yacht,” said Sasha Williams, global charter marketing director for Northrop Johnson, Maria’s agent. “It’s like you’re in a floating hotel.”
The Malia has eight staterooms.
Source: Northrop & Johnson Company
The main deck features a salon with bar and dining area, illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows, and an upper deck lounge with striking glass chandeliers and an extensive audio-visual system.
The decks are connected by elevators.
Malia is fully booked for summer 2024, with bookings typically made four to six months in advance, Williams said.
Source: Northrop & Johnson Company
Like the hotel, the yacht has a gym and spa, the latter with a massage room, sauna and hammam.
“On yachts of this size, hammams, steam rooms or saunas are increasingly popular,” Williams said. “Wellness is definitely a strong trend on all yachts right now. The spa therapists on board offer a variety of treatments, not just massages and facials, but all things beauty related. You can spend time in that space All day long.
Yachts priced in the seven figures are expected to come with spa facilities, Williams said.
Source: Northrop & Johnson Company
There is also a glass-side infinity pool on the main deck, a glass-bottom Jacuzzi on the sundeck, and an outdoor theater.
tenders and toys
Travelers might pay seven figures to sail on the yacht for a week, but few will stay on board the entire time.
Malia is also equipped with additional recreational watercraft, including several dinghies that guests can take ashore.
They can also go on a deep-sea fishing trip on Malia’s 46-foot extreme fishing dinghy. In addition, crew members can take guests six feet underwater in a shark-shaped submersible built by Seabreacher that can accommodate a pilot and a passenger.
The yachts come with pull-down terraces and beach clubs, or areas open to the sea at the back of the boat.
Source: Northrop & Johnson Company
“Fishing dinghies are very unique, especially in the Mediterranean because you see them a lot in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, where sport fishing is not a big deal. But imagine if you just took the kids out fishing. How cool.
Crew members can also teach guests how to use Fliteboards and explore underwater with the Seabobs. Those who want to relax can sit back and enjoy the tow-able joy rides in the sun.
Malia’s “toy” inventory also includes jets and water skis, as well as paddle boards, pedalwakeboards, canoes and inflatable climbing frames with walkways.
Internet service on yachts used to be very expensive — about $10,000 a month, Williams said. But Starlink satellite Internet changes this. “Connectivity is not an issue…no lag at all.”
Source: Northrup & Johnson
“This owner is very fun-oriented. He wants to make sure that every possible guest request is met,” Williams said. “You didn’t see one flat board On every yacht…they are in great demand.
captain and crew
Part of the charter fee covers the cost of a crew of 21, including a captain, engineering and hospitality teams and several chefs. Some crew members double as personal trainers and have the musical skills to entertain in the evenings.
“Guests may never even see some crew members, such as the engineering team,” Williams said. “There are people working all night long to ensure the safety of guests. Some people will be more involved in navigation and planning and arranging berths in the port. More senior housekeeping staff will also do bookkeeping because it costs a lot of money.” It’s about making sure everyone has a great time.
Malia is a custom-built yacht by Greek builder Golden Yachts and has a crew of 21 on board.
Source: Northrop & Johnson Company
“The best way I can describe them is like swans,” Williams said. “They just slide around.”
Williams said Maria’s itinerary was “very detailed.” Yacht brokers and captains agree on itineraries taking into account guest preferences, sea conditions and weather forecasts.
But captains can also consider requests to modify the schedule mid-charter — for example, if a guest likes a particular location and wants to stay longer, Williams said:
“That’s the beauty of chartering a yacht.”
Who would book a holiday like this?
Maria’s guests tend to come from North America, Europe and the Middle East, Williams said.
Often, she said, they built their fortunes in highly niche areas of business. “I’m always amazed by some of my North American clients at how they can make so much wealth selling seemingly mediocre items. But I guess the size of the country means you can be very successful selling something as simple as eggs or screws. Something,” she said.
The quantity and quality of yacht “toys” are factors that influence the ratio. “This particular owner is very interesting,” Williams said.
Source: Northrup & Johnson
“Sometimes you’ll see principals – the ones footing the bill – charter Maria for a few weeks and invite different groups during that time. One week, they’ll be with their friends, then the friends will leave, and then their families would join, then their parents.
But she said many guests book the yacht for family vacations and celebrations.
“They might be celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, or just a family gathering. On a yacht the size of the Maria you can have grandparents, parents and children.”
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