Everything you wanted to know about Chartering, but were afraid to ask.
| We realize that not everyone has chartered before so we have prepared a list of questions that we received from guests and others that will hopefully answer your questions. If we have failed to address yours please feel free to contact us and we will respond as soon as we can. | |
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Lazy Bones is designed for six guests and the cost per week is substantially less than what you would pay for six guests for a week in a Caribbean Resort, and it is all inclusive. Depending on Season the rates are generally less than $500 per day per couple. Obviously if the group you are chartering with less than six the costs will be higher. Unlike cruise ships the cabin next to yours will not have a stranger in it unless you choose to invite one, after all this is a private cruise, on your private yacht. The basic charter fee covers all food and beverages including a reasonable bar. Costs not covered are things such as governmental permits and licenses which are generally minimal being approximately $4 per day per person for cruising permit and in the case of the BVI, $45 for a charter license. Other costs not covered would be diving and gratuities. Diving can be as little as a per tank fee or all week for a set rate. Gratuities are normally 15% to 20% of the charter rate. The crew will provide you with an unforgettable trip, it is important that you show your appreciation as gratuities are a key part of their compensation.
What is the role of the Captain and Chef beyond the obvious? The crew desires that you have a memorable trip and beyond taking you about and cooking for you, they will do whatever they can to see you enjoy yourselves. The Captain is trained and educated in how to safely and comfortably manage and sail the boat. The Chef has been trained in healthy diets, presentation and quality in food preparation and beverage selection. They are both professionals, yet they are both in this business because they love the life at sea and they thoroughly enjoy people, spending 24/7 with strangers, taking them into their home, and normally having them leave as friends, many times life-long friends. Doing this on a daily basis gives the crew a sense of when their presence is desired or needed and when it is not, knowing when to give you space or when to be there to talk to or help. Where can we go on the charter? Like most questions the answer is, that depends. If you have completed the charter questionnaire a lot of where you want to go will have been answered. After arriving on your private yacht the first trip will be to that evening’s anchorage. During the sail over you can discuss with the Captain your thoughts and he will let you know what the possibilities are. Unlike a cruise ship, this yacht can pick anchor and go wherever you want, it is after all your private yacht. Lazy Bones charters throughout the Caribbean although generally divided into three zones, the Virgin Islands, the Leeward Islands from Anguilla south to Dominica and then the Windward Islands from Martinique to Grenada although most charters in the Windwards stay in the Grenadines. The area where the yacht is located depends on the time of the year. Generally from November through June Lazy Bones is in the Virgins and the rest of the year either heading down island or back.
First and foremost sit back and relax and enjoy the surroundings. Other things are to a large degree up to you. Possibilities include; sailing, enjoying the sun, fishing, diving, snorkeling, water skiing, hiking, exploring the islands and beaches, eating, shopping, dancing, whale watching, spending time with your significant other, or perhaps just be alone. It really is up to you.
Yes, of course, but in this size we call them yachts. Lazy Bones is a fine vessel to learn on being large and extremely stable. She is not a racing boat but with all sails she can easily do 200 miles per day if that were the option. The crew does this for the love of sailing and are more than willing to help you learn the basics as well as teach you the fine art of navigation. If you will make note of this on your questionnaire all will be ready when you arrive. Can we scuba dive from the yacht? Lazy Bones carries a small compressor on board for filling tanks, however it is a rather large vessel and cannot always tie up at the dive site mooring balls. Where this is the case we load the gear and guests on board the dinghy and go in that manner. So the answer is yes. Other options would include rendezvous diving which is where a land based dive operator picks you up from the yacht and returns you at the end of your dives.
The bar is included? Is there something more than cheap rum? The bar does not stock cheap rum but if you wish we can pick you up some. Lazy Bones carries a full bar of some of the best liquors and wines available. If you have a particular preference, please note it on the questionnaire and we will make sure there is an ample supply on board. Should your tastes run into the connoisseur range there may be need for an extra charge, but this a very rare exception.
