Saturday, June 28. 2008BVI Photo Stamp Competition
For all the photographers that have great pictures on their charter in the BVI here is a chance to immortalize your picture on stamps! Here is the full size PDF of the picture below
 Tuesday, June 24. 2008Promenade offers new service options! Sleep aboard option the evening before charter!
Promenade is pleased to offer the following for guests convenience. Upon arrival either by ferry or plane, you can taxi straight to the yacht in the marina. They offer you your beds for the night, access to the drinking water, coffee and tea, as well as full air conditioning as required. Besides a short talk about how the lights and heads work, they provide no services, and you can make your choice for your evening meal or breakfast at any of the restaurants on island, before beginning your charter at 11:00 AM!
Their flat rate is $800.00 ( paid in advance)  I have had so many people tell me that they want to get off the plane and straight on the boat. Plus, in season, many hotels are full or looking for a three night minimum, not to mention the weird arrival times of airplanes. If, your arrival is after 9:00 PM at night, they can also arrange a tray of sandwiches or cheese and crackers, for a minimum price ( must be ordered in advance!) as the only thing that is going to be open for anyone who is hungry is the chicken van or the grocery store! Now, us who live on the island, love the late night chicken van, but also admit, it usually only follows after a greater amount of alcohol then you are likely to be served on your flights down to Tortola by American Airlines! Many of the various charter boats offer a sleep aboard option depending on availablity, although all try and keep it to only a few a year, as if you are working on a 24 hour turnaround, it does take away their time. However, when you have large numbers of guests that get into the airport late, and then you have to get a taxi to get to the hotel to find some food to sleep and get some breakfast to find a cab and get over to the boat for noon, this is "stress reliever" and relatively inexpensive! Sunday, June 22. 2008Caribbean Travel and Life, May 2008 article of the BVI
Here is a link to a PDF on this article, that came around in my in box over the last few days! We have lots of exciting things being planned, so my boat and charter blog is not seeing too many boats on it at the moment. I will say that I have never seen so may specials, and different types of marketing as is starting to appear from the boats and on land. Everyone is starting to be creative. There is some very good land and charter yacht deals to be had, and I hear of people finding the odd VERY inexpensive flight this summer, so a reasonable vacation is possible!
This is a gorgeous picture by Steve Simonson from the article of Cane Garden Bay at night.  And here is Caribbean Travels website!  Back to our Main Site!Saturday, June 14. 2008Charter Yacht Aldebaran and DOLPHINS!
Well do I have some exciting pictures here! I persuaded Cayley and Justin Smit of the charter yacht Aldebaran to share some pictures with us.
 As I have blogged about before, a lot of the charter yachts sit over in Little Harbor on Peter Island while off charter, as well as on. It is an easy run to Roadtown, flat and some great exploring, snorkeling and diving. A few weeks ago a couple lucky charter boats were sitting there when a female dolphin decided to come into the harbor.  She met each person as they jumped in the water by turn!   I don't believe I have ever seen such a close clear picture of a dolphin taken in the BVI as this one! It is absolutely spectacular!!  Great pictures guys, and I am so jealous! See more about Catamaran Aldebaran on our web pages Back to our Main Site!Wednesday, June 11. 2008Cappucino and the Quebec Country Inn feel on Blithe Spirit in the British Virgin Islands
It is taking me a long time to get up all the pictures and web pages for the yachts that I saw at the spring boat show! Other things keep on getting in the way, but slowly but surely I will plug away at it.
