For our clients with kids, the end of July and August means "Back to School." For those who love yacht charter vacations, it's the perfect time to sail The Grenadines and the Windward Islands. Whether you're heading back doing nightly homework this fall with the kids or attending webinars at work, it's always a good time to learn something new!
We’ve been learning about travel and sailing the seas for many decades. Twenty years ago this month, we were sailing down island from St. Thomas to Trinidad for the first time. We explored 26 islands in 6 weeks on our 72' charter yacht! On our recent visit to St. Vincent, Canouan, the Tobago Cays, Bequia and Mustique, we produced 6 beautiful new yacht charter videos in 6 days from our sailing charter aboard 77’ Catamaran Mariah Princess III.
Scroll down to see all of the videos!
Key points to know:
This All-Inclusive yacht accommodates up to 8 Guests in 4 luxury cabins.
Updated 10/8/23: Since the writing of this article, the crew aboard Mariah Princess III has changed. While we were onboard, Captain Jason, Captain & Scuba Instructor Simeon, Chef Jessica and Stewardess Lucie know great service inside out and kept it at a high-end level identical to a 120’ luxury motor yacht standard during our trip. They were discreet & professional at all times, offering seamless luxury yacht-style service anticipating the needs of guests and providing excellent service without being intrusive.
Accommodations: One Master Suite with a large hydraulic side opening private deck, ensuite bath with his and her sinks, stall shower, electric toilets, walk in closet and desk. Three king suites each with ensuite bath including stall shower, vanity/sink & electric toilets. Hydraulic stern swimming platform for easy water entry. Extra wide side decks. Two crew cabins with private baths.
Availability: Catamaran Mariah Princess III is open for yacht charters next season in the British Virgin Islands, St Barts, Antigua, the Grenadines or the Southern Bahamas. Book a charter on board where you want to sail and get your desired location in the Caribbean NOW before they are hemmed in to one location by bookings.
Do you love to sail and fish? Enjoying both options onboard a luxury yacht charter catamaran with lots of custom fishing gear is a great way to relieve stress, as you can focus on the task at hand and forget about your worries for a while. And of course, sailing is simply a lot of fun. There is something exhilarating about being out on the open water, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.
Good to Know: Catamarans offer more interior space than motor yachts, thanks to their two hulls. This means that you'll have more room to spread out, whether you're lounging on the deck, or sleeping in your ensuite luxury cabin with comfy beds and fabulous Italian linens.
AND Yes, it really is wonderful having a "Jacuzzi Tub with a View" on a private yacht! We loved it!
What lessons have you learned traveling in 2023? And what are you looking forward to seeing, doing, and learning as you plan your future trips this fall & winter?
There's always more to learn...read on!
Keep On Sailin'!
Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker
Sailing The Grenadines in The Summer aboard
77' Luxury Yacht Charter Catamaran Mariah Princess III
Our Experience Sailing The Grenadines
Day One:
🚩We arrived in St Vincent and spent the first night at Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina. Cafe Soleil was a great place on the dock to enjoy a drink, a sampling of appetizers and decompress from travel. Dinner was very good at The Loft Restaurant - a fine dining restaurant that features an International menu with a touch of Asian Fusion influence. The following morning, we learned about the Port Modernization project in Kingstown. This expansion of the port will facilitate better acccess to goods & services and greater economic opportunies for 110,000 citizens. When finished, it will greatly improve the tourist experience. After our tour, we hopped on a ferry to meet Catamaran Mariah Princess III at Sandy Lane Yacht Club on the island of Canouan in the heart of The Grenadines.
The best way to see these 32 beautiful islands is by private yacht charter. See a few of the highlights of our first day aboard the yacht!
In a matter of moments upon boarding, we concluded that sailing aboard 77' Mariah Princess III Yacht Charters with it's wonderfully talented professional team of 4 crew is the perfect way to enjoy a very high-end level of caring service with fun people who truly care that you are having the best time of your life!
Day Two:
What do you wish for in a perfect vacation? Our visit to the Tobago Cays aboard 77' Mariah Princess III was beautiful! They are a group of small islands located off the coast of Bequia. The islands are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and they are also a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. It's also home to various bird species that would impress any birdwatcher. If you are there to relax on one of the beaches or secluded coves and soak up this tropical paradise, you won't be disappointed.
Embracing the opportunity provided by the exceptionally clear waters, we indulged in ideal snorkeling conditions. Everyone in the group agreed that this part of the Grenadines has such an abundance of heathy coral and many sea turtles, stingrays and marina life. It’s a real gem for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. It's also home to various bird species that would impress any birdwatcher. If you want to relax on one of the beaches or secluded coves and soak up this tropical paradise, you won't be disappointed.
