Nick Burnham: It had been simply brilliant, another incredible experience to live with all of us for years to come
Our last charter was in 2019, a Princess 72 in Mallorca which was an booked an Oyster 825, you can guess what happened next. In 2021 we tried again.
This time Covid scuppered us via the back door – my partner Marianne’s passport needed renewing and was sent off in plenty of time (as she’s Irish, she had to return her actual passport). Three months later and, “due to Covid” there was no sign of it returning and another charter went west.
With staff shortages threatening flights, it wasn’t until we reached Cala d’Or that it finally felt like it was going to happen this year. A stunning Sunseeker 76 Yacht hoved into view, the crew – Paul, Victoria and Liz – welcomed us at the extended passerelle. Our team consisted of Marianne and myself, her children, her brother and his fiancée and, with my son Dave unable to make this one, our friends Greg and Sally stepped selflessly into the breach.
We were welcomed aboard with a champagne reception followed by a tour of our palatial cabins. Shortly afterwards, the lines were slipped. It was the first charter of the season and the first time the boat had hosted one. It was early April which, even in Mallorca, is a bit of a gamble but we got lucky.
Blue skies, calm seas and the beautiful coastline slipping by at 10 knots. Bliss. Last time we chartered it was mid summer and mostly consisted of anchoring in coves and everyone diving off the boat for a day playing with the toys. The boat became an incredibly luxurious floating island. This time we opted for a proper cruise, first stop the exclusive Port Adriano, a distance of about 50 miles. A wonderful lunch under way served on the flybridge, a lot of relaxing, chatting and gazing at the scenery a
