Amsterdam has desperately been trying to shake off its ‘party capital’ image - with limited success.
02.04.2024 - 09:17 / insider.com
For the owners of superyachts, privacy is often the most valuable thing money can buy. It's one reason centimillionaires and billionaires pay eight or nine figures for a palace at sea, far from the prying eyes of land-dwellers.
Even the most gossipy crewmembers should stay tightlipped about the name of a former owner or charter guest, and many brokers shy away from answering benign questions.
That means that, aside from basic safety guidelines, most of the rules of superyachting are unwritten. The very few who need to know them — there are only about 5,800 yachts longer than 30 meters at sea, according to SuperYacht Times — already know them.
But if you do happen to be a lucky guest at a party on a billionaire's $500 million ship or find yourself included in a $1 million-per-week vacation, there are a few things you need to know.
After four days of touring superyachts that sell for as much as $75 million and chatting with the people who buy, sell, and work on them at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, Business Insider gleaned a few key edicts. Given the discreet nature of the industry, almost all the people we spoke to requested anonymity to protect their working relationships, but here's what they had to say.
While it's a basic rule for anyone in boating, it may come as a surprise to an outsider that no matter how rich you are or how expensive your heels are, in the vast majority of cases, you can't wear shoes on board.
It's partly for safety — you don't want anyone slipping on a wet deck — but partly to keep the yacht clean. So, expect to see barefoot billionaires, and if you forgot to get a pedicure, bring a set of special boat shoes.
In the superyacht world, it's safe to assume almost everyone you meet is very, very rich, and many brokers and builders say you can't judge a book by its cover when it comes to potential clients.
"It has nothing to do with how they're dressed," one broker told BI. "It's the biggest mistake you can make because a complete slobby-looking guy or couple could be a multibillionaire."
There are, however, a few clues. Watches are one; new footwear is another.
"Rich people always have new shoes," a superyacht expert said. Though, as we mentioned above, this tip probably only applies when they're on land.
Wellness areas, including spa rooms with a massage bed or two and a professional-grade facial machine, are becoming must-haves on superyachts. Most have a customized spa menu and a crew member who doubles as a trained masseuse or beautician — and they're usually in high demand.
One captain said he's implemented a booking system to ensure people aren't fighting for the same spots. A broker said sometimes masseuses will be so busy theywon't leave the small spa cabin for
Amsterdam has desperately been trying to shake off its ‘party capital’ image - with limited success.
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