Greek Island Itineraries

Posted on May 23, 2011 by admin

Many of my clients tell me: “Wow, we’ve been dreaming of a Greek Island cruise all our lives and we’d like a week’s charter in the islands and we’d basically like to see everything…!!”

It’s really easy to forget that the Greek Islands encompass an enormous area in the Aegean sea and also the Ionian Sea on the Western side of the Greek mainland. A week’s charter in the Greek islands is best if you restrict your itinerary to one of these groups, you can maybe do two groups of islands in 2 weeks but, to try and cover too much ground in too short a time is not a good plan.

The main groups of islands in Greece are conveniently grouped as follows:

1. The Cyclades group of islands; right in the middle of the Aegean sea and unprotected from the July Meltemi wind, home to the familiar-sounding and popular islands of Mykonos, Santorini, etc.  In good weather, they are accessible from Athens (Piraeus) and back in a week. Santorini is further away and better seen by ferry from Mykonos.

2. The Saronic Gulf Islands; Aegina, Poros, Spetses and Hydra and neighboring mainland villages and hot spots. This is an excellent PLAN B if you wanted to visit the Cyclades to check out Mykonos or Santorini  and the weather is not favorable.  These islands are not as well known but are very popular for local Greeks from Athens when they go on holiday.

3. The Dodecanese group of islands that are close to the Turkish coastline. These are Samos, Kos, Symi, Rhodes and Kastellorizo.  Charters taken in this area can zig-zag back and forth between the Greek Islands and the Turkish towns and villages like Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek and Fethiye. This makes for a very interesting charter with an opportunity to take advantage of the food and culture of two very separate and fascinating countries.

4. The Sporades group of islands, North of Athens and Northwest of the Cyclades, are more protected than the Cyclades in the summer Meltemi months of July and August.

5. The Ionian Group of Islands on the West coats of mainland Greece, some are very well known such as Corfu, Cephalonia (remember the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”), and Scorpios which was Aristotle Onassis’ private island. This is usually a stand-alone week or 10 day charter with a culture and scenery that is quite different and unique.

6. You can also choose to visit the island of Crete, which due to the distance from Athens, is usually a stand-alone charter that can move you from village to village around this historical island.

Do’s and don’ts:  Do select the best time of year for your Greek Island charter – May and June  are nice months but the water is still a bit cool. July and August are hot and windy, crowded and expensive and you’ll find half of Europe vacationing in the islands during those months. September is arguably the best month and the first half of October is still OK.  Don’t even consider a charter or cruise outside of these months. Don’t try to cover too much real estate during your charter, you’ll spend too much time sailing and less time exploring the different islands.

Do consider a sailing vessel. a nice sailing catamaran is an excellent alternative to a motor yacht and much less expensive. The price of fuel in Greece  and all of Europe for that matter, is very high and can reach up to $8.00 a gallon in some places. If you consider that some large motor yachts consume more than 100 gallons an hour, things can get out of hand.

Most of our sailing catamarans both fully crewed and bareboats, can offer a very rich and fulfilling charter experience. Do check out our website for the latest and best yachts in the Greek Islands.

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Event on a Yacht in South Florida

Posted on April 28, 2011 by charterking

If you are planning a special event in Miami, Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale or, basically, from Palm Beach Southwards you should seriously consider one of our special party yachts for your event. We have boats of all sizes and shapes with capacity from 2 guests to 500.  The best of South Florida is always enhanced when seeing it from the water and our specialized vessels are all commercially certified by the US Coast Guard and our pricing is very competitive with land based venues. The advantage is that, between American Yacht and each boats professional staff, we can package each event to include everything you’ll need for that special occasion. No surprises and no hidden extra fees.

We have a very distinguished clientele that includes some of the most important Fortune 500 companies, professional sports celebrities, recording stars, pillars of the local community and everyday folk like you and I.  Collectively, we have booked corporate award ceremonies, new product introductions, distributor dinners, wedding ceremonies and receptions of all shapes and sizes, rehearsal dinners, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Birthdays, and bachelor parties.

Although we are primarily focused on yachts and the water, we can also provide many of the ancillary services that go along with the ceremony itself like flowers and flower arrangements, special linens and custom wedding cakes. We regularly provide other types of entertainment like casino tables, cigar rollers, caricaturists, hand-writing analysts, mentalists,  dancers, bands and DJ’s. Photography service can also be included but we prefer to give you a few vendors that we know and trust and let you make this decision. Especially for a wedding. The photographer is an important part of the whole thing as he will record your special day for posterity.

