Blue Seas Yacht Charters
For the
Ultimate
Sailing Vacation
- Booking with Blue Seas Yacht Charters. We do the groundwork for you. I attend several boatshows each year, and personally inspect the yachts and crews. Being BVI based, I am able to meet new boats and crews, and visit bareboat charter companies, view new boats, meet new staff and inspect their bases.
- The Right boat? Unless you have a fair idea of what you would like, we will ask you several questions before forwarding a selection of available yachts for you to choose from:
- Do you want to sail the boat yourself, or do you need crew?
- How many people will be on the trip? Friends or Family?
- Will there be kids in the party, and if so how old are they?
- Desired dates, and how flexible are these dates?
- Which location would you like to charter in?
- Determine your budget - we will let you know approximate prices of different types of yachts so you have a realistic idea of how to determine your budget.
- tell me a little about your group, and the activities enjoyed by all.
- How to book and Payment terms. Once you have chosen your yacht, we can place a hold on the boat, which does not require a deposit. For bareboat charter this hold is anything from 2 to 7 days, but with crewed yachts it is generally 14 days. This allows time for signing contracts, forwarding the deposits, and firming up airline tickets. Crewed yachts generally require a 25% deposit if the charter is booked more than 6 months prior to charter, another 25% at 6 months prior to the charter, and the remaining 50%, 60 to 45 days prior to the charter. Bareboat companies vary in payment terms but generally have a similar set up. Deposits can be paid via check and wire transfers and in most cases via Credit card but extra charges may apply. The funds are held in an Escrow account until 10 days prior to charter. Final payments can be paid via check or wire transfers.
- What is included. This depends on whether you bareboat, or choose a crewed yacht, or captain only yacht. On a bareboat charter, the rental fees listed, will merely include the boat. However, we will always list each additional cost, as well as any optional costs available, for you so that there are no surprises when you arrive at the Base. For Crewed yachts, we will always let you know whether the charter is "all inclusive" meaning, all meals and beverages and cruising taxes are generally included. Captain only yachts, and Motor yachts, are often rental fee PLUS expenses. Again, this is our expertise, we will provide you with all the details you need to know, BEFORE you decide on which boat you would like.
- Is it child friendly? You know your children better than anyone, but most kids enjoy this adventurous vacation. The snorkelling and water fun options, the many options of sunbathing, and the daily change in scenery allows for enough versatility for any age group. However, for your own relaxation and peace of mind, toddlers that crawl and are just starting to walk, may prefer a land based vacation. Also, please keep in mind, that crews, whether on a bareboat or crewed yacht, are not considered babysitters.
- Getting there. For charters in the Virgin Islands most crewed yachts will pick-up/drop-off in either the USVI or BVI, but there are some yachts that will only pick-up/drop-off in the BVI. And, if there are more than 6 people in your group, you must start your charter in the BVI because of Coast Guard Regulations. Which is better?...starting your charter in the USVI may offer less expensive airfares and better flight itineraries, but starting your charter in the BVI puts you are right in middle of the best cruising grounds.
There are regular flights to both destinations. When flying into the BVI you will arrive/depart at Beef Island Airport (EIS), which is attached to
American Airlines - www.aa.com - flies into most major Caribbean Airports (Tortola, St Thomas, St Martin, St Vincent, Grenada, Barbados etc) by use of American Eagle. Alternate Caribbean Airlines are LIAT - www.liat.com - which flies from San Juan, PR and island hops all the way to Barbados, and SVG AIR - www.svgair.com - which services the Leeward and the Windward Islands.
- When does my charter start and how long is it? Rental fees usually reflect a 7 night charter. However, you can charter for as little as 3 days and as long as you want. Charters less than 6 nights are usually prorated plus a 10% surcharge. Charters for longer than 7 nights are usually simply prorated. Your charter technically starts/finishes at noontime on the first/last day. Of course you can arrive late and/or leave early, since many flights don't arrive in the islands until the afternoon anyway, and it is often preferable to return home on an early flight. Most people find it more enjoyable to go directly to their yacht from the airport and not worry about any shore-side accommodations. But, some people choose to stay in a hotel the first and/or last night of their trip, either for budget reasons or just for part of the adventure! And we are certainly here help recommend the best shore-side accommodations if need be. Also, some of the yachts and bareboat companies offer special "sleep-a-board" rates for late arrivals the first night.
- Should I purchase Travel Insurance? YES!! Whether it's an accident, illness, extreme weather or airline delays; occasionally there are reasons that our vacation arrangements must change. This is why Travel Cancellation/Interruption Insurance is highly recommended. This Insurance can cover the reimbursement cost of your yacht charter, flights, hotel accommodations, etc., in the event that you must cancel your vacation for reasons predetermined by the various Insurance Policies. Bareboat companies usually offer their own Trip insurance as a percentage of the total cost of the trip. For crewed charters you should go via our recommended insurance companies listed below. Many people have policies offered by their Insurance or Credit Card Companies. We suggest that you compare a few different policies, and choose the one that best suits your needs. These Policies can also typically cover medical expenses and lost/delayed luggage. Here are a few links for the various recommended Insurance Companies.
Travel Guard CSA Access America Travel Insured
The following link is a site that will help you choose and compare quotes from the various Insurance Companies: Travel Insurance Review
Contact us:
Tel: (284) 541-6389
Email: info@blueseasyachtcharters.com
SKYPE: Blueseascharters
A division of Conch Charters Ltd
www.conchcharters.com