Single? Meet and Greet on a Yacht!

If sailing's your thing, just because you're single doesn't mean you have to miss out on some of the world's greatest excursions! You can book a cruise with an agency or a cruise ship, which organizes all the activities, on-board meals, and other amenities. There are a plethora of packages from which to choose, so there's a "matchmaking" cruise on a sailboat or yacht for anyone!

Also, the entire yacht will not be comprised of only single people. Some couples like to join in on the fun, too, but one thing's for sure: you won't have to contend with any families, or the pitter-patter of children's noisy feet running around to disrupt the "mood."

Most cruise yachts catering to singles tours carry from 250 to 400 people, reserving a block of cabins for the groups of singles and the "couple's groups." However, some yachts and cruise ships can carry up to 2,000. You'll have no trouble finding the right number of people for your individual preference.

You'll have a blast sailing the ocean blue while your hosts schedule the parties, games, lectures, pool parties, and nightly get-togethers that'll keep you entertained. These tour guides specialize in this kind of cruise, so they're very experienced and not apt to seat a 24-year-old free-wheelin' single gal from Pittsburgh next to a 55-year-old male librarian from Santa Fe.

There's usually a yacht online message board where you can start "chatting" with your sailing mates before actually meeting, if you'd prefer. And, some agencies organize a special "meet and greet" before the cruise so you can get to know your travel partners ahead of time.

And there's also variety: you'll never find a "typical" cruise; unless you're signing on for a very specific type of cruise, i.e., "Vegans Only," you'll meet singles from all walks of life, involved in all kinds of trades and professions. And many will be returning to reunite with friends they made on their last trip; maybe you'll be next!

Traveling alone has never been so much fun! Just think "yachting" for this year's upcoming vacation, and you're guaranteed to meet new people; maybe even a special someone. So whatever your tastes, interests, or age, there's a sailing adventure waiting - just for you!

David is the founder and owner of multiple online boating and sailing resources. For more information on sailboats, yachts or other sailing topics, feel free to visit http://theoceansailingguide.com

Which type of Yacht Charter suits you?

Chartering a boat is a good way to sail without the expense of owning your own boat. If you can't spend more than a few weeks a year sailing and few people can the the option of chartering is definitely worth serious consideration. It also provides the opportunity to sail different boats in varied and far off locations. Choose between sail and power. Get the right boat in terms of size dependent on the number of people chartering and the depth of your pocket.

Apart from the choice of the type of boat, size and cost there are various types of charter packages available and this article takes a closer look at what is on offer.

Flotilla Sailing - A great way to get started for those with an bit of an independent streak. And the social scene is can be something else. The flotilla usually comprises of 8/10 boats, one of which, referred to as the lead boat, carries a skipper, hostess and an engineer. The skipper will be responsible for ensuring that the guests on the other boats in the flotilla have the navigational skills and boat handling/seamanship skills required providing help and advice where required. The hostess will organise the social events - meals out in the evening, lunchtime barbecues and the famous last night party. The engineer is there to repair the boats while the holiday makers will do their best to break things as they learn to sail. My initial impression of this type of charter was that the whole thing would be a bit regimented with all the boats in the flotilla following the lead boat like ducklings do a duck. This is far from what happens in practice. The day begins with the skipper of the lead boat carrying out a briefing giving the destination you will be expected to make for during the day and any navigational considerations along the way and then you're pretty much on your own. The next time you see the lead boat will be at that evenings destination where the crew will be waiting to assist you with berthing. A great way to sail in company with the reassurance that experienced help is never more than a VHF call away.

Skippered Charter - Perhaps you're a bit short of experience or don't want the responsibility of managing the boat or the navigation. As the name suggests you charter the boat and the skipper comes with it. You're expected to make up the numbers of the crew but all the responsibility is with the skipper. In practice the level of involvement of the charterers is down to them. Most skippers are flexible enough to allow the customers as much involvement as they wish.

Crewed Charter - You get the boat, the skipper and crew and a good cook. This tends to be an expensive way to charter, you have to pay the wages of the crew and because you are carrying more people the boat is bigger and costs more to charter. But if your idea of sailing is sitting in the sun drinking a gin and tonic watching others do the work then this is for you. Most skippers won't stop you getting involved with the sailing of the boat if you want to but if you're wanting a more hands on experience consider an alternative form of charter.

Bareboat Charter - The ultimate freedom. All you get is the boat and a briefing when you collect the boat at the start of the charter. This briefing should include safety on board, a look at the way the various systems work on the boat and some local knowledge of the proposed cruising area. Then it's down to you. Before taking a bareboat charter you should have some basics of navigation and seamanship, the level of this knowledge in some part determined by the proposed cruising area. You will, for example, need more experience for a two week charter in the Channel Islands, just of the coast of France in the English channel, with its 5 metre tides and numerous rocks and shoals lying just beneath the surface than is required for an Ionian charter in Greece. No tides, very little to bump into in terms of hidden rocks and most of the sailing between islands is by line of site.

