
Escapade experience captures the essence of Riviera-style service
Here at Riviera, we find that our valued owners are often our biggest inspiration … and the story below is certainly a great example how our dedicated R Marine dealers strive to help members of the Riviera and Belize family achieve ‘the ultimate boating experience’.
Having recently purchased their first Riviera – the 3600 Sport Yacht, Escapade – Brisbane couple Cliff and Lisa report they couldn’t be happier with the standard of service they received from the team at Coomera’s R Marine Jones – honoured in 2015 with Riviera’s prestigious Service Excellence Award.
“The entire process from beginning to end was incredibly smooth and we found the guidance we received from Randall and all the staff at R Marine Jones (and in particular from Sam Phillips) was exceptional,” says Cliff.
“The quality and presentation of our boat is quite incredible and every time we take her out we can’t wipe the smile off our faces. In fact, we’ve noticed other boaties taking photos of our Sport Yacht and every guest we’ve had on board has been effusive in their compliments.”
Cliff says the couple is especially impressed with the clever design of the 3600, which features free-flowing space, premium levels of luxury throughout as well as state-of-the-art marine technology – all hallmarks of the internationally renowned Riviera badge.
“Although Escapade may be a smaller model of Riviera, we comfortably had eight people on board over Christmas,” he says. “The awning window that opens out from the galley really does open up the entire yacht.
“The IPS pod-drive system is also especially impressive – you really don’t appreciate how responsive the joystick is until you see it in action. It’s amazing technology and it has certainly opened up a whole new world of boating opportunity for less-experienced boaties.”
Cliff says he and Lisa decided that building a new Sport Yacht provided much more value than purchasing a second-hand yacht.
“Not only that, the peace of mind that we now have, knowing exactly how our yacht has been treated, is of great relief,” he says.
“We had heard many good things about Riviera and knew building a boat by an Australian-made company would mean we could be more involved in the process, and we weren’t wrong about that.”
Cliff says that Sam Phillips provided the couple with constant updates throughout each stage of Escapade’s build process, even sending regular photos to show how production was tracking.
“During the build we visited the Riviera factory and were able to see first-hand the various steps, taking a photo standing in front of our soon-to-be holiday home on the water,” he says.
“Sam sought our opinion on everything that could be personalised, even down to the little things that make all difference in the end result. It’s a credit to him that he was always available and contactable, took all of our needs and wants into consideration and in the end we have exactly the yacht we dreamed about.”
Cliff says handover of the 3600 was also brilliant: “We actually caught our breath when we walked down the gangway and saw our lovely new yacht. Stepping on board meant taking in not only how well made it was and perfectly the boat had been finished, but also all the thoughtful touches like the flowers and all the extra little gifts presented beautifully.
“The office staff also presented each and every document in a lovely folder with our yacht’s name printed on the front, so it is all kept together and easy to access.
“It was a truly magical moment for us and one we won’t be likely to forget – after we had some time to explore, there was a thorough handover of the essential items from experts, lunch provided at the Riviera Yacht Club Waterfront Restaurant & Bar (which is open to the public) and then we set off with Sam assisting us to our yacht’s permanent home at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (in Brisbane’s South-Eastern Bayside suburb of Manly).”
Cliff says Sam’s knowledge of the yacht and its systems and the local waterways was particularly reassuring while he and Lisa were still so ‘new with the boat’.
Sam, who joined the R Marine Jones Sales Team 18 months ago, is particularly happy that Cliff and Lisa are satisfied with Escapade – they were his first ‘New Riviera Build’. “It was a real pleasure working with Cliff and Lisa to build their dream boat,” he says. “To see their reaction on the handover day was really something special … we are very happy to welcome them to the Riviera family.”
In partnership with our worldwide network of Riviera and Belize dealers, we strive to ensure the premium level of customer care continues for the lifetime of our world-class yachts so, for us, the following comment is also inspiring.
“We are really impressed with the fact that not one, but two separate R Marine Jones service team members gave us their cards for 24-hour contact, reassuring us we could call no matter what the issue or query.
“It’s very reassuring to be able to pick up the phone at 1pm of a Sunday and have someone answer the phone and be so willing and able to help.
“We can’t wait to join the exclusive Riviera events now that we are part of the family and we are really looking forward to the R Marine Jones Kooringal Weekend on Moreton Island (March 10-13), the 2016 Riviera Festival of Boating (May 19-22), and to and the R Marine Jones Great Sandy Strait Experience (September 22-30).”
- If you would like to know more any R Marine Jones event, please phone +61 7 5502 9544 or email info@rmarinejones.com.au.
To view the 3600 Sport Yacht video, please see below.