Day Three:
Continuing our journey, we set our course for Petit Nevis! This century old flensing port is a remnant of a culture for whom whaling is still legal and tolerated by the International Whaling Commission. This charming little island situated off the shores of Bequia proved to be one of the best spots we've ever snorkeled for visiting healthy, happy and very large turtles!
Yacht charter vacations offer the experience of learning about different cultures and ways of life. There is so much to learn in the Caribbean: different foods, customs, and traditions, islands to explore and meeting new people. Sailing aboard 77' Mariah Princess III Yacht Charters with it's wonderfully talented professional team of 4 crew is the perfect way to enjoy a very high-end level of caring service with fun people who truly care that you are having the best time of your life!
Day Four:
🚩Next was Bequia. After shopping in town, and an island tour we enjoyed snorkeling off the yacht at Princess Margaret Beach.
Bequia has a unique, magical charm which is hard to find anywhere else in the Caribbean. With fewer than six thousand inhabitants, it feels like home from the moment you arrive. Here you’ll find lively inter-island shipping and trading with locals who’ve been eagerly welcoming visitors to their shores for generations. And don't miss having a meal at Coco's Place. a must for a traditional Grenadian meal. We sampled locally caught conch fritters, creole fish, curry fish, chicken roti, shrimp with garlic & herbs and everything was wonderful!
We enjoyed visiting the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. It is a non-profit organization that protects sea turtles. Visitors can learn about the turtles and their habitat, and they can even help release baby turtles into the ocean.
Watch the video of our day in Bequia!
Day Five:
🚩The island of Mustique has a reputation for being a “If you know, you know” destination where you put your cell phone down and live a relaxed lifestyle! Mustique was purchased by Colin Tennant in 1960 with the intention of farming. The island was inhabited by a few local families who were fisherman & famers. Two years later, when farming began to look unprofitable, he decided to develop the island for a few of his high-profile friends. By the 1970’s the island was attracting a very glamorous crowd.
The original Basil’s Bar was built in 1974 and we had a great lunch there while keeping an eye open for a royal visit from Prince William, Kate & their 3 children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis! We stopped for lunch at Basil’s followed by shopping and an island tour to check out Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams & Kelly Rippas homes as well as the Jack Daniels corporate compound on island. The island is known for attracting successful people like the royals who value their privacy above all things.
We ended our night by fishing alongside a setting sun. With the fish literally jumping onto our hooks, it was one of the best fishing experiences of our lives!
Day Six:
🚩We spent our last day at gorgeous Cumberland Bay on St. Vincent. We had a small slice of paradise all to ourselves to enjoy our last snorkel in the Grenadines. It’s a small & beautiful anchorage approachable only by sea that has a little beach backed by a hillside of coconut palms. Is the perfect hideaway anchorage with excellent snorkeling during calm weather. We felt as if we had entered a Tahitian aquatic amphitheater, with headlands extending into the sea on both sides, rising high to join the lush peaks forming the backdrop. The black sand beach spills into the turquoise sea. We were mesmerized by the yellow tube sponges and beautiful coral, schools of colorful fish, crabs, lobster, octopus, and a snowflake eel.
Do You Love to Sail and Fish?
Enjoying both options onboard a luxury yacht charter catamaran with lots of gear is a great way to relieve stress, as you can focus on the task at hand and forget about your worries for a while. And of course, sailing is simply a lot of fun. There is something exhilarating about being out on the open water, feeling the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.
🚩Additional Features of Catamaran Mariah Princess III: 2 x BBQ / Beach BBQ Set up/ 4 x Ice Makers / STARLINK WI-FI / Pull tube- Blaster and Towing Mattress / Large Floating pad for the water / Seabob X 1 / Sublue Sea Scooters x 4 / Wake Board/ Water Ski / High Quality Fishing Gear (Rods, Gaff Hook, Fishing lures, and tackle) / 2 x Paddleboards / Go Pro Underwater Camera / Drone Camera / TV's in all cabins with Apple TV's- and a Netflix and Apple account / 24 Bottle Wine Cooler / 5 drink lockers / 4 person Jacuzzi on the flybridge / 3 Main Dining Areas, Cockpit, Saloon, and Fly Bridge /Front Cockpit with Awning at anchor / Many Bunny Pads / Underwater Blue Lights on Yacht and Jet Tender / Upper deck lounge with Jacuzzi / Stern swimming platform With Hydraulic lift for easy boarding and access to the water / Rain Showers in Heads and the aft Deck / Extra-wide weather/side decks / Lift 3 E-Foil Board / SCUBA equipment / Dive Compressor
🚩REVIEW: Our Overall Experience Aboard Catamaran Mariah Princess III
The terms such as wonderful, perfect, astonishing, marvelous & life changing are not enough descriptive words to relay all the “WOW” moments we enjoyed on this charter. As a former chef holding eleven VICL culinary competition wins, we give Chef Jess and the entire crew our highest complements for each & every beautiful meal served. Capt. Jason, Chef Jess, Lucie & Simeon set the bar extremely high with their teamwork!
