Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I
make reservations ... ?
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Where do we board
the yacht...?
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What time can we
board...?
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Who decides
the sailing itinerary...?
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What type
of clothing should I pack...?
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What charters destinations
do you offer ...?
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Why
a catamaran charter ... ?
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Who are
the Captain & Crew... ?
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Will we be able to make
and receive phone calls... ?
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What about
air travel arrangements...?
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Are children welcome...?
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Will be able to order special
diet menus or request favorite beverages...?
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How
many people will be on the charter with me...?
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What
diving equipment should I bring...?
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What is your
cancellation policy...?
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Do I need a Passport?
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Do you accept
credit cards?
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Do I need a
fishing license...?
How do I
You can request a
reservation right now while you are logged on this web site.
Simply complete the Reservation Form
and submit it. We are standing by to assist you in planning the
perfect sailing vacation.
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Where do we board the
yacht...?
We will meet you at the airport and take you to the yacht, or to
your hotel if you're arriving early. Most of the time you will
board the yacht at one of the marinas in the sailing location
you have chosen. At the end of your charter, you will sail back
to the marina and then be transported to the airport. On certain
charters you will be picked up in one location and drop you off
in another. Ask our Vacation Planning Specialist for details.
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In
the mid 1980's, catamarans began attracting the attention of
sailing enthusiasts who were looking for more amenities and
larger, more comfortable cruising accommodations. What they
found was not only more space, luxury and sailing without
heeling, but shallower draft which allowed them entry into a
world of anchorages that deeper draft monohulls were not able to
enter, and a lot more speed.
No-Heel Sailing - True, some sailors consider it fun
to engage in an afternoon of dramatically-heeled (monohull)
sailing. But we've never seen one of those sailors who lived in
a home constructed at a slant. Nor one of them who drove a car
permanently jacked up on one side. So why put up with monohull
sailboats that always force you to live and sail at a 15 to
25-degree angle? Especially when the modern alternative, the
cruising catamaran, heels barely 4 to 6 degrees!
Exhilarating Sailing
Performance
- Off-the-wind cats are faster. From 12 to 18 knots a
catamaran is 75% to 100% faster than that same monohull cruiser!
And it's accomplished with no heeling, and using just the easily
handled working sails.
Roominess
- Cruising cats are much roomier than single-hull sailboats.
That's because the cat's beam (width) extends the boat's full
length (not pinched at the bow and stern as with a monohull.
Cats offer a cockpit that's twice the size - a larger salon
that's on the same level as the cockpit, thus providing
360-degree visibility - and faster sailing and motoring speeds).
Shallow Draft
- Cruising cats
can take you into the "skinny-water" areas that monohulls dread.
And a cat's rugged shoal-draft keels let you beach it easily and
without fear.
The "Unsinkable"
Factor -
There's a darned good reason why race committees demand that
monohull sailboats carry life rafts. It's the ever-present risk
of sinking. But because modern cats need no ballast and are
built of state-of-the-art, cored-sandwich construction, they are
virtually unsinkable. You even could chainsaw (literally) such
a cat into 4 sections and each one would float. (Similar to how
breaking up a foam coffee cup doesn't decrease each piece's
ability to float)
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Our service provides at minimum an experienced US Coast Guard
Licensed Captain/Dive Master and First Mate/Chef/Dive Master who
will accompany you throughout your entire charter.
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You will board the yacht on your arrival on the day the charter
starts and disembark before noon on the day the charter ends.
Please notify us if your flight is arriving late in the day.
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Yes, our yacht is equipped with both high-speed internet service
and satellite phone service. Your cellular telephone will work
in most locations within 20 miles of land providing you have
activated your roaming feature.
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The
quality of service should dictate any gratuity.
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While some island nations do not require a
passport, you’re always advised to carry one when traveling from
country to country. For detailed entry requirements, please
check with us.
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We
can arrange all aspects of your vacation, including low,
negotiated airline arrangements, hotel accommodations and even
side trips to local attractions.
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We provide private family charters only.
Our yacht is a fantastic family vacation experience. Our crews
will provide guidance in using the snorkeling gear and other
water toys and are experienced in serving families with
children. The chef will design a menu to accommodate the
preferences of both children and adults. Our yacht packages do
have certain age restrictions, and are not recommended for
families with young children. Please speak to one of our
Vacation Planning Specialists for details.
