Your Nr. 1 Decision - Your Broker Company
The best way to book your charter is with a professional Charter
Yacht Broker such as the Barrington
Hall Corporation. Having been captains in the Caribbean for
5 years means that our staff are experts on where to go during
your vacation and how to make decision on selecting those out-of-the-way
locations. However we also like to cover what we feel is the best
one week of the year and explain how to select dates for your
vacation which has more quality than other dates. Our personal
knowledge of each captain and crew who we present to you is vital
to the ultimate success of your adventure. Our overall knowledge
of our industry is provided to you with the aim of making your
vacation better.
Your first decision is to select the correct broker to work with.
What is a Yacht Charter?
A yacht charter is basically a short term rental agreement. If
the agreement is for the yacht only, without crew services or
provisioning, it is called a "bareboat" charter. If the agreement
includes the services of a Captain, chef and perhaps additional
mates, it is termed a "crewed " charter. It also may be called
a "term" charter which refers to a specified time commitment.
While on board, the general activities and movements of the yacht
are at your direction. The Captain has the last word in all actual
decisions. His first concern will be for the safety and comfort
of all the guests. The Captain's practical knowledge of your cruising
area will help you create an itinerary unique to your party's
needs.
Your crew contacts you well before the charter starts. They discuss
your food preferences, health and activities for your stay aboard.
You'll get to know them even before you arrive and they are available
to answer all your questions.
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How do we book our charter?
Generally, no matter how you book your charter, you will find
that it requires a deposit. This deposit is not refundable and
can be as high as 50% of the total fee. This means you should
be very sure of your dates and the number in your party before
you sign a contract.
The contract is carefully written to protect all parties. If
the yacht cannot perform, all funds are returned. If the guests
cancel, the deposits are forfeited. If there is a problem during
the charter, the amount would be prorated in an equitable fashion.
When you have signed and returned the contracts, a confirmation
letter would be sent. Please check the details carefully and advise
of any discrepancies.
The final payment for the charter is due forty five days (45)
before embarkation.
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How do we get there from
here?
Yacht Harmony motors the waters of the Virgin Islands and the
Bahamas. The British Virgin islands lie 1100 miles east-southeast
of Miami. The primary airport of the B.V.I. is Beef Island, and
the airport locator for travel planning is EIS. The Beef Island
airport is midsized and does not support non-stop air service
from the U.S. or Europe. Your flights will use commuter carriers
for connections to the Beef Island destination. The largest of
these carriers is American Eagle, a subsidiary of American Airlines.
Cape Air, Liat and Air Sunshine also provide commuter flights
from various Caribbean destinations. Connecting flights to the
B.V.I are usually routed through San Juan, Puerto Rico. Many flights
are available to San Juan, and the easiest way may be to use American
Airlines and enjoy the ride. Upon arriving at the airport, take
a taxi to the yacht. Your Captain provides details before your
arrival. In most cases we will arrange for the captain to meet
you at the airport.
You can also get to the BVI by routing through nearby St. Thomas.
St. Thomas has a number of airlines offering direct flights from
many U.S. cities. Once in St. Thomas, you can take a ferry to
nearby Tortola, the main island of the BVI. From the ferry, take
a cab to the yacht.
Transfers to and from the airport/ferry can be prearranged by
your Captain. These transfers are not included in your charter
fees so you should pay & tip your driver accordingly.
Because of the distances traveled and time zones crossed, it
may be difficult to arrive in the BVI early in the day. Your charter
starts at noon and completes at noon one week later. If your arrival
is later than 4 pm, you might want to consider a night in a hotel
prior to your charter, so you could board promptly at noon on
the next day.
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What do we need for customs
& immigration?
The British Virgin Islands are a sovereign nation with unique
and independent requirements for visitors. You should be prepared
to present a valid passport when entering and exiting the BVI.
There may be small fees such as departure taxes to be paid. Immigration
officials want to know where you are staying, how long you are
staying, and may ask for proof of a return ticket. These are not
trick questions, but please answer them carefully.
Please do not bring anything illegal such as, guns, knives, drugs
etc. A word to divers, spearguns are not allowed in the BVI. It
is unwise to bring food or commercial goods with you.
Customs officials are generally pleasant and efficient and are
willing to go the distance to make your entry and departure a
pleasant one.
