Island Windjammers offers fans of the tall-ship chartering experience six- and 12-night itineraries throughout the Virgins, Leeward and Windward islands of the Caribbean. With all-inclusive per-person rates, the company—which was formed in 2008 by veterans of the former Windjammer Barefoot Cruises—operates with a fleet including the schooner Diamant, the triple-masted Vela and the motorsailer Sagitta. Diamant, just longer than 100 feet, accommodates 10 guests; Vela is 156 feet and takes 26 passengers; and Sagitta is 120 feet and hosts 24 guests. Rates are based on season, and include meals, beverages, cabin service, port charges and taxes, as well as snorkel gear. Cabins are air-conditioned, and feature 110-volt outlets and blow dryers.
Itineraries are flexible; guests have time to explore each port of call. Onboard activities include swimming and snorkeling from the ship, taking a turn on the rope swing, and using the ship's paddleboards and kayaks. In addition to the traditional weekly cruise offerings, specialty theme cruises are offered, including Taste of the Islands Caribbean Cuisine Cruise, Rum Cruise, Solo Sojourns, Island Hops Beer Cruise, and Pirate Week. For details, visit islandwindjammers.com.
Five decades have passed since the Moorings was established by Charlie and Ginny Cary in the British Virgin Islands. The Moorings today is a globally recognized yacht charter brand. To mark its 50th anniversary in 2019, two rendezvous events take place in Croatia and the British Virgin Islands. The Croatia anniversary celebration is October 12-19, and the British Virgin Islands celebration is November 10-16.
Each of the events features a special itinerary, and a lead Moorings boat guides each flotilla. For details, visit the website. For more on the Moorings over the years, visit the website.
Inland waterways charter company Le Boat celebrates 50 years of self-drive canal-cruise vacations in Europe and in Canada in 2019. Le Boat launched in 1969, and the fleet has grown to more than 940 boats offering 18,000 cruises each year in nine countries around the world. Le Boat expanded to North America in 2018, opening in Smiths Falls, Ontario, on the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal. In 2019, a second base on the Rideau Canal was opened at Seeley's Bay, Ontario. For information visit the website.
Med Sailing Adventures has expanded its flotilla offerings. The company, founded by Jean and Mila De Keyser, started with multiboat trips along the Dalmatia coast of Croatia, and has expanded to the Balearic Islands of Spain and the Tuscany coast of Italy. De Keyser is an instructor certified through the American Sailing Association curriculum and can assist sailors in obtaining permits required for Mediterranean bareboat chartering. Med Sailing participants pay by the cabin; if they are a family or a group of friends, they can take an entire boat. For details, consult the website.