I am on a diet; will there be food I like? The Chef can prepare meals to almost any preference. Some examples are; low-carb, Atkins, Asian, Italian. There is an area for noting this on the questionnaire and the Chef will do all that is possible to accommodate your wishes. You must consider that this is a vacation and sometimes it is best to put the daily grind behind us for a few days and just enjoy some of the best dining in the Caribbean. There are more of us than the yacht accommodates, can we charter two yachts? Lazy Bones can accommodate six guests in comfort and style. If your party is larger than that we can arrange to charter a second yacht equivalent to Lazy Bones in amenities and capabilities. The only key would be that there is ample time to find another to your specifications. The crews in this business are like a large extended family and are more than willing to fill your needs.
The sailing areas where Lazy Bones operates are generally sheltered from the large ocean swell and subsequently seasickness is the odd occurrence. We suggest if you are prone to motion illness that you bring your normal medication with you. Lazy Bones has what is termed a heavy displacement hull. What this means is that she is very smooth and stable in most sea and wind conditions, which of course minimizes the motion that causes people to become ill. If you can fly and drive most likely you will be fine.
What is the best way to get to the islands? From the USA, American Airlines services the Caribbean the best although Continental, Delta, US Airways and United all have flights to San Juan and some other Islands. Where you are coming from will largely determine your best choice. Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, and BWIA serve the Caribbean from Europe, and there are several airlines from South America to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Generally speaking if you can easily get to San Juan or Miami you can connect to wherever you are being picked up for your charter. How early do we need to book our charter? The obvious answer is early enough to get the week(s) you want. Lazy Bones is booked on a first come first served basis and there is no way we can predict which weeks will be open next week. All we know for certain is what is open today. Clearly the peak periods of the year book full early, those dates around national or school holidays. For major holidays such as Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving you may want to consider booking your week as much as a year in advance. The norm is at least six months. If it is going to be cold where you are there is a very good chance that others are looking to escape to the warmth of the Caribbean as well. On occasion Lazy Bones will hold a last minute special but that is the exception.
May we book our sailing vacation through our travel agent? Many travel agents understand and work in the charter industry. The choice will really depend on your experience with the agent. Most yachts in the Caribbean book through Charter Brokers who work with the boats and crew in an ongoing manner. These people know the crews personally and have seen the boats thus knowing the quality of the experience. Of course if you know the crew and boat you can book directly through the Captain. Lazy Bones has been booked by several Charter Brokers and we can direct you that way if you wish. As mentioned previously, you should book the yacht early enough to insure the time period you desire. Depending on who decide to book through you will be issued a contract outlining all of the particulars of the charter agreement, what you get, when and how much. Once you make the deposit and sign your contract the charter is confirmed and your week(s) are secure. In almost all instances the balance of the contract is due just prior to or at arrival. If paying by credit card this is simply accomplished the day you arrive. Our contract includes specific items regarding cancellation should this become necessary.
Yachts are relatively small compared to hotels so first use luggage that is soft and foldable so it can be stored. On the yacht there is never a need for more than shorts, shirts and swim suits, these are the Islands after all and you did come to see the sun. Although the weather is comfortable during the day the evenings on the deck can be cool so perhaps you should bring a light sweatshirt or windbreaker. As with most things, less is often more. Lazy Bones does not allow footwear on board due to damage to the boats surfaces. For the beach or shore sandals will work in most instances. Footwear that can tolerate salt water is the only way to go. If you wish to avail yourself to some hiking a pair of light hiking shoes may make sense. Hats are a good idea and if you sunburn easily a wide brim would be appropriate. Should you wish to dine ashore in the evening some of the nicer resorts require collared shirts and even jackets. You can inquire about a particular establishment prior to arriving. You will also want to bring your sunglasses and camera gear. Sunscreen is important to many however oily products and those containing PABA can damage the yacht. You should not pack any illegal substances as Lazy Bones has a zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Should any government inspectors find illegal drugs on board the yacht can be confiscated, therefore NONE are allowed. Due to the problems with illegal drugs in the USA there is a large and open effort to prevent boats being used to smuggle contraband. It is not unheard of that a yacht is stopped and searched these days. In almost all countries the answer is yes although tourist permits are normally assigned on arrival. From the USA only Mexico will accept a birth certificate and we do not go there. |
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