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Tell me about the crew.
Your crew are professionals dedicated to your perfect vacation.
In the course of the week they wear many hats. They are there
to serve you and guide you safely and comfortably through your
charter. They also can be a great source of fun.
Chartering is an intimate setting and you would find the crew
in tune to your personalities. If you view your crew as service
staff, they do that masterfully. If you rely on them for guidance
and entertainment, you will have a great time. If you include
them in the personality of your week, you would certainly find
new friends. It's all up to you.
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What about the weather?
It doesn't matter matter where you're from, the weather in the
Virgin Islands is better. The coolest of winter days might be
in the upper 70's; while the hottest of summer days would be in
the upper eighties. The key to Virgin Islands' weather is that
you're in the tradewinds and you're surrounded by clear, warm
water. The water temps vary from the upper 70's to mid 80's and
temper all weather in the tropics. Your only likely problem that
is weather related will be sunburn. Squalls when they occur are
soon past. Okay, so much for the chamber of commerce weather report.
Here is the real world:
It can rain, it can be too windy, and ,yes, there are such things
as hurricanes. Your Captain keeps a constant watch of developing
weather and will alter the itinerary accordingly. Hurricanes are
very rarely an issue. The yachts do not sail from August 15th
thru October 15th. Historically, 90% of all Caribbean hurricanes
occur in this season. Honestly, it is rare to have the weather
impact your enjoyment of your charter.
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Should we dine out?
Yes! Now don't get suspicious. We aren't cost cutting. The cuisine
on board for your yacht is excellent. Your chef has planned for
your every need, your every snack, your every beverage and certainly,
your every meal. The reason to dine out is to explore and enjoy
the unique ambiance of the islands.
If you choose to dine out, yes, you pay the bill, but it will
be worth it. Most guests find a lunch and a dinner ashore provide
a variation to your week that you will enjoy. The point is that
you enjoy the islands.
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What about shopping?
Shopping can be your whole day or just a diversion. It's up to
you. The treasures ashore run the whole spectrum, from trinkets
and t-shirts to diamonds. So let's get down to basics. The Virgin
Islands use the good old American dollar as their currency. If
your dollars are running short, credit cards are accepted for
almost everything. If cash is really a problem, a trusty A.T.M.
is never far away. Checks, however, don't work too well.
If you shop a lot, keep your receipts. You will need to declare
values when returning thru U.S. customs. There are restrictions
on the quantities of liquors you can bring back and don't even
think about returning with Cuban cigars...
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What if there is an emergency back
home?
Your Captain will give all the contact information you will need
for your office, family and friends to find you in an emergency.
You will never be out of contact during your stay aboard. You
may be unavailable but voicemails and e-mails will be waiting
for you when you get back from scuba diving. The contact numbers
your Captain provides are for true emergencies. If you need closer
contact with friends, office or relatives, bring your cell phone
and set up a personal contact number for the duration of your
stay.
If you need to return home in an emergency, your Captain will
be able to assist you in travel plans. You can usually be at an
airport in a few hours. Unfortunately, no refunds will be made
by the yachts if a health emergency cuts your charter short. Again,
you might consider travel insurance if this is a concern.
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Should we tip the crew?
Yes. A straight answer to a sensitive question, but let's explain...
Tips are never mandatory. Gratuities are made as an appreciation
of excellent service. We are confident that your crew will exceed
your expectations. If this is not the case, there is absolutely
no reason for a gratuity.
After your stay aboard, you will realize that your crew are more
than hardworking, more than just personable, more than professional.
Their only additional benefit from their exceptional service is
the gratuity.
We suggest you consider a gratuity of 10-20% of the total charter
fee.
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What other expenses should we expect?
Its always hard to guess how much real cash to bring You are
certain to need cash for transfers to and from the airport or
ferry. Cabs in the islands are not a bargain. You may be grouped
with other riders and take a circuitous route. Even so, $10 or
more per person for each cab ride can put a dent in your cash
quickly. You can expect a departure tax, usually $5 per person
at the airport. Other adventures ashore are at your discretion.
Some may accept credit cards, some not. There are a few ways to
incur extra charges on your yacht. They include special requests
for food or beverages, requests for overnight dockage in marinas,
and a few extra costs for scuba instruction.
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