The 81.8m RoMEA – recently listed among the world’s top-10 most expensive charter yachts – is now exclusively available for charter in Asia, through Imperial, for the first time since she began operating in 2015.
After several seasons cruising the Med and Caribbean, the 82m RoMEA is the latest charter yacht in Asia exclusively available through Imperial; Photos by Jeff Brown and Guillaume Plisson for Imperial
Imperial has recently been enjoying immense success in the world of megayachts, including as the exclusive charter agent for the new 136m Lurssen Flying Fox, billed as the world’s largest charter yacht and No. 1 in the Top 100 Superyachts of Asia-Pacific feature that appears in Yacht Style Issue 50.
Delivered earlier this year, Flying Fox was among yachts at anchor outside Port Hercules during the Monaco Yacht Show, where Imperial represented several yachts including the 106m Lurssen Amadea, exclusively for sale through the Monaco-based superyacht services company.
But for many readers of Luxuo and Yacht Style magazine, the news of RoMEA chartering in this region is the most exciting.
The decision was made after the owner, who had explored the Caribbean region extensively in recent winter seasons, decided it was time to visit more remote areas, with the Indian Ocean and other parts of Asia on his bucket list.
Situated forward on the sun deck, the jacuzzi is flanked by large lounging areas
A provisional itinerary for both November and the first half of December included the Seychelles and the Maldives, where she’s already booked from December 20-January 11. From January 15, RoMEA is available for charter in the Indian Ocean and is expected to travel to the likes of Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Julia Stewart, Director of Imperial, is confident of the yacht’s appeal in this region following several hugely successful charter seasons on both sides of the Atlantic.
“For the past few years, RoMEA has been one of the largest and most luxurious yachts to cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean. She’s also the most experienced charter yacht in Imperial’s Central Agency fleet, so she’s a reflection of our own expertise,” Stewart says.
“Her success is also built on the numerous destinations she has already cruised. Having explored most of the Med for the past four years, and the majority of Caribbean islands from the north to the south and touching the coasts of Colombia, the experience gained by her crew is highly valuable for all charter guests coming on board.
RoMEA has a stunning beach club on the lower deck, and appealing outdoor areas on the four decks above
“RoMEA always amazes her guests and offers a different journey every day, and the recipes applied when she’s cruising the Mediterranean coasts or the busy Caribbean islands are the same for her first season in the Indian Ocean. We have no doubt it will be a fantastic opportunity and experience for RoMEA, her crew and our team. We’re really excited to show the capabilities of this vessel in this part of the world.”
SPAS, CINEMAS AND TOYS
Measuring over 268ft in length and 41ft in width, RoMEA has a lot to offer across her six decks, which provide a total volume of 2,312GT.
Powered by twin Caterpillars and with up to 210,000 litres of fuel, she has a range of 5,750nm at her cruising speed of 14 knots, which is a huge bonus when travelling the Indian Ocean and more remote parts of Asia. At full power, the yacht has a top speed of 16.9 knots, while at anchor, two Quantum XT zero speed stabilisers ensure stability and comfort.
A proud product of German giant Abeking & Rasmussen, which built this year’s award-winning Excellence, RoMEA features an elegant exterior and a warm, understated interior by Terence Disdale Design, which worked in collaboration with Imperial’s Build Supervisor team for the first time.
Disdale’s décor includes fine bronze, steel and glass, expert stonework, rich leather and exotic woods, while bespoke furnishings and unique works of art complete a coherent and homely interior.
The big beach club has plenty of space for loungers and umbrellas, and a wide central stairway into the water, while a floating pool can also be attached
RoMEA houses 12 guests in six staterooms, comprising a huge master suite forward on the upper deck, and a full-beam VIP and four guest cabins on the main deck, while most of the accommodation for the 23-strong crew is forward on the lower deck.
The yacht is ideal for those who wish to focus on health and relaxation. There’s a great outdoor jacuzzi on the sun deck, while on the bridge deck below is a beautifully designed, fully-equipped spa, complete with a beauty salon and massage table.
Down on the lower deck, connected to the large beach club area, is a dedicated wellness zone or spa lounge with Finnish sauna, natural pebble flooring and a large jacuzzi.
Other standout features include indoor and outdoor cinemas. The enormous saloon on the main deck can be converted into a fantastic cinema with a huge projector screen to starboard, as guests watch from the enormous C-shaped sofa on port side.
The enormous saloon on the main deck can be transformed into a beautiful cinema with a huge screen on starboard side; popcorn is supplied …
On the bridge deck, the covered al fresco area aft can be converted into an outdoor cinema by deploying a large drop-down screen, and even the lower-deck beach club has a comfortable lounge with a TV for a cosier movie experience.
