Discover the Epitome of High-Performance Italian Luxury: M/Y Ruby, the Tecnomar Velvet 83, offers a charter experience defined by breathtaking speed, Luca Dini’s sophisticated design, and unparalleled freedom across the East Mediterranean’s most glamorous destinations. If you are searching for an unforgettable superyacht vacation that blends the thrill of high velocity with the serene elegance of a private five-star retreat, Ruby is the jewel of the charter fleet, delivering rapid island transitions and sun-drenched relaxation with equal measure.
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| Tecnomar luxury yacht charter |
The world of luxury yacht charter is fiercely competitive, yet certain vessels manage to stand out not just for their size, but for the sheer exhilaration and style they deliver. M/Y Ruby, a distinguished 26-meter open motor yacht built by the renowned Italian shipyard Tecnomar, embodies this rare combination. As a high-performance example of the Tecnomar Velvet 83 series, Ruby is not merely a mode of transport; she is an exclusive passport to the Mediterranean’s most coveted islands, promising an itinerary dictated by desire, not distance. From her aggressive, sleek profile to the exquisitely refitted Luca Dini interiors, every detail of Ruby has been curated for the discerning traveler who values both adrenaline and absolute comfort. This extensive guide dives deep into the very essence of what makes a charter aboard Ruby a genuinely unique and unforgettable experience.
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| Tecnomar luxury yacht charter |
The Tecnomar Heritage: Where Speed Meets Italian Soul
To understand the brilliance of Ruby, one must first appreciate the legacy of her builder, Tecnomar. Part of The Italian Sea Group, Tecnomar has long been synonymous with high-performance, open-class yachts characterized by their dynamic lines and ability to achieve thrilling speeds without compromising safety or luxury. The Velvet line, in particular, represents the shipyard’s commitment to blending aggressive sportiness with supreme onboard comfort, a philosophy perfectly captured by Ruby.
The Velvet 83 model is a masterclass in naval architecture, designed specifically to slice through the waves efficiently. Unlike slower displacement yachts, Ruby's planing hull allows her to get up on the water, greatly reducing friction and enabling her astonishing velocity. This inherent speed is not a mere bragging right; it is a fundamental component of the charter experience, offering guests the ability to maximize their time on the water, reaching secluded coves or iconic hotspots in a fraction of the time a traditional yacht would require. This dedication to performance is the foundation upon which Ruby's luxury is built, ensuring that the journey itself is as spectacular as the destination.
A Diamond Cut: The Vision of Luca Dini Design
The external grace and internal sophistication of Ruby are the work of the globally acclaimed Luca Dini Design & Architecture. Dini’s firm specializes in creating spaces that are both modern and inviting, emphasizing natural light and fluid lines—a perfect complement to the dynamic Tecnomar structure.
The Exterior Aesthetic: Ruby's profile is unmistakable. Her low, aerodynamic superstructure flows seamlessly into a powerful hull, suggesting movement even when she is anchored. The design minimizes visual bulk, resulting in a yacht that looks fast, sleek, and undeniably Italian. The recent 2023 refit ensured that this classic design remains sharp and contemporary, with updated finishes and state-of-the-art equipment that breathe new life into her already beautiful bones.
The Interior Sanctuary: Inside, Dini’s touch transforms the high-speed vessel into a sanctuary of elegance. The interiors favor light, neutral palettes, typically incorporating crisp white furnishings contrasted with rich, dark woods and polished chrome accents. The generous use of large windows and glass panels ensures the main saloon is bathed in Mediterranean sunlight, creating a bright, welcoming, and expansive atmosphere that belies the yacht’s 26-meter size. The design is contemporary, yet timeless, offering a chic, minimalist backdrop for guests’ personalized charter experience.
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The Heartbeat of the Ocean: Performance and Dynamics
For the true yachting enthusiast, the experience of high-speed cruising is the ultimate thrill, and this is where Ruby truly shines. She is a machine built for rapid, comfortable transitions, turning hours of travel into moments of exhilaration.