We can also organize yachts and sailing catamarans that can provide outside activities on the water such as wave runners and other water toys that can rendez-vous with our yachts and allow guests to take full advantage of Florida’s fabulous weather and warm clear waters. For those who like to go fishing we have a superb fleet of fishing yachts with Miami’s finest Captains who will practically guarantee a “catch” when you go out. Great pricing that will include lunch and a large cooler full of beers, sodas, waters and juices. If it can be done on the water then we can do it!

Booking your event with us on the water offers you two great advantages over land-based venues:

1. A one stop shop for your whole event – much the same as a Destination Management Company (DMC) would do for you. We’ll take care of the whole event for you from start to finish. We consider ourselves a “boutique destination management company” offering superb customer satisfaction to all our clients – big or small budgets.

2. You will take advantage of the best that South Florida has to offer, the fabulous backdrop views of Miami or Fort Lauderdale in the evening, tropical sunsets, warm weather and clear waters. It’s ALWAYS better on the water in Florida…!!

Please visit our very detailed website or call us at 305-758-2500 for a whole array of services that we can offer you in South Forida.

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Tipping Guidelines for Yacht Charters

Posted on March 31, 2011 by charterking

Wow, am I walking straight into the lion’s jaws, or what? Tipping has been an ongoing topic of discussion between Captains, Crews, Clearing Houses, Management Companies and Charter Booking Agents and Brokers for decades. Recently, with the recession, it has become a hot topic and, as usual, will not be resolved this year either. This is because there is no really comprehensive answer possible.

Tipping is customer driven. There are guidelines, of course but in the final analysis A TIP IS A TIP. It’s not part of the crew’s salary and nor should it be. The crew is paid a salary and tips should fall into the “nice-to-have” department. The amount of the tip will depend on the level of service that the customer feels they deserve and usually involves a consideration of services rendered above and beyond the call of duty.

None of this, however, interests my readers — I called this a guide and I’ll take responsibility for that title, so here goes: first though, there are regional guidelines so generally speaking in the CARIBBEAN, charterers should seriously consider between 10% and 15% of the base charter rate. In the MEDITERRANEAN, it is customary to leave between 5% and 10% of the base charter rate.

The gratuity should be in cash and paid to the captain, he will distribute the gratuity to the other crew members. It does not matter whether the crew are the owner/operators of the boat – chartering is more of a lifestyle choice and doesn’t provide great ROI’s so an owner /operator will appreciate a tip for good service just as much as a salaried crew member.

Leaving a handsome gratuity in the case of larger yachts with more expensive base rates can involve quite a lot of cash that many charterers prefer not to carry with them. The best option is to leave a lump sum of, say, 15% or 20% of the base charter rate in escrow with your Charter Booking Agent or Broker. After your charter has ended, you can simply email, your broker to release all or part of the funds to the boat as a gratuity.  Most brokers will be happy to perform this service.

When booking term charters it is very important that the tipping standard for the region of charter is discussed. So that if a client has a budget of $10,000 for his/her vacation it is understood that they should look for a yacht in the $8,500 – $9,000 range because with a tip added it will then be $10,000. Most charters of this nature are booked through a yacht charter broker and it is the brokers fiduciary responsibility to discuss with a client what extra fees can be expected.

Now there is another area of yacht charter to think about and that is Event Charters. In South Florida and New York there are many party boats that can hold from 2 guests to 500 guests and which are booked for weddings, corporate and all other social events. Tipping is also an expected part of the charter. There are no standards  here to go by except to advise a client that it is discretionary and should be based on level of service experienced.  Some calculate this by the number of crew on board and allocate X amount per crew member. Some yachts calculate this tip at a rate of $5 per guest. So if you have 50 guests then a tip of $250 would be appropriate. Again if the level of service is outstanding then feel free to leave a bigger amount.

As stated above in the first paragraph there is no hard and fast rule for tipping. Gratuity should not be expected. It is up to the Charterer to decide on this.

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Wedding on a Yacht – 5 Easy Steps

Posted on March 15, 2011 by charterking

 

1. Consultation with Yacht Charter Agent/Wedding Specialist
The initial consultation will generally take place over the phone or via email after visiting our website. It is the time when the wedding specialist will ask the right questions and listen to the client to determine what type of event she/he is looking for. A list of typical questions follows this article.

