Yachting experts share their brand’s most iconic launches, and the dream destination where they’d sail them, with Chong Seow Wei.
Let’s Get Social
Ferretti Yachts
“If I had to choose one destination to cruise to in the new Ferretti Yachts 700, I’d say Cinque Terre in Italy. Open the window shutters of the colourful, ancient houses on any of its five splendid towns and you’ll be staring right at the beautiful Ligurian Sea. Coupled with a fantastic food and wine tasting journey, and you’ll have the ultimate experience of the area. Of course, better views can be had from sea and the sunset enjoyed from the 700’s panoramic upper deck. This yacht — as with all our other models — will also come with a layout specifically created for our wealthy Asian customers, who often see a yacht as a place for entertaining. The Tai He Ban layout is inspired by the largest hall within Beijing’s Forbidden City, called the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where the most important ceremonies were held with the Emperor and his dignitaries present. This may mean fewer cabins, but more indoor space for entertainment, meetings and receptions.”
— Stefano de Vivo, chief commercial officer of Ferretti Group
Fit For a King
Princess Yachts
“When on board the Princess 75, I’d go to the flybridge, feel the wind in my hair and pretend I’m James Bond. If I could take it anywhere in the world, I’d sail around Bali, which has a gorgeous coast and interior. Or I’d go to the Aeolian Islands in southern Italy. Stromboli, one of the islands, is an active volcano that spurts out debris and lava. Every part of the yacht is made in-house. We only use veneers and hardwood while our peers use reconstituted wood. As we’re partly owned by LVMH, our clients can deck out the yacht in fabrics and products from any of its brands. The 75ft yacht is also spacious, efficient, fast, stable and responsive.”
— Antony Sheriff, executive chairman of Princess
Sugar & Spice
Benetti Yachts
“Lady Candy was built for an experienced Chinese yachting enthusiast and named for his daughter. If I could, I’d cruise her to the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, to scuba-dive in the crystal clear turquoise sea and relax on board with family and friends. She is one of the few yachts with a range of over 7,000 nautical miles, which means she can cruise from Benetti’s shipyard in Livorno, Italy, to Hong Kong, where our client lives, without needing a refuel. She also bears a logo of Hong Kong’s national bauhinia blakeana flower on her beach club aft deck, just as our client wanted.”
— Nizar Tagi, general manager of Benetti Asia Amels Holland Design dream
Design Dream
Amels Holland
“Given the chance, I’d take the 55m Amels LE180 to discover the secret beauty of Palau, where I’d swim in its azure lagoons and dive at the world-famous dive site Blue Corner. Since it was first introduced at the 2005 Monaco Yacht Show, this has been the most successful yacht of our Limited Editions range. We sold our 20th one just after the 2016 Singapore Yacht Show. Its exterior has an enduring beauty typical of its designer Tim Heywood and the interior can be completely customised by any designer the client chooses. The sun deck, which is 25m long and 155sqm in size, is arguably one of the largest — if not the largest — you’ll find on any 55m yacht.”
— Rose Damen, sales director of Amels Holland