Set Out from St. Thomas
St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands is the newest site of a local partnership with global company Dream Yacht Charter. Virgin Islands Yacht Charters at Compass Point Marina, on the east end of the island, entered into the arrangement with Dream in June 2020, expanding facilities and upgrading client services.
Sailors can choose from four monohulls and 20 catamarans for bareboat and skippered yacht charters. The fleet includes a Bali 5.4, Fountaine Pajot Saona 47, Beneteau Oceanis 41, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 519, Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, Lagoon 40, Lagoon 42, Lagoon 450s, Lagoon 52 and Fountaine Pajot Saba 50. The company also offers fully crewed charters.
While the USVI has typically served as a jumping-off point for the nearby British Virgin Islands, it is an accessible, stunning destination with beautiful beaches along the north shore of St. John in the Virgin Islands National Park.
St. Thomas is the 13th Caribbean base for Dream, which has 50 locations worldwide and a fleet of more than 1,200 boats. For details, contact the companies (virginislandsyachtcharters.com; dreamyachtcharter.com).
Incentives from Horizon
Horizon Yacht Charters, with bases in the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, extends incentives to vacationing sailors through fall 2020.
Discounts on charters booked in Grenada and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through October 31, 2020, include free nights: Book 10 nights for the low-season seven-night rate, or enjoy 14 nights for the low-season 10-night rate on any available bareboat monohull or sailing cat from 36 feet to 57 feet.
In the BVI, the sailing season is expected to resume November 1, 2020. To compensate for travel uncertainties and pandemic-related restrictions, Horizon has waived its standard 50 percent deposit requirement.
Instead, it’s offering a nonrefundable $200 deposit to secure the yacht of choice for charters starting November 2, 2020, through 2021 (this offer expires when travel normalizes). The full charter deposit or balance becomes due once there is more certainty about world events and airline services.
Offering bareboat and crewed charters on a fleet of monohulls and catamarans, Horizon has new 2020 models of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349, 410 and 490; Nautitech Open 40s and Fly 46; and Lagoon 42 and 46. The company also has a 2021 Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 and Elba 45 on order and slated for delivery at the end of this year. For details, contact the company.
Florida Discounts, Partnership
Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2020, Southwest Florida Yachts is offering a 15 percent discount off sail and power charters in September and 10 percent off in October. Cruising grounds include the barrier islands of Sanibel, Captiva, Cayo Costa and Gasparilla.
In other company news, SWFY has entered into a partnership with Curtis Stokes & Associates to offer yacht sales, charter, training and management. Barb Hansen, SWFY owner, will join the Stokes brokerage team and continue to manage and operate SWFY charter, training and management companies. For details, contact the companies (swfyachts.com; curtisstokes.net).
Pacific Northwest Incentive
If being able to drive to a charter destination is a priority, check out this offer from Anacortes Yacht Charters: Sail nine nights for the price of six for trips starting from September 19, 2020, through May 31, 2021. The offer applies fleetwide to new bookings. Restrictions apply. Contact the company for details.