The Power Plant: Twin MTU Engines
Ruby is powered by twin MTU 2000 HP engines, a gold standard in marine engineering known for delivering exceptional power, reliability, and speed. These engines allow the vessel to maintain a comfortable cruising speed of approximately 28 to 32 knots. However, when a surge of adrenaline is required, Ruby can unleash her full potential, hitting an impressive maximum speed of 40 to 43 knots.
This blistering top speed is a logistical advantage in the vast cruising grounds of the Mediterranean. Imagine wanting to have lunch in Mykonos and dinner in Santorini; on a standard yacht, this might be a full day’s voyage, but on Ruby, it becomes a thrilling afternoon dash. The efficiency of her planing hull, combined with the power of the MTU engines, means guests spend less time watching the horizon and more time enjoying the destination.
Engineering for Comfort
Cruising at high speeds requires meticulous naval architecture to ensure a smooth, stable ride. Tecnomar’s engineering, coupled with the latest stabilizing systems, minimizes noise and vibration, meaning that while the landscapes may be flying past, the interior remains a quiet haven. The inclusion of a bow thruster, mentioned in her specifications, also ensures the Captain maintains precise control, making docking in picturesque yet challenging harbors—like those found across the Cyclades—a smooth, stress-free operation.
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Deck Spaces: Alfresco Living and Sun-Drenched Relaxation
The Mediterranean lifestyle is all about the outdoors, and Ruby's deck areas are perfectly designed to maximize the sun, sea, and scenery. Though an open yacht, her layout is intelligently structured to provide both social hubs and private retreats.
The Aft Deck: The Social Hub
The main aft deck is the primary social area, serving as a seamless extension of the main saloon. It is perfectly configured for:
Alfresco Dining: A large, shaded table offers the ideal spot for long, leisurely breakfasts or sunset dinners prepared by the onboard chef. Dining with the wake trailing behind you is an essential Ruby experience.
Lounge Area: Comfortable seating and sun pads line the transom, providing a relaxed spot for pre-dinner cocktails or coffee.
Water Access: Crucially, the aft deck provides immediate, easy access to the swim platform below, which is the gateway to the water toys and the sea itself.
The Bow Deck: A Private Sun-Worshipper’s Retreat
For those seeking privacy and unobstructed views, the bow area is a revelation. It features expansive, custom-made sun pads—often cited as the best seat on the yacht. When the yacht is at anchor, this spot transforms into a truly secluded haven for sunbathing, reading, or simply watching the sunrise over the Aegean islands. At speed, the bow offers a dramatic, wind-in-your-hair view of the open ocean—a reminder of Ruby's pure performance ethos.
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| Tecnomar luxury yacht charter |
Interior Splendor: Accommodation and Amenities
Luxury yachting is defined by the quality of the accommodation, and M/Y Ruby offers a supremely comfortable sanctuary for up to 8 charter guests, with the flexibility to accommodate up to 10 (typically two young adults, children, or a nanny on the two Pullman beds). Her four impeccably finished cabins are all situated on the lower deck, maximizing comfort and stability.
The Full-Beam Master Suite
Located amidships, the Master Suite is a luxurious retreat utilizing the yacht’s full beam (width) for maximum space. It is designed to be a quiet zone, offering:
A King-sized bed.
Ample storage via a large wardrobe.
A private lounge area.
A dedicated entertainment center with a large flatscreen TV.
A beautifully appointed en-suite bathroom, featuring elegant tiling, modern fixtures, and a large shower.
The VIP Stateroom
Located forward, the VIP Stateroom is nearly equal in luxury to the Master. It typically features a Queen or King bed, its own entertainment system, and an equally well-equipped en-suite facility, offering guests near-identical levels of comfort and privacy.
The Twin Guest Cabins
Rounding out the accommodation are two Twin Guest Cabins, each featuring twin beds, private en-suite facilities, and additional Pullman berths. These cabins provide excellent flexibility, ideal for families traveling with children or for accommodating friends who prefer separate sleeping arrangements.
