The British Virgin Islands: Your Own Sailing Adventure

It’s officially autumn, or fall, in the northern hemisphere, and many of us are starting to see the temperatures drop. If this is the case for you, why not think about the light at the end of the tunnel, and organise your winter holiday or spring break in the British Virgin Islands?

The home of the bareboat yacht charter, crewed catamarans are also highly popular in the BVI – but don’t worry, you can always choose a motor yacht if sailing isn’t your thing. It’s almost always summer in the Caribbean, so there will be no need for your woolly hat and gloves here!

Now, we know that there is plenty to see and do in the British Virgin Islands, but what about the islands’ history which has made it the place it is today?

The British Virgin Islands were, once upon a time, popular with pirates after its discovery as the English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Danish all attempted to gain control. The country’s pirate history has been remembered through the names given to bays and islands; Captain Norman, a pirate who was hanged by the Spanish Guarda Costas is the name behind Norman Island; “Black Sam” Bellamy is the inspiration behind the name of Bellamy Cay, the islet he used as a base which gives a good vantage point across the Sir Francis Drake Channel – again, named after the English hero of the Spanish Armada.

Blackbeard, the famous pirate of legend, is also noted in the names of two islands, Great Thatch and Little Thatch. These names come from one of the other names the pirate was known by, Edward Thatch, and Dead Man’s Bay on Peter Island gained its name from the story of Blackbeard’s marooned men who then tried to swim to safety on Peter Island but drowned in their attempt.

Of course, the British Virgin Islands are said to have inspired R.L. Stevenson in his writing of Treasure Island, and if you want to come and explore the culture and history, and see these namesake places yourself, a yacht charter with Boatbookings will provide you with your own unforgettable island adventure. And don’t worry – these pirates are long gone!

Posted on September 23, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Hit the Bahamas this Easter!

What better way to spend Easter with your family than on a yacht in the Bahamas?! The Bahamas is not only known because of its beautiful weather, relaxing beaches, scrumptious cuisine, rich culture and wonderful people but also because it offers a wide array of things to do, activities and festivities to choose from. Easter is one of the best times of the year to visit and celebrate in this island country.

The Bahamas is predominantly a Christian nation, so whether you want to do your religious obligation and have fun afterwards or just simply enjoy the festive ambiance on your Easter yacht charter, this is the perfect cruising destination for you.
This season provides the visitors religious and amusing things to do in the Bahamas, but don’t worry if you’re not religious – there’s still something for everyone!

treasure_cay_beach_bahamas

Food is the universal language and this island country offers almost everything to satisfy your taste buds. During the Holy Week many Bahamians feast on the local bounty of seafood as they avoid consuming meat. Easter Sunday is celebrated otherwise and the usual menu consists of a big juicy ham, chicken or turkey, salad, peas and rice, baked macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes and local desserts such as Guava Duff and coconut of pineapple tarts. You might want to go for a nice walk on the beach to burn off some of those calories! The Bahamas is a fantastic destination if you consider yourself a ‘foodie‘.

Easter Monday is the holiday that marks the beginning of the beach picnicking season for Bahamians – the southern Atlantic waters have finally warmed up enough for the locals to go swimming! This is the perfect day to escape to your own private beach for a beach picnic prepared by your own chef. There are also many cookouts in public parks on the Nassau waterfront as well as homecomings and regattas held in many of the Out Islands if you want to experience some more of the local culture.

Send a charter enquiry to the Boatbookings team now to organise your spring break in the Bahamas!

Posted on September 17, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Catamaran Cruise in the Caribbean Anyone?

Catamarans have always been very popular amongst charter guests. Be it a power cat or a traditional sailing catamaran, the level of performance is superb, making them ideal for those looking to explore and travel more during their charter. This performance is certainly not at the expense of comfort. The wide beam, a characteristic on all catamarans, creates space for huge salons, ample outdoor space and generous staterooms. A catamaran charter spent gliding across the crystal clear Caribbean Sea is the perfect antidote to to post Christmas and winter blues to which us European folk have become all too accustomed.

As already mentioned, space is not an issue with catamarans, tri-deck catamarans such as ATLANTIS II, offering truly indulgent levels of space, are a diamond dozen however!

Her interior is simple, laid back and comfortable, perfectly encapsulating the Caribbean approach to life. The cabins are decorated in the same style. Spacious and furnished with inviting beds, these staterooms are blissfully relaxing and comfortable.