The yacht features multiple spacious outdoor, covered and indoor social zones, all suitable for entertaining, including a beautiful upper-deck saloon that features a piano and three separate seating areas.
For getting about or just having fun, RoMEA has a 9.6m limousine tender and 5.9m sports tender by Germany’s Yachtwerft Meyer, as well as an 8.6m Pascoe Beachlander.
The huge range of water toys includes a Laser sailboat, four jetskis, Seabobs, inflatables, waterskis, a wakeboard, kneeboards, paddleboards, four kayaks, fishing equipment, six full sets of dive gear plus a large floating pool, great for swimming off the yacht in safety and comfort.
The VIP suite is one of six staterooms
CAPTAIN AND CREW
However, most charter guests and operators agree that a yacht’s crew can be the determining factor of any charter experience, and this is another of RoMEA’s plus points, with a vastly experienced and diverse team representing over 10 nationalities.
Most of the crew have been onboard RoMEA for at least 24 months, including the Captain, who’s also a Divemaster with experience of the Indian Ocean region.
“Having been in the industry for over 20 years, I can honestly say that RoMEA is the nicest command that I have had. The interior is bright and welcoming, and flows easily inside to out. The layout, accessories and of course the crew work in harmony to create a fantastic guest experience,” he says.
“RoMEA has a great team on board, with a wide range of knowledge of cruising, sports skills, service hospitality and food styles. Our galley team is exceptional. Although a large crew on paper, they act and work as a small, efficient cell and whatever the client requests, we try to achieve in the shortest timespan.”
The gorgeous spa and massage salon is on the bridge deck, and provides a serene environment for rest and rejuvenation
Stewart is in full agreement that crew is paramount to a memorable guest experience, and emphasises that the Captain and his crew have quite a lot of Asia experience between them.
“A successful charter superyacht is nothing without the passion and expertise of her crew, and many of RoMEA’s crew have previously spent winter seasons in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia,” she says.
“They know the most popular areas as well as the quietest ones, and it all depends on the guests during their journey. We adapt our schedule according to their tastes, their wishes.”
PLANS FOR ASIA
RoMEA may be new to Asia, but Imperial is not. The company’s experience in the region started in 2010 with the 60m Lurssen Arkley, which Stewart describes as “the most popular charter vessel in the range at the time”.
Upper deck aft is ideal for dining and socialising, day or night
Imperial’s more recent charter yachts in the region include the 55m Amels Lili, which cruised the Indian Ocean for a second successful season in the 2018/19 winter.
“With Arkley, we explored and gained experience cruising Thai waters, before coming back to the Mediterranean for the summer season. With Lili, the options offered to our guests had increased because of our greater knowledge of the region,” Stewart says.
“We learn a lot from these experiences, especially in the Indian Ocean as the remote islands are a daily challenge in terms of provisioning, fuelling, connections and so on. This part of the world is challenging, but we have to offer our guests the most unforgettable trip and we’ve proven we’re capable of great successes.”
The 9.6m Yachtwerft Meyer limousine tender is an elegant transfer boat
The experience of Imperial and RoMEA’s Captain in the region ensure that itineraries for various destinations are available, but all involved pride themselves on their ability to customise trips and be adaptable, depending on the needs of charter guests.
“Routes and activities will depend on our client. Our motto is to stay available 24/7 wherever the vessel is in the region,” Stewart says. “Our location will obviously be in the most practical area for guests embarking, but flexibility is one of our master keywords. Guests are the priority above all else during a charter, as our goal is to offer the best possible experience.”
And the Captain is already among those delighted to return to a region known globally for its spectacular diving, picture-perfect tropical islands and diversity of local cultures and cuisine.
“For me, the highlight of returning to the Indian Ocean is the beauty and vivid colours of the coral and sea life. Some of the best dive experiences I’ve had as a Divemaster have been in the region. Manta rays, sharks and the opportunity of swimming with whale sharks are not to be missed,” he says.
Bridge deck aft features an attractive al fresco lounge with large sofas, coffee tables and a retractable screen, ideal for a movie night to round off the day
“The Indian Ocean is a paradise of coral atolls and pristine water, and RoMEA is like a calm oasis, a relaxing hub from which to set off on adventure.
“Whether it’s diving, kiting, hydro-boarding, jet-skiing or exploring the cultural beauty of the area, guests will return from their day to the tranquillity of RoMEA, where they can chill in the spa or sauna or just take in the views from the sun deck. RoMEA is a great charter vessel wherever in the world she sails.”
RoMEA is available for charter from €875,000/week. Contact Imperial for further details:
Tel: +377 9798-3880
Note: The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 50. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/
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