The Main Saloon and Entertainment
The main saloon is the heart of the interior, designed for elegant socializing. The light-filled space serves multiple purposes:
Lounging: Plush sofas provide comfortable seating for guests to relax in air-conditioned comfort.
Formal Dining: A dedicated table can host sophisticated indoor meals, providing an alternative to alfresco dining.
High-Tech Entertainment: Ruby features a state-of-the-art entertainment system, often including the CRESTRON AAC CP3 system with iPad controllers. This allows guests to manage the Satellite TV (43’’ UHD LG in the saloon, 24’’ HD in cabins), high-fidelity audio, and ambient lighting seamlessly across multiple zones, ensuring a personalized sound and visual experience throughout the vessel.
Tecnomar luxury yacht charter
The Crew and The Culinary Journey
A luxury charter is elevated from a mere vacation to an immersive, five-star experience by the professionalism and warmth of the dedicated crew. Ruby typically operates with a meticulous crew of four, ensuring every guest’s need is anticipated and met with discretion.
The Professional Team
The crew generally consists of:
The Captain: The navigator, the planner, and the ultimate authority on safety and itinerary. The Captain's local knowledge of the cruising grounds is invaluable for finding hidden anchorages and the best port-of-call recommendations.
The Chef: A skilled culinary artist who transforms local market ingredients into personalized gourmet menus.
The Hostess/Stewardess: Responsible for interior service, housekeeping, and ensuring comfort—from perfect table settings to fresh linens.
The Deckhand: Assisting the Captain, handling the water toys, and ensuring the exterior deck spaces are always immaculate.
Personalized Gastronomy
One of the greatest luxuries of a private yacht charter is the bespoke dining experience. Onboard Ruby, the culinary philosophy revolves around the guest preference sheet. There is no standard menu; every meal is a custom creation. The chef utilizes the freshest regional ingredients found at local markets, whether it’s just-caught Aegean seafood in Mykonos or ripe Mediterranean produce in Corfu. From light, healthy breakfast spreads enjoyed on the aft deck, to sophisticated multi-course dinners served under the stars, the dining aboard Ruby is a highlight that rivals the world’s best restaurants.
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The Toy Chest: Water-Bound Excitement
For the active charter guest, Ruby is perfectly equipped with a garage full of the latest and most exciting water toys, transforming every anchorage into a private marine playground.
Essential Toys for Aquatic Thrills
The impressive list of water toys typically includes:
1 x Jet Ski (Sea-Doo Spark 90): Providing thrilling high-speed exploration across the waves.
2 x Seabob F5S: The ultimate underwater scooter, allowing guests to glide effortlessly above and below the surface, exploring marine life with minimal effort.
2 x Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs): Perfect for leisurely, silent exploration of quiet bays and coastlines.
1 x Wakeboard & 1 x Kneeboard: Essential equipment for towed water sports, offering fun and challenges for various skill levels.
1 x Water Ring/Ringo: The classic inflatable towable, guaranteed to provide laughs for all ages.
Snorkeling Gear: Full sets of masks, fins, and snorkels for all guests to explore the vibrant underwater world of the Aegean.
Fishing Equipment: For guests who wish to try their hand at catching their dinner, the yacht is equipped with jigging rods and other fishing gear.
ZAR MINI RIB 13DL Tender: The crucial vessel for safe shore excursions, ferrying guests, and pulling the towable toys.
The presence of a shaded swim platform and an inflatable teak platform (floating dock) ensures safe and comfortable boarding, debarking, and lounging right at the water’s edge, making the transition from yacht elegance to oceanic adventure seamless.
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| Tecnomar luxury yacht charter |
Ruby’s Prime Realm: The Magic of the Greek Isles
While Ruby is available in the broader East Mediterranean (including parts of the Adriatic like Croatia), her primary cruising grounds are the Greek Islands, where her speed advantage offers maximum itinerary flexibility.