Ready to book your special yacht vacation? Contact us today!
🚩When to Go to The Grenadines:
Most people prefer to sail The Grenadines in the spring or summer months, when the weather is more predictable and comfortable. Our videos below show our wonderful yacht vacation experience. We suggest sailing this area from late May into summer and during November for a more comfortable yacht charter vacation with a reasonable amount of wind and calmer seas. It's really quite simple. Everyone loves sleep well in calm, protected calm anchorages at night! However, there are still some people who enjoy sailing in the winter, and if you are one of them, there are a few things you can do to make your trip more enjoyable.
Ask us for advice. While many yachts enjoy sailing this part of the Caribbean, most prefer the protected anchorages of the Virgin Islands in the winter. If you choose to sail The Grenadines in the winter, your choices will be greatly limited by a lesser number of yachts available in the area.
Be experienced. If you are not an experienced sailor, it is best to avoid sailing The Grenadines in the winter months. The windy weather can make sailing difficult, and if you are not used to it, you may not be a happy sailor.
If you are willing to brave higher winds & seas, sailing The Grenadines in the winter can be a truly unforgettable experience. We highly recommend booking a charter yacht well in advance with a permanent live-aboard crew who've sailed the area many times in the past. Having experience counts!
About Us-CYBA Charter Yacht Brokers: Capt. Randy & Shelly Tucker!
If you want to experience a luxury yacht charter vacation first hand and up close, there is no better way than on your own privately crewed yacht with a full-time professional Captain and Chef/First Mate. We've been sailing and chartering for well over twenty-five years.
The U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands were our "backyard" which we came to love and cherish. So much so, that we sold everything in 1997 and moved to Charlotte Amalie, USVI as owners & operators aboard the 72' sailing charter yacht. We do know the ins and outs of this special place & the people who live there. That's what makes us an official "Yacht Charters Guru”! Never been on a chartered yacht vacation? We will help you personally design your charter yacht vacation. Imagine being able to sail into small bays with beautiful white sands & fantastic snorkeling. A yacht vacation is a great way to spend time with your friends or family. Why use a CYBA Certified Yacht Charter Broker? Key Takeaways:
As a member of CYBA, the Charter Yacht Broker’s Association, we adhere to strict yacht charter booking protocols. We have access to the CYBA industry escrow account to protect your money.
Charter yacht crews, yacht owners and travel agents do not have access to this account.
If it is a busy yacht with lots of charters, the crew are taking care of guests onboard and they honestly do not have time to answer a lot of travel questions.
This is what differentiates professionally licensed yacht brokers from anyone else trying to book charters.
Very Important! It is not safe to send your hard-earned money directly to a business or yacht that is not accredited by a professional charter industry association to handle yacht charter client funds. Always ask!
We have access to the The CYBA E-Contract Charter Agreement. It is made available by CYBA for electronic use only by established, industry recognized and reputable Yacht Brokers.
Choose from an extensive list of yachts, including our spacious and stable catamaran charters, power catamarans, traditional monohull sailboat vacations, or high-end luxury motor yacht charters in the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Belize, Croatia. Greece, and the Mediterranean. We do not sell yachts like many other agencies so there is no conflict or distraction in our focus for your yacht charter. Our service is free to you. We travel extensively to boat shows and yacht charter shows year-round to personally view and inspect as many of the yachts as possible. 6 Reasons Why We are Qualified: 1. As Members of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association/CYBA, The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Yacht League/VIPCA, and the BVI Charter Yacht Society/CYS, we maintain contact with the yachts to keep abreast of the very latest information on crew/yacht conditions and new yachts entering the arena. 2. We stay on top of local and Federal Governments to keep informed about changes in our industry, as well as involve ourselves with the changes in the environment in which we offer charters. 3. We engage in open dialogue with local publications to help keep the government and the public aware of this important industry in our islands. 4. We attend multiple charter yacht industry shows in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, go aboard each of the yachts, meet the crews, attend association meetings and seminars. We'll happily share our notes about changes to the boats and crews and confirm any newly added features and upgrades as well as re-fits to the boat’s decor like new carpets, interior and exterior soft goods & fun new water toys.
5. As a seasoned charter yacht Owner & Crew, we have access to the "inner circle" and know all the insider facts. We answer the phone day, night, weekends & holidays! 6. We've developed a longtime friendship with vendors of services such as local taxi drivers, ferry companies, good places to stay on land, great restaurants, and much more. Contact us for more info! Yacht Charters Guru is Accredited by the Following Professional Associations:
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