Charter Sailing
Hi Everyone - As mentioned in our last post, we returned recently from Antigua where we spent a few days on the island, and then a week on a sailboat. I decided to write a separate post about charter sailing in case you might be considering it as a vacation option.
On this trip, Jen and I joined four other couples for a week on a 52' catamaran (2 hull) sailboat. We were invited by our friends Peter and Molly Mierke. The entire boat was chartered by one of the couples and we split the cost among the 10 of us. So we knew who we were sailing with. However, with some charter companies, you can book a single cabin and not have to charter the entire boat. This is what we did several years ago when we took a charter sailboat in the British Virgin Islands.
Most of the charter sailboats are in the 45' - 60' size range (although there are larger ones out there!) For boats this size, there is usually a 2-person crew with a captain and 1st mate. The 1st mate primarily provides the meals and the captain sails the boat and maintains the boat systems.
Unlike a cruise ship which does most of it's sailing at night, a charter sailboat does most of it's movement during daylight hours. Instead of visiting several different cities or islands across hundreds or thousands of miles, a sailboat will usually sail much less and concentrate on sightseeing around a single island or two, and stay at anchor during the night.
In Antigua, our itinerary took us completely around the island. Or stops included Viking Beach, Deep Bay, Dickerson Bay, Maiden Island, Great Bird Island, Green Island, Falmouth Harbor, English Harbor/Nelson's Dockyards and Cade Reef. Activities included diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, sightseeing, and eating out at some restaurants. Oh...and a lot of swimming!
There are some clear advantages and disadvantages of these types of trips.
Advantages: Small boat with good customer service, typically all-inclusive, ability to visit small harbors and beaches the larger ships can't go to, option to learn to sail, and water sports.
Disadvantages: Although the food has been excellent on our two trips, there is no menu to choose from. For some, seasickness can be a problem. The accommodations are as nice as possible for a sailboat, but still nowhere near as nice as a cruise ship. Sailboat cabins have little room, tiny bathrooms and showers, and sometimes noise from waves, generators, or other people walking above. It's not for the claustrophobic!
The sailboat charter is also a much more intimate setting with the other passengers. This can be great if you mesh well with the other passengers. But could be a problem if you don't. Jen and I have had good luck so far. And the boat is large enough that you can find a little of your own space when you need to.
The costs are probably a little more than a cruise ship, depending on the charter company. (cost is more compatible if you get all the add-ons on a cruise ship). In Antigua we sailed on a Tradewinds boat which is on the higher end of the charter industry. Others, such as Dream Yacht, are a little less expensive but not quite as nice. Costs are probably similar to other all-inclusive vacations you might get at a resort.
So is a charter sailboat for you? I hope this post gives you some idea of what it might be like. Jen and I will probably do a sailboat charter again in those areas we want to visit where we want to explore more from the water.
What's next? I'll be leaving Jen behind as I take a golf trip to Ireland with friends and a fishing trip to Alaska with family. Later in the year, we'll be taking a family trip to Portugal. So please send us a note if there is anything we can answer for you on past trips, or anything you want us to talk about on future trips. Thanks again for following us!
Love and Peace,
Mike and Jen
