Charter Guru Paola Scalabrino on Avoiding Yacht World’s Bunny Slopes

Sometimes, no matter how smart, connected, and well-resourced you are, you simply need an expert—and not just any expert, but the rarefied insider whom other specialists call when they need help. Luckily, Robb Report has our own highly curated directory of heavy hitters across categories: the Masters of Luxury. This month, we turn to charter guru Paola Scalabrino, whose maritime expertise has been honed during a two-decade career booking the world’s finest yachts for the world’s pickiest people.

Have a conundrum you’d like to see solved? Email askrobb@robbreport.com.

The Expert

Name: Paola Scalabrino
Occupation: Charter broker, SuperYachtsMonaco
HQ: Monaco
Specialty: Navigating choppy waters

The Big Question

I’m tired of the same old Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries, but every time I’ve tried to find a charter to a less-trafficked spot, I’ve hit a wall—so often, in fact, I’ve given up. Can you offer any work-arounds? Is it even worth trying again? We’re an active family of four with two adventurous teens, and we don’t want to just moor off another island.

You’re right that traditionally it has been tricky to find a vessel that isn’t on one of the typical circuits, mostly for money reasons—its expensive to reposition yachts in-season, which deters both clients and owners, and brokers often shirk the paperwork, too. That’s changing, according to Scalabrino. “There’s a new generation of owners that love adventure, and so more explorer yachts are being built with full scuba-diving rooms or hyperbaric chambers,” she says. “They’ll keep going to the most pristine, off-the-beaten-track locations.”

Look at the Abeking & Rasmussen–built Cloudbreak, for example, with its own helipad and large toy garage; Cantiere delle Marche is an on-the-rise builder that specializes in explorer ships, and many of the rugged, Damen-made support vessels these days are de facto yachts themselves.

Whatever your group size, though, expect to be booking larger vessels. They’re organized to be more self-sufficient, carrying spare parts or with onboard fridges for both weeks of provisions and garbage, which means most will be 180 feet or longer. As a rule of thumb, newer kitted-out ships, with helicopters and other toys, will likely cost about 20 to 30 percent more than an older yacht that perhaps has been at sea for five or 10 years, adds Scalabrino.

You’ll have no issue booking these on out-of-the-way itineraries, though. Owners want to keep them far from the yacht world’s bunny slopes for their own use, so they’ll gladly accept bookings like yours. “Last year, we had one go to Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa, to look at the migration of the sardines, with guests on board. Another went to Zanzibar and Madagascar.”

Speed Round

Hidden corner of the Med that should be on more summer itineraries?

“Malta. It’s changed hands multiple times between the Arabs and the Europeans, so the culture is layered. Go to the little islands of Gozo and Comino.”

What’s an insider tip to make the most of the Med?

“Charter in June or September, which are two underestimated months and the most beautiful. The owners are more flexible on rates, and there are far fewer crowds.

Tip for a showstopper moment?

“Clients love fireworks, but you need to ask for authorization in lots of places, like Capri or Porto Cervo. Take some drones—you can create something spectacular without being as dangerous.”

Concierge you tap for impossible asks?

“Claudia Morandini of CMT Events in Monaco. She is very well-connected in the F1 world. If you charter during the Grand Prix, she can help with everything from the right dockage in port to maybe even an F1 driver coming on board to say hello.”

New-to-charter spots that you recommend?

“The charter market in Thailand recently opened up to foreign-flag vessels that can obtain a license, and Costa Rica, where a law was passed to make it legal in 2021.”