A ROYAL LUNCH ABOARD M/Y STALCA

Lizzie shares her recent trip to Stalca in Palma, the first motor yacht in the diYachting charter fleet.

As I walked up the gangway and stepped aboard Stalca a magical feeling engulfed me.  As I entered the saloon, I was filled with images of the Royal Family having spent happy times onboard and this was their escape from the public eye.

The saloon is comfortable, with a new white leather L shape sofa but the dark blue leather armchairs are original, although they have changed colour, I was a little amused to think Grace Kelly would have sat on them.  There is space in the saloon to erect a dining table if the weather demands it, otherwise it’s alfresco dining every day on the aft deck.

From the saloon you go down the rear stairwell and to the master cabin, with white furniture the room is light and spacious. The bathrooms are quite unique with vanished teak furnishings, white tiles and a large shower.  Back up the stairs and past the galley you head into the pilot house, to the side is the second stairwell. This takes you down to more traditional guest rooms. The VIP cabin is a mirror image of the master cabin although slightly narrower and the furnishing are bare wood with another spacious en-suite. The bathroom for the 3rd guest cabin is at the bottom of the stairs and is also of a good size. Then across the way is the bunk cabin. The top bunk is a small double with a single underneath. The crew quarters are also accessed off that corridor with their own head.  

The spacious master cabin

Heading back upstairs and out onto the foredeck there are two loungers and chairs ready to be sure enjoyed, part of the huge refit was to make the sides of the yacht higher to give more privacy so you can happily relax out of the public eye. Going up to the flybridge. There is a large sofa and 2 sun beds, it’s where the owners spend most of there time relaxing and enjoying the views.

Relax & enjoy the views from the flybridge

Stalca is kept beautiful by her wonderful crew; Mark, Giannina & Tracey, this trip was the first time I’d met Giannina and Tracey and they were both delightful to be around. Both eager to please and loving their jobs, the yacht had a wonderful atmosphere.

The wonderful lunchtime spread

Tracey cooked us a lunch of sesame crusted tuna with a mango and cucumber salsa, garlic shrimp, roasted butternut squash and a courgette carpaccio with rocket and parmesan shavings.  It was a wonderful representation of the fresh food from the Santa Catalina market in Palma. Then for the dessert we had a vanilla panna cotta with strawberry coulis. This panna cotta was the type you dream of!

Tracey’s heavenly panna cotta

I left Stalca very happy that the yacht and crew are going to have a great season. They have a passion for the yacht and their job which is really great to see. Stalca still has availability for July & August this summer, get in touch with Lizzie to plan your holiday onboard. E. charter@diyachting.co.uk.  |  T. +44 (0)1702 535258 |  Online Brochure