2. Selection of Yachts
Based on the initial phone or email “conversations” yachts will be selected by the wedding specialist that best suit the bride’s requirements. Detailed proposals will be put together and sent by email for review. These will be all inclusive proposals with no hidden fees and no unexplained charges.

3. Private Yacht Tours
When possible, if the bride is local, or if she is coming into town, a private tour of the suggested yachts will be arranged. The wedding specialist will accompany the bride to answer any questions that may arise.

4. Assessing the Yachts
Make sure that all questions are answered on each and every suggested yacht. Finding other possible yachts if needed. Discuss the positive and negative aspects of each yacht as it pertains to each bride.

5. Securing the Yacht of your choice
Once all questions have been answered and a yacht has been selected and that yacht is available on the chosen date a contract will be prepared. Once signed by the bride and the yacht or yacht’s agent the date is secured and a deposit is made to guarantee the yacht and the date.

QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ASKED IN THE FIRST CONVERSATION OR EMAIL RESPONSE FROM THE WEDDING SPECIALIST

1.What is the date of your wedding?
2. Will you want to have the ceremony onboard the yacht?3. What is your preferred location – Miami, Fort Lauderdale or other?
4. Are you flexible with your date or is this immovable?
5. How many guests are you expecting?
6. How many guests will be children and/or infants?
7. What type of dinner service do you think you will need – buffet or formal plated?
8. Do you want a full open bar? A beer wine and soda bar? Or a Non alcoholic bar?
9. Do you need us to book the entertainment? DJ or Live Band?
10. When can we meet?

Most important of all is to feel that you have chosen the right person to work with to make your Special Day just that – SPECIAL.

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The Cruise Ship Experience

Posted on February 21, 2011 by charterking

CRUISING MADE SIMPLE

“The Journey is the Destination” but sometimes we need a little help in deciding how to start our journey. Getting to your destination is all part of the fun in cruising on a cruise ship. You unpack once only and every day you will wake up in a different port.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT CRUISE

First of all leave plenty of time to look at options. You will always see last minute deals but if possible book at least one year ahead (per most travel experts). Start by thinking of what you want to do or not do on your cruise vacation. Use an agent. He/She should ask you about budget and what interests you and the rest of your party have. You can also search on line and narrow your choices down by choosing destination or cruise line or departure port. For those who are internet junkies this is the way to go but for those who want to talk to a real person – call or email an agent. Check out cruising website and one of our agents will be only too happy to assist you.

NEW TO CRUISING

If you have never cruised before then use a travel agent or cruise ship specialist. You may find that a professional can get you upgrades and added values which are not available when booking online. Professionals have leverage with certain cruise lines. A professional cruise ship specialist can match a cruise to your budge and your preferences.

READY TO BOOK

You have several options when it comes to booking a cruise. Book yourself, online or go directly to a cruise line or call/email an agent. The latter is the best course as this person can guide you to the right choices for yourself and he/she bears no allegiance to any one cruise line. You will get unbiased answers. A specialist may also be able to book you on a cruise that is offering group rates or maybe get you preferred pricing. This is your one stop shop for unbiased but qualified advice and assistance.

TIPPING ON YOUR CRUISE

In many cases you can include the tips in your final balance so that you have nothing to think about while on your cruise except to have fun. Whenever looking at the cost of a cruise you need to remember to consider the gratuities. The amounts vary from cruise line to cruise line. Take a look at this site for more information www.cruisetip.tpkeller.com

If you pre-pay your tips it will be based on a per person/day service charge. If you choose to pay at the end of your cruise it will appear on your account reconciliation. On many luxury cruise lines there is a no tipping policy, however, remember that the tip has been added into the overall cost of your cruise. It is up to the individual to add more to this at the end of the cruise.

