Superyacht experiences: Luxury Treasure Hunts
An experience like no other, Luxury Treasure Hunts creates out-of-this-world productions for yachts. Guests are immersed in a fantasy world of treasure hunting while visiting some of the most beautiful yacht cruising destinations.
Each experience is created by a collection of expert film and documentary producers, screenwriters, prop makers, and location managers. The team works together with the crew and yacht managers to elevate the superyacht experience for charter guests and owners.
Founded by Charlie Moretti, Luxury Treasure Hunts provides those on board with one-of-a-kind, adventures that blur the line between the real world and heart-racing adventures carefully curated by the team. Discussing the expansive planning process, Moretti explains how the Luxury Treasure Hunts draw on their backgrounds within the film industry. “We work as if this was a movie: the script comes first! Then location scouting, props, and sets with the production of the experience as the last step. The main difference is that we only have one take to get it right as it is all live. We work with brokers, agents, and captains but also with specialized travel agents and high-end concierges, it's all a small world in the end. We try to be an extension of the experience delivered on the yacht.”
Moretti is surprised at how often his background in the film industry aligns with life in the yachting world. “You might think that shooting a commercial with a crew of over 200 in Shanghai has nothing to do with entertaining guests on a charter in the Caribbean,” he remarks. “Turns out, that’s not quite true: The yacht’s crew all have one simple goal: everything is perfect from the client’s perspective. That is exactly the same as in film or TV: everything has to be perfect in front of the camera.” Ultimately, the yacht’s crew and the production members from Luxury Yacht Treasure Hunt are working to provide unparalleled experiences for guests on board.
“The yacht’s crew all have one simple goal: everything is perfect from the client’s perspective. That is exactly the same as in film or TV: everything has to be perfect in front of the camera.”
The high level of production means a project must be conceptualized and planned many months before the yacht trip itself. “It takes around ten months to produce a treasure hunt,” explains Moretti. “We start working on a new treasure hunt at the end of the high season and the target is to be ready by the start of the next season. We pride ourselves that they are as unique as each location and we select destinations that are not accessible to even the best concierge.” The Luxury Yacht Treasure Hunt team creates ‘basecamps’ each season that host the events for charter guests and yacht owners.
In all areas of luxury tourism, there has been a rise in luxury travelers wanting experiential and immersive experiences. In particular, this is most evident in younger charter clients and yacht owners. “I think that many of us get mixed up and focus on luxury over authenticity,” observes Moretti. “When addressing ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), you can rarely impress from a financial perspective alone, which is why we go deeper and aim for the emotional and unforgettable.” Many charter clients and owners are looking to enjoy quality time with friends and family, away from the distractions of the modern world. An immersive adventure with no cell phones or Ipads seems like the ideal way to connect and bond with each other. As Moretti adds, “The main currency we’re dealing with isn't money but time and this is what we strive to create value for.”
“The main currency we’re dealing with isn't money but time and this is what we strive to create value for.”
As the summer charter season is well underway, the Luxury Treasure Hunts team is preparing for another busy period with guests. “I am currently in Sardinia where we just started a new treasure hunt and which is our second basecamp for this summer. It’s a popular destination and we hope to bring something unique and fresh to already discerning guests.” Moretti and his team work tirelessly with local venues and suppliers to involve them in the projects, and some locations are perfectly placed to host an adventure for guests of all ages. “Sardinia may have many hidden treasures but it’s the locals that are the best-kept ones for sure!”
If a seasoned yacht owner wishes to create a vacation of a lifetime, or a new charter client starts their yacht experience with a bang, a captivating treasure hunt is a luxury experience like no other.
