Brand considerations:
Toiletries on board may be a small part of the cabin and, indeed, the overall set-up of the interior, but the brand and type of toiletries you present on board will most definitely be noticed!
You may be on a yacht that has used the same brand for a long time and is non-negotiable due to the owner’s preference or the cost of changing the whole stock. But, if you are in the position of setting up a new yacht or helping to source a new brand, there are lots of factors to consider.
- The style and personality of the yacht.
- It may be owner preference, so if you have any information on brands they have used before or any strong feelings on scents, that will be a great starting point!
- Some ranges will have a more masculine or feminine fragrance
- Colour schemes are important, too; some brands have variations to match any decor, while others only come in one style
- Classic yachts will be more suited to a timeless brand such as Hermes, Bulgari or Molton Brown.
- More modern yachts will look great with more minimalist packaging, such as Le Labo or Malin+Goetz.
- The more eco-conscious guests and owners may prefer a brand with a similar ethos, such as Aesop or Bamford.
- Size is important:
Another thing that might need to be considered is the sizes in which the range is available.
- Again, owner preference is first and foremost; some will prefer single-use options, in which case 30ml or 50ml bottles are great, although they produce more wastage.
- You may prefer full-size bottles that can be refilled by one or 5-litre refills, in which case 200ml or 300ml bottles would be the best choice.
- Some brands offer these larger sizes without refills, which means either pouring half-filled bottles into each other or wasting a lot (donating to the crew is a good option here!)
- If you are going to offer wrapped soaps, there are various sizes available, too – smaller sizes are great for producing less waste!
- Consider eco friendly options
Although it will never be possible to go fully plastic-free, there are some choices and things to look for that can make small changes to become more sustainable.
- One of the best ways to be more sustainable is to pick a refill option for guests and crew – this cuts down on plastic and product waste.
- Also, look out for brands that are:
- Fully vegan
- Use recyclable packaging
- Only use natural products
- Certified cruelty-free
- Scenting a room:
A wonderful touch for any space is to continue the fragrance of the toiletries throughout the whole yacht -candles, diffusers, and room sprays are ways to achieve this and can also make great gifts to guests at the end of their trip to remind them of the beautiful time they had on board!
Diffusers:
Pros:
- A great way of having a constant subtle scent in common areas.
- Lots of brands have matching scents to their toiletry ranges
- You can also get refill liquid so you do not have to replace the whole unit
Cons:
- Beware of liquid spills during ‘weather’
Candles:
Pros:
- Candles are a great way of scenting a room whilst also creating ambience
- Various sizes are available for small or large areas
Cons:
- Some yachts won’t allow real candles inside a yacht and they should never be left unattended!
Room sprays:
Pros:
- Room sprays are fabulous for giving the cabins a little freshen-up at turn-ups and turn-downs
- The amount of scent can be controlled by how much you use
Cons:
- The scent isn’t consistent and only lasts so long!
Extra details to think about:
- It’s always a nice idea to keep items guests will forget – single-use toothbrushes, mini toothpaste, sanitary items, deodorant, and hair brushes.
- If you have a bath on board, keep a selection of bath foams and oils to offer various bathing experiences.
- If you opt for full-size refillable bottles, ensure you have a few extra in case guests borrow them!
- Some brands have matching amenities, such as shower caps and nail kits, but if not, some great neutral ones will check any range.
- Labelled bags for your spare toilet roll, hairdryer and sanitary products keep everything neat.