Dominique and Michel on Blithe Spirit have been doing charters for as long as I have been in the Caribbean, and this spring boat show was the first time that I have ever been on their yacht! What a lovely yacht she is as well.  She is an Irwin Classic Beauty which is thirty years old, and very well taken care of. I love the varnish and the roominess which is in the Irwins. When we first arrived on board, I was surprised how much room there was topsides (complete with a park bench!)and below for 2 or a maximum of 4 guests, if you are a family.  Before sailing Blithe Spirit through the Caribbean, over the Atlantic to far away ports, they ran a small elegant country Inn in Quebec. Those who have been to Quebec will know exactly what I mean by that, but others, well, except for the fact that I was sitting on a yacht in the Caribbean, I could have been in a Country Inn, with snow outside, sitting in front of a fireplace sipping an espresso, waiting for the Innkeepers to serve me my gourmet dinner! That was the "cozy feeling" I had on this yacht listening to Dominique talk quickly like the french do. Don't worry, they speak fluent french, english, and turkish!! Dominique had me won over from the moment she suggested a cappucino or espresso. It was about that mid day time at the boat show where my energy was wilting. Heat or not, it was wonderful. .jpg) I like to ask crews where their favorite anchorages are and why, as that tells me exactly what type of charters they like. Of course, everyone does what the guests want, but we all have our favorite spots. Theirs are "Christmas Cove" in the USVI because of the snorkeling Treasure Point on Norman Island Money Bay on Norman Island for the snorkeling, (one of mine as well...) Great Harbor on Peter Island because of Conrad. (Conrad owns the little spit of land that you leave your dinghy at to walk over to Peter Island Resort. He is blind, but still very proud of his job. Remember he can no longer drink alcohol so a dollar or a juice is much more appropriate then a beer! Leverick Bay. I did not write down why, but with the Friday Night Barbecue and the Mocky Jumbies there now, it really is a nice spot. There is construction going on the hill behind which is a bit noisy. Monkey Point on Guana Island for snorkeling (natch all the Tarpons and Silversides!) Green Cay Some great snorkeling spots there! Dominiques favorite food to cook is probably gnochi, and gourmet stuffed quail and rabbits! She also grows her own herb garden on the aft of the yacht which impressed me to no end. I tried once many years ago and killed them in short order! She also tries to cook organically as much as possible. YOu can just see the top of the park bench behind the herb garden here in this picture.  This yacht is perfect for a Honeymoon Couple, or a family with two children at a minimum age of 12 (they do not have a separate childrens menu, the meals are gourmet). You can always tell a crew and yacht that has been doing this for a long time. When you first start in the chartering field you tend to make yourself available to EVERYONE. Partiers, Families, Honeymooners, Divers, whatever you can get. As you go along you fine tune what you are great with. By my observations and the crews expressed desire, they are perfect for Honeymooners, or a couple with older children. Although they have two guest cabins, the second one you can see from the picture is a V berth and that cabin shares the head with the crew. The master stateroom has its own private head and area. This is the Master Stateroom  and this is the V berth  There is very much a "welcome to my home" and please enjoy the great conversation, cuisine and leisurely saiing for the week on Blithe Spirit. If you are keen on air conditioning, this yacht only runs air conditioning on dock, and it is totally a non smoking charter boat! (no, not even cigars!) For honeymooning couples they offer an additional Beach BBQ at either Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda, or at Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke. I have more pictures and links on this yacht at my page on Blithe Spirit at Blithe Charter Yacht on SailDive BVI I don't get the impression on here that if you wanted to do a ton of water sports all day long that it would be the best choice, but great conversation, food, sailing, relaxing, beachcombing, snorkeling I think it would be a great match. Especially if you like that bit of European/French Flair in your gourmet meals, and do not want hamburgers and potato salad! Back to our Main Site!Sunday, June 8. 