yacht amarylis- continuing the dream
August 2009 updated newsletter
HALF BOARD, FREE BOARD, OVER BOARD, ALL ABOARD!
We can blame it on the economy but, boy, has pricing got complicated! In order to compete with everything from fully crewed charter boats to bare boats, we have come up with the following price structures. We hope there is something here for every client! If you are looking for creative pricing and don't see what you need here, please contact us.
All Inclusive charters
6 pax 11,000
5 pax 10,000
4 pax 9,500
3 pax 9,000
2 pax 8,500
Half-Board - guests eat ashore for 3 lunches and 3 dinners (discount of $150 per person).
6 pax 10,100
5 pax 9,250
4 pax 8,900
3 pax 8,550
2 pax 8,200
Boat only with Captain and Crew (includes fuel and water and ice, guests provide food, drink, and cruising fees) -
2-4 pax $6500
5-6 pax $7000
We love having families on board and will continue our 'one child free' offer throughout 2010 for any 7 night, all inclusive or half-board charters.
AMARYLLIS is beautifully maintained and has lots of extras for the guests to enjoy, plus experienced crew to act as hosts and guides. We are the best value for a six pack, forty five foot catamaran.
*****
Continuing the dream, as here is a couple who have had stints in the Caribbean before, as well as sailed across oceans with their children on board! They have recently bought Amarylis and are "renewed" into the charter fleet. I can only say that if they crossed oceans with children that they have patience! We met the crew and toured the boat at the Tortola May 08 Boat show. They struck me as a couple who would be enjoyable to spend a week with, and would have lots of tales to tell.
They also get points because they were the first crew who sent us a thank you note for viewing their yacht within 24 hours of the show being over!
Bruce Masterson dreamed of sailing in the Caribbean while crab fishing in the frigid Bering Sea. He bought a schooner, got his USCG captains license, and began his career as a charter boat captain in 1979, chartering in New England and the Virgin Islands. Like any smart captain, he married his cook and in 1987 he and Laura moved ashore to start a family on St. John. They bought their first catamaran in 1990 and began taking guests out for day sails while raising two children. In 1996 they traded that boat for a cruising catamaran which they sailed in the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic to St. John, and finally to Florida. After a 7 year hiatus in the U.S. to get the kids through school, Bruce and Laura have returned to the V.I. to resume what they do best, introduce guests to the joys of sailing in the Caribbean. You will find Bruce a gracious host, ready to share his extensive knowledge of sailing and Virgin Islands lore. He knows the best anchorages, the best places to snorkel, and makes the best rum punch!
Laura developed a passion for fine food and sailing while catering private parties aboard a classic sailing yacht in New York Harbor. She met Bruce, they sailed away to the Caribbean as captain and cook on a charter yacht, and the rest, as they say, is history. A versatile cook, she enjoys creating dishes from fresh ingredients using a wide variety of spices. She is happy to accommodate any special requests or dietary restrictions.
Updated newsletter from Amaryllis December 2008. For family charters we are offering "1 child free". So a family of four can get the 3-person rate of $9000. This also encourages families with one child to bring along a friend! We define 'child' as anyone 17 years old or under.
We are also offering a 'sleep over rate for guests who arrive late into St. Thomas (after dark). Instead of staying in a hotel their first night, they can come directly to the boat. We'll have dinner and drinks ready for them. Breakfast will be provided the following morning and we'll be able to get a jump-start on their vacation. The price for this service is the equivalent of our half-day rate.
For clients who want to take less than a week's vacation we are offering a 2-5 day USVI package and waiving the 10% surcharge for charters less than 6 days. No time is wasted clearing customs as we stay in USVI waters. We can pick up on St. Thomas or St. John making this ideal for clients who want some time on the water and some time ashore at a resort or villa. Here is brief description: Explore USVI National Park - No Passport Required! The best kept secret in the Virgin islands is the island of St. John - 2/3 National Park with secluded anchorages, beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, historical ruins and great hiking trails. Snorkel in
secluded Newfound Bay, kayak in the Hurricane Hole wildlife preserve, visit exquisite Salt Pond Beach and beach comb dramatic Drunk Bay, hike to the only petroglyphs found in the Virgin Islands (a sacred pool used by the Taino indians), explore 200 year old sugar mill ruins, or shop for unique items in Cruz Bay. St. John has it all and no time is wasted clearing customs in foreign ports.
Did we mention that Bruce is a certified US Sailing instructor? He loves teaching wind-surfing and sailing. We don't offer certification but can give interested guests as much instruction time as they would like while on board AMARYLLIS.
And finally, we have a very reliable taxi service that will greet guests at the St. Thomas airport (with a sign with the guest name on it) and get them quickly out of the airport and directly to AMARYLLIS. The drivers are courteous and carry cell phones and palm pilots so they can be emailed or called if there are flight delays. The drivers call us when approaching Red Hook so that we can be there to meet our guests and escort them to the boat. The price for this service is $75 per van load (this is paid for by the guests and is comparable to the safari prices).
As a promotion for the 2008/2009 season we will be offering our guests a free rendezvous dive. We love rendezvous diving because our diving-certified guests get to go for a two-tank dive with professionals who can give them a first-rate diving experience and we can attend to our non-diving guests, taking them to a beach or snorkel spot or secluded anchorage. It's win-win for everyone. No sitting on a mooring at a rolly dive site waiting for divers. Everyone gets full attention and a day tailored to their interests.
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New Colors!
Amarylis sailing
Saildive BVI boarding aft of Amaryllis at the spring boat show
Cabin 1
Cabin 2
Cabin 3
Cabin 3- a different view
Cabin 4
Another view of cabin 4
another view looking into the hallway
Bruce and Laura, owner operators of Amaryllis
Head, manual pumps
Sailbag on Amarylis
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A few more tidbits of information that I picked up, and who I think (our opinion only) this yacht would be best for. This is a privilage 45' from 1995. They have recently purchased it, so upgrading of features is not totally finished, and I am sure we will see additional options as they continue along. They do Rendez vous diving only. Although they have rates for 2, 4 and 6 guests, they think (and I agree) their ideal is 4, two couples or a family. If they have 6 then the third cabin has to share a head with the crew, and families would be better with 6 as opposed to all couples. They allow NO SMOKING on the yacht at all. Like all privileges of that size, the salon area is smallish, and the beds tend to be higher to climb up into. I think it would be not suitable for someone with mobility issues, or if you want a lot of pampering and 5 star service. The heads are manual pump. I think they would provide a bit of a funky laid back, good conversation charter. Having done day sails for quite a long time, I am sure they are adabtable to just about everyone. Their website has quite an extensive menu of different "theme" meals for dinner from Greek to Cuban. We enjoyed some great lemon shortcake bars while on board, that I could have ate a few of they were so good! Additionally, they do have an icemaker on board.
Rates for the 2008/2009 season. 2 guests $8500.00, 3 guests $9000.00, 4 guests $9500.00, 5 guests $10,250.00, 6 guests $11,000.00
5 and 6 guests are with prior approval only. The holiday season has a 10% surcharge on it.