YACHT CHARTER NEWS BLOG: JULY 2008 PARADISE CONNECTIONS

Summary of Charter Yacht News postings for July 2008 - Paradise Connections

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New England & Chesapeake Charters - SILVER SEAS The 107-foot Burger motor yacht SILVER SEAS, is available for charter in New England and Chesapeake Bay. More info...

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Catamaran REACTION - Same great crew for 2009 season We were so happy when Ian & Polly wrote to tell us that they will be crewing the 55-foot Lagoon catamaran REACTION for the upcoming 2009 season. They are such a great pair! We always know that they will give their best for their guests. Still available for Christmas!!! More info...

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2008 SUMMER SPECIAL for m/y ISLAND VOYAGER The 93-foot Broward motor yacht Island Voyager has a super special offer for this summer in the Virgin Islands. Still available for Christmas & New Years. More info...

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Yacht ISLAND SKIPPER returns for 2009 charter season Rob & Michele recently announced that they would be chartering ISLAND SKIPPER again for a short time during the 2009 charter season (December 16, 2008 through March 20, 2009). Island Skipper, with former owners Rob & Michele as crew, is one of our most popular charter yachts and we are happy that they are back! More info...

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Catamaran BLUE NOTE available in W. Mediterranean Summer 2008 The catamaran BLUE NOTE, a 56-foot Marquise with a crew of two, still has some open weeks this summer in the Western Mediterranean. In October 2008, Blue Note will cross to the Caribbean where this catamaran will be available for the winter, then she might move up to the Bahamas for Summer 2009. More info...

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Catamaran Genesis in Grenadines for Summer charters 2008 We would like to remind you that the catamaran GENESIS, a 47-foot Catana owned and operated by Petr & Stacy Stejskal, is pretty well open for summer 2008 charters in the Grenadines (except Sept.3-18 and Oct.16-23). Genesis is currently available for Christmas and New Years. More info...

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French Barge EMMA in Canal du Midi : Special Rates for Special weeks 2008 Liz, from the Barge Emma which cruises along the Canal du Midi in the South of France, recently wrote to tell us about special offers for specific weeks remaining in the 2008 season. More info...

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Barge LA DOLCE VITA: special offer for Venice Italy Cruise Cruise the waterways of Venice, Italy aboard the luxury hotel barge, La Dolce Vita, who is offering a special discount of $500/£250 per passenger. More info...

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LA BELLE EPOQUE : special offer family cruise August 2008 The French luxury hotel barge LA BELLE EPOQUE, is offering a special discount of 25% on their Family Cruise week which departs August 10, 2008. More info...

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Hotel Barge SAVOIR FAIRE special offer for 2008 The luxury hotel barge SAVOIR FAIRE has a special offer of a 15% discount for selected dates for the remaining 2008 season. More info...

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French hotel barge l'IMPRESSIONNISTE special offer on special dates The French luxury hotel barge l'Impressionniste is offering a special 25% discount for selected weeks on Provence & Camargue cruises in the south of France. More info...

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Catamaran DOUCE FRANCE Yacht Charter Indian Ocean Charter the 138-foot, 6 stateroom, luxury catamaran, Douce France in the Indian Ocean... Micronesia, Andaman Islands, Thailand, Seychelle Islands, Madagascar... More info...

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HOOTER PATROL IV - Summer charters Bahamas / New England This 97-foot Hargrave is ready for charter with the remainder of July 2008 in the Bahamas and then in New England beginning in August. More info...

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Catamaran ANASSA - Chartering the Caribbean in Winter 2009 The Sunreef 62 catamaran ANASSA will be chartering in the Caribbean this coming season, winter 2009. More info...

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Catamaran ALEXIS returns to charter December 2008 We have just been informed that the catamaran ALEXIS will be returning to charter this December 2008. Welcome back, Geoff and Bambi! More info...

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Cabins available for BVI Wreck Week on PROMENADE There are still cabins available aboard the 65-foot trimaran PROMENADE for BVI Wreck Week in late October 2008. More info...

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SUMMER 2008 SPECIAL for Shining Star in the Virgin Islands The motor yacht Shining Star has a brilliant special summer discount that they are offering through the end of August 2008 for week-long, all-inclusive charters in the Virgin Islands. More info...

