Thursday, July 27, 2006

YACHT CHARTER NEWSLETTER : JULY 2006

Book Your 2006/7 Holiday Yacht Charter Now

Next week is the beginning of August. Can you believe how fast this year is going? We just wanted to warn you that we get lots of requests for Christmas and New Year charters just after Labor Day, as that seems to be most people's "end of summer" day and they start thinking about winter vacations.

Bullwinkle knows what boat he'll be on for Christmas! Do you?

Right now, we still have a selection of good yachts available for Christmas and New Years, so get the jump on those folks who are procrastinating... Take advantage of this situation while the going is good
Pop us a line or give us a call. CLICK HERE for our contact info.

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THREE MOONS: Rendezvous Diving and Island Tour

Beginning with the winter 2006 season (December 16th), THREE MOONS, a 72-foot Irwin 8-passenger ketch, will be offering diving and an island tour.

- FREE: two, 2-tank rendezvous dives for certified AND non-certified divers. This is a private dive trip with only Three Moons guests aboard.

- FREE: 3-hour scenic tour of Virgin Gorda and the Baths with a private driver. This includes a visit to the Baths, lunch overlooking the Baths at Mad Dog's Restaurant, a visit to Little Dix Bay, a drive to the tip-top of Virgin Gorda with panoramic views of the surrounding islands. The land tour ends in the North Sound, Virgin Gorda, where you will meet up with Three Moons.

To view Three Moons' electronic brochure, CLICK HERE

Three Moons $1000 discount for selected weeks in November and December 2006: CLICK HERE

For more information, contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters: CLICK HERE

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Trimaran PROMENADE News: Sail Dive Charters in BVI

Here's some news from recent happenings aboard the charter yacht Promenade, a 65-foot trimaran, owned and operated by Kerry and Bazza out of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. An excellent choice for a sailing and diving vacation.

A few days ago, Kerry sent us this: "Muskmelon was nice and flat and Bazza and I went for a dusk dive out in the mud to see what we saw, I took my camera along, and LOOK what I found!!!! This is the first time that i have seem one of these!!!! We probably took about a hundred pictures of this batfish. I did not want to come up! This is quite a rare find."
Look at the lips on this guy! What an expression!

Kerry recently received her underwater housing for her new Nikon digital camera. Looking forward to some more excellent photos from Promenade.

Here's another interesting bit about Kerry and her turtle friend: "Yep, he never has been too scared of me, but the last couple days he has really let me come close to him. Yesterday he sat there for ten minutes while I stroked underneath his shell!! The neat part was that he went up for air and then came back down and laid beside me again, so I really knew I had made a friend!! I don't think I have ever had such a pleasing experience in the water."

Promenade a large 65-foot trimaran, with a fun crew and is a wonderful boat for families and groups. Besides being the ideal dive boat, they also have lots of water toys for other activities, plus the boat is so spacious that it is not difficult to find a quiet spot if you so wish. Promenade is air conditioned and has 5 guests cabins; three cabins have Queen berths, while the other two can be configured either as Kings or as two Twins. Promenade has a 14-foot dinghy with 50HP motor, waterskis, kneeboard, tube, several kayaks, 5-person banana, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, projection TV/VCR/DVD in the salon, a portable DVD player, Game Boy, Play Station 2, iPod friendly, dedicated guest computer for email access, compressor to fill scuba tanks, and much more. Promenade has a Dive Instructor aboard so anyone can dive... give it a try!

Here are some more photos from a recent charter aboard Promenade.


This is a photo of the foredeck to try to show how much room there is aboard this 65-foot trimaran. She has a 35-foot beam (width).


Promenade is one of the few charter yachts which has a commercial fishing license for the British Virgin Islands. They usually do catch and release, but I believe this fish might have been dinner.


Rays are just soooooooo cool. They sure make a big splash when they jump out of the water.


Group shot in front of the famous Wreck of the Rhone.

Photos courtesy of s/v Promenade. Thanks, Kerry!

To view Promenade's electronic brochure, CLICK HERE.

Please contact PARADISE CONNECTIONS for more information.

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French Canal Barge EMMA - updated web site

This week we have updated our web site for the French canal hotel barge, EMMA, who cruises along the canal du midi, France.

We have two new pages: Guest comments & Rates.

