A crewed boat also ensures that you have everything that you need from accommodation, food, and even entertainment are available. Here, all you have to do is to sit back and relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings while listening to the relaxing waters as it laps to the side of the boat.

If you want more adventure, opt for a bareboat. A “bareboat” is a boat that you can rent filled with all the things and amenities needed for sailing without the crew. If you go on sailing vacations in the US using bareboat, it means that you need to have sailing experience.

If you think that your knowledge in sailing is not enough despite your experience, you can enroll in various sailing lessons to enrich the information that you have. During lessons, you will be given first hand information on sailing and hands-on experience on it. It is always best to attend sailing lessons before going on sailing vacations in the US to ensure that you would know what and what not to do especially in cases of emergency.

Packing tips for sailing vacation in the US

Aside from educating yourself about your sailing destination, one of the things that you should consider before going on sailing vacations in the US is what are the things to pack. Bringing the things that you need would ensure that you will not miss out on something that is an integral part of your whole trip.

The following are just some of the things that you need to pack for sailing vacations in the US:

1. Travel documents – Since you’ll be going to another territory, you will need documents that will support your identity such as passport and the sailing charter paperwork. Upon booking for sailing vacations in the US, you will be given a confirmation packet.Bring photocopies of your travel documents in case of emergency or in cases it will be needed during visit to different islands.

2. Storage – This should always be kept in mind because you need to limit it as much as possible. Bear in mind that hard-sided suitcases are not ideal since they are big and bulky. Opt for durable duffel bags because these can be folded when not in use.

3. What to wear – Depending on the average weather condition of your vacation destination, the number of clothes should also be kept to a minimum. It is ideal to keep a pair of shorts, shirts, walking shoes, sandals, swimsuit, underwear sleepwear, toiletries, and towels. The number will depend on the number of days of your stay.

4. Easy to carry bag – This is vital especially if you sailing vacations in the US involve land tour or travel. This easy to carry bag will hold your basic necessities such as wallet with money, a pair of shades, passport, several guide books, bottled water, a bottle of sunscreen for sun protection, powder case, lip balm and other small items you will be needing outside.

A sailing vacation in Martinique is just one of the showcases in the French Caribbean. Not only will tourists be able to enjoy the flawless beaches, lush forests, beautiful flowers and coral reefs but also the culture and panache of French culture. There are four places to visit here when you decide to go inland.

First is the capital itself that is Fort-de-France. There are a lot of old churches here like the St. Louis Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Sacre-Coeur de Balata Cathedral, that is a replica of the original in France, the Bibliotheque Schoelcher, which was built for the 1889 Paris Exposition, and then shipped to Martinique and reassembled, or the beautiful La Savane, a large park with walkways, views, and a marble statue of Empress Josephine.

Second is Saint-Pierre that was once the island’s capital before it was badly damaged by the volcanic eruption more than a century ago. The beaches here are quite different because where else on earth will you be able to walk on sand that are grey or black in color.

Third is the the Anse Turin beach just to the south which has grey sand, jungles nearby, and the Musee Paul Gauguin, and the Anse Ceron beach that is a short drive on the north, has black sandy beaches, coconut palms, and some fantastic diving.

Fourth is The Grand-Riviere which is a fishing village situated on the cliffs on the northern tip of the island. It has some scenic roadways, which help to relax the mind. The tourist booth called the Syndicat d’initiative offers some group hikes up to the nearby Mont Pelee, or you can fish or even try a little surfing while you’re here.

You won’t have a problem looking for charter companies as there are plenty of them on the island. The best place will probably be Port de Plaisance which can be found in Le Marin in the south that happens to be the biggest and most well-equipped marina on the island.

There is also a port at Pointe du Bout, which is located across from Fort de France, and there are ports in Le Robert and Le Francois on the Atlantic, and in Sainte-Anne, on the south of the island.

To give you an idea of what is being offered, there are three types of boats to choose from namely bareboats, skippered boats, and crewed.

Bareboat – In order for you to rent a bareboat, you must present a license so the company knows that their vessel will be returned in piece. They usually don’t come with extras like kayaks or scuba equipment so you will have to rent these separately.

Skippered Boat – Skippered boats on the other hand come with a captain who will serve as both your guide and navigator. The cost of getting one is almost the same as a crewed boat but it does not include any meals.

Crewed Charter – For those who have money, then go with a crewed charter. This is because everything you need will be taken cared of including the food so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

You should be careful when you are going on a sailing vacation in Martinique and the nearby area so as not to cause damage to the vessel or the coral reefs. A bigger danger you should be aware of is the harsh weather during the summer as this causes choppy waves since it is hurricane season. The important thing is for you to have a safe journey while you are in the water until you return to port.

Antigua is a tropical nation with warm and hospitable people, wonderful weather, and almost 400 breathtaking beaches. More and more people choose to sail Antigua because it embodies a place where everybody can relax in a wonderful environment with good food, hospitable people, and unique culture.

Antigua sailing vacations is one of the most luxurious trips one can ever have. This is because the experience would finally fulfill dreams for the ultimate island getaway. For people who have not set foot on the Antigua, a sailing vacation is perfect opportunities because it can give you ease and comfort in exploring the seas of a place not all people know of.

If you are planning to go on Antigua sailing vacations, it is a must that you prepare first for the trip. The most basic thing that you can do is to introduce yourself to the place by knowing the basic things about it. You can do this by visiting various websites that offer information on Antigua. These sites will give you an overview about the place, what to expect, how to get there, and a wide array of activities available for you.

By visiting a websites, you can also get travel discounts or cheaper airfare fees especially when you book for a much earlier date. Getting a low rate airfare to get you to Antigua is ideal to help you save some money for the big adventure – the sailing vacation.

Aside from browsing the Internet, you can also get important information and tips from travel magazines, which feature the place. In these feature stories and articles, you can get various opinions, comments, and observations about the place that can help you decide if you really can afford Antigua sailing vacations or if everything will worth the trip.

Things To Consider

Aside from being knowledgeable about the place, there are other things that you should consider to ensure that your trip would be a success. One of which is the cost of the whole trip. Knowing and calculating your costs and possible expenditures during Antigua sailing vacations can greatly help you set a realistic budget during your stay. By estimating the possible cost of your sailing vacation, you can set your budget in advance so you wouldn’t be spending more than you can afford to spend.

Another advantage of knowing how much you will spend will also help your leave your worries behind because you have enough money to spend on something during the entire trip. (TIP: If possible, always make sure that you leave an allowance or you allot at least 10 to 20 percent of the total of your budget to spend on emergency cases.)

The most important expenses that you should expect from your from your Antigua sailing vacations is accommodation. This very important in planning your budget because this is where you will stay once the busy day is finished. Many people make good accommodations a priority because this is their home when out of the house while others are not so much into good accommodations because they think that they should be getting as much exposure as they can get when they are in a vacation destination.

During sailing vacations, accommodation through the boat you will be using matters because this is where you will spend most of your time. If you want ultimate comfort, choose a crewed boat where everything is laid out for you. You need not worry about anything – food, lodgings, and entertainment.

If you are going on your own Antigua sailing vacation, you can choose a bareboat with all the amenities that you need for your trip.

One of the things I really like about cruising is telling people neat stuff to make their cruising experience better. Now, I know, it’s pretty hard to improve on something that is so intrinsically great to begin with, but, I do what I can. And, it’s not a bad lifestyle (giggle).

So, here’s another installment of my life’s work – sharing the fun and delight of cruising to the Caribbean. In this instance, I’m sharing a few tips about how to smooth the process of cruising, and get a bit more bang for your buck. Of course, to be perfectly honest (and we all want more of that, right?) I share this information in hopes that you will be curious enough, and entertained enough, to go to my website and buy one of my books about cruising. Gasp! Did I just let the cat out of the bag? Shucks. Ah well, can’t un-ring the bell, can ya’?

Yep, the simple truth is that I write articles, give speeches and do interviews so that people will learn about my life’s work and want more of it. And there is always more of it, I’m happy to say. And the good news for all of you folks reading this article is that a lot of what I create is actually free.

In fact, if you go to our website at www.dothecaribbean.com, you can get a free copy of our latest e-book entitled “The Best Darn Cruising Tips EVER!”. You’ll find 60 of the most useful tips and suggestions anywhere about every aspect of cruising. The e-book is free, but you can order a printed copy also (for $7.95) in case you just want to have everything all bundled together in a nice compact booklet.

In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be completing a few more books, putting the finishing touches on some videos about cruising, and (my real passion of the moment) launching a user-generated website that displays the most sensuous scenes of the Caribbean. Ooooh, now THAT is going to be fun, fun fun. Stay tuned. You’re not gonna want to miss that one.

But, on with the business at hand. Here are some useful and relevant tips and ideas that you can use for your next cruise. In the interest of space and the amount of time you have to read online articles, I’ve only included 11 tips here. But, by all means, go to my site and pick up the other 50+ when you download the aforementioned e-book. The criteria used for which tips to present in this article were 1) how easy the information was to explain in a few short paragraphs; 2) how useful it is to someone who doesn’t know much about the art and science of cruising; and, 3) tips that pay off (you’ll know what I mean after you’ve used these little jewels on board a ship).

Tip #1:Take Care Of Your Cabin Steward.

One of your best friends on the cruise will be the person that picks up your dirty clothes, hangs up your wet towels, straightens up you messy vanity and turns down your bed every night – your Cabin Steward He, or she, will do an excellent job of making up your cabin twice a day, and sometimes more often if needed. This is the person who will also handle any special requests you have, like if you need an extra pillow. I make it a point to get to know my steward and on the very first day, make sure I tip him (or her) an extra $20. Yes, I know the daily gratuity that gets added to my account does cover the cabin staff, but, make no mistake. These guys, who do an excellent job anyway, can add a nice extra dimension to your journey. For example, I like to keep my ice buckets full and sometimes I even dedicate my sink or a cooler to holding our beer, which a happy Cabin Steward will keep covered in ice for all day long.

My generosity is always understood and rewarded. I’ve been delighted to find extra towels, robes, chocolate hors d’oeuvres and even a bottle of wine. One other point, my favorite way to communicate with my steward (if I don’t bump into him/her in the hallway) is to place a Post-It note on the mirror over the vanity. It always works.

Tip #2: Copies Are A Good Thing

Make copies of all the important travel documents that you take (driver’s license, passport, credit card, etc.) and keep them in a safe place on your person while you are traveling and in your cabin once you get on board. If anything happens, you will have all information you need, and the purser’s office will be better able to help you.

While you’re at it, print out the cruise info you expect to use the most (such as directions, phone numbers, etc), on a colored piece of paper. That way it stands out from the various other pieces of paper you’ll have in your cruise documents.

Tip #3: Electricity Is A Really Good Thing.

Each cabin has only one electrical outlet, which is located right next to the desk/vanity.

And it has only two plugs. If you’re like us and you want to use your computer, charge your camera, listen to music and use a hair dryer while someone is taking a shower… well, you get the picture. Bring a power strip or surge protector. You may also find it useful to being an 8-ft extension cord, that way, you have electricity anywhere you want it in the cabin.

Tip #4: Prepare Your Stomach.

For about a week before leaving, eat at least one serving of yogurt every day, or take acidophilus supplements. It helps to build up the good bacteria that your digestive track needs to deal with any little bugs or impurities that you pick up. Some of the best food you’ll find will be in small local establishments, or even roadside venues. The chow is really good in these places, and authentically spiced. But, the sanitation requirements in the Caribbean are not the same as in the US. Also, the normal diet for locals is different than what you may be used to. Your stomach may not be used to it all. The yogurt is an easy and effective way to build up your digestive balance and immunity.

Tip #5: Freshen Your Luggage

If your travel time to the ship is more than 24 hours, put fabric softener sheets between your garments to keep everything in your suite case smelling fresh. This is particularly nice with garments or accessories that are not regularly laundered, such as sweaters or jackets. You may want to cut one in half and place each half in your shoes. You’ll be even more appreciative on your return home, since your luggage will be packed with soiled clothes, some of which may even be damp.

Tip #6: Bring Bungee Cords

Bungee cords are one of the most useful items you can take and for reasons other than you might first think. They are easy to pack, take up virtually no room at all, and can even be useful in keeping your bags lashed together as you maneuver onto the ship.

But here’s the really cool part. One thing you’ll find when you get to your cabin is that there are never enough places to hang things – like a shirt, or hat, or camera case. Most cabins have two or three hooks and that’s about it. While a hook is only big enough to hold one hat or other similar item, it is big enough to hold two or three bungee cords. What’s more, there are lots of places through out the cabin that can accommodate one end of a bungee cord but would never work as a hanging place, such as a lamp or the edge of your mirror. Just hang the bungee cord from any suitable place and – voila! – you have a hook that is sturdy enough to hold anything you’ve got.

They also make a great clothesline. Some bathrooms have a retractable clothes line in the shower, but not all. Your bungee cord can be strung across the opening of your shower, or between a couple of towel bars. Be creative, you’ll find several places that work.

And finally, one of the main irritations of being up on the deck when the ship is underway (as is the case with Sea Days) is the 20 knot winds that you have to deal with. When you get up from your seat to hit the bar or take a break, It’s not unusual at all to see a pool towel or shirt or hat go sailing over the edge of the ship. If you have a bungee cord with you, you can easily strap everything to your chair.

Tip #7: Bring Extra Clothes Hangers

There are often not enough clothes hangers in your cabin, and those that are there can be a pain in the butt to use. They’re usually the kind that has a little peg which slips into a metal ring which is permanently attached to the clothes bar in the closet. So be sure to pack enough extras to handle all of your important hang-up clothes, so you have enough and you don’t have to mess around with the ones in the closet.

And speaking of clothes hangers, you can buy INFLATABLE clothes hangers (that’s right, inflatable coat hangers. Who’da thunk it?) from Amazon.com (click the “Apparel” tag” on the website). They take up no space at all, are totally easy to inflate and are sturdy enough to hold shirts and coats. They are also great for eliminating those pesky bulges that you get on the shoulders of your shirts. You might need to get a couple of sets so you can keep one set for traveling and use the other in your home closet.

Tip #8: Check With Your Insurance Company (auto and medical)

If something happens and you are required to get any kind of medical treatment while you are cruising, there is a really good chance that you will have to pay for the treatment and get reimbursed later. So, find out before you go if your health insurance will pay for such treatments, and what kind of documentation you’ll need to file a claim with your company. This is one of those times where you may want to inquire into travel insurance, especially if you are traveling with a condition that elevates the risk (such as older travelers, pregnancy, or some other pre-existing condition). Get very clear information from your company about the documentation you need from the ship or port, because once you leave where the treatment is delivered, there is virtually no chance you will ever get medical records sent to you without hiring an attorney. If you have a pre-existing condition, you’ll get better treatment if you provide the medical staff with your medical history.

In the same vein, check your coverage with your auto insurance company. You may find that you don’t need any additional coverage, which can save you a lot if you decide to rent a car or scooter. Keep in mind, however, many rental companies require you to make good on any damages when you return the vehicle, so if you are using your personal insurance you will have to pay for the damages and get reimbursed. That little fact is one of the major incentives the rental companies use to sell you the insurance. Unfortunately, even though they are blood-suckers for trying to manipulate you, it is often less hassle to go ahead and buy the local insurance. But, get a professional opinion from your agent.

Tip #9: A Can Of Air Freshener

Especially if you are traveling on one of the older ships, it’s a really good idea to pack a can of your favorite air freshener. I prefer the types that kill odors as opposed to those that just scent the air (i.e., Lysol, because it not only deodorizes the room if needed but also sanitizes surfaces). In the small confines of a standard cabin, any unpleasant odor can be stifling and the room ventilation system can take a while work.

Tip #10: Stay Out Of The Steam Baths.

Yes, we know, there isn’t anything quite like the soothing and cleansing feeling of a steam bath to relax you or rid you of the after effects of a late night partying. Even so, we NEVER use public steam baths. This isn’t a knock on any particular cruise line, it’s a knock on public steam baths. A steam room is the absolute perfect environment for all kinds of airborne germs and bacteria – hot, moist, subdued lighting. Oh yeah, perfect for that little cold bug or other mischievous virus that gets sneezed out of people. STAY AWAY FROM STEAM BATHS!

Tip # 11: Use Porters When You Leave The Terminal.

There are two really good reasons to use porters.

• They carry your bags, in exchange for which you should tip them about $2 per bag with a minimum of $5. This is especially good if you have several bags and if you have a ways to go to get to your transportation.
• They have a special desk they go through at Customs and so you don’t have to wait in the line. That alone is worth $5!
• Alrighty, gang. That’s all you get here. If you want to find out why you should pack zip-loc bags, a first aid kit, walkie-talkies, trash bags and suction cups you’ll have to go get your own free e-book. You’ll also get some great info about choosing travel agents, buying trip insurance, preventing seasickness and the perfect way to get a wake-up call.
  
  

  See ya in the Caribbean. Aaaaaarghh!!
  
  
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