Planning your Cruise
Provisioning & Preparing for your Cruise
What We Have Onboard
- Our yacht is always equipped with the basic necessities including matches, paper towels, toilet paper, bathing supplies, insect repellent, hand towels, dishwashing liquid and garbage bags.
- We also have lifejackets for everyone on board
- The yacht has some swimming floaties on board including noodles and floating mats.
What You Need to Bring
Please remember to bring the following:
- Swim suit, beach towel, sweatshirt or light jacket, clothes to go into town or restaurants, water-proof bag, and your own snorkeling gear (flippers, face mask and snorkel)
- Suntan lotion, hat or cap and sunglasses
We'll be prepared for you
A few weeks prior to your planned day charter we will contact you to request information on anything you would like stocked on the yacht for your cruise including food and beverage and any special requests for snorkeling equipment. You can also suggest to us any specific places you would like to see during your cruise, or we can plan the destinations for you. Then sit back, relax, and leave the rest of the preparation up to us. We will customize the yacht provisioning to your liking including your favorite snacks, beverages, fine wines and liquors. For detailed information on provisioning and beverage orders, review our provisioning order form or if you have special requests, just ask us and we are happy to accommodate your requests as best we can.
Self-provisioning for your charter is also a possibility if you prefer, but doing the shopping yourself and transporting the groceries to the marina can take valuable time away from your vacation. However, if you choose to self-provision for your charter cruise, we are more than happy to recommend stores near your vacationing area to purchase these items.
Weather in the Virgin Islands
The average temperatures in the Virgin Islands range from 80°F to 88°F (or 26°C to 31°C), winter to summer. The water temperature is fabulous and perfect for swimming and snorkeling all year long. The islands are in the path of trade winds which are fairly constant and range in strength from 10 to 20 knots, but can occasionally become stronger during certain times of year like the winter months. The islands do see random rain showers that generally pass by very quickly. We do recommend that you bring a light rain jacket along on your cruise in the event that it does rain or to protect from the sea spray while underway.
Language, Currency & Time Zone
English is the primary language spoken in the USVI and British Virgin Islands. Atlantic Standard time (one hour ahead of Eastern) is used, Daylight Savings is not.
The U.S. dollar is the local currency throughout the Virgin Islands. Major credit cards are widely accepted but do not expect to use them at the smaller establishments. You will most likely be visiting some smaller establishments that do not accept credit cards, so it is advisable to bring along traveler's checks and some cash. Personal checks are not accepted anywhere.
Customs & Immigration
For visitors entering the U.S. Virgin Islands from the United States, there are no customs or immigration requirements, since you are still in U.S. territory. If you are flying directly from the United States into the British Virgin Islands, you will be required to clear through customs.
If our yacht is picking you up in the U.S. Virgin Islands and you wish to travel to the British Virgin Islands, you will be required to clear through customs and you will require a passport to do so. We will handle all of the paperwork for you and will brief you on the morning of your arrival, on the procedures for clearing in and out of Customs when cruising between the U.S. and British territories. Basically, when you travel to the BVI you must clear customs and immigration - Effective as of June 2008, a passport is required for entry into the BVI and reentry to the USVI from the BVI.
Communications
?Both the US and the British Virgin Islands can be accessed by dialing 1, plus the area code, plus the number. USVI area code is 340, the BVIs are 284 and Puerto Rico is 787. From pay phones ashore, calls can be made collect, with a pre-paid phone card or credit card. All Your personal cell phone will most likely work in the U.S. islands - if this is an essential requirement, your provider will be able to advise you ahead of time. In British waters your personal cell phone will need to be activated, this can be done with the operators assistance by dialing ''0'' & Send - you will be issued with a new number.
Our yacht is equipped with a VHF radio as well as a satellite phone for emergency use. Channel 16 is used as a calling frequency, but the user must switch to a second channel once contact has been established to keep CH16 open.
Life Vests & Safety Equipment
Our yacht is equipped with sufficient USCG approved Adult Type II buoyancy life vests for all passengers. Should you require that any members of your party, especially children, wear jackets routinely while on board, you may wish to bring your own life vests which are more comfortable for prolonged use. Again, for kids under 10, you should bring properly fitting jackets with you. The yacht is also equipped with all other required safety equipment to meet USCG requirements.