Superyachts were once the province of the extremely wealthy, gleaming symbols of ownership and exclusivity for a select few who prized privacy above all. The newest generation of vessels – Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts, Emerald Cruises – has taken the private yacht experience and translated it into a cruise model. Berths are open to book, itineraries are pre-planned, and passengers can access a level of luxury previously reserved for the 1 per cent.
Like many luxury trends, this one started with the French. Ponant forged a new category in 1991 when it debuted Le Ponant, a three-masted sailing yacht with 32 cabins that could be booked individually. Today, prices for this superyacht-cruise hybrid are still high but pale in comparison to charter fees that surpass $100,000 a day.
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