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| November 01, 2007 | Sailing in Style
|  | It’s 8:00 am and the smell of fresh baked banana nut muffins and French roast coffee wakes me from a delicious sleep. I climb out of my queen size bed, into the shower and then into my bathing suit, then up onto the sunwashed deck where I am served a gourmet breakfast. Looking out over the turquoise water, I plan the next hour. A swim, followed by another 2 chapters in the novel I’m reading. What 5 star resort am I staying at you may ask? It’s not the Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, but a 50’ sailing catamaran called Swish, based in the British Virgin Islands.
Swish is one of nearly 100 crewed yachts based in the BVI. They are more like floating villas than a boat. Her crew of 2 takes care of everything, from Scuba instruction to gourmet cooking. In between there is fantastic sailing, quiet anchorages, water skiing, wake boarding, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, reading, sunning, exotic drink sampling, and eating like kings.
Because it is a catamaran, Swish is very stable. It does not heel like a mono-hull when the wind blows. It simply goes faster. There are 3 queen size guest cabins, each with a private head with shower and a single cabin. The saloon area is great for reading or watching one of the yachts 200 movies. The outdoor seating area for 8 is where most meals are eaten. And the forward outdoor trampolines are the favorite place to enjoy a brisk sail, or just relax in the sun.
The yacht is perfect, but the crew is what really makes this holiday one of a lifetime. They are both professional and fun. Want to learn how to scuba dive or wake board? How about how to bake ciabatta bread or flambe bananas Foster? These guys seem to know it all and love showing their guests the ropes. The captain not only knows the waters, but how to make a mean margarita or pina colada. He also understands fine wines.
Each day we visit between 2-4 islands; some populated, some not. We snorkel coral reefs with millions fish of every color and size. We participate in sailing or not, as we choose. We eat some of the best meals I’ve had in my life, and then try to dance off the calories to the sounds of calypso music.
This may sound expensive, but it’s not. The cost runs around $350 per person, per day, all inclusive, depending on how many friends or family members come along. The closer to the yacht’s capacity (in Swish’s case, 7) you get, the less expensive it is on a per person basis. The weekly rate includes all your food, bar, wines, and water sports. From the time you arrive until you leave, you need not open your wallet.
Many of the yachts based in the Virgin Islands are catamarans, but others include sailing mono-hulls, motor yachts and even tri-marans. Vital Vacation's team will let you know which yachts and crews are the best fit for you. | |
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Vital
Vacations Yacht Charters
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Tel:
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Lauderdale, Florida 33301 |
Info@vitalvacations.com |
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