Renting a yacht is admittedly not the cheapest way to have fun in Singapore, so you’ll want to make the most of your experience. Here are five quick tips on how to do just that!
#1 Finding a suitable yacht charter company
There are many good charter agencies in Singapore, but what’s likely to help make your experience that much better is quality service. Give the operators a call to get a sense of how well they receive and handle your booking. Ensure all your questions are adequately answered with sufficient attention to small details.
#2 Selecting the right yacht
Key criteria to consider include not only the number of guests and your budget, but also the stability of the vessel. Singapore waters are mostly very calm and safe; the biggest wave motion you’re likely to experience is the passing wake of fast ferries. Yet there is a distinct difference in how different types of yachts handle these passing wakes. If your party has a lot of older guests and young children, for safety we recommend a catamaran, a twin-hulled yacht, which has the advantage of being much more stable – and it provides more entertainment space too.
If you have a younger party, they may enjoy the thrill of crossing a wake at high speeds so a single (mono) hull, fly bridge (upper driving station / sundeck), or sports bridge (open deck) may be more desirable – though note that space, comfort and stability will be compromised.
#3 Taking care of your guests
Always take into consideration that there may be a member of your party who will get seasick, even when walking onto the pontoons. Generally, these people would be very happy to stay at home, so don’t feel bad if they do just that. For guests with only mild seasickness, your agent will be able to provide you information on where to buy seasickness pills and how to take them (usually half an hour before travel). Do bear in mind they can make you drowsy.
Remember also that when you’re out at sea you can’t call Uber Eats, so ensure that guests dietary requirements (vegetarian or halal, for example) are met and any allergy triggers are avoided.
Some owner-operators may even offer to attend to your guests on board at no extra cost so if required, do ask if this service is provided.
#4 Prepare well in advance
Unless you’re a seasoned charterer, try not to make last-minute bookings. Even if a yacht is available at the last minute, catering for groups of up to 50 guests would require a minimum of one week’s notice, especially if you prefer a home-cooked service which tends to provide a fresher and more wholesome meal. Do ensure all guests have the essential details including meeting point and time. It’s also wise to share the FAQs that should be provided by your agent.
#5 Don’t worry
For the uninitiated, organising an outing like this might feel quite a burden. However, the right agent should be able to guide you through the steps and take care of every onerous detail. And a good crew will be on hand to look after your guests, so once everything is prepared you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your day.
Written in collaboration with Mhd Tim Alden from Atlantis Yachts.
The author Mhd Tim Alden has had over 21 years of experience in the pleasure yacht industry, in service sales, brokerage & charter in both H.K & Singapore.
atlantisyachts.asia | bookings@atlantisyachts.asia | 9664 9689
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