The Croatian ship brings the luxurious superyacht experience within easier reach

As yacht designers continue to push the boundaries of extravagant superyachts for the ultra-wealthy, several ships in the Adriatic are opting for a more cost-effective approach, upgrading older vessels with luxury amenities at a more accessible price.

These charters aren't the only way to experience the exclusive lifestyle of the wealthy for a fraction of the cost.

Former cabins have been transformed into a luxurious massage suite, private cinema, and a wellness area featuring a sauna and steam room.

The four-deck ship also boasts a fully-equipped fitness room, a sun deck with a hot tub, a small plunge pool, and a bar. A range of water toys have been added for guests to enjoy, including an inflatable slide, electric foil surfboard, inflatable kayaks, SUP, Seabob, and a water scooter. Plus, 11 crew members are on hand to cater to guests' every need.

Freedom is not the only cabin cruiser in the Adriatic being given a lavish overhaul.

Three additional yachts from the same charter company are undergoing complete refurbishments for exclusive private charters by the 2023 season, according to Mitja Mirtič, who runs the Slovenian-based charter agency Goolets, which handles bookings for Freedom and other yachts in Croatia, Turkey, Greece, and beyond.

Sailing along the Adriatic coast offers a taste of the superyacht lifestyle without draining your vacation funds. Yachting experts have shared additional ideas with Dinogo Travel for travelers seeking an extravagant yet affordable experience.

But before that, let's take a look at Freedom's latest adventure.

Yachting has experienced a surge in popularity during the pandemic.

The transition of Freedom from cabin cruiser to luxury charter yacht was an immediate success, says Mirtič, partly driven by the increased demand during the pandemic.

While other travel industries came to a standstill, the yachting sector continued to thrive in Croatia and beyond, according to Mirtič. Cabin cruiser owners in Croatia reached out to Goolets, seeking private bookings for groups looking to travel in their own bubble and maintain social distancing.

Mirtič believes the trend of upgrading cabin cruisers to offer a more luxurious experience in Croatia’s waters was inevitable, though the pandemic certainly accelerated the process.

"Ship owners found private charters during the pandemic more profitable than traditional cruises, with larger tips from clients booking the entire vessel, and more upscale experiences all around," says Mirtič. "It was simply a more appealing option for everyone involved."

When it comes to defining a superyacht, there’s no universally agreed-upon standard, says Oscar Siches, a marina consultant and former superyacht captain based in Mallorca, Spain.

However, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations classifies superyachts as vessels longer than 30 meters (about 98 feet), according to Siches. By this measure, Freedom qualifies based on size, although it may not meet all the other criteria, he notes.

What the newly renovated cabin cruisers are – and what they’re not.

Siches described Freedom as a 'workhorse,' built primarily to generate revenue.

While there is definitely a market for a ship like Freedom, says Siches, it’s understandable that it doesn’t command the same rates as a 'modern 50-meter yacht,' as it lacks the 'top-tier design' expected by the ultra-wealthy in a superyacht charter.

Mirtič agrees with that point.

"But it has all the hallmarks of a superyacht, and you can host more people," he says, referring to the onboard facilities and spacious layout.

Since Freedom was originally built as a cabin cruiser and operates exclusively in Croatian waters, it isn't bound by the industry-standard restrictions for superyachts, such as the 12-passenger, six-cabin limit.

According to Mirtič, Goolets now receives weekly inquiries from captains eager to replicate the transformation seen with Freedom (all 15 yachts in the Goolets fleet are privately owned and managed).

"We had owners who felt 50,000 euros per week for a private charter was too expensive, while we were also getting calls from Monaco, with clients wanting to book a similar ship but concerned the price was too low," he laughs. "It was quite amusing."

Mirtič says the market for these yachts will never cater to the ultra-wealthy.

A charter offering a unique experience of its own.

Jared Watney of Ocean Air Media, with 13 years in the superyacht industry, believes that Goolets has carved out its own niche with Freedom.

"When chartering a yacht around the 100,000 euros per week range, you're usually looking at an older vessel, perhaps 30 or 40 meters in length, but nothing like Freedom’s impressive 48 meters," he explains. "And with a smaller yacht, there's a good chance it will only accommodate up to 10 guests."

A smaller yacht within this price range would also be unlikely to feature a cinema, massage room, or the array of water toys that superyacht charter guests expect, he adds.

"(Freedom) offers high capacity for guests, an affordable per-person rate, and top-notch onboard facilities," Watney explains, noting that it provides more than what guests would typically expect from similarly priced yachts elsewhere.

This leads us to other ways travelers can enjoy exclusive getaways without breaking the bank.

Saving on superyacht charters is definitely possible.

If you're looking for ways to cut costs on a superyacht charter, there are alternatives, says Siches.

"Turkey is much more affordable. While it doesn’t boast as many superyacht docks, the waters are far cleaner compared to the South of France," he notes. "The Emerald Coast is an incredible spot for cruising."

Siches adds that southern Italy also offers more affordable superyacht charters, with Sicily and southern Sardinia standing out as prime destinations.

Heather Hatcher from the International Yacht Company, which manages one of the largest fleets in the world, mentions that clients who charter during the shoulder seasons in May, June, September, and October can save around 10% off peak season prices in the Mediterranean.

"During these off-peak months, owners are more inclined to negotiate," she explains, noting that these periods tend to see fewer charters.

Greece and Croatia offer significantly lower VAT rates on yacht charters compared to France, Italy, and Spain, she points out.

Additional ways to save

Hatcher shares that there are also other clever strategies to consider.

"If you begin your charter in Turkey and sail to Greece on a non-Turkish flagged yacht, you can leave one country and visit a foreign port, bypassing VAT," she explains.

Hatcher mentioned that starting a charter in Albania and cruising the Ionian islands of Greece, then returning to Albania, can help bypass Greece's VAT, as Albania is not part of the European Union.

"If you begin a charter in Greece and sail to Albania or Turkey, you can avoid the Greek VAT entirely," she adds.

Beyond Europe, Hatcher suggests New England charters as another way to save on this expensive activity, though it’s important to choose your departure port wisely.

"Only charters leaving from Rhode Island or Maine are tax-free," she explains. "However, if you start from New York or Massachusetts, state sales tax will apply to the charter fee."

From Newport, you can charter a yacht to explore destinations like Nantucket, Block Island, Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park.

If you're questioning whether there are truly people seeking to charter a superyacht while also being mindful of their budget, Mirtič assures that he’s counting on it.

"There’s a large group of affluent individuals who are eager to experience yachting, but they want to do so wisely," he adds.