Opinion: Christmas on board - the best alternative?
YACHT
· 06.12.2025
Dear readers,
Christmas is just around the corner. Some people love it, others hate it and I'm caught between two worlds. I love spending the festive season with my closest family, often in the north of Denmark. Roast goose, dancing around the Christmas tree and walks together on the deserted beach, where the icy cold wind gets the metabolism going. This year, however, I need an alternative.
In the midst of the hectic pre-Christmas rush, I find it hard to look forward to the festive season. In the crowded, over-decorated city with 3D sound systems playing Christmas bangers such as "Jingle Bells" and "Last Christmas", I have thoughts of escaping. I used to spend Christmas Eve in a tent in the coastal forest, accompanied by a bottle of schnapps and my iPod - that was cool, but now I have a family and they would rightly give me the bird.
So why not go on a boat? Unfortunately, my own boat is out of the question. It's jacked up in outdoor storage and doesn't offer the comfort for a cosy family celebration. Last year, my brother was still in Guadeloupe with his Hanseat. There was goulash and red wine on board, accompanied by African-Caribbean music. Selfie with swimming trunks and Christmas hat. That would be it, but unfortunately this boat is now also in winter storage at home.
That leaves the charter. The Caribbean or the Seychelles are definitely out of my budget and there could also be problems with customs, because I don't want to miss out on my Christmas roast. A colleague had the idea that saved the day: chartering a boat on Mallorca. The off-season costs are moderate and it's easy to get there. You just need a bit of luck with the weather.
So he and his wife spent one Christmas in the Puerto de Cabrera. Not another boat for miles around. That dream bay in the national park south of Mallorca, whose mooring buoys are always fully booked in summer and have to be reserved in advance. In spring-like temperatures, even the bathing platform found its purpose. The best thing, however, was that they were able to put their roast rabbit in the aluminium travel roaster in their luggage. A 12-volt Christmas tree from the trucker's shop provided the festive atmosphere. And is there anything more contemplative than relaxing with a glass of wine in the Mediterranean? The perfect Christmas for sailing romantics!
Well, almost. At least until the evening when sudden downdraughts rocked the boat to such an extent that not only did the mood change, but the half-digested roast also went over the railing. But there's always something. In any case, my plan for a Christmas on board is set.
Morten Strauch
YACHT editor
Recommended reading from the editorial team
New podcast episode
Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink's experience of Globe40
Germany's youngest Globe40 crew: Melwin Fink (24) and Lennart Burke (27) on a super disaster, comeback and their future. YACHT podcast episode 69.
Kraken 58
Luxury tourer consistently geared towards long journeys in the test
Integral keel, full skeg and a Kevlar-reinforced hull laminate: this luxury tourer for long journeys was deliberately designed to buck the trend. Safety has top priority. Does this concept work?
Ferrari Hypersail
The sailing rocket takes shape
Ferrari presents the design of the Hypersail offshore racer, which transfers the design language of the iconic car brand to the world of sailing. The Ferrari Design Studio under Flavio Manzoni worked closely with designer Guillaume Verdier to develop an aesthetic in which form consistently follows function.
Lake Constance accident
Motorboat driver faces murder trial
Conditional premeditated murder instead of grossly negligent homicide: the motorboat driver who caused the death of a German sailor in October is facing a surprising life sentence.
Bavaria Yachts
Three special models with complete equipment
The Bavarian yacht builder Bavaria presents its sailing yacht bestsellers Cruiser 34, 37 and 46 as fully equipped special models at a fixed price.
"Raijin"
Nautor launches second Swan 128
The Finnish shipyard Nautor has launched the second unit of its flagship Swan 128 . "Raijin" differs from the first unit "BeCool" with a revised interior and an advanced energy management system. The 38.98 metre long XL-Slup will make its debut at the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo in September.
Rolex Yacht-Master II
Regatta Chronograph is available again
The Rolex Yacht-Master II returns. The 44-millimetre luxury watch combines highly complex mechanics with exclusive materials.
Hallberg Rassy 57
A feature-length visit on board
Hallberg-Rassy presents its 57 in an unusually long and lavishly produced presentation film. In 103 minutes, the traditional Swedish shipyard provides detailed insights into the luxurious blue-water cruiser under sail and on deck.
"Malizia 4"
Why manual control is becoming a success factor again
In ocean racing, it is no longer just the shape of the hull that determines victory or defeat. With "Malizia 4", Team Malizia is also focussing on the question of how the boat is steered: by hand, by autopilot and, in future, possibly with much more intelligent systems. This is where the next race-deciding reserves lie.
Traditional sailing ships
Windjammers - How to recognise the 10 most common types of sailing ship
An overview of the ten most important types of sailing ship: Traditional ships and tall ships from cutters to four-masted barques. How do you tell the difference?
Newsletter: YACHT-Woche
Der Yacht Newsletter fasst die wichtigsten Themen der Woche zusammen, alle Top-Themen kompakt und direkt in deiner Mail-Box. Einfach anmelden:
