Asian Heavyweight: Camper & Nicholsons in Asia

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One of the world’s biggest charter yachts, the 300ft Tranquility can accommodate up to 18 guests in nine cabins and is served by 31 crew

Size matters in yachting and Camper & Nicholsons made arguably the biggest move of the past year in the Asian charter market when it became the charter central agent for the 91.5m Tranquility, owned by Genting Malaysia.

Built by Oceanco and launched in 2014, the former Equanimity was in the headlines while in Malaysia early last year and has since begun a new life as a charter yacht, with a weekly rate of €1,100,000 (about US$1,240,000).

The 300-footer is looked after by 31 crew and features a Winch Design interior that includes nine cabins for 18 guests, who can enjoy a large pool, two jacuzzis, an outdoor bar, a Perspex-cased piano and immense indoor areas.

Other highlights include a spectacular beach club, which transitions through to a gym where glass doors lead to a starboard sea platform and a spa complete with a sauna, hammam, experiential showers, plunge pool and a massage, hair and beauty salon!

Tranquility is another coup for one of the world’s leading brokerage houses, which was founded in 1782 and has enjoyed a strong presence in Asia since it was acquired by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Lai Sun in 2016.

Carmen Lau, Business Development Director Asia, says C&N’s charter business benefits from its global network, which includes offices in Hong Kong and Phuket, another 10 in Europe and the US, plus representatives offices in Malaysia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand appointed last year.

Tranquility features an Asian-inspired interior by Winch Design

Carmen Lau, C&N’s Business Development Director Asia

“With 21 languages spoken, 12 offices across three continents, an in-house legal expert and a dedicated charter management team, we are one of the best-placed companies to offer 360-degree solutions and a real perspective on the best itineraries and yachts available,” Lau says.

“We call ourselves the ‘original yachting company’ because of our history and we have many repeat clients, many from successive generations of families. We create bespoke itineraries, as some clients may want a quiet time with a lot of luxury, while other travellers can be keener on adventure and exploration.”

C&N has been targeting the current and future generations by investing heavily in IT and its online platforms, which were boosted late last year by a technology merger with Hong Kong-based Nowtboat.com. The latter also manages C&N’s day charters, with Phuket, Bali, Komodo and even Hong Kong among hot spots.

Thailand-based Aphrodite (left) pictured sailing in Indonesia’s Anambas Islands

“Our website and digital ecosystem including Instagram now play a big role in customer interaction,” Lau says. “We are the only company in the industry to have an in-house tech team, so are fully equipped to make the most of these new channels and be ready to respond.

YACHTS AND DESTINATIONS GALORE

Tranquility aside, the weekly rates for C&N’s superyachts in Asia range from about US$23,000 for Thailand-based sailing yachts Aphrodite (93ft) and Dallinghoo (99ft) to upwards of US$140,000 for Indonesia-based Lamima (213ft), the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht.

Thailand and Indonesia remain the company’s leading charter destinations in Asia, but C&N is excited with the addition to its fleet of the 100ft Hummingbird, which it says is the only motor yacht of its size available for charter in the Philippines. Chartering for US$75,000 per week, the four-cabin yacht was designed and built by the Guy Couach shipyard, with an interior by Daniele Chopard.

Outdoor areas include an upper deck featuring a large dining table for up to 10 guests, sunbathing area forward and an aft cockpit with sofas. The swim platform carries a Zodiac tender and converts to a diving platform or sunbathing area, while water toys includes a Seabob, two stand-up paddleboards and snorkelling gear.

A sample seven-day itinerary starting from Manila could take in Hamilo Coast, Puerto Galera, Apo Reef and down to Palawan, where island options include Dumunpalit, Nalaut, Banana, Ditaytayan, Malcapuya and Coron.

In Thailand, charters from Phuket include trips to Phang Nga Bay and Krabi, which can both be included in a 10-day itinerary south that finishes in Langkawi across the Malaysia border. Other destinations include the Similan Islands and further north into Myanmar’s pristine Mergui Archipelago.

Hummingbird (also below) is a new charter option in the Philippines

C&N’s sailing yachts in Thailand include Aphrodite, Dallinghoo and the 90ft Orient Pearl, which have three, four and five cabins respectively.

Ocean Emerald, the futuristic 135-footer designed by Norman Foster, is arguably Thailand’s most renowned charter yacht, with a weekly rate of €95,000 (about US$107,000). The four-deck motor yacht can accommodate up to 10 guests in five cabins and covers the Gulf of Thailand in the summer, moving to Phuket for Andaman Sea charters in the winter.

In Indonesia, the Komodo area 200nm east of Bali is the most popular destination during the northern-hemisphere summer, with most charter yachts spending the winter in Raja Ampat in West Papua, the country’s most easterly province. The Anambas Islands northeast of Singapore are also an emerging destination.

C&N’s Indonesia-based yachts include the magnificent 65m Lamima, fellow sailing phinisis Mutiara Laut (150ft) and Sequoia (86ft), and the 164ft expedition motor yacht Kudanil Explorer. (For more details, see the later chapter on Indonesia.)

Papua New Guinea, Indonesia’s eastern neighbour, is another exciting destination for longer trips, with the 115ft powercat Spirit an idea vessel for exploring its pristine seas (see Yacht Style Issue 48).

Lau says technology can help people enjoy the world’s most stunning yachting destinations, even if not everyone can afford to charter Tranquility.

“As well as being the ‘original yachting company’, Camper & Nicholsons is the most advanced technologically and our website allows visitors to immerse themselves in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, on the most beautiful yachts. Even if they don’t make a booking, it’s nice to be inspired during these challenging times.”