WHAT ABOUT RIVER CRUISING

River Cruising is very popular in Europe and Russia. The river boats can stop at smaller ports not accessible to the larger cruise ships. This type of cruising is more suited to the well seasoned traveler who wants a more leisurely pace with more intimate dining rooms featuring regional foods and wines.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Always a good idea, especially if traveling in hurricane season. Policies range but most will cover medical reasons for canceling or lost baggage. Some will offer accommodation benefits in case of a trip interruption. Sometimes unexpected events happen and you need to be sure that you will be reimbursed for a cancelled trip. Protect your investment. Use a well know third party for this such as Travel Guard.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Fares usually include accommodations and meals but not alcoholic beverages, entertainment or shipboard activities. Typically the higher price of the cruise the more benefits you get. For example wine with dinner, a butler or a guided shore excursion. On most cruises you will have an onboard account secured by your credit card which is used to bill your onboard expenses. These expenses could include shopping, casino, spa treatments or gratuities. No need to carry a wallet around with you or any cash. Wise to try and keep a mental tab of what you are spending, so that you do not have too big a surprise at the end of the cruise.

INSIDE CABIN TIP

The inside cabins are usually 200 sq ft or less and can feel very claustrophobic. If budget allows choose at the minimum a room with a porthole. If you are going to spend a lot of time in your cabin an “inside”  room would be very cramped. However, these cabins also cost the least amount.

MORE CABIN TIPS

No matter your budget there is a cabin waiting for you. Cabins in the mid-ship or on a lower deck offer smoother sailing in rougher seas. If you are cruising one way then try and get a cabin on the shore side so that you can see the most of passing scenery. For a special trip or a romantic get-away book a balcony state room or a suite to really enjoy the panoramic views.

AFTER HOURS

For late night eating or snacking many large cruise ships offer snack bars, cafes, bistros, pizzerias or room service. Some have a midnight buffet. If you know you get hungry late at night or are a late eater anyway, then look for these amenities when booking your cruise.

Most of these tips can be found in the Travel Smith catalog which is great collection of cruise wear and travel clothes. Visit www.travelsmith.com for all your travel clothes and visit our specialized website for all your cruising requirements.

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5 Packing Tips for Charters

Posted on February 19, 2011 by charterking

GOING ON A YACHT VACATION IN THE CARIBBEAN?  5 THINGS THAT WOMEN SHOULD KNOW!

  • First of all whatever you are thinking of packing is too much
  • You can never have enough swim wear
  • You will never wear those sexy stiletto sandals that you paid a fortune for
  • Leave most of your make-up at home as once you have that healthy glow of being in the sun you will need very little in the evening to enhance your looks
  • Take plenty of moisturizing lotion and use it every night to replace what the sun has taken out

Let’s take packing as this probably gives most of us women the most headaches – how many times have you packed your bags then had another thought, so added another dress (just in case)? How many times have you added yet another pair of shoes to your carry on (just in case)?

Weather permitting, and it will be very unusual for it not be, you will wear swim wear every day with a cover-up to go ashore. The local people of the islands are very conservative and they may smile at you in your string bikini as you walk towards that casual restaurant for a drink or lunch, but, they will be offended. Walk the beaches in your swim suits but please remember to cover up when going to local restaurants or walking in the streets.

So what should be in your bags?

Swim wear
Cover Ups
A couple of pretty sun-dresses for going ashore for dinner
Thong sandals or dressy flat sandals
Shorts and tee-shirts
Straw Hat with a large brim to protect from too much sun
A light jacket or cardigan just in case and in places where the A/C may be too high
Reading material for relaxing on the beach or on the yacht – not a great selection of magazines or books once you leave the main towns like Road Town in the BVI

The tranquility of the pace of life in the Caribbean has a tendency to make people feel “lazy” in the sense that you really enjoy just relaxing in a hammock or on a sun pad on the front of the yacht; sipping a cool drink and swaying gently in the breeze. After two days of being lulled by the motion of the yacht and the beauty of your surroundings you will not think of wearing anything but a swimsuit for the rest of your vacation. Clothes become an unwanted luxury. Many guests throw on a sundress over their swim suits in the evening to go and dance on the beach or eat at a restaurant.

There are a few places where you may want to “dress” but again a nice sun-dress with a pair of flat sandals or pretty thong sandals will work. It is actually easier for women than men. There a few places in the islands, like Peter Island Resort, where men will be expected to wear long pants for dinner. But you can choose to avoid these places. The key to successful packing is to think about what you might like to do ashore before you go. Will you want to stop for dinner one night at a formal high end restaurant? Or do you want to simply go ashore in the dinghy in a sun-dress and eat at a beach restaurant? The reason I suggest no high heels is easy really – have you ever tried getting into a dinghy in heels and had the Captain yelling at you or tried to put them on while standing in sand and then walking like a pregnant duck to the restaurant. Suddenly they lose that sexy image! Even in you pull ashore onto a concrete landing stage you may probably still have to negotiate sand somewhere. And most landing stages are wooden. So you can imaging your heel sticking in the cracking while you continue forward ….. believe me I have seen this and I have done this before I saw the sense of leaving them behind. Barefoot is best in many places.