2008International Year of the Reef and Coral Spawning this summer in the Caribbean With it being the Year of the Reef, and additionally, environmental month in the BVI, there is all kinds of information being published on reefs. Do you know that I recently read that they have now done studies that say that all the suntan block that we are using is harming the reefs as well! Shannon Gore, A Marine Biologist at Conservation and Fisheries in the BVI has been, besides her "regular" work, writing articles every month on various topics for the BVI Yacht Guide on various topics. Here is a PDF of the latest article Ancient Reefs The Yacht Guide is a good source for information ON the BVI, for those who are planning on going there.  In her never ending dig for material, she put some research into the coral spawning which takes place every summer and came up with some loose predictions on when we might see some here in the BVI! She will have a article coming out in the BVI Yacht Guide August Issue, called "Sex on the Reef" and NO, that is not the same things as some of the naughty guests try and sneak away to do!! I quote from her email here: I came across a literature review on all published papers dealing with spawning dates and pulled out all the broadcast corals with information on exact dates in which spawning has occured in Puerto Rico in the past. Here is a link to some of the research materialThese are based on 7-8 days after the full moon in July, Aug & Sept. (Most people think it is only in Aug!) Other areas in the Caribbean are very close to the same dates so I figured the BVI would be during the same times. So here is what I have come up with (coral species specific) - these are only predictions!!!! but based on the scientific literature. Warmer than normal water temps may change all this of course. I would suggest 6-8 days after the 1st full moon in each month and plan on somewhere between 8-11pm (most occurences were around 9:30). Elkhorn coral 25-26 July and/or 22-24 August Boulder brain coral 23 Aug - 9pm Symetrical brain coral 25-Jul and/or 23 Aug; 8-9pm Boulder star coral 23 Aug; 9:30-11pm and/or 22-Sep Great star coral 25-Jul and/or 23-Aug and/or 22-Sep Pillar coral 23-Aug Massive starlet coral 25-Jul and/or 23-Aug and/or 22-Sep    So if you intend to be diving in the Caribbean at any of those times, or if you are not, maybe you should! Contact me to see which yachts would be available to take you diving to see this spectacular site this summer. Typically the seas are very warm, and the water is very flat about that time of year. I will be down there with my trusty camera for the end of August and September ones for sure! Back to our Main Site!This article is repeated in both my blogs! Sunday, June 8. 2008Flexible Charters, Scheduling and Pricing from NSS Pattam in the Spanish, British and US Virgin Islands
Although I have not booked a charter on this Motor Yacht yet, I have been on the yacht twice, and I am impressed with the work that they put into making their charters flexible in all regards. With the way of air fares are and the economy, the need to constantly reinvent yourself is important as an owner operator to sell charters is important.
Mat says that he figures now that he is about as competitive as any other yacht, sailing, larger or smaller! I would think that this yacht will be very busy, as there is a shortage of motor yachts. One thing about owner operators, they are much quicker to be proactive instead of reactive with market trends.  Mat has put up detailed rates and plans for the charters he is offering,and he explains it all quite thoroughly here on his site. A few things I will point out, based on 8 guests You can do an all inclusive 7 night charter at $19,000 You can do an all inclusive 6 night charter at $16,000. This is perfect with a lot of the airline schedules nowadays, that typically are running more flights on the weekends and less on the weekdays. You can do a Bed and Breakfast 7 night charter which means you have lunch and dinner ashore for $14,000 You can do a Discovery Charter 7 night charter which is very similar to the B and B, but instead of 2 hours running time a day, there is a fairly predetermined schedule that shows you the highlights. If that is not enough they are also making themselves available on availability for day charters and dinner cruises! Pattam is flexible on their pick up points in the US, BVI and Spanish Virgin Islands, and with Mat speaking Spanish, this is an ideal yacht for all our Puerto Rican Neighbors who come over here in the summer, or indeed those guests who find it quite easy to get into Puerto Rico and WANT to do Culebra, Vieques and the Spanish Virgins (additional positioning charges may apply) You can see more pictures on Pattam and information on my web page at NSS PATTAM One picture I do not have on my site is a picture of there excellent Fly Bridge area! there is no shortage of room available on the top deck.  Back to our Main Site! Saturday, May 31. 2008From Silent Partner 2 sailing, to Nordic Lady Power Tug!
Hanging up the Sailing Gloves and Picking up the Sailing Gloves!
