Jill Bobrow
12/01/2006
Charter in the Caribbean has come a long way in the last 50
years. It is widely recognized that Desmond and Rodney Nicholson initiated the
first-ever charters in the fifties. The two brothers sailed to English Harbour,
Antigua, with their father, Commander VEB Nicholson, in 1947, and put down roots
on this sleepy island.
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Antigua and its environs still hold many of the same pleasant surprises the region did in those early days of yacht charter. In the southeast corner of the island is Nelson’s Dockyard in English Harbour, one of the most picturesque and historic harbors in the Caribbean. The brick buildings of the old officers quarters, the copper and lumber store, The Admiral’s Inn and the lofting pillars have all been restored much as they were in 1776 when Lord Nelson created a British naval base there. Other glorious anchorages such as Green Island and Five Islands are favorites as well. Nearby Barbuda has one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.
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There are many possible approaches to enjoying a charter out of and around Antigua. Ordinarily, a family or two couples will take a single boat for a week or two and cruise the island’s beauty spots and possibly divert to nearby Nevis and St. Kitts.
Last winter, though, I found myself with a larger group of friends who wanted to experience Antigua by motor yacht, but we were too many to do it on a single boat.
Time was a factor as well. We wanted to take a mini-break from the stresses of the workaday world. We wanted to be together and enjoy the intimacy of a medium- to large-size yacht, not something of the grandeur of a Christina O or another large vessel that caters to 36 guests.
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Our brokers, Yachting Partners International, thought of
organizing a tandem charter, whereby we could divide our group in two, cruise to
the same places, anchor near each other and mix and match when it came time for
cocktails, meals or fun in the water. We split our group of 18 aboard two
equally endowed vessels, Seven Sins and Mary Jean. (Click image to enlarge)We commenced our mini-charter in Falmouth Harbour. Our boats were docked at the lively Antigua Yacht Club Marina. After an evening at the dock, we departed at morn’s early light, cruising past boats sleepily at anchor. We left the mouth of the vast harbor and turned right, passing Carlisle Bay and the landmark Curtain Bluff resort and then bypassing the two-mile-long Cades Reef en route to Five Islands on Antigua’s northwest side.
First out of the harbor was Mary Jean. At 160 feet (48.8 meters) in length, she is a bit larger than Seven Sins. She has seven cabins accommodating 12 guests and is catered to by 12 crewmembers. How many resorts offer a one-to-one ratio of staff to guests? Recently, this yacht underwent a multimillion-euro refit. Some of the new additions include a gym on the upper deck and a Jacuzzi on the sun deck. The main salon is spacious, with loads of loose furniture and a formal dining area for 12. The look and feel of the décor is both rich and neutral, accented by colorful pieces of contemporary art. The full-beam master suite is situated forward of the main salon. All the cabins are equipped with a large flat-screen TV, DVD player, satellite digibox and Wi-Fi connection.
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The 135-foot (41.3-meter) Seven Sins, launched last year from Heesen Yachts in Holland, is new to the charter market. She is a blend of sleek exterior lines and a warm contemporary interior, with honey-toned cherry paneling, parquetry floors and handmade wool carpeting laid in a matrix of rose and teak. The main salon is permeated with light from large windows, and the formal dining area can seat up to 10 guests. The owner’s cabin has a small office with a desk, computer and walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom is onyx lined and has its own spa bath and large shower. The other four cabins are located on the lower deck. Decorated Japanese style in red and black with shoji screens, the two VIP staterooms have ensuite bathrooms—one with a marble bath and the other with a marble shower.
Since Seven Sins is infused with an Asian flair, meals and table settings tend to follow suit. We spent most days on the sun deck, which has a row of sun pads and a Jacuzzi aft. We ate dinners on the covered aft main deck. One night we all settled in the skylounge to watch the film Anna and the King on the yacht’s 60-inch plasma TV. The yacht’s décor and our physical surroundings completely transported us to Siam.
