Charter specialist celebrates first year of operations
With its rich maritime culture, the Middle East is an area where locals and expats alike enjoy nothing more than getting out on the water. With the hectic pace of life, an afternoon’s cruising is the perfect way to wind down after a busy week and provides a rather more exclusive alternative to the usual five-star beach clubs.
Eden Yachting is one of the few international and independent yacht charter agencies in the Middle East working with operators in more than 25 destinations worldwide and also offering charter vessels in the UAE, Oman, Beirut and the Red Sea.
The company, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, was founded by managing director Philippe Saad, an RYA Offshore Yachtmaster with more than 10,000 nautical miles logged in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Ocean and Asia.
The decision to leave the corporate world was made after a six month sabbatical sailing in the Mediterranean and Thailand, during which his passion for yachting and appetite for adventure travel was cemented.
Co-founder and managing partner Jane Daly is an RYA Day Skipper who spent many years in the travel industry working with both British Airways and Silverjet in management positions.
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Speaking of the company’s luxury offering, Saad says: “The luxury end of the yacht charter market is represented by our fleet of super yachts, both motor and sailing, which cruise mostly between the Caribbean in winter and the Mediterranean in Summer. There are a few of these yachts available in Southeast Asia but generally you find more traditional schooners with luxury internal finishing and the beautiful Thai extras that are expected in that part of the world from fragrant orchids on the beds to exquisite freshly prepared food and skilled onboard masseuses.
“There is a high demand locally for luxury yachts particularly for day cruising. Dubai is a city that enjoys luxury and that definitely extends to leisure time activities both on and off the water.
“We have 37 yachts currently in our Dubai fleet and the most popular are between 80 and 120 ft – beautifully styled, ultra-luxurious and fast. Our clients, many of whom come through hotels and tour operators, appreciate the winter weather here which is perfect for cruising the coastline where they can relax and enjoy a unique view of the iconic buildings.”
Available for both corporate and private charter, the graceful Majesty 88 (pictured below), built by Gulf Craft, offers streamlined perfection. With trend-setting styling, she is a yacht for the seriously sophisticated. From the fly-bridge with its wrap-around seating, Jacuzzi, bar (pictured left) and barbecue, to the saloon with its full-length panoramic windows, the Majesty 88 achieves the feel of a super-yacht and can accommodate up to 30 guests for a corporate day or evening event.
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Saad explains: “We deal with many types of clients both residents of Dubai and visitors here. They range from sheikhs and CEOs of locally-based multinationals, to visiting business people from all sectors. There are many exhibitions and conferences in town throughout the year and hosting a cocktail party or lunch event on board a luxury yacht is a popular and imaginative way of entertaining which maximises Dubai’s best points.”
And there is more to luxury yachting than simply the yacht itself, he points out. “Although the yacht of course is the starting point, it’s also about the onboard accommodation, the standard of crew, the ratio of crew to clients, the catering and the add-ons such as water toys and jet-skis. It’s about being pampered in an exclusive environment with professional crew who can design an itinerary tailor-made to individual client requests whether they want to relax in quiet anchorages or indulge in the sophisticated night life ashore.
“At Eden Yachting we work with carefully selected operators who are able to offer some of the most beautiful yachts currently in charter for a competitive price. We believe that the charter experience starts with the customer service and attention to detail that the client receives from the first inquiry onwards and this is what we pride ourselves on delivering.”