Fellow Canadians Gary and Laurie Rainthorpe had owned and operated one of the most successful charter yachts for 2 guests in the Caribbean for the last 11 years. Although we were only ever dinghies passing in a harbor, they had a similar love of boating and RV's and they parked their camper very close to my parents place on Vancouver Island, Canada in the summer. On the few times we crossed paths we would talk about boats and RV's! They have recently had some exciting news.  They have sold Silent Partner to a couple who have been on their yacht for several years and were itching to get into the chartering world and they themselves, instead of running away to their RV, have hung up their sailing gloves to explore the Caribbean with a brand new Nordic 54' Tug that ANOTHER one of their charter guests has just had built! They will be returning in October to operate it as a luxurious charter yacht for 2-4 guests. I am excited for them, and I am sure this boat will be quickly booked up as Silent Partner was for them. You can see the new Tug, at www.nordiclady.net Ralph and Celeste are the couple who have bought Silent Partner and will begin running it this summer. Silent Partner has just gone through a refit including new paint on the hull and deck, a new generator, new batteries, complete interior varnish, new ultra-leather “ivory” interior – just to name a few of the upgrades. Celeste has a gift in culinary entertaining and we have enjoyed her fine cooking and gracious charm over the years. Ralph has held his Coast Guard License for many years and has sailed since he was a young man. He is an avid beach cat sailor. Ralph has skippered many fishing charters off the New Jersey coast.  We had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Ralph and Celeste at the spring boat show in Tortola, and they seem like they will be running a similar charter experience to what Gary and Laurie were famous for. They still intend on concentrating on 2 guests, and, well, let me put it in their own words "We especially look forward to entertaining couples who are seeking that extra special sailing vacation, i.e. honeymoon couples, anniversaries, etc. The couples who want a touch extra such as breakfast in bed, picnic lunches on the beach, and candlelight dinners. We also adore children, and would ask that you also remember Silent Partner II for parent/child sailing vacations."  They intend on being at the fall boat show in Tortola WITH Silent Partner and we look forward to seeing the work that has been done on it and of course, I will post lots of pictures. I have put up what information I had at my Nordic Lady page and at my Silent Partner 2 page Saturday, May 31. 2008Getting to the Islands, American Airlines
I posted this on my boat blog, but I think it bears repeating here for effect.
There was some unfortunate news coming out of the Caribbean this past couple days. Basically, American Airlines is making some drastic changes to try and stay afloat in the new world economy with the current fuel prices. We knew that they were going to cut their flights to the Caribbean, we were just not sure how much and when. Remember I blogged a few months ago about Spirit Airlines come September going to a Saturday only flight down to St Thomas which i thought would make it more difficult for inexcpensive flights? American Airlines/American Eagle, which we are tied pretty tightly to down here is cutting their flights to and from San Juan from about 38 a day at least to 18. This is not going to affect the flights from Miami, but apparently, it will affect mostly direct flights to SJU from gateways behind MIami. They will be laying off several hundred people in SJU. Additionally, they are cutting back the flights that go from San Juan to the islands in the caribbean from about 55 a day to 33. This is going to make it much harder in many respects for guests: 1) cost 2) availability 3) Getting to the Caribbean without an overnight stop SOMEWHERE, maybe even our dreaded airport (gosh I hope they hurry up and finish it!) Miami will be nigh impossible. 