These are just my ideas based on the many packing mistakes I have made over the years.  Experience has taught me that on a yacht vacation in the Caribbean I only need swim wear and cover ups with maybe one nice dress for going ashore. But like most women I can tend to forget all that I know and I still end up bringing home clothes that I had neatly ironed only to throw them straight back into the laundry without them ever seeing the light of day!

So I guess my motto is, in the infamous words of Coco Chanel “Less is more”! Bon Voyage!!!

Gail King for American Yacht Company

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Yachting on the French Riviera

Posted on February 14, 2011 by charterking
The French Riviera is a haven for those seeking luxury and splendor. A yachting experience is the perfect way to see this amazing part of the world and take a trip through some of the most fabulous places the Riviera has to offer.
It is possible to sail the French Riviera throughout the year due to the mild weather conditions and favorable winds that prevail in the area, but the recognized yachting season runs between April and October. If you charter a yacht during the high summer season of July and August you can expect fantastic weather with plenty of sun and light winds. This is also the most popular time to charter a yacht in the south of France and the Riviera becomes extremely busy.
Embark on a French Riviera yachting trip on either side of the high season and you might avoid some of the crowds. The weather conditions are still great but you won`t be battling to go ashore from your yacht among so many tourists.
The luxury cruising season starts with the Cannes film festival and Monaco Grand Prix and these are two of the most popular locations along the French Riviera to charter a yacht.  St Tropez and Monaco are also top spots for luxury yacht chartering among those seeking some rest and relaxation in the lap of luxury.
You can choose from a huge range of different types of charter depending on your budget, needs and ability if you intend to take a hands-on approach. Bare boat charters are a popular choice but if you want a luxurious charter with all the trimmings, crewed and skippered charters could be what you prefer. Other types of boat available are catamarans and sailboats.
Favored by celebrities and those seeking the ultimate charter experience, super yachts and mega yachts can be chartered almost everywhere along the length of the French Riviera and they are particularly popular during the Cannes film festival and Monaco Grand Prix.
Monaco and Cannes are home to some of the world`s finest super yachts and Antibes now has the largest marina along the Riviera and so you can expect to find a fantastic choice of the very best charters available. This stretch is also host to a great selection of powerboats, luxury yachts of all shapes and sizes, plus motorboats and charters to suit sailors, tourists and visitors no matter what they are looking for.
Yachting on the French Riviera is increasing in popularity all the time and the competition to provide the best experience for clients is very competitive in the yacht charter business. This means that standards are exceptionally high and you can shop around to compare itineraries and extras to find your perfect yachting trip on the French Riviera.
As with most types of holiday booking, discounts and savings can be found if you shop around. Yacht charters are often best booked well in advance due to their popularity, but you can also sometimes find late deals or reduced rates for group bookings if you look around specialist websites.
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Charter a Yacht in Turkey

Posted on February 13, 2011 by charterking

If you’ve DONE the usual Med stuff: the Caribbean, the French Riviera, the Greek Islands, Mikonos, Santorini; Italy’s Amalfi, the Cinque Terre and Sicily, maybe it’s time for a change of pace and TURKEY might have that little kick that will spice up your jaded so-called life. Yes, you may know that Turkey is a Muslim country, and that it’s close to the Middle East. By logical consequence it’s gotta be a dangerous place. Definitely unfriendly to Americans, especially Jews, Christians, etc. etc.. WRONG.

Turkey is a dynamic modern country with it’s roots steeped and closely linked to the Roman Empire, in fact it was  an integral part of the Roman Empire and after after the fall of the Roman Empire it morphed into Byzantium an empire that lasted more than 1000 years. Later it was occupied by the Muslim Ottomans who remained for 650 years and after World War I, under the rule of Mustafa Kemal it became the secular republic of Turkey in 1923.

I throw in this snippet of history, only to underline the origins and differences between Turkey and other “Middle Eastern” countries. If anything defines the Turks it is their pragmatism. They maintain excellent relations with both East and West and are currently negotiating their acceptance into the European Union. Although the majority of Turks are Muslims, there are active Christian and Jewish minorities.