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MITI: available for LES VOILES DES SAINT TROPEZ Sept 2008 MITI, the luxury, 60-foot Sunreef sloop, is available for charter for the amazing rendez-vous of yachts LES VOILES DES SAINT-TROPEZ which will take place in the South of France September 27 through October 4, 2008. More info...

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Sail the Grenadines and save 20% Sept-Oct 2008 YES DEAR, a 58-foot, 10-passenger catamaran, is offering a 20% discount for charters in the Grenadines this September and October 2008. More info...

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LOOKING FOR A CARIBBEAN OYSTER FOR CHRISTMAS 2008? For those of you who would like to spend the Christmas and/or New Year holidays aboard a luxury crewed Oyster charter yacht, you're in luck! We still have a few exceptional Oysters available in the Caribbean for the Christmas & New Years 2008-2009 holiday season. More info...

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PROMENADE IS QUICKLY FILLING UP! WARNING: Promenade, one of our most popular charter boats, only has a few weeks still available for next year... Cabins still available for BVI Wreck Week, Oct.2008. More info...

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BARGE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER CHARTER TRIP COMMENTS Better late than never... I meant to post these comments last year that we received from a couple we had aboard the Barge SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER. They had a wonderful time (of course!) and even had a special anniversary cake! More info...

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French hotel barge ATHOS announces cabin cruises for 2009 The luxury French hotel barge ATHOS currently has openings on the three individual cabin cruises they are offering next season 2009 along the canal du midi in the south of France. More info...

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Schooner Bonnie Lynn - Maine & New England Charters Sept 2008 Bonnie Lynn, the popular 72-foot schooner, is available for the last part of September for either a Maine to Newport trip (including an overnight sail, if you wish, with plenty of pretty stops along the way), or a Newport/Newport charter. More info...

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All the best!
Sheila & Bob
Paradise Connections Yacht Charters
European Luxury Hotel Barges, too!
Click for contact info

YACHT CHARTER NEWSLETTER : December 2007

• HOLIDAY DISCOUNT - Book last minute charter NOW

S/Y ASHLANA available for holidays - 10% discount with ship's bar included! Last minute cancellation! This stunning Little Harbor 53 accommodates 4 guests. More info...

• New lower rates: CLAUDIA IV 70-foot Swan

New Rates on the beautiful Swan 70, Claudia IV ! Re-priced (lowered) and changed from Euros to US dollars, Claudia IV's rates are now $20/000/wk for 2 guests, $21,000/wk for 4 and $22,000/wk for 6 guests. This rate is all-inclusive with the normal exceptions of special requests, taxes, dockage and communications. Note: Standard ship's bar is INCLUDED. More info...

• MELINKA - S&S Swan 80

S/Y MELINKA - S & S Designed Swan 80 - Accommodates up to six guests in three cabins. We had lunch aboard Melinka at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show this month and it was wonderful! Excellent yacht and crew. More info...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Sheila & Bob
Paradise Connections Yacht Charters
European Luxury Hotel Barges, too!
http://www.paradiseconnections.com
Click for contact info

YACHT CHARTER NEWSLETTER : AUGUST 2007

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HELLO FROM ANGUILLA !!!


Hello from Road Bay, Anguilla. Hope you are having an excellent summer!

Bob & I had a very pleasant sail from Marigot Bay, St. Martin to Road Bay, Anguilla on Saturday afternoon (July 28th). So It Goes, our CAL 34, is such a wonderful boat to sail. We planned to stay only a couple of days in Anguilla, but....

• We have wifi on the boat again HURRAY! In Marigot, St. Martin we were going ashore for internet access. Should be able to catch up on website & blog updates now.
• Also, the French zouk band Kassav will be giving a free beach concert next Monday, August 6, 2007 so we must stay for that!

We will then sail back to St. Maarten to pick up our mail, do laundry, some shopping, see a movie (The Bourne Ultimatum should be out), etc. We then plan to head south to Bequia in the Grenadines. We are really looking forward to the voyage and being in a new spot. We have reports that there is good wifi in Bequia so WATCH OUT!