4) Those who are used to using FF miles, they can forget it, remember me telling the story last week of using 120,000 "anytime" miles to come back and when our flights messed up right from Tortola, to go first class we would have had to wait days and go through Boston? They will no longer offer non flight service to SJU from Fort Lauderdale, Newark, Orlando, Los Angeles and Washington Dulles. They will still offer non stop, but with a reduced schedule from (ie once a week on peek days instead of several times a week) from Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York, JFK, Philadelphia and Hartford. They have also announced that they will ground their fleet of 34 seats Saab, and shift around some of their 72 seaters back to the states that we use in the caribbean. We will just have to see what will shake out here. A few thoughts, yes, there are other airlines, we will see what their schedule does. This will make our ferries from St Thomas over to the BVI busier, and our airport less busy. The fare is already quite a bit higher to come into Beef Island then St Thomas. Perhaps someone will step up to fill this niche, although I don't believe it will be LIAT as they are cutting their schedule as well. As I said in my last post, that makes it even more important to WORK with us on the logistics of getting back and forth to the islands. We are good at that! I also would suggest that if you have charters booked to the BVI, or indeed anywhere in the Caribbean this coming winter, that you "don't wait until fall when prices are supposed to fall" to buy your tickets. At least you will have a ticket, but be prepared that they are probably going to change your schedule a billion times on the plane before then. Expect costs to be higher down here then you saw before, our transportation costs of items are going up daily. When talking to boats at the last show, they all talked about sailing more and not running engines as much. It will be good for us. We have a few good things going for us. We work in the American dollar so you do not have to deal with exchange rates! Enough of that gossip today, I will keep you on to date as things change and we have more information. Saturday, May 31. 2008Summer Specials and Free Fuel in the BVI from Virgin Traders
Over the next 3 months we would like to finish off the Season with a flourish. To achieve this we are offering some real encouragement to switch off the TV, pack your bikini 'n' snorkeland drag the 'Old Man' to the airport! Fuel Costs are on everyones news channels right now, so lets deal with it here and cut them! Real savings, Great Value, and heres your chance to take advantage.
June. This starts next week so check this out! We have some slots, not many but some. This is date specific and applies to time onboard 1st - 12th June. (very) Slight chance that there may be the odd other week here and there but...worth asking.  Two (2) Free Extra days so 9 for the price of 7 Free Diesel Fuel for the duration of your charter. July. This period is always busy, but we have some odd slots across the month. Cannot be date specific here so if your interest is tickled then call or email and lets see if it works for you. We would like to fill these openings so.. 8 days for the Price of 7, so 1 Free Day Free Diesel Fuel for the entire charter 50% off an Upgrade to the 16ft centre console zip zip RIB August. Super month down here, generally the seas are flat, the water is clear, quiet anchorages, our favourite time of the year. 10 days for the price of 7. That's 3 FREE DAYS Free Dinghy Upgrades to the 16ft RIB value $175.00 per day All this sounds too good to be true? Not so but please read the small print here.  Here's the small print in a size that you can read! Everything is subject to availability Offers cannot be combined with other promotions Applicable only for bookings taken directly by Virgin Traders Reservations Can be applied only to new bookings and not existing ones. So, if you are looking to book directly a motor yacht this summer, this appears to be a decent deal. Virgin Traders is also venturing more into the crewed charter yacht market with a new build (soon come, supposed to be by fall and ready for the boat show, but you never know!) I will let you know about this yacht once I have seen it and taking pictures this fall! We can confirm a Super New Motor Yacht is joining us down here in the BVI.  She is a Horizon 74, (Marketed in Europe as Elegance) outfitted and spec’d to sensational levels by her Texan owners. Offered as a fully Crewed yacht she enters service with us here in the BVI in November 2008. It is planned to have her available to view at next years Ft Lauderdale Boat Show and we will advise on this.  3 Superb Double staterooms + Crew quarters aft. Onboard "fit out" and entertainment systems of the highest possible standards. This Yacht will be FUN, all the toys. Over 3000+ hp Twin Caterpillar engines have her Cruising at 20+ knots Thursday, May 29. 2008British Virgin Islands Tourism Sector Starts 2008 on Positive Note
