Simply Abu Dhabi XXXVI

1 7 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I “As they get older a yacht is a wonderland for them on so many levels. The travel adventures and the activities grip children in a way that is incomparable,” says the owner, who undertook a six-month world tour with his children. Highlights included seeing incredible animal and marine life, witnessing an active volcano in Indonesia, and experiencing pristine coral reefs in Polynesia. “Most of all it was the shared adventure of travelling as a team,” he says. “Kids without exception love to swim and play in the water so anywhere with safe swimming and a nice beach is ideal. Beyond that we enjoyed going ashore in places like Papua New Guinea where the locals are just amazed by small blonde haired children with pale skin!” It’s easy to comprehend why such opportunities appeal to teenagers. But, when it comes to younger children, for whom the perils of being at sea or the confined space of a yacht may prove to be more challenging, is it just as rewarding? Travel company Pelorus works directly with owners to create yacht expeditions that work for all ages. The level of service, ease of movement and ability to operate in more remote environments, but still with a team of key personnel on board, makes a yacht “the perfect platform from which to explore the globe as a family,” says co- founder, Jimmy Carroll. “If owners are travelling with very young children we can arrange for highly-experienced childcare to join the crew so that adults can have a break whilst knowing that their children are in the greatest care,” he says. “For older children, experts can help inspire learning to swim, or spending time with an environmentalist or marine biologist to understand more about the world they are travelling in.” For Valerie Montecalvo, owner of 38m custommotoryacht Nicole Evelyn (named after her daughter and available to charter through Ocean Independence), spending time on board all together is second nature. “We live on the water in New Jersey. Our family has grown up enjoying boats, we’re big conservationists, and we love all waterways. Being able to be out on the ocean instead of in a resort and going to places like the Bahamas that are beautiful and preserved is just so fulfilling to us as a family. It makes for quite a different type of vacation.” The yacht, which was purchased for its family-orientated qualities (five staterooms, two king suites that easily accommodate a portable cot, and large sky lounge for extra baby toys), is moored in their “backyard” for six months. They spend the entire summer on board travelling up to Newport, Cape Cod, The Hamptons and Port Jefferson. During winter, when it resides in West Palm Beach, the family spend a few weeks each year in the privacy and quiet of the Exumas. “Whether snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking or jet skiing, for us to have that kind of quiet is priceless,” says Montecalvo. “It just brings us back to nature and puts us in a different mindset to the hustle and bustle of the city. And children as young as new-born babies get involved. Like our children, our grand-daughter has been on the water since she was born. She was in the Bahamas at six months old, and our nieces and nephews range in age from two to 16 – these are family vacations, so really enjoyable family time.” Both owners also cite the importance of having a crew that are “like family” on board. “They are so wonderful, they just jump right in,” says Montecalvo. “They help with babysitting, holding the baby, giving us a couple of minutes here and there if my daughter and I want to go on the jet skis together. And our chef is so accommodating in being able to create tasty, organic food for the baby and kids, wherever we are.” “The crew have always been magnificent in helping with the kids and yet in a sense they are childcare providers to our eternal gratitude,” adds the owner of the 60m. “It is the perfect holiday for the whole family, and we are very lucky indeed.”