A perfectly curated event of entertainment, exhilaration and education was the key.
Key West, Florida is a stunning location, known for its crystal-clear waters, amazing coral reefs, beautiful ivory beaches, endless sunshine, and memorable sunsets. It also boasts a fascinating history, quirky landmarks, with a colourful nightlife and bar scene. It’s no wonder that it is on the wish list for many.
The island of Key West is fairly small, as it is about four miles long and one mile wide (six by two kilometres), for a total area of roughly 4.2 square miles. It is the southernmost point of continental U.S.A., and forms part of the Florida Keys archipelago. Key West is 165nm from Miami, 90nm North of Cuba, and between 55 and 246nm from the Bahamas, depending on what area you are going to.
This popular destination was the location for the 2024 Maritimo Migration. Guests stayed at the award winning, boutique Perry Hotel and Marina. This location is the largest deep-water marina in the Florida Keys, and with 288 slips it had plenty of accommodation available for the Maritimo guests and their vessels.
The hotel is just five miles from downtown Key West. It offers a wide range of world-class amenities to enjoy, which include two waterfront pools, three dockside restaurants/bars, and a shuttle bus to Old Town Key West.
The Maritimo Migration started with guests arriving dockside at the Bad Boy Taqueria and Tequila Restaurant. They enjoyed the night with signature margaritas and authentic Mexican food, whilst listening to the live music.
The following morning owners and guests gathered to celebrate and hear all things Maritimo. Captain Tom and Mitch from Maritimo Head Office shared their insights and answered questions on a range of subjects, including tips and techniques for maintenance and handling of your Maritimo.
One guest commented, “As a new Maritimo owner, this was the perfect way to dive into the Maritimo family. The conference sessions were so informative, especially the tips on boat maintenance from Tom and Mitch.”
The opportunity to ask more questions and learn from Maritimo’s experts continued into the afternoon. For those guests who wanted to explore Key West a little more there was a Trolley Tour organised through the historical town of Key West. The city is known for its 19th Century architecture featuring the towns particular form of wooden homes, and as a haven for artists and writers, which include Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Shel Silverstein, Truman Capote, and Jimmy Buffett.
The day finished with a private tour of Harry Truman’s Little White House, Florida’s only Presidential Museum. Built in 1890 it was the winter White House for 175 days between 1946 and 1952.
Key West is often considered the United States’ Caribbean, so, of course, Thursday’s themed costume party had to be all about pirates. Central to the theme was the Pirate Cocktail contest, judged by a ‘salty crew’ of Maritimo Pirates for the most creative drink recipe. A VIP guest commented, “This was the highlight for me. What a fun way to kick off the weekend! Key West, cocktails, and pirates. What’s not to love? I can’t wait to join again next year!”
‘A Day at the Races’ was on the program for Friday. Maritimo guests had front row seats on board ‘Teralani’, a sailing catamaran to watch the World Offshore Championships. A participant said, “What an incredible experience to be in the front row while hearing the race commentary by our own World Champion Rossco!!!!LET’S GO TEAM MARITIMO!!!! Another guest said, “The racing was an adrenaline rush. I can’t thank the team enough for this one-of-a-kind experience!”
Following breakfast on the Saturday, Maritimo M60 owners Rob and Joni Buckland gave a very informative session on cruising the Bahamas. Topics covered included entry, trip planning, and must-see places in this amazing location. One owner commented, “The behind-the-scenes insight into cruising the Bahamas was invaluable.”
Then it was time for a cooking lesson with Adrienne Gang, who was in the first season of Below Deck. She shared some of her favourite on board recipes and ideas with guests to enjoy on their Maritimo. One of the participants said, “The cooking session was great learning. Adrienne’s tips for on board meals were so useful, and the tasting was absolutely delicious. This event has definitely raised the bar for what a luxury boating event should be!”
The farewell dinner was held at the award-winning Milagro Restaurant, owned and run by chef Kevin Montoya and his wife Maggie. Guests had a wonderful night, where they enjoyed cocktails, island cuisine, and the company of the Maritimo family.
The Key West Maritimo Migration was a fantastic success. “I’ve been to many boat events, but this one truly stood out. The mix of relaxed social gatherings, like the Docktails and Costume Party, and then with high-energy activities like the races, all made it an really unforgettable experience. It felt more like a family reunion than a conference. I’m already looking forward to next year!” said one of the participants.
Simon Stewart, Marketing Manager, Maritimo concluded the recounting of the Migration by saying, “It has been incredibly rewarding to watch the Maritimo Migration event grow into such a highly anticipated experience across the globe. From the moment we began planning, our goal was to create a seamless blend of education, adventure, and camaraderie. It’s been amazing to see that come to life in Key West.”
“The passion and enthusiasm of our Maritimo owners, guests, and partners are what make this event truly special. This event exemplifies what our brand is all about, which is luxury boating and a warm sense of community. We’re already excited for next year and can’t wait to bring everyone together again for another unforgettable journey!”
