My Favorite Charters & Requests
Looking back at the charters I’ve organised, a handful of them still feel almost unreal. One that always comes to mind is the summer we did BOLD. The client wanted helicopter operations, every single toy in the water, and a pace that never slowed down. It was the kind of week where the yacht felt like an adventure platform rather than just a yacht. Another unforgettable one was a full-UAE itinerary on a 90-metre yacht, cruising all the way to Qatar and back. The standout detail? We had to install a golden bathtub onboard and fill it with a hundred litres of champagne during the charter. You can imagine the reactions.
Then there was the time I organised a 1:1 Mercedes supercar lift onto a super yacht for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The car reveal had to happen onboard, and the timing was unbelievably tight. Helicopters, cranes, security, media, schedules changing by the hour… it was honestly one of my most chaotic charters, but also one of the most rewarding once everything lined up perfectly.
On a more personal note, I still think about the 3.5 days I spent onboard AGAPE ROSE in Croatia. Croatia truly surprised me. The water is impossibly flat and crystal clear, the bays feel untouched, and every morning you wake up in a completely new spot. We spent the days exploring hidden islands, playing with toys, and even jumping off the yacht into that perfect turquoise water. Out of everywhere I’ve been, Croatia is still the place I’d return to in a heartbeat.
One charter I’m genuinely proud of involved a well-known Dutch DJ. He messaged me out of nowhere while already onboard his yacht: “Jochem, I don’t know who booked this from the team, but this is way too small. I need something bigger. Now.” Within minutes, the pressure was on. After a couple of phone calls, everything aligned and I secured a much larger yacht for him. I drove down straight away to make sure he was happy and ended up staying for a party for a few hours. The funniest part is that he loved it so much he went back onboard again just two days later.
Another highlight was organising a charter in the Philippines. It felt like uncharted territory compared to Europe or the Med. The crew were outstanding, the hospitality there is unmatched, and the scenery speaks for itself. It was refreshing to manage something so far outside the usual routes.
And of course, with all the serious work, there are always the memorable client requests. I’ve had guests spend two full weeks onboard but absolutely insist on avocado oil instead of olive oil. I’ve had someone request a fully-equipped poker setup for five straight days at the dock. There was the unforgettable request to go full speed for an hour simply to burn fuel because the client “wanted the experience.” Once, a primary guest asked the crew to take the night off so they could run the yacht — a surprisingly wholesome moment that the crew still talks about. Then there was the last-minute fishing gear request that came through only hours before embarkation, yet the crew found everything in time. And one of my personal favourites: a budget-conscious client who spent the equivalent of one full hour of charter fee… on a cake.
Some clients want to plan their itinerary down to the minute, while others genuinely don’t mind waking up wherever the wind takes them. Both approaches can work — weather permitting — and both lead to unforgettable experiences. These stories are just a small glimpse into the day-to-day reality of chartering. I’ve handled incredibly calm, normal charters as well as ones far more extreme than these. Every trip is different, and that’s exactly what makes this industry so addictive.
