This is one of the most successful charter yachts on the market

Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: Step onboard Titania, the 71m Lürssen outfitted for charter

• Charter Updates: The Superyacht People as CA for Pazienza | Mirage for charter in Norway | New CA for 43m Dodo | Last minute availability onboard Gypzy | Cruise the Caribbean onboard Crossed Sabre | Valinor for charter in the South Pacific

• Superyacht Spotlight: 100m Feadship Moonrise and 139m Lürssen Luminance in the South of France

TOP STORY

The 71m Lürssen outfitted for charter

Titania, the 71-metre Lürssen, is one of the most successful charter yachts on the market, and deeply cared for by the same owner for over a decade. Speaking with the owner’s representative and the team at Burgess, Leona Caanen takes a look at the yacht’s journey.

Celebrating two decades out at sea, Titania returned to the Palumbo Superyacht Refit in Marseille in 2025 for her 20-year class survey. Built in 2006, the 71-metre Lürssen was acquired by her current owner, British businessman, investor and philanthropist John Caudwell, in 2010 at a high-profile no-reserve public auction at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman. Since coming under John’s ownership, the yacht has become one of the most successful charter yachts on the market, averaging over 20 weeks of charter per year.

Bought for business

From the get-go, “the intention was always to run Titania as a charter business”, shares Titania’s owner representative. “John knew it was not just going to be any charter yacht, but the most prominent charter yacht on the market.” Yet the goal of chartering Titania wasn’t to make money, instead, it would allow John to combine his passion for hospitality with his dedication to charity work. Having joined the Giving Pledge in 2013, coinciding with the yacht’s very first charter journey, most of the money made is donated to charity work.

Before putting Titania up for charter, John and his team spent a year figuring out how to optimise the superyacht. With a venture capitalist’s eye for commercialisation, John brought the yacht back to Rendsburg, Germany where she completed a six-month refit, with the goal of shaping the Lürssen into a yacht that could provide the best possible onboard experience in the industry.

Refit

Titania’s extensive refit took place at the Lürssen yard where she was built. During the half-year refit, the yacht saw her stern extended four metres, with the full length now measuring 71 metres. With the yacht’s extension came the addition of a brand new beach club, outfitted with a sauna. Other added features include an airconditioned gym on the sundeck, a Jacuzzi pool and a health spa including a hair and beauty salon and onboard masseuse on her upper deck.

Last year, the Lürssen returned to Palumbo Superyachts Refit in Marseille for her 20-year class survey. The yard has extensive knowledge of the superyacht, as it has come for maintenance and refit multiple times throughout the last decade. A representative from the yard shares that “it’s a pleasure to have Titania return, confirming the customer’s trust and the continuity of our previous collaborations.”

The 2025 refit brought a significant challenge, namely, a strict deadline. Her tight timeline meant that work had to be done simultaneously across several areas of the yacht: the propulsion system, including shafts, propellers, rudders and thrusters were all overhauled, while work on the hydraulic systems, side and aft passerelles and the telescopic mast and garage doors underwent servicing. Structural steelwork on Titania’s hull, deck, and tanks progressed alongside a full blasting and painting cycle, while the main engines, gearboxes and generators were fully serviced to meet the class survey requirements. 

For Palumbo, the refit of Titania wasn’t just about preserving her in pristine condition, but also to cater to its owner and the ever evolving charter clientele that steps onboard. Part of her refit was oriented at transforming the vessel into a multi-generational superyacht. “Family enjoyment has always informed layout decisions, toy selection and the overall onboard atmosphere, and over the years spaces have been upgraded to suit more communal living.” 

John never allows Titania to stagnate and focuses on refining her whenever possible. From technical refinements to aesthetic upgrades, Titania is always well equipped, from her extensive toybox to a fully equipped gym including a reformer pilates machine, ice bath and a personal trainer. 

The heart of Titania

It’s not just the continued investment into caring and maintaining the yacht that makes Titania stand-out. John’s team emphasises how “crew is everything; investing in people pays dividends. Happy, well-paid motivated crew creates better charters, and Titania’s crew is by far the best in the industry.” While many owners claim their crew is the best, Titania’s team has proven their exceptional service since their very first charter. “The team had only two days to set up their very first charter, yet the feedback was outstanding and set the bar.” The team onboard continues to transform the yacht into a charter experience suitable for the guests, whether that is a family retreat, celebration, or a private sanctuary.

The longevity of the crew reflects the work environment onboard. Captain Shaun has been onboard since 2019, and much of the crew grows through the ranks, like the Second Engineer, who joined the yacht in 2012, and has since become the Chief Engineer. Furthermore, John is deeply committed to the crew’s happiness, “at heart, Titania is about the joy of experience. And that starts with the crew: they’re the heartbeat of the ship.” 

The biggest challenge Titania’s team has faced is maintaining excellence at scale. Unable to cruise without being noticed, the yacht constantly sits under an industry microscope. “You can’t just meet the standard, you have to always be ahead of the curve.” 

Titania’s success over the past years lies not just in her well-cared for crew and continuous upgrades, but in having an owner who understands the importance of investing and caring for their superyacht. Titania moves with an ever-modernising world, in both aesthetics and capability.

CHARTER UPDATES

SUPERYACHT SPOTLIGHT

@superyachttimes

100m Feadship MOONRISE and 139m Lürssen LUMINANCE in the South of France

Recently sold for a last known asking price of €325,000,000, Moonrise was delivered in 2020. The award-winning yacht features exterior design by De Voogt Naval Architects and Rémi Tessier, the latter of which were responsible for her interior, alongside naval architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects. She can comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests across an eight stateroom configuration, as well as a crew of 32.

Delivered by Lürssen in 2024, Luminance’s deep-blue hull and signature bow designed by Espen Øino create an eye-catching profile. Inside, her Zuretti-designed interiors mix warm oak with metallic accents across ten staterooms for 20 guests, supported by 36 crew.

🎥 by @superyachttimes