Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I make reservations ... ?
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Where do we board the yacht...?
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What time can we board...?
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Who decides the sailing itinerary...?
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What type of clothing
should I pack...?
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What charters
destinations do you offer ...?
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Why charter on a Catamaran ... ?
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Who are the Captain & Crew... ?
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Will we be able to make and receive phone
calls... ?
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What about air travel
arrangements...?
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Are children
welcome...?
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Will be able to order special diet menus or
request favorite beverages...?
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How many people will
be on the charter with me...?
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What diving equipment
should I bring...?
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What is your cancellation policy...?
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Do I need a Passport?
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Do you accept credit cards?
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Do
I need a fishing license...?
How
do I
You can
request a reservation right now while you are
logged on this web site. Simply complete the
Reservation Form
and
submit it. We
are standing by to assist you in planning the
perfect sailing vacation.
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Where
do we board the yacht...?
We will meet you at the airport and take you to
the yacht, or to your hotel if you're arriving
early. Most of the time you will board the yacht
at one of the marinas in the sailing location
you have chosen. At the end of your charter, you
will sail back to the marina and then be
transported to the airport. On certain charters
you will be picked up in one location and drop
you off in another. Ask our Vacation Planning
Specialist for details.
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In
the mid 1980's, catamarans began attracting the
attention of sailing enthusiasts who were
looking for more amenities and larger, more
comfortable cruising accommodations. What they
found was not only more space, luxury and
sailing without heeling, but shallower draft
which allowed them entry into a world of
anchorages that deeper draft monohulls were not
able to enter, and a lot more speed.
No-Heel Sailing - True, some sailors
consider it fun to engage in an afternoon of
dramatically-heeled (monohull) sailing. But
we've never seen one of those sailors who lived
in a home constructed at a slant. Nor one of
them who drove a car permanently jacked up on
one side. So why put up with monohull sailboats
that always force you to live and sail at a 15
to 25-degree angle? Especially when the modern
alternative, the cruising catamaran, heels
barely 4 to 6 degrees!
Exhilarating Sailing
Performance
- Off-the-wind cats
are faster. From 12 to 18 knots a catamaran is
75% to 100% faster than that same monohull
cruiser! And it's accomplished with no heeling,
and using just the easily handled working sails.
Roominess
- Cruising
cats are much roomier than single-hull
sailboats. That's because the cat's beam
(width) extends the boat's full length (not
pinched at the bow and stern as with a monohull.
Cats offer a cockpit that's twice the size - a
larger salon that's on the same level as the
cockpit, thus providing 360-degree visibility -
and faster sailing and motoring speeds).
Shallow Draft
- Cruising cats
can take you into the "skinny-water" areas that
monohulls dread. And a cat's rugged shoal-draft
keels let you beach it easily and without fear.
The "Unsinkable"
Factor
- There's a darned
good reason why race committees demand that
monohull sailboats carry life rafts. It's the
ever-present risk of sinking. But because modern
cats need no ballast and are built of
state-of-the-art, cored-sandwich construction,
they are virtually unsinkable. You even could
chainsaw (literally) such a cat into 4 sections
and each one would float. (Similar to how
breaking up a foam coffee cup doesn't decrease
each piece's ability to float)
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Our service provides at minimum an experienced
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain/Dive Master and
First Mate/Chef/Dive Master who will accompany
you throughout your entire charter.
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You will board the yacht on your arrival on the
day the charter starts and disembark before
noon on the day the charter ends. Please notify
us if your flight is arriving late in the day.
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Yes,
our yacht is equipped with both high-speed
internet service and satellite phone service.
Your cellular telephone will work in most
locations within 20 miles of land providing you
have activated your roaming feature.
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The quality of service should dictate any
gratuity.
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While some island nations
do not require a passport, you’re always advised
to carry one when traveling from country to
country. For detailed entry requirements, please
check with us.
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We
can arrange all aspects of your vacation,
including low, negotiated airline arrangements,
hotel accommodations and even side trips to
local attractions.
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We provide private family charters only.
Our yacht is a fantastic family vacation
experience. Our crews will provide guidance in
using the snorkeling gear and other water toys
and are experienced in serving families with
children. The chef will design a menu to
accommodate the preferences of both children and
adults. Our yacht packages do have certain age
restrictions, and are not recommended for
families with young children. Please speak to
one of our Vacation Planning Specialists for
details.
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Casual and
breezy beach attire is certainly the order of
the day on deck, though for evenings ashore,
slacks or a sundress are appropriate. Rubber
soled shoes as opposed to hard soles are
recommended aboard our yachts, so wear boat
shoes or tennis shoes. You may find aquatic
shoes convenient for beachcombing. Above all,
protection from the sun is vital – lots of
suntan lotion, wide-brimmed hats or sailing
caps, and loose-fitting cotton cover-ups. For
cool or windy evenings, a windbreaker comes in
handy.