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Casual and breezy beach
attire is certainly the order of the day on deck, though for
evenings ashore, slacks or a sundress are appropriate. Rubber
soled shoes as opposed to hard soles are recommended aboard our
yachts, so wear boat shoes or tennis shoes. You may find aquatic
shoes convenient for beachcombing. Above all, protection from
the sun is vital – lots of suntan lotion, wide-brimmed hats or
sailing caps, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. For cool or
windy evenings, a windbreaker comes in handy.
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Who
decides the sailing itinerary...?
This is the beauty of the charter yacht experience. When you
board the yacht, the captain will sit down with you and develop
an itinerary based on your desires – or you can leave it all up
to your experienced captain. Weather permitting, the itinerary
can be changed at any time if you wish to spend more or less
time in any area. Our company is well known for the preparation
we provide our guests. Prior to your charter departure, you will
be given a complete briefing covering the cruising grounds, and
any questions you may have about navigation, anchorages,
prevailing conditions, clearing customs or any part of your
desired itinerary will be answered. We will then give you a
complete briefing aboard the yacht covering the operating
systems, rigging, electronics, head and emergency systems.
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Yes, the chef accommodates special diets
(salt free, low fat, etc.). Meals will be planned according to
your preference. An ample supply of the beverages you request
will also be stocked.
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We carry the most up-to-date equipment and all the extras a
sailor could ask for, including GPS satellite navigation
systems, autopilots,
side
scan sonar, ROV video, magnetometers, diver-to-diver and surface
voice communications,
satellite TV,
satellite high-speed internet, laptop computers, large-screen
Plasma TV's and CD/DVD players. The below deck areas are
modified from standard factory production models to give you
more room, comfort and luxury. For a complete listing of
equipment and amenities found on board, see
accommodations and
activities.
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That all depends the charter you choose.
7-Day Florida Keys charters will have a maximum of 6 passengers
and 2 crew members. 7-Day Bahamas charters will have a maximum
of 8 passengers and 3 crew. And 17-Day charters will have a
maximum of 8 passengers and 3 crew.
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What diving equipment should I bring...?
We
supply all new and modern dive equipment. You should bring a
3mil wet suite, gloves and boots. We do not recommend that you
bring your own gear other than mask or fins if you so
desire. Most reef dives are between 10' and 50' and are ideal
for the use of Brownie's Hooka system. All dives over 50' are
with scuba. You will also need to bring a diver certification
card and your dive log if you will be scuba diving.
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We
operate our own charter bases in the Florida Keys. We are a full
service broker and can offer you charters in other exotic
locations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and more! Call us
for details.
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What is your
cancellation policy...?
The
following cancellation terms apply:
Cancellation Policy
60 days or more - $300 Fee
30-60 Days - 25% Deposit
30 Days or Less - No Refund
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Do I need a fishing license...?
The
Yacht has a license that covers all passengers for sport fishing
and lobster.
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Do I need a Passport?
For
all charters outside the USA, US citizens need a valid
passport. All non US citizens require a valid passport
and should call us for entry requirements.
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Do you accept credit cards...?
Yes,
we accept all major credit cards as well as ATM. We are able to
process credit card transactions from the Yacht. There is a 1.5%
charge on all credit card transactions.
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We
are committed to providing the best all inclusive sailing
catamaran charters and scuba charters available. Our crewed
Florida and Bahamas catamaran charters are all inclusive with your own captain
and chef its a luxury vacation adventure in paradise. Our
catamaran charters includes unlimited scuba and sport fishing
on a modern yacht with your own private spacious
cabin, bath & shower facilities. Your charter is equipped with
the most modern navigation and technology and staffed with an
experienced crew. On our
sailing charters you will enjoy sailing, fishing and scuba
diving in the most exotic destinations. You will sail and sport
fish in the tropics, delight in balmy breezes and sunshine,
snorkel and scuba dive vibrant coral reefs. All food and beverages
are included. Our sailing charters are truly all
inclusive.
Scuba diving, treasure hunting on Spanish Galleons, deep sea
fishing and snorkeling are just some of the activities
we offer. We know you will want to share your experience on our
catamaran charters & scuba experience when you return home so we
also provide you with a digital CD photo album and DVD video of
your vacation both above and below the water FREE.
Our
Florida and Bahamas sailing charters provide more amenities and larger,
more comfortable cruising accommodations.
All inclusive
crewed catamaran charters and sailing vacations
Copy right 2004
Sail the Keys All rights reserved
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