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Five Islands Harbour is a mile wide and two miles long. It is a
complete wildlife paradise—no casinos, nightlife, hotels or shopping—with
magnificent water, birds and beaches. It is the perfect place to take
advantage of being aboard a luxurious motor yacht that offers all the amenities
of a hotel, and more. Here we could truly relax, eat, swim, lounge and break out
all the water toys. (Click image to enlarge)Our group mixed and matched lunches and dinners between the two boats. Anchored close by each other, we rode Jet Skis from boat to boat and shared our clear-bottomed kayaks and other water toys. With both crews catering to a large party, they decide d to surprise us with a deluxe beach barbecue. Crew from both yachts secretly set up a true Shangri-la on a private, deserted beach. Taking the tenders back and forth, they brought ashore one long table, tents and wicker chairs. The scene could have been out of Africa, but out of Antigua was special enough. A volleyball net and costumed crew added to the fun factor. We were all given tropical sarongs to wear, which heightened the festive atmosphere. It doesn’t take much to create a party when surrounded by white sand and turquoise water, rum punch and grilled fish.
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We spent our few days on board doing what it’s best to do aboard floating palaces: We focused on the water, luxuriating in the sea and surrounds. Food is always a pivotal point on a charter, and the chefs aboard both yachts were superb. In the evenings after dinner, we partied on the top deck. Champagne tastes particularly good when sipped in a spa pool.
I can imagine a large family chartering two boats such as these. One boat could cater to the younger generation, with barbecues on the top deck offering burgers and fries, while the adults savor a four-course, white-tablecloth dinner aboard the other yacht. If one is good, two is even better.
Fact File ANTIGUA
Location: Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga) is in the middle of the Leeward Islands, 17 degrees north of the equator.
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Size: Antigua, the largest of
the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide,
encompassing 108 square miles. (Click image to enlarge)Climate: Temperature is usually mid-70°F in the winter to mid-80°F in the summer; only about 45 inches of annual rainfall.
Passports: U.S., Canadian and UK nationals require valid passports; others, ask your travel agent; $20 departure tax for all.
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Time zone: Atlantic Standard
Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time, same as Eastern Standard daylight
saving time/GMT minus four hours. (Click image to enlarge)Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar fixed to U.S. dollar; US$1:EC$2.65.
Airlines: VC Bird International Airport, direct flights and connections from North America via San Juan and St. Martin and several weekly flights from Europe. Check LIAT and Caribbean Star from other Caribbean Islands.
Fact File
M/Y SEVEN SINS
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Seven Sins. (Click image to enlarge) LOA: 135'5'' (41.30 m)
Beam: 26'2'' (8.40 m)
Draft: 9'8'' (2.90 m)
Guests: Five staterooms (master suite, two VIPs, two twin ensuite cabins); 12 for cruising
Crew: Captain plus six
Charter rates (per week):
Caribbean: Winter 2006/2007
High season: $122,500
Low season: $101,500
Mediterranean: Summer 2007
High season: €125,750
Low season: €104,750
For charter, contact: Yachting Partners International
UK tel: 44 1273 571 722
France tel: 33 4 933 40100
U.S. tel: 800-626-0019
E-mail: info@ypi.co.uk
Website: www.ypi.co.uk
Fact File
M/Y MARY JEAN
LOA: 160'2''
(48.82 m)
Beam: 27'6''
(8.43 m)
Draft: 11'4''
(3.50 m)
Guests: 12 in
seven cabins (five double, two twins with two Pullmans)
Crew: 12
Charter rates
(per week):
Caribbean:
Winter 2006/2007
Christmas:
$146,300
Other times: $126,000
Mediterranean: Summer 2007
High season: €123,200
Low season: €104,300
For charter, contact: Yachting Partners International
UK tel: 44 1273
571 722
France tel: 33 4
933 40100
U.S. tel: 800-626-0019
E-mail: info@ypi.co.uk
Website: www.ypi.co.uk