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Mega-Yachts Flock to St. Thomas

By Carol M. Bareuther, RD

St. Thomas is swiftly becoming the St. Tropez of the tropics. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and Caribbean Sea to the south, the rich and famous as well as the fabulously wealthy are all arriving aboard their favorite toys — mega-yachts.

Defined unofficially as vessels over 100 feet long, mega-yachts are privately owned floating villas that are fantastically furnished and outrageously outfitted. Three to four decks awash with swimming pools, helipads, basketball courts, spas, movie theaters and putting greens are the norm.

The world's billionaires, (numbering 793 worldwide in 2009 - down from 1,125 in 2008, according to Forbes magazine) attracted to a luxurious yachting lifestyle has launched this frenzy of big boat building. Show Boats International Magazine's 2009 Global Order Book reports a total of 1,019 power and sailing yachts 80 feet and larger under contract (this number includes orders from over 120 super yacht builders worldwide). To put this number into perspective, its the first time in the history of tracking this fact that the number of orders has increased to over 1,000. Plus, the largest size-category showing increase, was for yachts measuring 150 - 190 feet in length.

Movie stars John Travolta and Barbra Streisand, as well as Oracle Corporation co-founder and CEO Larry Ellison, are a few who have visited St. Thomas aboard mega-yachts. In fact, Ellison's 452-footer, Rising Sun — the world's fifth largest yacht — was among the first to dock at the newly opened Yacht Haven Grande.

Come November through May, mega-yachts flock from the Mediterranean to marinas on St Thomas such as Yacht Haven Grande to the east of Charlotte Amalie's harbor and Crown Bay Marina to the west. Some also dock stern-to right along the waterfront bulkhead.

Though private, when the owner's away, others can play aboard these magnificent vessels. But it's not cheap, says Dennis Vollmer, who owns 1st Class Yacht Charters, a St. Thomas-based charter yacht brokerage. "The price tag can range from $40,000 per day for sail up to $60,000 per day or more for power. And, that doesn't include crew salaries, guest provisions, fuel, port fees and licenses, and virtually anything else you desire."

Touring the United States Virgin Islands and want to go fishing or diving, charter a yacht or sailboat for a week, or rent a boat or sailboat for the day? Check out the USVI Activities & Attractions guide for contacts and information.