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Who decides the sailing itinerary...?
This is the beauty of the charter yacht
experience. When you board the yacht, the
captain will sit down with you and develop an
itinerary based on your desires – or you can
leave it all up to your experienced captain.
Weather permitting, the itinerary can be changed
at any time if you wish to spend more or less
time in any area. Our company is well known for
the preparation we provide our guests. Prior to
your charter departure, you will be given a
complete briefing covering the cruising grounds,
and any questions you may have about navigation,
anchorages, prevailing conditions, clearing
customs or any part of your desired itinerary
will be answered. We will then give you a
complete briefing aboard the yacht covering
the operating systems, rigging, electronics,
head and emergency systems.
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Yes, the chef accommodates
special diets (salt free, low fat, etc.). Meals
will be planned according to your preference. An
ample supply of the beverages you request will
also be stocked.
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We
carry the most up-to-date equipment and all the
extras a sailor could ask for, including GPS
satellite navigation systems, autopilots,
side
scan sonar, ROV video, magnetometers,
diver-to-diver and surface voice communications,
satellite TV, satellite
high-speed internet, laptop computers,
large-screen Plasma TV's and CD/DVD players.
The below deck areas are modified from standard
factory production models to give you more room,
comfort and luxury. For a complete listing of
equipment and amenities found on board, see
accommodations
and
activities.
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That all depends the
charter you choose. 7-Day Florida Keys charters
will have a maximum of 6 passengers and 2 crew
members. 7-Day Bahamas charters will have a
maximum of 8 passengers and 3 crew. And 17-Day
charters will have a maximum of 8 passengers and
3 crew.
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What diving equipment
should I bring...?
We
supply all new and modern dive equipment. You
should bring a 3mil wet suite, gloves and boots.
We do not recommend that you bring your own gear
other than mask or fins if you so desire. Most
reef dives are between 10' and 50' and are ideal
for the use of Brownie's Hooka system. All dives
over 50' are with scuba. You will also need to
bring a diver certification card and your dive
log if you will be scuba diving.
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We
operate our own charter bases in the Florida
Keys. We are a full service broker and can offer
you charters in other exotic locations such as
the Bahamas, the Caribbean and more! Call us
for details.
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What is your cancellation policy...?
The
following cancellation terms apply:
Cancellation
Policy
60 days or more - $300 Fee
30-60 Days - 25% Deposit
30 Days or Less - No Refund
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Do I need a fishing license...?
The Yacht has
a license that covers all passengers for sport
fishing and lobster.
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Do I need a
Passport?
For
all charters outside the USA, US citizens need
a valid passport.
All non US citizens require a valid passport and
should call us for entry requirements.
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Do you accept
credit cards...?
Yes,
we accept all major credit cards as well as ATM.
We are able to process credit card transactions
from the Yacht. There is a 1.5% charge on all
credit card transactions.
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We are committed to providing the best
all
inclusive Key West sailing charters and scuba
charters available. Our crewed Key West
catamaran charters are all inclusive with your
own captain and chef its a luxury vacation
adventure in paradise. Our Key West scuba
charters includes unlimited scuba and
sport
fishing on a modern yacht with your own private
spacious
cabin, bath & shower
facilities. Your charter is equipped with the
most modern navigation and technology and
staffed with an experienced crew. On our Key
West
sailing charters you will enjoy sailing, fishing
and scuba diving in the most exotic
destinations. You will sail and sport fish in
the tropics, delight in balmy breezes and
sunshine, snorkel and scuba dive vibrant coral
reefs while your dazzled with one
culinary
delight after another.
All food and beverages
are included. Our sailing charters are truly
ALL
inclusive.
Scuba diving, treasure hunting on Spanish
Galleons, deep sea fishing and snorkeling are
just some of the
activities we offer. Take your turn at the
ship's wheel,
Captain permitting. We know you will want to
share your Key West sailing charters scuba
experience when you return home so we also
provide you with a digital CD photo album and
DVD video of your vacation both above and below
the water FREE.
Our Key West sailing charters provide more
amenities and larger, more comfortable cruising
accommodations. The shallower draft of our
catamaran allows entry into a world of
anchorages in Key West that deeper draft
monohulls were not able to enter. Our Key West
catamaran charters are truly an Exhilarating
Sailing Performance. And with the calm Key West
breezes our catamaran is fast.
Email
sailing@sailingthekeys.com
All inclusive Key West catamaran charters
Copy right 2004 Sailing The Keys All rights
reserved
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