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Harmony Turnbull Public Relations Manager British Virgin Islands Tourism Sector Starts 2008 on Positive Note Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Tuesday May 27 2008, – The BVI Tourist Board announced that its crucial tourism sector performed well in the first quarter of the year in spite of many challenges, with a 3.58% percent increase in overnight visitors during the January to March 2008 period. Overall the BVI welcomed 415,004 visitors in the first quarter of 2008 which represents a total growth of 14.6% compared to the same period in 2007.  Preliminary data from the Development Planning Unit (DPU) indicated that the number of international overnight visitors topped the same period of 2007 by 3,968 visitors thereby making this two successive first quarter growth periods as 2007 also saw growth over 2006 by 3,189 or 2.97%. The official credited lots of focus on joint partner marketing, training programmes to specialist agents and more synergies in our international public relations efforts in generating increased knowledge of the destination and closing more bookings. Janis Braithwaite Edwards, Director of Tourism, indicated that this positive start to the year is very encouraging as everyone in the sector globally are working within the constraints of certain economic slowdown in the BVI’s largest source markets of the USA and some rumblings in the UK also. According to official preliminary statistics from DPU, the month of February recorded a slight slow down in Overnight visitors of less than 1% being 0.29% whilst January and March grew by 9.83% and 2.28% respectively thereby leading to an overall growth position. This first quarter performance comes after a positive year of total performance for 2007 when the sector’s arrivals grew by 15.4% over the year 2006 and contributed some US$ 39 million or 7.29% more estimated visitor expenditure than in 2006. According to Mrs. Braithwaite Edwards, “we recognize the challenges which we are up against and acknowledge that events such as the Beijing Olympics in August and the USA elections in November are additional issues besides the economic slowdowns which all seem inevitable. But we will press on towards growing this very important economic sector thereby helping to improve the lifestyle of all BVIslanders.” Thursday, May 29. 2008"Glory" one of our smallest boats in the fleet.
I really did not meet David and step on board his yacht Glory until the fall boat show. I had seen the boat, for many years of course, and it reminded me of a "true sailing boat" of "yore" and you could usually find David in some out of the way anchorage snorkeling! I did not realize that it WAS a charter boat at first, not because of it being in bad shape, it was in good shape, it was just obviously a classic sailing monohull, and at 37 feet, about 10 feet longer then the "sailboat" that I received in pieces as a tip in a restaurant I owned! We dreamed of doing something big with that boat, but all it did was sit in the yard and we might have sat inside it and dreamt of the time we could sail-away. Probably with beer in hand back then! Now without three hulls under me, 2 engines, a generator, ice machine and air conditioning I am not sailing anywhere. But many do!
 What I did not realize about David until as soon as I stepped on his boat, was how peaceful and soothing his presence is.. I felt myself breathe deeply and everything about the boat was, well, right! I sat in the cockpit and thought that me, who likes all the amenities that you could ever want, would have been happy to sit in the cockpit for a week and be taking back 50 years and REALLY learn how to sail! It is probably the only boat I have ever stepped on and felt like that.  David is both captain and cook, except for the two meals that he requests that you eat out a week. Not only does this man cook and sail, and fix whatever needs to be fixed, he will also teach you how to sail, and i guarantee you will feel like a "true" sailor on GLORY!  He lovingly maintains his yacht, and is being dragged slowly into the modern age, with installing IPODS and the like, but I am certain that it would be a marvellous week aboard Glory, learning the many years of knowledge he has about boats, the area and sailing. I now believe there are too few boats like this around.  GLORY 37 Feet. Sleeps 3 Guests in 1 King(s), 1 Single(s) Online brochure: Rates and Availability Friday, May 23. 2008NSS Pattam at the Spring Tortola Boat Show!
I have been on this yacht twice now, both at the St Thomas fall show and the spring show.
