When it comes to those with deep pockets, the sky's the limit as far as their requests go. S kipper-to-the-stars James Ballard, who lives in Dorset, has told of his incredible adventures aboard superyachts, after finally returning home. Among his stranger experiences were getting a private performance from Sir Rod Stewart , Robert De Niro helming the boat, and tracking down tins of caviar for a musician’s dog.
He says such guests had “ Beyonce levels of wealth” and would spend £1.1million a week chartering the yacht and another £100,000 on food and drink. “I’ve been asked for a certain year of Don Julio tequila that was really rare and around £700 each.
We bought every bottle worldwide. “We’d often put orders of over £343,000 in for wine, that would cover a few months. Some of the bottles were £5,000 each.
” James and the crew did not just sort out food and drink. “One guest saw a castle on a hill as we sailed around Montenegro and asked for my help buying it, which they went on to do. “Another asked me to call in £25,000 of red roses so they could surprise their partner.
We bought up every red rose that we could in southern Italy and had them brought to the yacht. “A boss in Miami, where I was captaining a 164ft yacht, wanted to relocate one of his businesses from the Caribbean and asked me to find a private island for him. “I started doing research, ringing around estate agents.
We eventually found an island in the British Virgin Islands, which .