With the sun shining and the turquoise water below inviting you in, it is above deck where most guests will spend the lion’s share of their time on board. A large aft deck and masses of open space on the forward deck are great for relaxing in the shade or working on your tan. When you fancy cooling off, a hydraulic platform offers easy access to and from the water and when white sand is spotted on the horizon, simply glide up onto the beach, drop the ladder and run ashore.

ZINGARA is a fantastic alternative for those looking for a sailing catamaran. A terrific crew greet you on board, allowing you to sit back, relax and admire the view. The range of water toys available on board is just superb. From jet skis to paddle board, scuba gear to hobie cats, ZINGARA has it all. Don’t take my word for it though, check out the video below to see the life of luxury that awaits you on board.

If you are interested in chartering ZINGARA, ATLANTIS II, or any of our other yachts, don’t hesitate to contact the Boatbookings team.

Posted on July 11, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

Crewed Catamarans – a great value alternative to Motor Yachts, read on and discover what other people don’t know…

When thinking of a luxury yacht charter vacation it is often crewed motor yachts that spring to mind and not catamarans, in many respects it’s easy to understand why. It’s true luxury crewed motor yacht charters and super yacht charter are an ultimate luxury vacation but they can be prohibitively expensive, that’s where the crewed catamaran comes into play!

Boatbookings.com Charter Director Lambros thinks that, ‘Catamarans are in many ways as good – or even better than motor yachts’ read on to find out why!

HEMISPHERE - The largest Catamaran in the World! — HEMISPHERE – The largest Catamaran in the World!

Reasons to charter a Crewed Catamaran:

– Due to their width, they are very stable, not pitching and rolling on the seas as mono-hulls sometimes do (boats with just one hull sailing yachts and motor boats)

-A wide beam (width) also means that catamarans are extremely spacious – a 60ft catamaran has the same space overall as a 80+ Ft motor yacht,

– Modern catamarans have fly bridges similar to those found on motor yachts, offering a new dimension and element of space.

– Crewed Catamarans in the Caribbean are often ‘all-inclusive’ so there’s no need to worry about expenses.

– The only real minus points for catamarans vs motor yachts is the speed: where a fast m/y cruises at 25knots, a catamaran can only go up to 10-12knots – not a problem when you want to sit back, relax and enjoying the scenery.

Below is a small selection of our favourite crewed catamarans, just click on the picture or boat name to find out more!

Based in the Caribbean:

ALETHEIA:

ENIGMA:

GYPSY PRINCESS:

Awarded 'Best Catamaran under 50 ft at the BVI Yacht Show 2012' — Awarded ‘Best Catamaran under 50 ft at the BVI Yacht Show 2012’

Based in the Mediterranean:

ALLURES:

MOBY DICK:

MOYA:

Enquire today and speak to one of our experts to learn more about chartering a crewed catamaran!

Posted on February 28, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓

2 Boys In a Boat – Only hours until the end of their Atlantic Crossing!

It’s been a while since Boatbookings have written about Jamie and Luke, two intrepid young men who are currently crossing the Atlantic as team 2 Boys In A Boat. Armed with nothing but dehydrated food and a rowing boat, they are set to become the youngest pair ever to complete the crossing! The boys have been rowing continuously in 2 hour windows, for 12 hours through the day and night, come rain or shine. They have faced a mountain of setbacks – including a few injuries too gruesome to mention – not to mention waves that could easily have been casted as extras in ‘The Perfect Storm”. They are now just 55 nautical miles from Antigua – the finish line of the Talisker Whisky Challenge – the world’s hardest rowing competition which in 2006 saw Olympic rowing champions Ben Fogle and James Cracknell finish in 2nd place. During the event, no outside support is allowed and no extra supplies such as food and water are given to the teams. In an interview with the BBC, Luke said, “The days have all just blurred into one. I haven’t sat down with my knees below my hips and I haven’t eaten a meal with a knife and fork. It is uncomfortable a lot of the time but being so close to finish we don’t really care” They’ve raised over £185000 for Breast Cancer Care – well above their £150000 target – we wish them the best of luck for the final push! Do you fancy visiting Antigua yourself without the hardship of 2 Boys In A Boat? Contact us here at Boatbookings or submit an enquiry form to find a luxury yacht charter suitable for you!

Posted on January 27, 2014 by admin — No Comments ↓