BY CLAY LARROY
Across the America many couples are having
wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a
honeymoon to rest and recuperate. Vacations
are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress
free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories
that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding
experience. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Imagine
sailing from island to island, across water a deeper blue than you have ever
imagined, dolphin jumping along the bow so close you can see the water rolling
across their backs. Sailing vacations are a terrific way to experience the
water from an entirely new perspective: as captain of your own ship. If you
have never before sailed, you may be surprised to learn that not only are
sailing vacations extremely comfortable, but also affordable. With a little
planning, you and your traveling companions can be cruising offshore on a
sailing yacht, your days spent piloting the boat, snorkeling, fishing or
sunning, and your nights visiting interesting ports along the way, dining
aboard or in local restaurants. With a little bit of planning and the
assistance of a good travel consultant, you will be sailing along with the wind
in your hair and the sun on your face!
The
steps to working with your travel consultant to book a sailing vacation are few
and simple. Your travel agent will familiarize you with the destinations
available for your vacation, ranging from the entire United States coastline,
to the Caribbean, Europe and the Mediterranean. Once you narrow down the
location, the agent will research charter companies and assist you with
choosing one that has a good reputation and boats that meet your needs, prior
to making the reservation. Chartering a sailboat is either done
"skippered" or "bareboat". If you are a novice with little
or no experience, your first outings will be accomplished with a licensed and
experienced skipper, or captain. However, even experienced sailors will often
hire a skipper and a cook from the charter company, especially when the object
of the trip is more relaxation and less work. Skippers also come in handy when
traveling on unfamiliar water, or when accomplishing a new type of travel, such
as your first long distance passage through open water.
On a
skippered sailing, the captain and other crew live aboard with you during the
trip. Captains typically act not only as a pilot of the boat, but also as a
guide to local history, waters and knowledge. They will maintain their own
quarters, affording you and your guests as much privacy as can be managed on
the boat - in fact, most have an uncanny ability to make themselves invisible.
The captain and crew will be professional sailors who love their jobs, are
people-oriented and who go out of their way to make your sailing vacation a
really enjoyable experience. Do note, however, that the crew does not act as
babysitters. If traveling with infants or very young children, be sure to make
arrangements for babysitting if you need it.
"Bareboat"
charters, offering the maximum degree of independence and freedom, are for
those individuals who already know how to sail and who can demonstrate a degree
of competence to the charter company. Although formal training or certification
is not always required, most charter companies will ask for a sailing resume
that details past sailing history, the size of craft formerly piloted and the
equipment with which you are familiar. You might also be asked to participate
in a "check out" cruise to verify that you have the necessary skills
to pilot the boat safely and that you are aware of the "rules of the
road." Prior to leaving the dock, the charter company will provide a full
briefing on the vessel, going over all of its systems, including the engine,
the water system and rigging. If you are a bit rusty, most will provide a few
initial hours with a captain to reacquaint you with the basic skills necessary
to safely navigate and sail your boat.
It is
also possible to join a "flotilla", setting sail with a group of
yachts sailing an identical itinerary. Typically organized by your charter
company, a flotilla is lead by a professional captain that plans the itinerary
and acts as a guide and event organizer.
The
length of the yacht is the key way of indicating its size. Charter boat most
often run between 30 feet and 62 feet, though both shorter and longer boats may
be available. The longer the boat, the more spacious the living quarters, the
more experience necessary to sail it, and the more expensive its charter fee.
Some charter companies have only a few boats in their fleet, while others have
a wide variety.
Living
quarters on a sailing yacht can range from spartan to luxurious. Although
quarters are typically tight, they usually have a bed or bunk situation and
room for dressing. Restroom facilities, known as "heads", are
attached to a storage tank that can be pumped out at marina facilities. If
traveling with a skipper, cook or other crew, keep in mind that the boat must
accommodate their quarters as well. Your travel consultant and charter company
will assist with appropriate selection of a boat to meet your needs. Nights are
spent on board the boat, either at anchorage in a bay or at a dock in a marina.
A
boat’s age and condition are of key importance. Boats in charter fleets take a
beating, and no one wants to spend vacation time being towed back to shore! Ask
about the age of the boats in the fleet, their general condition, and the
charter company’s policy for breakdowns and mishaps. Many charter companies
have provisions to dispatch repair crews in limited geographic areas to assist
in the event of a necessary repair.
REFERENCE SITES:
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
― Marcel Proust
― Marcel Proust
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