Have you dreamed about winning a boat trip on a luxury yacht, cruising along the gorgeous coastline of Ibiza and Formentera? What if that boat was the 89-ft luxury yacht, once owned by Russian oligarch and Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich. We'd all be fighting to get into the prize draw, wouldn't we?
It isn't every day you get to sail on a yacht that in high season could cost you almost €6,000, so as a thank you to its customers on the island Boats Ibiza ran a competition to win a day out on that luxury sailer, the Disco Volante named after James Bond's boat in the film Thunderball. It goes literally at a rate of 34 knots max speed, is achingly beautiful and luxurious, has an incredible sound system and handles like a sleek, swift panther.
A prize that just says wow!
Well, the dream came true at least for Jade Gandy who won the top prize of the boat trip on the company's coolest yacht with 10 of her friends as well as two nights free accommodation for up to five out-of-town guests. All very wow! Jade took her trip in September, setting off from Marina Botafoch in Ibiza Town over to Formentera. As this would be a highlight of the summer, she chose the friends that would get the most out of it and of course, the ones that had the best record collections to play on that sound system.
Detailing her trip Jade was struck by the magnificence of the Disco Volante:
“We were all in awe when we arrived and once on board we were overwhelmed by the speed of the boat and the handsome and opulent interior. We really couldn't lift a finger because the Boats Ibiza crew insisted that we relax. It made us feel like it was our boat, not someone else's and we all loved the care and personal attention - who wouldn't.”
Jade and her friends had a great day out, relaxing on the boat and then playing about in the water with paddle boards and snorkels when the boat moored in Formentera. Captain Mickey, the boat's skipper, known as the pirate chef, put on an incredible lunch whilst everyone took turns at being DJ before the day ended with a spectacular pinch-yourself sunset, anchored just off Cala Saona.
Just a perfect day
Jade adds:
“Boats Ibiza is incredibly professional and its team made us feel really special. Often, competition winners don't get the same treatment as people who are actually paying for the trip, but not here. As one of our group commented: ‘If only Carlsberg did Thursdays,' because the day was so perfect and we could not have improved it.”
Do look out for next year's competition which promises to be just as cool and sexy as this year's one, so make sure you take part. If you already have holiday plans, then be aware that you can book one of Boats Ibiza's fleet for 2017 right now and enjoy a decent discount if you book before the end of December 2016. There are all kinds of boats to choose from, from agile speedboats to small to mid-sized yachts right up to the king of them all, the Disco Volante.
Ibiza and Formentera from the sea are prizes to behold, so make your plans to get out on the water this coming summer. It's a magical experience.
WORDS | Julian Heathcote PHOTOGRAPHY | Boats Ibiza
