A Charter that’s full of Surprises

Life at the helm of an 85+m superyacht is never going to be boring, but for Captain Bobby Groves and his team, excitement comes in finding new ways to deliver extraordinary experiences every day

“HBC is an epic charter platform,” says Bobby, as he steps away from his seat at the bridge to take a coffee break and have a chat with me during the Antigua Charter Show. “Every inch of this boat puts the charter experience first – even down to the position of the galley!” And he’s right. From the beach club and main deck pool to the galley on the upper deck, it’s all arranged around the charter guests. “The galley is kind of unusual, actually. Located on the upper deck, it’s much more accessible – charter guests often want to see what the chef’s up to, and some of them want to try their hand at preparing a dish or getting some tips.” When it’s time to dine, HBC has multiple options. Bobby shows me the formal dining room and the al fresco dining table on the aft deck, but also how the beach club can serve as a late-night spot for cocktails and canapés, or long lazy lunches.

“HBC is an epic charter platform,” “Every inch of this boat puts the charter experience first – even down to the position of the galley!”

Asking Bobby which of HBC’s features set her apart from superyachts of a similar size, he says it’s her beach club that makes her a winner in his eyes. “It’s super cool, it’s so connected to the water. Charter guests love it, it’s a very private area and I think guests feel particularly comfortable there – like they see it more as ‘their space’ than, say, the main saloon.” HBC’s layout, however, offers total separation of the crew and guests, there’s no chance of anyone getting in anyone’s way. As Bobby explains, “the team are never far away, but we want guests to relax and truly feel at home. It’s our job to pre-empt their needs and be waiting in the wings ready to serve, but they shouldn’t have any awareness of us being there.”

“It’s super cool, it’s so connected to the water. Charter guests love it, it’s a very private area and I think guests feel particularly comfortable there – like they see it more as ‘their space’ than, say, the main saloon.”

With 11 spacious suites, and able to accommodate a charter group of 12, HBC is ideal for extended, multi-generational family use or a mixed group of family and friends. The yacht welcomes children, and the enormous array of water toys will entertain guests of all ages. There’s also a well-equipped gym, dedicated massage room, and a Jacuzzi on the sun deck.

“We had a large family group aboard recently, and I saw just how well-suited HBC is to guests of different ages. The older grandparents were able to move about the boat with ease, jumping in and out the elevator to follow their grandchildren to wherever they wanted to play next.” Bobby goes on to explain how the boat lends itself equally well to a younger generation, “with the beach club feeling a little more separate, we found the parents tended to spend the latter part of the evening on the aft deck or in one of the lounges, and the teens could turn the tunes up in the beach club and have their own space. Where else can two completely different demographics enjoy the same holiday, and have completely different experiences?”

“I love having charter groups onboard that are passionate about being on the water and making the most of that experience,” says Bobby. “Some of the best charters we’ve done are when the group gives us total freedom and challenges us to wow them. We pull out all the stops!” Bobby tells me of a trip last summer where he took a risk and repositioned the boat to the southeast side of Sardinia: “It’s beautiful there and less busy, but it feels a million miles away from Cala di Volpe. I got the impression this family were more adventurous than they let on and, away from all the eyes in the busier bays we’d visited, they let loose with the water toys and felt comfortable making a bit more noise.”

In contrast, some charter guests know exactly how they want to spend their time, but Bobby simply sees this as another kind of challenge. “We pride ourselves on delivering a really incredible experience. We’ll do our homework to search out a restaurant they’ve not been to before, or a local delicacy they’ve not tried,” says Bobby. “We’ll liaise with partners ashore to create new and special experiences, working with local guides and venues to secure VIP or exclusive access to events and attractions.”

“We pride ourselves on delivering a really incredible experience. We’ll do our homework to search out a restaurant they’ve not been to before, or a local delicacy they’ve not tried,”

During the charter, guests will become familiar with Captain Bobby’s ambitious determination to always go a step further. “I’ll check in with guests every now and again, perhaps joining them for a coffee on the aft deck to discuss where we should go next or stopping by the beach club to share a few tips and tricks with the water toys. These opportunities to engage with the guests allow me to ascertain their vibe and their passions, so we can tailor experiences to match and surprise them with something special. It’s all about adapting to and matching their energy to create experiences of a lifetime that will set HBC apart from the rest.”

Over the next 18 months, HBC will be for charter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, although another an option is to go further east onto Asia, even offer charters in the Red Sea and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia if there is interest. “In the Caribbean, I think Antigua has to be my favourite spot,” says Bobby. “St Maarten, St Kitts, St Barths, they all have their perks, but life just feels a bit more real here. If you’re considering a charter in the Caribbean, Antigua is a perfect starting point – take a moment to acclimatize and see the hands on your watch start to tick a little slower!”

“In the Caribbean, I think Antigua has to be my favourite spot,”

And what’s Bobby’s advice to people chartering HBC for the first time? “That’s easy. Let us surprise you!”

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