Wealthy travelers are chartering yachts for millions of dollars a week to see extreme destinations like Antarctica

Brittany ChangJul 27, 2023, 15:56 IST

Wealthy travelers have been charting yachts with EYOS Expeditions to explore remote and desirable destinations like Antarctica starting at $225,000 a week.EYOS Expeditions

EYOS Expeditions offers wealthy travelers yacht charters to explore remote and desirable destinations.
Travelers can charter these yachts and receive a curated vacation itinerary for up to millions of dollars a week.

After news about the Titan submersible tragedy, there's a good chance you've judged wealthy travelers who want to blow their money on risky vacations to remote destinations. But not all companies are OceanGate, and not all of these trips have to be just as dangerous.

Travelers with ultra-deep pockets and an extreme travel itch to scratch have been turning to another option: EYOS Expedition. And while the travel company won't bring you to the Titanic, it will bring its clients to destinations like Antarctica aboard a luxurious full-service yacht charter.

As of late, talk about the Titan submersible wreckage could make travelers nervous to go on high-risk trips.

EYOS Expeditions

"Recent events have shown the importance of having experienced teams," Ben Lyons, the CEO of EYOS Expeditions, told Insider.

EYOS Expeditions

His company's model is straightforward — and there's no need to squeeze into a small submarine.

EYOS Expeditions

"If you see people reacting to a whale surfacing nearby, it's a very different reaction than going to a museum or having a really good meal," Lyons said.

EYOS Expeditions

By offering yacht charters, the guests — often groups of 12 to 22 people — can embark on a vacation fully tailored to their interests.

EYOS Expeditions

Several niche travel companies already offer Antarctica cruises.

EYOS Expeditions

Cruise lines like Celebrity, Silversea, and Princess also offer passageway to the icy continent.

EYOS Expeditions

This is where EYOS has carved out a niche for itself.

EYOS Expeditions

Unsurprisingly, the company has been seeing increasing interest in charters to colder destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic.

EYOS Expeditions

You may have seen endless social media posts about travelers going to Antarctica.

EYOS Expeditions

EYOS used to operate one or two yachts to Antarctica annually. Now, Lyons is predicting five or six a year.

EYOS Expeditions

EYOS doesn't own any of the yachts listed on its website that are available for charter.

EYOS Expeditions

Yachts like the Hanse Explorer, Nansen Explorer, and Legend have been especially popular choices, Lyons said.

EYOS Expeditions

And then there are vessels like the famed Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht formerly owned by Microsoft's cofounder.

14ft luxury yacht 'Octopus' owned by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, is moored to fuel up at Ege Ports in Kusadasi district of Aydin, Turkey on April 27, 2015.Getty Images

To afford these trips, EYOS' clients work high-paying roles. Think founders and CEOs in industries like finance with interests like skiing.

EYOS Expeditions

And it's no surprise most of these travelers are high-earners: EYOS' week-long charters generally range from about $225,000 to several millions of dollars.

EYOS Expeditions

The exact pricing of the trip depends on the vessel, the targeted timeline, and the activities the travelers are looking at.

EYOS Expeditions

Think of the process as ordering a custom vehicle.

EYOS Expeditions

If the trip requires specialized guidance, EYOS will provide these resources.

EYOS Expeditions

Recently, EYOS has seen rising interest in conservation.

EYOS Expeditions

Some specialized trips can be more difficult to plan, Lyons said.

EYOS Expeditions

But for those who'd rather a more rigid itinerary, EYOS also offers scheduled trips that can be booked by individuals, similar to a cruise line.

EYOS Expeditions

Next year, EYOS will offer four or five of these itineraries.

EYOS Expeditions

And the business is here to stay, especially as more wealthy travelers catch onto the chartered yacht trend.

EYOS Expeditions

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Wealthy travelers are chartering yachts for millions of dollars a week to see extreme destinations like Antarctica

As of late, talk about the Titan submersible wreckage could make travelers nervous to go on high-risk trips.

"Recent events have shown the importance of having experienced teams," Ben Lyons, the CEO of EYOS Expeditions, told Insider.

His company's model is straightforward — and there's no need to squeeze into a small submarine.

"If you see people reacting to a whale surfacing nearby, it's a very different reaction than going to a museum or having a really good meal," Lyons said.

By offering yacht charters, the guests — often groups of 12 to 22 people — can embark on a vacation fully tailored to their interests.

Several niche travel companies already offer Antarctica cruises.

Cruise lines like Celebrity, Silversea, and Princess also offer passageway to the icy continent.

This is where EYOS has carved out a niche for itself.

Unsurprisingly, the company has been seeing increasing interest in charters to colder destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic.

You may have seen endless social media posts about travelers going to Antarctica.

EYOS used to operate one or two yachts to Antarctica annually. Now, Lyons is predicting five or six a year.

EYOS doesn't own any of the yachts listed on its website that are available for charter.

Yachts like the Hanse Explorer, Nansen Explorer, and Legend have been especially popular choices, Lyons said.

And then there are vessels like the famed Octopus, a 414-foot superyacht formerly owned by Microsoft's cofounder.

To afford these trips, EYOS' clients work high-paying roles. Think founders and CEOs in industries like finance with interests like skiing.

And it's no surprise most of these travelers are high-earners: EYOS' week-long charters generally range from about $225,000 to several millions of dollars.

The exact pricing of the trip depends on the vessel, the targeted timeline, and the activities the travelers are looking at.

Think of the process as ordering a custom vehicle.

If the trip requires specialized guidance, EYOS will provide these resources.

Recently, EYOS has seen rising interest in conservation.

Some specialized trips can be more difficult to plan, Lyons said.

But for those who'd rather a more rigid itinerary, EYOS also offers scheduled trips that can be booked by individuals, similar to a cruise line.

Next year, EYOS will offer four or five of these itineraries.

And the business is here to stay, especially as more wealthy travelers catch onto the chartered yacht trend.