Corporate Sailing - Many yacht charter companies offer what is known as corporate charter. The boat will be chartered by a company or organisation and used for team building, an employee incentive reward or entertaining customers. A comparatively recent innovation is to offer the yacht for hen/stag parties. People chartering a boat for this any of these purposes can expect it to come with skipper and crew.

More information about chartering can be found here To find companies offering charter boats in your chosen area visit the Marine Directory

Ken Jones runs two websites. A Spanish Travel Guide which includes a commercial directory wth extensive listings for hotels, hostals and pensions, property for rent and sale. And a Sailing Site which features

The Bottom Line On Yacht

Whether you are considering your first yacht charter vacation or simply looking to live the experience again there is a lot of vital information you need before planning and embarking on your voyage. Firstly, you need to consider the type of yacht charter that is suitable for you. There are crewed or unscrewed yacht charters, bareboat or even a motorised yacht. Each have their advantages and personal preference will dictate the chosen charter for you.

One thing for certain, though, whatever type of vessel you go on, there are many destinations to choose from each of them offering beautiful islands and shimmering seas by day and exciting or romantic night life. As with any vacation you need to plan carefully, but when chartering a yacht it is absolutely imperative that you take the essentials and spares. Once you're out to sea there will be few opportunities to stock up and an emergency is much of an emergency when you're hundreds of miles from the nearest chemist or shop.

Many who are chartering for the first time do so for a little quality time with family, friends and loved one because chartering a yacht is one of the most tranquil and peaceful vacations you can decide on.

What experience is required for charters.

The experience you need is dependant on the type of charter you are looking for. A bareboat charter means you and a group of family or friends charter the boat with no crew to assist. For a bareboat charter, you are always required to have some former sailing experience and usually need to submit a sailing resume to the charter company. Many will require that you have experience on a similar sized boat and with similar displacement and rig. A number of chartering companies may request that you go on a short sail around the harbour to make sure that your actual skills match your resume.

If you or a member of your group does not have this experience then you should consider chartering a crewed yacht. Chartering a boat and crew requires little or no experience. You may decide that your sailing skills are a little rusty, in which case you can take a captain or small crew for the first few hours of your trip to help you get your sea legs' back. Alternatively, if you have no experience whatsoever with yachting then you can take an entire crew and spend your vacation safe in the knowledge that your boat and your vacation are in safe hands.

What insurance do I require, and what is available?

As well as the usual travel insurance, you may want to consider further insurance for your yacht charter vacation. In fact, some charter companies will demand it. Accidents happen in everyday life and this is no different when chartering a yacht, however, there are some vital differences; the cost of a yacht and any parts of the yacht can be very pricey. The charterer is responsible for loss or damage to any of these parts. While many charter companies offer insurance that will cover a certain amount of damage, you should consider taking extra Charterer's liability insurance, usually costing approximately $250 for $1m cover. This figure can change depending on the terms of the agreement and the time of year you intend to charter the boat.

Additional health insurance is advised but not essential, although you should especially consider this for foreign travel of any kind not just charter vacations.

Another good idea is to take cancellation or curtailment insurance because many charter companies require a deposit of up to 50%. If you any of your party cancel or need to finish the vacation early, this insurance will become invaluable.

Charter vacation destinations.

But where should you go? There are many places you can charter a yacht, so you should consider exactly what you are looking for in your vacation.

The Galapagos is an archipelago that consists of 13 volcanic islands as well as 40 small islands. It is a haven of beautiful plants and exotic animals including marine iguanas and sea lions, the weather is very good, and there are many coves and incredibly picturesque beaches to relax on and around.

The Bahamas is a popular destination consisting of more than 700 islands. There are countless cays and beaches to explore as well as some incredible nightlife and beautiful settings. The reef and shallow waters make this a safe place for families to charter a yacht.

And then there's the Greek Islands. One of the world's most enchanting cruising grounds, with ancient history and culture at every turn. Islands such as Lesvos, Mykonos and Paros offer a combination of breathtaking scenery and history.

Still in the Mediterranean - at the western end - there are the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain. There's Majorca, it's smaller sibling Menorca, and the hedonistic playground of Ibiza. You'll find it a little busier than the Greek islands, but on the plus side the back up and support is first class.

On to the Caribbean: It has it all. Many different cultures and nationalities, hundreds and hundreds of islands to explore, and clear blue waters. Yachting at it's best.

The choice of destinations is amazing, and the beauty of chartering a yacht is that you are free to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, drop anchor, pour a stiff drink and soak up the sun!
John Thompson is webmaster for http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com , an online information resource for yacht and boat chartering. - http://www.yacht-and-boat-charters.com

 

Caribbean Yacht Charters

The Bahamas and the Virgin Islands are two of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for yacht charter vacation seekers, particularly during the winter.

