Charter World completes 21st season in Australia

by .. on 27 Apr 2007 In 1985 after two seasons operating charter fleets in Greece and Turkey, Brook Felsenthal returned to Melbourne to establish Australia’s first specialist Yacht Charter booking agency.

21 years later Charter World continues to offer a highly specialised service, offering expert knowledge on virtually all holidays afloat except the mass cruise market.

Brook says 'We have always travelled extensively as we offer a wide range of vessels and need to experience things first hand.

'In the last season we have inspected vessels and met crews in Tonga, New Caledonia, Whitsundays, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, Sardinia and Corsica.'

Given that boating holidays are often complex in terms of equipment, layouts and choice of itineraries offered, and weather patterns, the use of a yacht charter broker such as Charter World is the most common form of charter bookings in Europe.

Brook says 'While bareboating remains a large part of our business the real growth has been in crewed vessels from skippered 50’ yachts through to 250’ mega yachts.'

Turkish Gulets are also an excellent option with a crew of 3-5 serving a group of 6-12. They offer exceptional value for money in the $150 - $250 per person per day bracket for exclusive use. These unique vessels have recently moved to Croatia where we offer a great one way route from Split to Dubrovnik.

Luxury fully crewed bookings have shown phenomenal growth in recent years.

In the early 90’s Charter World released a brochure in conjunction with Hayman Island promoting a stay and sail program on a variety of crewed vessels. The crewed charter scene in Europe however is where most Australians like to be.

Charter World are associated with of MYBA and AYT, the European and American crewed charter booking associates and attend the major crewed charter shows around the world.

'In Monaco last month we inspected a wide range of vessels such as Double Up which represents the lead in product for this type of holiday style. We had two Australian groups charter Double Up back to back this season, the first coming from Sicily to the Amalfi Coast, and the second up to the Italian Riviera.'

Double Up is 80’, offers accommodation for six in three air-conditioned cabins, and operates with four European crew including gourmet chef. Water toys include speed boat and jetski’s. Cost is $950 per person per night. While this may seem expensive many Australians spend comparable amounts at 5 star hotels, and the luxury and service standards onboard are higher.

Brook says 'It is not unusual for Australian families to spend $200,000 per week on a luxury vessel of 180’ accommodating 12 with 10-12 crew. It is a bit of a scene to park your motor yacht on the quay at St Tropez or Monaco, and perhaps the ultimate feeling of indulgence.'

Brook says 'The freedom, flexibility and comfort of a boating holiday is unmatched by any other holiday style'.

Charter World have sent film crews to the Pacific and Mediterranean destinations and produced DVD’s on a variety of areas. These have proved extremely successful in promoting the holiday styles in conjunction with brochures.

Currently Croatia is the most popular area. Greece and Turkey are always in demand, and for those who have experienced these, Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearics also offer a unique Mediterranean experience.


For further information contact:

Brook Felsenthal

Charter World Yachting Holidays
23 Passchendaele Street, Hampton VIC 3188
Tel: (03) 9521-0033
Toll Free: 1800-335-039
Fax: (03) 9521-0081
Email: charter@charterworld.com.au
Web: www.charterworld.com.au