This rich history makes Turkey a unique destination for visitors and frankly, all things being equal, why not do it on a charter yacht. Turkey’s Aegean Coast or the “Turkish Riviera” as it is often called, really encompasses the coastline between Kusadasi (from where you can visit Biblical Ephesus) and Kas which is close to Cyprus. The most popular yachting pick-up ports are Marmaris, Bodrum, Gocek and Fetihye.

The REALLY interesting part of this area is the fact that, due to their proximity, you can also include a few very interesting Greek Islands into this mix. The Greek islands along the Turkish coast are collectively called the Dodecanese Islands. Some of the must-sees along the coast are, from North to South, Samos, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Symi, Rhodes; and the tiny island of Nisos.

So what I’m really saying, is that you can include several Greek Dodecanese islands in your Turkish coast charter and have the best of both cultures.  Not all of this can be done in a week – a two weeker is best and will give you a real flavor of the region. Marmaris has a terrific natural harbor and many charter yachts use this beautiful resort as a pick-up point for their guests.

How to get to the area from the US: you have a choice of flying into either Istanbul and taking a regional Turkish Airlines flight to either Bodrum or Dalaman airports OR flying into Athens and taking a  regional Greek flight (Aegean Air is great) to either Samos or Rhodes. Most charter yachts can pick up in either location.

From Europe: there are direct flights from many major cities directly into Rhodes and the Turkish airports.

Timing your visit: the Mediterranean is definitely for your summer months vacation or holiday. The summer season starts in May and runs through September.  Here are some words of wisdom. July and August are the warmest but also the most popular and crowded, Brits, Russians, Germans all invade Turkey and the Dodecanese during these months. Yachtsmen and charterers visiting in July and August also need to be careful with the Meltemi winds that blow from North West to South East and can stir up the seas quite uncomfortably. The best months for the region are therefore May, June and September. I especially like September when the waters are still warm from the summer and the crowds have gone home.

We can customize an itinerary for you that will include all the best places for your particular group or your family’s preferred activities and interests; plus we can offer the best sailing and motor yachts and Turkish Gulets.  There’s a lot more information on our Mediterranean website including a detailed map of the area. We’d love to help you put your sailing vacation together, our knowledgeable in-house specialists and our partners in Greece and Turkey are standing by..!!

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Taking the Kids on Charter

Posted on January 30, 2011 by charterking

Some of my clients who are parents of younger kids, pre-teens and teenagers often express reservations about taking the kids on charter: “it would be a nice relaxing vacation for us but what will the kids do?” Other times it’s the kids themselves who express the age old: “how boring can you get, that’s for old people” or “can I stay in touch with my friends on FaceBook?” or “Do they have Video Games or Movies on board?” Of course, it is a family vacation and everyone should have a great time, not just the parents.

So at the risk of offending the worlds youth, I thought I’d lay out a few observations of my own as to how and what young people do while they’re on charter and their past reactions to the experience.  Here are the things young people do while they are on vacation on a charter yacht.

1. If you’re careful to book a charter yacht with a good selection of water-toys, the most favored activity seems to be wake boarding from the dinghy. Look for boats that have wake-boards, wind-surfers, water skis and kayaks. If water skiing is important, check out the HP of the outboard engine on the dinghy (you’ll find this information in the “specifications” section of the boat’s e-brochure. If the dinghy hp is under 40, it’s performance with water-skis will be suspect – something around 60 to 75 hp is optimal.

2. The second most popular activity seems to be snorkeling (with or without parents in tow), the thrill of exploring all the nooks and crannies underwater in the clear waters of the Caribbean is fantastic for all ages. The BVI and the Caribbean in general has an incredible array of special places to snorkel.  A knowledgeable and experienced charter captain will know all these special places. For example, one of my favorite snorkeling places in the BVI are the Indians off Norman Cay. The water is very clear and there is a wall on the South side with marvelous corals and brightly colored fish of all sizes and shapes. Make sure you buy one of those nifty little laminated cards with pictures of the local tropical fish and their names.

3. SCUBA diving:  pre-teens and teenagers who have not dived before can take a “resort” SCUBA diving course on a charter yacht that and offers diving and has an instructor on board . Not all boats offer on-board diving, but if this is something you feel comfortable with, make sure you charter a boat that offers on-board diving WITH THE RESORT COURSE experience.  Boats that do not offer diving can always arrange “rendez-vous” dives with a local dive-shop close to wherever you happen to be anchoring or mooring.  See our dedicated article on diving and fishing in this blog.

