Family vacations no longer need to be disastrous road trips across the country. Why not vacation in style by taking your family on an unforgettable yacht charter suitable for kids, teens, and adults?
All you need to do is plan the perfect yacht charter to accommodate a multigenerational family of travelers. It should be a charter that everyone from toddlers to grandparents can appreciate and enjoy.
What to Look for in a Family-Friendly Yacht Charter
The first thing you should look for is safety and comfort to protect children and elderly passengers. The ideal family-friendly yacht charter will have safety nets or secure railings to help prevent people from falling overboard. You may also want the stern to have a shallow swimming platform to make it easier for kids and grandparents to access the pool without much effort.
Do you want a professional crew on board the yacht charter? If so, you may want to look for a yacht charter that comes with a family-friendly crew, such as a captain or first mate who entertains children. An onboard activity guide or coordinator can also be a great resource for guiding your family through various activities in the water and on the shore, such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and sightseeing.
Entertainment and amenities are other worthy considerations. Does the family charter yacht come with kayaks and snorkels? Are there child-sized water sports equipment available? The ideal charter yacht will support activities for all ages. It could even have multiple outdoor and indoor entertainment areas, including a place to watch television and DVD movies.
Safety First: Onboard Peace of Mind
Safety is always the number one priority, especially when you have toddlers and adults on board the ship. As you know, toddlers and small children are curious about their surroundings and tend to want to climb on things, including railings. The safety nets along the deck railings serve as barriers to prevent accidental slips and falls into the water.
The safest family-friendly yacht charters should also come equipped with child and adult-sized lifejackets. The crew members should insist that everyone wears them when engaging in watersports or if the weather is less than perfect. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to children.
Keeping Everyone Entertained: From Toddlers to Grandparents
Entertainment is obviously of great importance. Each family member group will have entertainment preferences that may differ, from toddlers to grandparents. So, make a plan to keep everyone entertained, whether 5 or 80 years old.
Water sports are the most exciting form of entertainment for children and young adults. Stock your yacht with equipment for fun water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming. Young toddlers may only ride on inflatable towable tubes, while older adults may participate in more physically intense kayaking and snorkeling. Older adults may feel comfortable lounging in deck chairs or floating in the pool.
Crew members may also plan fun activities on shore, such as treasure hunts, tours, and jungle or ancient-ruins sightseeing. These are the kinds of activities that everyone in the family can enjoy together.
Our Top Destinations for Family Yacht Vacations
One of the biggest decisions you will need to make is choosing your family yacht vacation destination. Consider each family member’s preferences to pick a place everyone will enjoy without resentment or disappointment.
Here are some of the top destinations for family yacht vacations for your consideration:
1) British Virgin Islands
Family yacht charters frequently visit the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. They consist of four primary big islands and dozens of smaller islands, islets, and cays that are situated within a close distance from one another.
Families love the Baths on Virgin Gorda. It serves as a natural playground where they can explore hiking trails, secret coves, and coral-reef snorkeling. They can even climb rocks between giant boulders to feel like true adventurers.
2) Bahamas
The Bahamas is a picturesque destination within a short distance from Florida ports. There are over 700 islands, islets, and cays in the Bahamas. Much of the crystal-clear water is shallow enough for kids and seniors to swim in.
The Abaco Islands of the northern Bahamas feature quaint little towns and calm seas ideal for water sports. Take your kids to Hope Town to explore the historic candy-striped lighthouse, Elbow Reef Lighthouse. The Exumas of the central Bahamas are also fun islands for swimmers and snorkelers, especially for anyone who likes swimming with friendly nurse sharks. Maybe you could even let your kids pet one.
3) Dalmatian Coast in Croatia
Every generation of family members can find something fun to do at the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. It is a place filled with natural wonders and old towns with cobbled streets. Older kids will feel like they stepped into a fairy tale, especially if they are fans of the television show “Game of Thrones.” It is the location where many scenes in the show were filmed.
Kids and adults can rent bicycles and explore Mljet Island. You can ride around saltwater lakes, swim in a small islet monastery, and witness the breathtaking cascades of the Krka Waterfalls. Other family-friendly activities include dolphin-watching tours and strolls through towns, where street performers put on free shows for tourists.
Sample Menu: Pleasing Picky Eaters and Gourmands
Do you have a family of picky eaters? Do they often prefer casual or gourmet foods, and when traveling on vacation? As the head of the family, you probably feel the responsibility to ensure their taste buds are satisfied.
Here is a sample menu of food items that may satisfy most picky eaters and gourmands in a family:
Breakfast
- Fluffy pancakes
- Sausage links
- Scrambled eggs
- Tropical fruits
- Cereal & Yogurt
Lunch
- Chicken quesadillas & Tacos
- Hamburgers & Grilled chicken
- Salmon & Steak
- Greek salads
Dinner
- Chicken tenders & Pasta
- Shrimp scampi & Lobster
- Salmon & Roasted seasonal vegetables
- Kebabs & Desserts
Creating Your Family’s Dream Itinerary
The perfect family yacht charter must follow a multigenerational itinerary. In other words, you must create a customized itinerary that checks all the boxes for your family’s dream vacations. Include all the activities, food menus, destinations, and adventures you know that your family will love.
Of course, you don’t have to create the itinerary by yourself. The best way to make your family’s dream itinerary is to involve everyone in the planning and decision-making for the trip. Collaborate with your kids, spouse, and parents to learn about their preferences and desires for the ideal family charter yacht vacation.
Make sure you also collaborate with the captain and crew who will be managing the family yacht charter. They can offer you additional advice and guidance for creating the most memorable family yacht vacation.
Questions to Ask Your Charter Broker About Family Trips
What safety features does the family-friendly yacht charter have for young children? Since safety is a top priority for protecting your children, you will want to ask the charter broker about the yacht’s safety features. As mentioned above, you’d like it to include support railings, safety nets, life jackets, and so on.
What are the best destinations for family yacht charters? The destination experience is just as important as the onboard yacht experience. Ask the charter broker for recommendations of destinations that would be fun for families with people of all ages, such as kid-friendly beaches with calm weather.
What is on the food menus? Everyone has their own food preferences. Kids may not love the same food as their parents and grandparents. Inquire about the food menu options when talking with the charter broker. Find out whether they offer separate kid-friendly and adult menu options, or whether you can customize the menu with the foods your family prefers.
At Beloria Yachts, we specialize in creating memories that span generations. Contact us today to start planning your family’s next great adventure.