The Bahamas contain 700 islands covering 150,000 square miles of tropical sea with approximately 5,000 square miles of land. The islands have flat coral formations and some low rounded hills.

Each island of The Bahamas has a unique personality. The cosmopolitan Nassau city has duty free shops, golf, museums and restaurants. There are bright, white sand beaches on the island.

If you love sea diving, the coast of San Salvador offers challenging and exciting adventure. The Inagua National Park offers the spectacle of nesting flamingos and other exotic wildlife. The Exumas offers a 100-mile-long cruise along a string of pristine cays.

The main cruising islands in The Bahamas are: The Abacos Islands, Bimini and the Gulf Stream Islands, the Berry Islands, the Exuma Cays chain, Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Cat Island, the Out-Islands, Grand Bahama, Freeport and Port Lucaya, Nassau and Paradise Island.

With more than 40 islands and cays, the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean archipelago are ideal cruising ground, particularly for the honeymooners. They are ideal for yachting and water sports as well.

To 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands comprise of rugged mountain peaks silhouetted against blue Caribbean Sea. The islands have such unusual names as Prickly Pear, Fallen Jerusalem, Great Dog and Pelican Island.

Many of these islands are uninhabited and reachable only by boat, idyllic exploration grounds for those who seek solitude.

Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands in 1493, who named them after St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgins slain by the Huns in the 13th century.

Honeymooners prefer the Virgin Islands mainly because of their quiet, pristine beaches. The yachts chartered by the honeymooners offer personalized and discreet service, magnificent accommodations and excellent dining.

Some couples even prefer to have their weddings aboard the yacht or on the Virgin Islands.

Yacht Charters Info provides detailed information about yacht charters, including Caribbean and Mediterranean yacht charters, as well as luxury, crewed, motor, private, and corporate yacht charters. Yacht Charters Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

A Look at Luxury Yacht Charters

Luxury yachts are floating hotels at your command. They vary in length from less than 100 feet to over 300 feet, and a week’s charter is priced between $ 50,000 and $ 250,000. They can accommodate up to two-dozen guests and half the number of crew.

Besides the lounge on the deck, furnished with comfortable chairs, sofa and table, a typical luxury yacht has spacious air-conditioned state rooms for the guests, each fitted with an independent bathroom. The yacht also has a kitchen and a well-stocked bar to cater to the palate of the guests.

Once you charter a yacht for your dream vacation, you will have direct contact with the chef and captain in advance of your trip that will let the crew know your favorite foods and beverages and your favorite things to do.

Living in style aboard the yacht, one can spend quality time with friends and family, read a book, listen to music, watch TV or just laze around. One can also take part in such pleasurable activities as swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, sunning or just sipping a cool drink in the shade of the cockpit.

The company that gives you the yacht on charter can also make arrangements on the islands you visit for other activities like fishing, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, jogging, mountain-biking, parasailing, picnicking on a secluded beach, jet-skiing, scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing and so on.

You need not worry about getting lost at sea or running into rough waters while on a yacht charter vacation. You are in the safe hands of the captain, who is equipped with radio set, global positioning system (GPS) and a satellite phone.

A luxury yacht charter is ideal for a group of people that can be part of a family, a close-knit group, a special-interest group or an exclusive club.

Yacht Charters Info provides detailed information about yacht charters, including Caribbean and Mediterranean yacht charters, as well as luxury, crewed, motor, private, and corporate yacht charters. Yacht Charters Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

A Look at Corporate Yacht Charters

Going out to sea with top executives of your company can be a morale boosting experience -- especially if its aboard a yacht. Indeed, spending time together onboard, taking part in water sports, relishing an exquisite dinner and clinking of glasses at sea, or partying while you cruise along a vast stretch of ocean -- these activities generally tend to improve colleagues' relations.

Yacht charter companies have come up with a range of corporate yacht charters, which includes corporate sailing events, corporate yachting events, corporate hospitality and team building activities.

Yacht racing, onboard dinners and cocktail parties, team sailing events are some of the offerings meant exclusively for corporate entities to not just bolster the spirits of their employees but also to strike deals and sign contracts with business partners.

Luxurious interiors, a smart crew, sparkling lounges and deck, state-of-the-art cockpit and captain’s cabin all give a plush look to the yacht’s environment and add to the image of the corporate that charts the vessel.

Multi National Corporations (MNCs) are known to charter luxury yachts for cruises along enchanting routes with their senior executives as incentive for achieving their goals. Event management companies are engaged to organize special entertainment programs aboard yachts for MNCs to catch the attention of the world media and gain publicity mileage.

Movie production houses are also making use of luxury yacht charters increasingly to shoot at exotic locations near myriads of archipelagos, lagoons and islands.

Yacht Charters Info provides detailed information about yacht charters, including Caribbean and Mediterranean yacht charters, as well as luxury, crewed, motor, private, and corporate yacht charters. Yacht Charters Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink