Thinking of sheltering in place? First, in a remote destination? Second, in private? Third, on a luxury yacht charter vessel? Great thought, but STOP. Before you get your hopes up, we have a report. Getting on a yacht may be a BIG problem right now. This is a result of more islands closing their borders to yachts. It is particularly difficult for all.
BEFORE THE CORONAVIRUS
Traditionally, spring is the most popular season for Caribbean yacht charters. We have fully-crewed superyachts in position. They are ready to accept guests. For example, from the Bahamas to Bonaire.
Unfortunately, the unexpected outbreak of a global viral pandemic has affected the industry. It brings the idea of a charter in the Caribbean to a screeching halt.
ADVISORIES AND CURFEWS
This started as travel advisories and then curfews. It morphed into full closures of most island nations in the Caribbean. This affects both air and sea access.
GUESTS OR NOT
In some cases, charter guests already onboard may stay onboard. However, as of March 30, most charter vessels are restricted. Therefore, they cannot accept new guests in almost every inhabited island in the Caribbean. For instance, the British Virgin Islands and St. Marten.
CLOSED (no re-opening dates announced)
TRINIDAD … not only
ST LUCIA
ARUBA … but also
BONAIRE
CURAÇAO
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (BVI)
MARIE-GALANTE and THE SAINTS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR)
DOMINICA … in addition,
GRENADA
ST. MAARTEN (ST. MARTIN)
MARTINIQUE
GUADELOUPE
ANTIGUA and BARBUDA … lastly,
ST KITTS & NEVIS
RESTRICTIONS
Restrictions exist. For instance,
MONTSERRAT. Mandatory 14 day quarantine
USVI (U.S. Virgin Islands). Closed to all visitors for 30 days. Charter vessels, hotels, guest houses, etc. are restricted. They may not accept new guests. Guests who have already checked in are advised to return home. They cam remain, if they choose, however. Airport and Seaports are open. All non-essential businesses are closed. Residents are asked to stay at home. All bars across the Territory are closed. In-house dining is not allowed at restaurants. Take-out services are permissible. Additionally,
ANGUILLA. Both sea and air ports are closed to all passengers. This applies for an initial 14-day period, from 20 March.
BAHAMAS. Incoming passenger flights are banned. Significantly, seaports remain open for cargo and supply vessels only. Moreover, All inter-island sailing and cruising is prohibited.
BARBADOS. Airports and marinas are open. Whether by yacht or plane, all visitors arriving from the UK, Europe, and the United States will be placed in quarantine for 14 days. Anyone arriving with a travel history from China, Iran, and South Korea are also subject to a 14-day quarantine. Further,
DOMINICA. Airports and seaports closed. There is an exception for planes and ships bringing vitally-needed cargo and medical relief supplies.
ST. VINCENT and the GRENADINES. Mandatory 14 day quarantine for any passengers arriving from China and other countries. For instance, the European Union, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
STAY INFORMED / DISCLAIMER
In conclusion, this is not a complete list of all restrictions in the Caribbean. Border and marina/port closures change rapidly. Moreover, air traffic suspensions change, too. In the meantime, 1-800 Yacht Charters will keep this information updated as much as possible. We encourage our blog readers to check official country websites and local news sources for the latest travel advisories and closures/restrictions. For specific luxury yacht charter questions, please email us at info@1800yachtcharters.com
Q: “Our family is considering a Virgin Islands yacht charter vacation this winter. We are interested in “Green” travel opportunities and seeing destinations that focus on environmental sustainability. How can we analyze a destination’s commitment to sustainable tourism?”
But the industry’s efforts are only half of the equation. The destinations and their commitment to their residents’ well-being and the protection of the environment are crucial for long term sustainability.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) serves as the international body for fostering increased knowledge and understanding of sustainable tourism practices. When planning a sustainable vacation, the GSTC suggests these criteria.
TOURISM MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Does the destination show that they care and implement strategies for its local economy, environment (including climate change) and social/cultural factors?
Local community benefits and economic opportunity
Does the destination track and report its local economic contributions; provide equal employment and training opportunities and extend opportunities to those who live in poverty?
Visitor management policies
Does the destination have policies designed to conserve key attractions and landscapes? Do visitors receive direction so as to not destroy of natural and cultural assets?
In conclusion, you mentioned the possibility of a yachting vacation in the Virgin Islands. Based on the criteria stated above, we would suggest contacting the official tourism offices for both the US Virgin Islandsand the British Virgin Islands, and pose the GSTC questions to them. Hopefully, their answers will demonstrate a commitment to green and sustainable tourism in the islands…
So, you’re just itching to get back on the water and enjoy another private luxury yacht charter vacation. Suddenly, you remember your wife mentioned it was time to renew your family’s passports…six months ago!
Now you’re in a pickle. You go to the United States Department of State website, and your heart sinks… According to the site, the total time it takes to process a routine passport application, and for you to receive the mailed passport, is 4 to 6 weeks. Yikes!
Even with expedited (code for: “more expensive”) service, it will still take at least 2-3 weeks from the time of application, including mailing time.
Without valid passports, it looks like that last-minute charter yacht vacation is going to be put on hold.
Or is it?????????
NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO PASSPORT REQUIRED
Fortunately for you, there are several great Caribbean yacht charter destinations where a passport is not required to enjoy a luxury yacht charter holiday. These destinations are often overlooked by Americans – bypassed for the traditional charter hotspots like the British Virgin Islands, St Barts, and the Bahamas. Most are within a half-day’s travel time from much of the United States, and are all are well worth a visit by boat.
Here are three of our favorite destinations where bare feet and bathing suits are the dress code, and passports are not required…
THE NO PASSPORT REQUIRED LIST 1 of 3
US VIRGIN ISLANDS (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island) – Just a rock’s throw away from the more popular British Virgin Islands, the USVI is ideal for a short-term getaway, say 3-4 nights. Yes, there are dozens of small islands to visit in the BVI, the USVI has some great protected anchorages, wonderful snorkeling, fantastic nature preserves, and a major international airport in St. Thomas that makes coming and going a snap.Yacht Charter tip: consider starting your trip from Red Hook (St. Thomas), on the east end of the island, versus the downtown area of the capital, Charlotte Amalie. This way, you can avoid the congestion and large crowds of tourists that swarm Charlotte Amalie when the numerous cruise ships arrive.
Things to do:
There are just SO many wonderful activities to do in St. Thomas. Here are just a few (thanks to the USVI Tourism Bureau):
Visit a tropical botanical garden
Zipline the Virgin Islands
Take a helicopter tour around the island
Skydive in St. Thomas
Go duty-free shopping
Volunteer at the local animal shelter
Go on a birdwatching tour
NUMBER 2 of 3
SPANISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (Vieques, Culebra, and a multitude of smaller islands and cays) – Did you know the Spanish Virgins are only 6 miles off the eastern coastline of Puerto Rico? The United States military used these islands for bombing practice until 2003, so there has been little exploitation in term of commercial development – a round-about way to say the islands are pristine and unspoiled. The water is crystal clear, and the reefs are teeming with marine life.Yacht charter tip: Try to plan your luxury yacht charter during the week, and not on the weekend – local boaters from the mainland invade on the weekends!Things to do:For fantastic vistas, hike up to the small lighthouse on the highest hill on Culebrita island, or snorkel or SCUBA dive the reefs along the 12-mile chain of little islands known as La Cordillera
NUMBER 3 of 3
KEY WEST (and the nearby Florida Keys) – This is truly the easiest destination to reach for Americans, as you can get there by plane, car, or even by boat. The southernmost city in the United States, Key West is an island paradise and unlike anywhere else in the country. The locals are quirky but fun-loving folks, and there’s plenty of points of interest, and lots of protected anchorages in the adjacent lower Florida Keys chain of islands.Yacht charter tip: many of the world’s largest yachts call South Florida home. A large fleet of luxury yacht charter vessels are based in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Consider a one-way charter, starting in Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, then cruising south through the Florida Keys and concluding in eclectic Key West. A one-way trip will give you more exposure to the unique charm of the Keys, and you can fly home from Key West International Airport.
Things to do: Cruise to Fort Jefferson off the coast of Key West, and snorkel in the clear waters; stroll the shops, art galleries, and casual bars along Duvall Street; experience the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
As the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close, a number of sleek, stylish, and modern sailing charter vessels are making their way from ports around the world – to take their positions in the islands for the upcoming Caribbean yacht charter season.
MILK RUN TIME
November is the month many yachts make the “Milk Run,” sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the Caribbean.As in years past, the Virgin Island yacht charter fleet is expected to dominate the market in terms of the number of available yachts for hire, especially in the category of crewed catamaran charters. Yachts such as Lagoon 620 catamaran yacht
ST. THOMAS WELCOMES THE YACHTS
THE CURE, and Sunreef 62 catamaran,TAHAA II are already in position to accept reservations (how does a Welcome to 2014 yacht charter vacation sound???).While the St. Thomas yacht charter market in the USVI, and the Tortola yacht charter market in the BVI are quite sizeble in terms of small to mid-size yachts, a large contingent of sail superyachts will choose the deeper water of the Leeward Islands for their winter base. The St Martin yacht charter fleet and the St Barts fleets are expected to include the following mega yacht charter stalwarts. For instance, 203 foot sail yacht ATHOS – 198 foot sail yacht KOKOMO – and 183 foot Perini Navi yacht PANTHALASSA
WHEN IS THE CARIBBEAN SAILING FLEET ARRIVING?
The Caribbean sailing yacht fleet will be in place from early December, 2013 through April, 2014.
We blogged about “Where” is St Thomas. A reader called our charter department to ask “What” to do in St Thomas. Seems like a fair question. After all, part of the fun of a Virgin Islands yacht charter, is the opportunity to get off the yacht. You can do multiple things, for instance, take in the sights, shop, and meet the island residents.
The hub of the United States Virgin Islands, St Thomas, and her bustling port city, Charlotte Amalie, offers visitors the best of shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
While enjoying a luxury sailing charter, you’ll enjoy the multitude of things to see and do while visiting St. Thomas. Here are the top 4 things not to be missed while you are enjoying USVI time.
MAGENS BAY BEACH
Magens Bay Beach – both National Geographic and Conde Nast have pegged this as one of the finest beaches in the world. The bay is almost always calm, the water is turquoise-blue, and the white sand beach is blinding. This is a great place to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing. For more active visitors, you can rent water sports toys such as kayaks and snorkel gear there.
ST. THOMAS SKYRIDE
St.Thomas Skyride – similar to the enclosed lifts you see at ski resorts, this unique attraction offers visitors a tram ride up to Paradise Point. It’s a short ride to the 700 foot summit, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Charlotte Amalie harbor. At the top, you can not only take in the amazing scenery, but also visit shops and a popular restaurant and bar.
DUTY FREE SHOPPING
Duty Free Shopping in Charlotte Amalie – St. Thomas is considered the best shopping spot in the Caribbean. Duty free shops are everywhere, offering bargains on goods such as perfume, liquor, electronics, china, jewelry, and clothing. Many of these items can be found at prices that are 40 to 60 percent lower than in the United States. The waterfront area is especially popular. Old seventeenth-century warehouses that once stored rum and spices for wooden trade ships are now home to a variety of shops filled with modern day treasures.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
St. Peter Greathouse Botanical Gardens – nature lovers will truly enjoy hiking this beautiful estate’s 11 acres. You can follow one of several self-guided nature trails. Visitors will find over 200 varieties of tropical plants and trees, plus an orchid jungle and an art gallery featuring local works by native artists. The gardens are located 1,000 feet above sea level, and a deck in the gardens provides a breathtaking view of the other islands that make up the Virgin Island chain.
St. Thomas is a colorful, vibrant island where nature, history, and upscale shopping, come together. They form the perfect vacation destination.
HOW TO BOOK A YACHT CHARTER
Which St Thomas hot spots have we missed? Help us round out our Top 4 picks into a “Top 5” list! Contact us HERE with your favorite places to go or things to do on St Thomas.
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