For some reason the idea of sailing during
a vacation seems like a far-fetched dream for most people. Images of celebrity
yachts or perhaps cramped cabins and seasickness seem to be first thing to come
to mind. But, sailing is actually quite accessible and you may be surprised to
learn what a great way it is to really experience islands and coastal
destinations.
Travelers are discovering what people in
the boating world have known for a long time: bare-boat charters. A bare-boat
charter is essentially like renting a car- you rent a boat and sail it for a
specific amount of time, and plan to return it on a certain date. So what’s
needed? Well, at least one person on board needs to have sailing experience and
certification. This person will be the captain, and will need support from one
or more crew members. Don’t have sailing experience? Consider
enlisting the help of a sailing friend or relative!
Perhaps the best part about chartering a
boat (or catamaran, for a super luxurious experience), is that it is now much
less expensive than in the past. Companies like LateSail Ltd. are doing for boating what
Expedia, Orbitz and other online travel agencies do for airlines; they now sell
unsold inventory for a fraction of the price. This means that travelers can
charter a boat for great per-person rates.
While on board, all accommodations are
taken care of. Boat berths are quite comfortable, with very luxurious options
available from top boat-makers like Jeanneau and Beneteau. Catamarans generally
offer passengers their own ‘suites’, with private bathrooms to boot.
If you’re able to leave on relatively short
notice, you can take advantage of even better last-minute rates. And this
doesn't mean you have to get to your location within a week. Short notice for
bare-boat charters can be up to 6 months.
There’s simply nothing like the sun and
fresh sea air to rejuvenate your soul, so if you've always wanted to go on a
sailing vacation, now is the time!
Guest Article by: Nyima Sonia Bieber