Catamaran Sailing Vacations Costs with Crew

Frequently asked questions about all inclusive catamaran sailing vacations.

Q: How do we choose a Luxury Crewed Catamaran?

A: Depending on your group there are many different items to consider. This will effect your decision on what crewed catamaran you charter. If your group is active and would like to have as many toys possible then discuss these kinds of details with a crewed catamaran specialists at The Catamaran company.

Each charter specialist is educated on the catamarans available worldwide and has inside information on the catamarans offered for charter. We know exactly what each catamaran offers onboard allowing the perfect match for your group.

Amenities

Check cabin configurations, number of heads (bathrooms), deck space for lounging, outdoor dining space for size of your group, head room if you are tall, berth size and storage, types of toilets; manual vs. electric (the latter is easier), water maker (allows more liberal use of water, as it is produced on board through reverse osmosis), deck shower (nice to wash of salt water), access to water (ladder, swim platform), Wet vs. Dry shower (Dry is a separate shower area. Wet means the shower is nozzle from sink). AC off dock, electronics (TV, ipod docking, wifi internet, whatever you think you need).

Crew

The importance of the crew should never be underestimated. Firstly, read the crew profile and cook/chef's menu to see if all sounds good to you. Our brokers will help considerably in this department, as they interview the crews every year. They can match you with a crew depending on what your style is. Considerations might be family friendly, gay friendly, high end silver service, casual family style, water sports enthusiasts, sailing instruction, party crowd, active or mellow, and any number of other backgrounds or specialties. Please ask.

Q: Why choose a crewed catamaran vs. monohull?

A: The answer is simple...you get the space of two monohulls on one catamaran! No heeling and having to balance your weight at all times. Catamarans offer more privacy with more interior volume. Catamarans have grown in popularity over the years. Today 70% of crewed yachts are now catamarans. Due to this fact catamaran charters have more state of the art equipment onboard and new models are available for crewed charter. Due to more interior volume and maximum space, 90% of all catamarans offer adequate cabins for crew. This prevents constant crew changes maintaining the upkeep of the catamaran better. There is no reason to consider a monohull for your next sailing vacation!

Q: What kind of activities are there to do?

A: All catamarans have water sports. The types of sports will vary depending on equipment and size of catamaran. These might include snorkeling, scuba diving, knee boarding, water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, fishing and of course, sailing.
Most water sports are included but sometimes are extra, or are arranged with outside service providers. On shore activities can be recommended by your crew and will vary depending on the island. When you choose a specialty In the Wild charter the crew will have activities planned that relate to the topic of your individualized vacation.

Or course you can always shop at local boutiques, party at famous beach bars, beach comb, and lounge around drinking fufu cocktails, too!

Q: How much do catamaran sailing vacations cost?

A: Prices vary depending on time of year, type and size of yacht, A luxury crewed catamaran is usually based on the amount of passengers on board.. You might be surprised to know that all inclusive week long charters can start at under $1000 per person (for a group of 4 or more), or $1800 per person for a couple. All inclusive means you get a private yacht, captain and chef (with additional crew members if necessary), all food (including 3 meals/day plus snacks) and all drinks (including bottled water, juices, sodas, beer, wine and liquor). You also have access to several water toys (varies per yacht) to enjoy when you please at no extra expense.

Q: Where will we be cruising?

A: The most popular cruising areas in the Caribbean are:

• The Virgin Islands (U.S. (USVI) & British (BVI)) is the most popular chartering destination for many reasons, including consistency of great weather and wind (sailing conditions), the variety of natural environments including some of the best coral reefs in the Caribbean, and the proximity to important services such as international airports and shopping for food and supplies.
• The Spanish Virgins: Culebra and Vieques, plus eastern Puerto Rico.
• Leeward Islands: St. Martin & St. Bart's to Antigua.Windward Islands:
• St. Lucia to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• We also charter yachts from Florida and the Bahamas, Thailand; Mediterranean generally your cruising would be contained within an island group mentioned above.
• To cruise other areas in the Caribbean is possible, but it will require more planning and usually cost more due to airfare, provisioning, etc.

If you are chartering a catamaran motor yacht, you can cover more than one cruising area in a shorter period of time, but fuel costs are extra. We will be glad to provide more information about alternate destinations upon your request

Q: What is the most popular destination for catamaran sailing?

A: What could be better than having the luxury of exploring the pristine waters and bays of the BVI while being looked after by an experienced crew who will take care of your every need. Whether you want to learn a little about sailing, indulge in some watersports, experience the low key but lively bars and restaurants dotted around the coast, try your hand at Scuba diving or simply relax and enjoy the peace of the idyllic islands while being cooked and catered for?

The British Virgin Islands are a rare paradise; they are largely unspoilt, and there are hundreds of quiet little coves to explore. If you want a beach to yourself you can certainly find one here! Likewise, if you want to experience some of the local culture there is plenty to keep everyone entertained, and the more lively beaches such as Cane Garden Bay provide local music, crafts, restaurants and lively bars for those who want to try the famous rum punches and other local cocktails.

A catamaran crewed charter means no stress of sailing or navigating, great food cooked for you, and setting your own pace in the privacy of your very own floating home. Depending on the size of the catamaran, the length of the vacation and the number of crew required, organizing your own private catamaran charter can actually be less expensive than joining a cruise ship - where you would have to share the boat with hundreds of others!

Q: What will the meals and beverages be like?

A: The menus are designed around your food preferences. The chefs will prepare meals upon request but we suggest letting the chefs prepare meals as this is what they do best. It is generally recognized that the best chefs in the Caribbean are crew on yachts.
Alcoholic beverages, such as wine, beer and cocktails, from the catamaran standard bar, are included in the cost of the trip, except in the case of excessive consumption for which you may be charged a bit more. The variety will vary depending on the cost of the charter with larger, more expensive yachts providing finer wines and premium liquors. Most yachts can also stock specific brands of fine liquor and vintage wines at your expense.

Special Diets - Most crew will do everything to accommodate your personal dietary requirements. Many can do vegetarian menus that will delight everyone, not just the vegetarians! Kosher is available on some boats, though often in 'modified' form due to the constraints of a yacht's galley. The most important thing is to get in touch with the yacht as soon as possible and communicate your special needs early. With enough warning, most things are possible even in the islands!

Q: What is not included in a Luxury crewed catamaran charter?

All Charters	Most Charters	Some Charters
Air fare	Scuba Diving	Cruising taxes and fees
Crew gratuity of 15-20% depending on your satisfaction with the service	Special request fine wines and alcohol brands	Fuel and provisions (many large motor yachts and Captain Only charters.)
Dockage at guest's request		Bareboat Charters are plus all expenses
Shore side expenses

Please ask us if you are unsure of any extra charges. See Charter Types for more details