Recent years have seen a clear shift in how people charter yachts, with a growing appetite for family-friendly vacations. An increasing number of parents are opting to swap out luxury hotels for the privacy and flexibility of superyachts during family yacht charters. And today, these families are demanding not only quality time together, but also wellness-focused itineraries and adventures for all ages. So, when children join a yacht’s guest list, having the right entertainment onboard becomes essential for the entire charter experience.
No one knows this better than Ella Peters, a professional superyacht nanny, founder of The Superyacht Nanny, and now a proud FunAir Ambassador. With years of hands-on experience caring for children onboard some of the world’s best charter yachts, Ella has a front-row seat to what works best for children at sea. She understands how to keep them safer, happy, and entertained, and how FunAir inflatables play a huge part in delivering these in-demand family trips. We spoke with Ella to discuss the trend of family-friendly charters and why FunAir inflatables, like the iconic Yacht Slide, are must-haves for yachts today.
Why Yacht Toys and Inflatables Matter More Than Ever
Charter clients today are typically prioritising family time, wellness, and active, immersive experiences over the run-of-the-mill and party-centric itineraries. Multi-generational charters are being booked up year-on-year — yacht brokerage IYC has reported a ‘significant’ surge in family and multi-generational bookings, driven by younger clients entering the yachting world, a trend they expect to continue.
“There are definitely more children onboard today,” confirms Ella. “I’m seeing far more requests for nannies needed for multi-generational charters, and industry trends reflect that too. These charters are so much fun as children bring a sense of magic and spontaneity that completely transforms the atmosphere.”
Ella’s also noticed a new, interesting trend: “I am also seeing more liveaboard families, often following world schooling frameworks and cruising more off the beaten track. It’s great to see families choosing to give their children these life experiences.” Brokerage companies are also responding to this, such as Edmiston, which partners with Simply Learning Tuition to offer tutors on board educational charter experiences.
Safer, High-Quality Yacht Toys That Provide Hours of Fun
When children of all ages are onboard, the right yacht toys aren’t just a nice extra; they are a necessity. “FunAir inflatables keep kids entertained for hours,” says Ella. “Everyone loves the Yacht Slide! And they cater to all ages – from the Netted Sea Pools for younger children to the Climbing Walls and Water Park setups that provide great obstacle course competitions for the teens,” she adds.
But not all inflatables meet the correct standards, and when children’s safety is involved at sea, the quality of the toy is crucial. “Families expect a premium experience, and that means premium toys. The quality and safety of inflatables are absolutely paramount, and from my experience, FunAir consistently delivers,” explains Ella.
Things can quickly go wrong with kids onboard if the right systems aren’t in place. Ella emphasises the importance of yachts being correctly set up for family charters — from implementing safeguarding policies and childproofing measures to ensuring clear communication between the crew and nanny. “It’s about creating an environment where parents have peace of mind and can relax knowing their children are occupied, in safe hands, and having fun,” she explains.
Superyacht Inflatables to Suit Every Yacht
From compact boats to larger superyachts, there is a FunAir setup to suit all families, allowing yachts of all sizes to enjoy the benefits of having our superyacht inflatables onboard. Smaller yachts, often with fewer crew members, typically opt for products such as our Beach Loungers, Shaded Oasis and Sea Pools to extend their outside space.
While larger yachts can accommodate bigger additions, such as inflatables like Climbing Playgrounds, huge Water Park setups that include the Splash Tower and Splash Dome, and complete FunFlex systems. Explorer yachts also embrace inflatables, especially when families are onboard, with setups designed for remote anchorages and secluded bays, such as including a Toy Dock and a Floating Island in their inventories.
Ella notices that there has become a distinct difference between yachts that market themselves as ‘family friendly’ and those that genuinely deliver. “There’s a big difference between a yacht that says it’s suitable for children and one that’s properly equipped with varied, premium quality setups [like FunAir] designed for families,” she explains.
How Yacht Crew and Nannies Can Create Epic Family Charters
It isn’t just about the inflatable toys when creating the perfect family charter, it’s also about how the days are run onboard. Ella stresses that ongoing communication between the yacht crew and the nanny is incredibly important. “The nanny onboard wants happy children and relaxed parents, and the crew wants a smooth, enjoyable charter for everyone. When they are both aligned on daily plans, safety measures, and guest preferences, the whole experience is elevated,” she notes.
Coordinating daily inflatable setups, seamlessly swapping out activities during downtime, and managing preferences and expectations all contribute to an enhanced charter experience for guests of all ages. While plans are typically likely to change onboard, especially with children, family-friendly charter yachts should have a clear toy inventory list available for both parents and kids to choose from in the morning, eliminating any delays in getting the fun ready. Ella adds: “Nannies can be such an asset on a family charter, and together with the crew, you can create these once-in-a-lifetime moments they will remember forever.”
Ella founded The Superyacht Nanny to assist with all childcare-related matters onboard. She delivers superyacht nanny coaching, consults with interior teams, and has created solutions for management companies that support family-friendly charters. We are thrilled to have her on the FunAir Ambassador team, helping us spread awareness about the importance of having high-quality family-friendly activities onboard.
For Ella, after years of seeing FunAir’s products in action, this ambassador partnership is a natural fit. Ella adds: “I am so excited to be representing FunAir. I’ve believed in their products for a long time, and they’ve consistently been a highlight of some of the best family times I’ve experienced onboard. It’s exciting to collaborate and continue enhancing the family charter experience.”
Upgrade Your Family Yacht Charter Offering Today
If you’re looking to strengthen your yacht’s family-friendly credentials, contact us today at [email protected] to discuss how the right superyacht inflatables can level up your charter game. Or, if you are passionate about yachting and having fun on the water, like Ella, we welcome conversations with those interested in partnering with us and becoming a FunAir ambassador. Let’s chat!