4. Exploring and hiking on land. There are so many things to do and see on the water, it’s easy to forget the great stuff on land. The ruins of old sugar plantations, for example that go back to the days of slavery; walking along deserted beaches and collecting shells and flotsam. The Caves on Norman Island and the Baths on Virgin Gorda Island. The hiking trails in the National Park on St. John that take you through almost jungle-like conditions where you can see the wild Mongooses (Mongeese?) and Wild donkeys. The huge multi-colored chameleon-like lizards.

5. Learning to sail and handle a boat. Most captains will be happy to let you or the kids, handle the wheel from time to time and also learn the basics of sailing, picking up a mooring ball or even anchoring. The dinghy is always a source of fun for the kids – with some elementary instruction, dinghys can be great fun.  Not all boats allow you to do this but if you’re interested in these basic nautical activities, choose a boat that does. Ask your broker.

Notwithstanding, all the outside activities, the majority of charter yachts now come equipped with their own state-of-the-art Internet hot-spots and I-pod connections and even local TV. The larger motor-yachts can access, via satellite, most TV channels in the world.  See our article on phone and wireless connections in this blog.  Most yachts and cats also have an incredible selection of modern movies, music and games for all ages.

In spite of the array of inside activities available, somehow I think the kids will go to bed every evening too tired to use them. Still worried? Let me know how it goes after the charter, I’d love to see the pictures and the video with the snores…!!  For more information on the different yachts and activities available check the website.

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Charter Rates: High Season? Low Season?

Posted on January 23, 2011 by charterking

Moorings 4600 under sail

Many of our first time charter clients get confused with the High Season and Low season charter rates shown on our websites. Truthfully there is little rhyme but good reason for the rate structures. They vary with the type of charter and the climate at the destination.

CREWED YACHTS / CATS CARIBBEAN
There is no seasonal rate i.e. winter / summer. There is however a holiday season rate with a premium of between 10 – 20% for Christmas and New Year charters. The rest of the year is at the same rate. This is because Caribbean rates are generally “inclusive” of meals and beverages and the yacht’s costs vary with the number of guests. Therefore, the published rates that are shown as “High” or “Low” refer to the number of guests on board with the lowest being for 2 guests or whatever minimum has been established, and the high rate for the max number of guests: 6, 8, 10, 12, etc.

CREWED YACHTS / CATS MEDITERRANEAN
Med rates are generally “non-inclusive” of meals and beverages and are quoted with a base rate for the boat plus expenses. The complete Mediterranean rate structure is explained in a separate article in this blog.  In the Med, there are either two or three seasons. Because it is essentially a summer time vacation, the high season is July and August which are the warmest and most popular months. The middle season, is generally June and September, and the low season is everything else. Some yachts use only a two season rate structure with July and August as high and everything else as low.

BAREBOATS / MEDITERRANEAN
Because of the short sailing season from May to September (sometimes mid-October), the bareboat rates tend to follow the same pattern as the crewed yacht rates. July and August are the highest and there is a mid season that includes May, June and September, the lowest rates would be from October to April. I wouldn’t recommend winter charters in the Med anyway…!!

BAREBOATS / CARIBBEAN
Most bareboat companies use a tiered rate structure with 4 “quadrants” and different pricing for each of the four quadrants.  The Holiday Season during December and part of January  has the highest rate and the Summertime, usually between June and October, has the lowest. There are two more intermediate rates, one that spans the popular time of Spring Break and Easter, and the other that starts in November and ends before the Christmas season.

BAREBOATS / BAHAMAS
The Bahamas bareboat rate structure is the reverse of the Caribbean proper. The highest rates are in the Summer and the Lowest in winter. This is because the Bahamas are much further North, and it gets quite chilly in winter, more or less like Florida. In spite of the hurricane season that starts in June, Bahamas rates are highest in July August and September

All this get even more complicated because individual boat owners and bareboat companies can set their own months and dates within months for moving from one season to another.

Yes,  all this sounds a little confusing, but all will become clear with a little help from your favorite friendly charter broker or booking agent.  For assistance with Med charters please visit us here. or for help with Caribbean charters, click here and for bareboat rates and general bareboat searches, click here.

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