Here's a new photo of EMMA that Liz just sent us!


CLICK HERE to view our web site for EMMA.

For more information, contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters: SEND US AN EMAIL

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Catamaran Pentesilea


We just received an email from Hans & Ruth, owner operators of the fabulous charter yacht PENTESILEA, a Privilege catamaran.

"I have to tell you a fish story which happened on our last charter. We are securely anchored in a lovely bay. One of the teenage guests is napping/reading in the aft cabin, with the deckhatch open to keep her cool. Her Mom is standing back in the cockpit with one of my famous painkillers in her hand. Suddenly this large silvery thing comes flying thru the air, lands on the open deck hatch and slams it shut, bounces off and lands on the cockpit sunning mattress. Teenager hollers : "what the h…..," Mom shrieks…."wow look at this". The fish is frightened to death never having been on Pentesilea and with a mighty kick gets off the boat back into his/her environment. As I charge out to the cockpit to check on the ruckus, mom is laughing so hard and points to the wet spot (made from the fish and not mom) on the sunning mattress. I guess it was true; it was not the painkillers fault."

This summer's plans for Pentesilea besides polishing and varnishing, will be new interior upholstery.

Pentesilea is one of our favorite catamarans and charter yacht crew. Pentesilea is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to six guests in three cabins with ensuite heads. They will take a young child as a 7th guest, inquire. Lots of toys and lots of fun! Good rates, too. Pentesilea also includes a 2-tank, rendezvous dive for their guests.

CLICK HERE to view the charter yacht catamaran Pentesilea's electronic brochure.

For more information on Pentesilea, or other charter yachts, CLICK HERE to contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters.

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Barges - Special Discounts


Several canal hotel barges are offering special discounts for October and/or November 2006 barging holidays.

$500 per person discount off the current rate for:
  • October 2006 Departures: Three French barges in the regions of Burgundy and Provence, plus SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER in the Great Glen of Scotland... say hello to Nessie!
  • And two for the month of November 2006 for Provence France, including ANJODI.
Where no cabins are booked on a cruise, a minimum of 4 passengers are required to guarantee the cruise.

For more information on this special and anything else that may come to mind, contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters: CLICK HERE

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French Barge LE PREMIER - One week left for 2006

We had a note from the French Barge LE PREMIER this morning, letting us know that they only have one week left for their 2006 season: August 27 to September 2, 2006.

This beautiful hotel barge cruises along the Dijon - Escommes region of the Burgundy Canal (Canal de Bourgogne, France)

View LE PREMIER's online brochure: CLICK HERE

For more information on Le Premier or other boats, contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters: SEND US AN EMAIL

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Join the 138-foot catamaran, Douce France, on her world tour.

DOUCE FRANCE offers flexible accommodations for up to 12 guests in six identical en suite cabins, convertible from two twin beds to one king. The attention of her international, professional crew of 8, including a scuba instructor, ensures your charter will be most memorable. The 250 bottle cave à vin of select wines will please the most discerning guest and compliment the French chef's culinary skill. An atmosphere of luxury and elegant décor, surrounded by a world of beauty and adventure.
  • 2006 July - September : Polynesia
  • 2006 October - 2007 March : New Zealand
  • 2007 April - September : Fiji
  • 2007 October - December : New Zealand
  • 2008 January - March : Indonesia
  • 2008 April - June : Thailand
  • 2008 July - September : Sri Lanka
  • 2008 October - 2009 January : Seychelles & Madagascar
  • 2009 February.... Red Sea...
Click HERE for their electronic brochure. Brochure #2. Brochure #3.

RATES:

$99,000 for up to 12 guests, plus all expenses (food, alcoholic beverages, communications, fuel, marina dockage)
  • July 2006 through March 31, 2007 (inquire for Christmas rates)
  • April 28 - June 30, 2007
  • September 1 - December 14, 2007
$109,000 for up to 12 guests, plus all expenses (food, alcoholic beverages, communications, fuel, marina dockage)
  • April 1-27, 2007
  • July 1 to August 31, 2007
  • December 15, 2007 to January 15, 2008
For more info, contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters: Click HERE

Rates, locations, and availability subject to change.

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Hope you are enjoying your summer. Stay cool!

Bob, Sheila, & Bullwinkle