Frequently Asked
Questions
-
How do I
make reservations ... ?
-
Where do
we board the yacht...?
-
What time can we
board...?
-
Who
decides the sailing itinerary...?
-
What
type of clothing should I pack...?
-
What charters destinations do you offer ...?
-
Why
charter on a Catamaran ... ?
-
Who are
the Captain & Crew... ?
-
-
Will we be able to make and
receive phone calls... ?
-
-
What
about air travel arrangements...?
-
Are children welcome...?
-
Will be able to order special
diet menus or request favorite beverages...?
-
How many people will be on the charter with me...?
-
What diving equipment should I bring...?
-
What
is your cancellation policy...?
-
Do I need a Passport?
-
Do you
accept credit cards?
-
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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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)
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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 USA Sail if your flight is arriving
late in the day.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
The
quality of service should dictate any gratuity.
Back to Top
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 USA Sail.
Back to Top
USA Sail
can arrange all aspects of your vacation, including low, negotiated airline
arrangements, hotel accommodations and even side trips to local attractions.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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. USA
Sail 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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
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, Jamaica, Cozumel, Grand Cayman,
Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, the Caribbean and more! Call us for details.
Back to Top
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
Back to Top
Do I need a fishing license...?
The Yacht has a license that covers all
passengers for sport fishing and lobster.
Back to Top
Do I need a Passport?
The US State Department requires that as of December
31, 2005 American
citizens are required to have a valid passport for all charters offered by USA
Sail. All non US citizens
require a valid passport and should call USA Sail for entry requirements.
Back to Top
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.
Back to Top
Our Florida Keys sailing charters
provide more amenities and larger, more comfortable cruising accommodations. The
shallower draft of our catamaran charters allows your sailing charter entry
into a world of anchorages in the Florida Keys that deeper draft monohulls are
not able to enter. Our Florida Keys catamaran charters are truly an exhilarating
sailing experience. And with the calm Florida Keys breezes off-the-wind our
catamaran is fast
with no heeling.
Our Florida Keys sailing charters
offer a catamaran that are much roomier than single-hull sailboats. That's
because the catamarans width extends the boat's full length . Our Florida Keys
Catamaran sailing charters
offer a cockpit that's twice the size, a larger
salon and 360 degree visibility.
We provide the very best all
inclusive Florida Keys sailing charters and Florida Keys scuba charters at a
price everyone can afford. We also offer all inclusive seven day Bahamas sailing
charter featuring unlimited scuba diving. Our crewed Florida Keys catamaran
charters are all inclusive sailing charters and all inclusive scuba charters.
Our experienced captain, chef and dive master will make your dream vacation in
paradise the best vacation you and your guests have ever had. Our Florida keys
sailing charters includes unlimited scuba and sport fishing on a modern
yacht with your own
private spacious cabin, bath
& shower facilities. Your catamaran charter is equipped with the most
modern navigation and technology and staffed with an experienced crew. On our
Florida keys sailing charters you will enjoy sailing , fish and scuba dive in
the most exotic destinations from the Florida Keys, Key Largo, Key West and the
Bahamas. You will sail, scuba dive and sport fish in the Florida Keys or
Bahamas, relax in the balmy Florida Keys breezes and sunshine, snorkel and scuba
dive vibrant coral reefs and dine like royalty.
All food and beverages are included. Our
Florida Keys 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. With the captains permission you allowed to take the ship's wheel. We
know you will want to share your Florida Keys scuba charters 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.
