Charter

Aquila Making New 54 Power Cat for Comfortable Cruising

By Peter Janssen on July 8, 2020 Boat Reviews, Charter

Aquila just announced that it’s building a new 54-foot cruiser for its large, worldwide catamaran fleet, and it is designed for maximum comfort inside and out. The full-beam master stateroom is forward, for example, with panoramic views from hull side windows; it takes advantage of the cat’s more than 25-foot beam to make it a special place underway or at an anchorage. The 54 will debut later this year, and we’ll have more details later on as well. But what we know now is that the boat will have three-, four- or even five-cabin configurations, plus a possible skipper’s quarters…

The Moorings Reopens Charter Base in the Bahamas

By Peter Janssen on July 7, 2020 Charter

Here’s some good news. It’s now possible to start planning, and even start taking, some great charter vacations again. Indeed, The Moorings just reopened its Bahamas charter base in Nassau, serving the gorgeous Out Island Exumas chain, on July 7. You have to meet the current requirements for traveling to the Bahamas, but with a little paperwork that’s easy to do, and then you can take a week’s charter there just the same as you could in the pre-COVID days. With its 50 years of experience, The Moorings is trying to make today’s charters as easy as possible, and to insure…

How To See Amsterdam by Boat This Summer

By Peter Janssen on June 17, 2020 Charter, Destinations

This isn’t exactly blue-water cruising, but it sure looks like fun, for a whole lot of reasons. First, Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world, which isn’t surprising given my Dutch-derived last name and the fact that a great-great-grandfather was a Dutch sea captain (or so the story goes). But Amsterdam is so full of history, art, and fascinating architecture that wandering along its ever-present canals is a pleasure, no matter what your family heritage. Here’s a great story from Dutch News about how to see the city by water, even for a short visit: There is,…

Aquila Launches 100th Hull of 44 Power Cat

By Peter Janssen on June 8, 2020 Boat Reviews, Charter, Cruising Life

Aquila just built the 100th hull of its 44 power cat, attesting to the popularity of the spacious cruiser in both the private market and charter fleets around the world. Aquila 44s are now in more than 20 countries, and are used in Dream Yacht Charter fleets in France, Belgium and Greece, and by MarineMax Vacations in the British Virgin Islands. The 100th hull is going to a private buyer in Hong Kong. You can buy the Aquila 44 with either three or four cabins; the three-cabin version is more popular with private buyers; the four-cabin in charter fleets. The…

Best Snorkeling in the Caribbean, from The Moorings

By Peter Janssen on June 1, 2020 Charter

Here’s a great story from The Moorings about the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean, with a look at the BVI, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Martin, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: Grab your fins and get your mask fog-proof ready because we’re kicking our way through nature’s island-hopping paradise to reveal the best snorkeling in Caribbean sailing destinations. But no matter what sun-and-sea activity you crave most on vacation, you can always count on the Caribbean for extreme relaxation, fun-filled adventures, and unforgettable memories. This warm-weather wonderland is certainly not lacking in praiseworthy snorkeling spots but there are…

Spend a Night, or More, on a Grand Banks in Beaufort, NC

By Peter Janssen on May 27, 2020 Charter

Jan and Lee Rychel finished the Great Loop in January, 2019, on their Grand Banks 46 Shangri-La, but they didn’t want to give up their lifestyle. In fact, they liked it so much they wanted to share it. So they opened an onboard B&B, called Bed & Breakfast On A Boat, in Beaufort, North Carolina, and they’ve now expanded it to include chartered overnight cruises and trawler training. The Rychels have been living on board since 2016, when Lee retired after more than 30 years in the home furnishing business. He had grown up on the Great Lakes and had…

Charters Can Reopen in the U.S. Virgins on June 1

By Peter Janssen on May 18, 2020 Charter, Cruising Life

Good news: The U.S. Virgin Islands can open up their charter operations on June 1. The Virgins, of course, include some of the best cruising grounds around, with beautiful water, white-sand beaches, and great dive sites. And you’re still in the United States; no passport needed. Albert Ryan, Jr., the Governor of the U.S. Virgins, just issued an executive order spelling out the protocols for when and how the islands will reopen in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was his sixth executive order about the crisis. Reopening the charter business is good news for those of us who love…

Now: Cruise the Arctic Circle on a Luxurious Charter Yacht

By Peter Janssen on May 18, 2020 Charter

If you’re tired of feeling hemmed in, think about taking a charter to the Arctic Circle this summer on a luxurious 253-foot, ice-breaking yacht, fully equipped with a helicopter, a submarine and a 16-person Jacuzzi. Ariodante Travel has just announced Arctic Circle tours on Legend, an expedition yacht with a Lloyds 1A ice-class hull. The tours start in the Svalbard archipelago (pop: 2,642), midway between mainland Norway and Iceland. From there, Legend can go just about anywhere in the Arctic Circle, including the North Pole, Greenland, the North Cape and Spitsbergen. We have to wait for international travel restrictions to…

When Things Get Better, What To Take on a Charter

By Peter Janssen on April 22, 2020 Charter

At some point, the current coronavirus crisis will wind down, and we’ll be able to take charter vacations again. In the meantime, we can plan ahead; a few dreams about warm waters, white beaches, and dark rum painkillers never hurt anyone. When the timing is right, we can start making a list about what to take on that dreamed-about charter. Even for the most experienced or organized cruiser, a list helps. For newcomers, it helps a lot. Here, from the people at Awestruckwander, is one of the most thorough lists I’ve seen of what to take on your charter, including…

When We Can Travel Again, European Waterways Barges Are Waiting

By Peter Janssen on April 15, 2020 Charter

When things start to open up again, you might want to think about a European Waterways cruise for your next charter vacation. They offer the largest fleet of luxury hotel barges cruising along the less populated canals and small rivers of Europe and the U.K. On a European Waterways barge you can celebrate an end to enforced social distancing by exploring the European countryside, from the South of France to the Highlands of Scotland. Each barge, a floating boutique experience, holds from six to 12 guests. European Waterways offers six-night, all-inclusive tours along canals and small rivers, visiting local towns…

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