 I recently did a blog entry on their different types of charter they offer at charter options PATTAM everything from Bed and Breakfast to Discovery Charters. the Motoryacht is in good shape, and well appointed. There are a shortage of smaller motor yachts under a hundred feet here in the Caribbean. Pat and Mat are owner operators, and as usual it shows in the interior. Some yacht brokers do not like the personalized yachts that feel like you are walking into someone's home as opposed to a hotel room, but I do. They "feel" much more comfortable and user friendly in my view. Plus you typically tend to get extras that the owners put on "because they like it themselves", which they may not do if they had crew on board. In this case there is satellite TV, a club soda machine in the wall, a full sized galley and a popcorn maker on the back deck.   They have the neatest bridge area that has a large table with computers and room for your computers with wireless internet access and, within, easy reach! The proverbial junk basket!  They sleep 6 comfortably with a few different options, and you can read all about it and see the many pictures we took on our new webpage we just put up. This is a cross between the luxury motor yacht and the casual water friendly activity boats. They do have a Hobie Cat, various "pull toys" such as waterski's and kneeboards, a large tender and snorkel gear, but mostly it strikes me as an easy comfortable way to see the various places in the Virgin Islands and be quite comfortable doing it. I think this yacht is ideal for families, for the sleeping arrangements and I don't think you will ever go short of food! Elderly would also be very comfortable on this boat.  Mat and Pat appear quite flexible and are always prompt with answering questions and supplying information! Tuesday, May 20. 2008Yacht Amaryllis- Continuing the Dream
This is my second charter boat review of the show and I have about 22 to go, maybe a couple less, as I am still deciding on whether and what I write, if anything, on boats that I did not care for. I am trying to walk the fine line of giving information and "just being a travel brochure" that most in the industry would like me to be, as you would know from my own personal blog.
 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! 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. Bruce and Laura Masterson is the name of this couple on Amaryllis  Rates for the 2008/2009 season. 2 guests $7500.00, 3 guests $8000.00, 4 guests $9500.00, 5 guests $10,000.00, 6 guests $10,500.00 5 and 6 guests are with prior approval only. The holiday season has a 10% surcharge on it. You can read more about the yacht and crew, as well as view my fresh as of this past weekend pictures of it, on my page on Amaryllis and we will look forward to getting more reviews from charter guests who have been on board, and keeping up with the upgrades they should be continuing to make Monday, May 19. 2008Catamaran Viking Dream at the Spring Tortola Boat Show This was the first boat we saw at the spring boat show this year. It is still looking as good as it did at the fall boat show, and the crew is just as enthusiastic! Nice to see in May. They have done about 15 charters this season, which is very good for their first season, I guess I was not the only one impressed with the boat! Take 8 NIGHTS FOR THE PRICE OF 7 through the end of August, 2008 Some additions since the last boat show are sunscreens on aft of the cockpit for that afternoon sun, new bedding and upholstery in the cabins, and new mirrors and some faucets in the heads. They have also put on a new hammock and are trying to decide whether they want to put on a new watermaker this summer or get a larger dinghy! They also told me that they had bought some stand up mirrors, but that was something that I certainly could have lived without and did not need to look at myself in! A few other details they mentioned. They are always looking for the extras that they can do for their guests, which I think is a mark of a good charter crew! Little things, like bringing tea and coffee to the staterooms if asked to in the AM (apparently quite popular with the English guests!), for those interested they also have their version of the Viking Olympics on the last day, with silly water games that may involve kayaks, noodles, viking helmets and beer! If you want to know more you will have to come on the boat yourself! I have updated the picture galleryon my page on Viking Dream here with new pictures of the yacht. Who do I think this yacht is ideal for? Well, they will suit a few different groups, from couples to families. I generally do not like the Moorings ex yachts very much, but this one is an exception, it is well appointed, clean and of course I always like owner operated crewed yachts! Summer of 2008 2/10500 3/10750 4/11000 5/11250 6/11500 Xmas / New Years: 2 guests: $13000, 3 or 4 guests: $13250, and 5 or 6 guests - $13,500  One other thing that Mark mentioned at the show was that he TRULY enjoyed setting up and teaching guests how to windsail. Most charter boats got rid of windsurfers years ago, or hope that nobody asks you to bring it out! (Not telling any secrets, when we ran yachts, we did it after the first year!) but Marks eyes lit up when he talked about how much pleasure he got out of seeing the look of "got it!" on the guests faces! Maybe that was my problem, all I seemed to do was play go fetch windsurfer with the tender!  |
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