The Cyclades: Glitz, Glamour, and Rapid Transit
The Cyclades—a dense archipelago including Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, and Milos—is defined by its white-washed architecture, vibrant blue domes, and strong winds (the Meltemi). This is where Ruby's high-speed capabilities truly shine.
The Mykonian Experience: Guests can arrive in Mykonos, spend the afternoon sampling the island's famous beach club scene, and then retreat to a peaceful anchorage only an hour away, having maximized their time in port thanks to Ruby's rapid transit.
Santorini’s Drama: The transfer to Santorini is a visual spectacle, and Ruby delivers you to the caldera in style, allowing for sunset viewing from the perfect vantage point before a seamless return journey.
Paros and Milos: These islands offer quieter, more authentic Greek experiences. Ruby enables guests to hop between the two effortlessly, exploring the geological wonders of Milos' Sarakiniko beach and the charming villages of Paros within a single day. The speed is a game-changer for covering the distances between these highly dispersed islands.
The Ionian Sea: Lush Coves and Tranquil Waters
In contrast to the Cyclades, the Ionian Sea (including Corfu, Zakynthos, and Lefkada) offers a lusher, greener landscape and generally calmer waters, ideal for relaxed cruising and water sports.
Corfu’s Venetian Charm: Starting a charter near Corfu allows guests to explore its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town before escaping to the secluded beaches and clear waters of its neighboring islands.
Lefkada’s Turquoise Wonders: The famous beaches of Lefkada, like Porto Katsiki and Egremni, are best accessed by sea. Ruby can anchor in the brilliant turquoise waters, allowing guests to deploy the Seabobs and Jet Ski for a full day of aquatic fun.
The Practicalities of Chartering M/Y Ruby
Booking a luxury yacht like Ruby involves understanding the clear financial structures that define high-end charters.
Charter Rates and Expenses
Ruby's weekly charter rates typically start from €29,900 per week during the low and mid-seasons, rising slightly in peak summer. This rate includes the exclusive hire of the yacht, the services and salaries of the professional crew of four, and the yacht’s insurance.
However, a luxury yacht charter is traditionally paid on a "plus expenses" basis, which covers all the variable costs associated with your trip:
Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA): This is a deposit paid upfront, typically calculated at 30% to 40% of the base charter fee (e.g., €8,970 to €11,960 on a €29,900 charter). The Captain uses the APA to cover running costs such as fuel (which is substantial given Ruby’s high consumption of around 580 Litres/Hr at cruising speed), harbor fees, provisioning (food and beverages), and customs or immigration costs. Any unspent APA is returned to the guest at the end of the charter, and conversely, if expenses exceed the APA, the guest is asked to top it up.
Value Added Tax (VAT): Local taxes, usually between 15% and 20% of the base charter fee in Greece, are also charged separately.
This transparent structure ensures that the costs are directly proportional to the guest’s preferences—the more they cruise, dine, and dock, the higher the expenses.
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| Tecnomar luxury yacht charter |
Conclusion: Ruby, The Modern Classic of Charter Yachts
M/Y Ruby is a compelling choice in the 26-meter luxury segment. She is a modern classic—a Tecnomar Velvet 83—that perfectly blends the shipyard's heritage of high performance with the refined, luminous interior design of Luca Dini.
She offers her guests not just an itinerary but a pace of life: one that is fast-moving when desired, supremely comfortable when necessary, and always surrounded by style. Whether you are seeking the exhilarating rush of a 40-knot cruise across the Aegean, the absolute tranquility of an evening cocktail on the bow deck, or a family-focused week enjoying Seabobs and fresh Greek cuisine, Ruby delivers.
Having undergone a significant refit in 2023, she stands ready to provide an impeccable, up-to-date, and truly dynamic charter experience. For those who demand Italian elegance, technical prowess, and the freedom to explore the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean at speed, Ruby is the rare charter yacht that is perfectly poised to exceed all expectations, cementing her status as a genuine jewel of the sea. Booking a week on this magnificent Tecnomar is securing the ultimate key to unlocking the freedom and splendor of the luxury yachting life.