So, here we are on the lovely island of Anguilla. It is very quiet even though there are many upscale resorts. We will probably venture up to The Valley and check the shopping situation out. There is a small convenience store here, but not much in the way of merchandise as it is off season (I was hoping to find some ham for sandwiches). I did find a nice wrap skirt at IRIE LIFE on the beach for US$10 (50% off) and the lady was really nice and let me use her phone for a local call. Check them out if you come to Anguilla! Also, the place next door had some really tempting ribs on the BBQ! mmmmmmm

Google Earth shows Anguilla very well. I want to find out how to post photos on their maps as it would be very helpful for fellow cruisers.

Let us know what you are up to. CLICK HERE for our current CONTACT INFO.

All the best!
Sheila & Bob

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TACHYON SIGHTING IN ST. MARTIN



Last week, as we were dinghying by Polypat Boatyard near the Marigot bridge on the French side of St. Martin, we saw Tachyon waiting to be craned out for the summer.

This was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet Eric & Jac, owner/operators of Tachyon. They both have impressive sailing resumés and Jac is also a PADI Dive Master. Be sure to check out the crew profile in their electronic brochure. Eric & Jac have just finished their first season of chartering and they really enjoyed it. They are an energetic crew who are looking forward to their next season. We already have one booking for Tachyon and would love to add a few more to their calendar.

Tachyon is a 47-foot, air conditioned catamaran that accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins, each with Queen berths and ensuite head/shower. Up to 5 dives/week are included in their rates for certified divers (bring your own gear or rent, guests pay for air fills). Other "toys" include: 2 two-person kayaks, wakeboard, tube, snorkel equipment, etc.

Tachyon is already booked for New Years, but they are available through December 27th.

TACHYON's Brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

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ISLAND SKIPPER : Book now while you still can!

Island Skipper, one of our most popular charter yachts and good friends of ours, only has a couple of weeks open for next season. We've already booked Rob & Michele's first & last weeks of their short season and we'd like to fill in the middle bit!

Currently, Island Skipper is available for New Years as they are open from December 30, 2007 through January 26, 2008.

Island Skipper is an air conditioned, 52-foot Irwin ketch which accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins, each with ensuite head/shower. The master cabin aft is quite spacious and has a Queen berth. The forward guest cabin is a large V-berth, while the other guest cabin has two single bunks (upper/lowers) which provides flexible accomodations for friends and families.

Rob is a PADI Dive Master and offers 5 dives/week to certified divers for $125.

View ISLAND SKIPPER's two electronic brochures: CLICK HERE & HERE

Book Island Skipper today, contact Paradise Connections: CLICK HERE

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HANALEI BAY - Another wonderful evening with Franz & Diane

In mid-July, Hanalei Bay stopped in Marigot, St. Martin (FWI) on their way south to Trinidad and invited us aboard for cocktails and dinner.

We always enjoy time spent with Hanalei Bay. Franz & Diane are a delightful & interesting couple.

Hanalei Bay is a spacious and beautiful 72-foot, custom sailing vessel. The yacht is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins, each with ensuite heads.

Hanalei Bay is an excellent value for such a large, high-quality yacht. Hanalei Bay has an impressive list of amenities: kayaks, knee board, Jr. waterskis, tube, banana blaster!, snorkel gear, floats... or just chill out on the boat: good sound system with a wide variety of music, double hammock, karaoke with 2 mics, guitar, keyboard, bongos, and we just love their "patio" on the aft deck behind the roomy cockpit... so much space.

Here are a few comments:

• My 11 year old daughter, after leaving the yacht, said that Franz & Diane made her feel like we were all a big family. She said "I feel like we are the only ones they treat this way". For an 11 year old to take note of that, really says something. THANKS PARADISE CONNECTIONS & HANALEI BAY FOR A FABULOUS VACATION IN THE BVI!!
• It is barely 48 hours since we disembarked from Hanalei Bay and we are ready to turn around and come back! ... While your depth of culinary and sailing experience was evident, it was your fun company and your genuine desire to 'please' us that made for a wonderful experience.
• We were charmed from the moment we arrived on board. We shall return. We warmly recommend a cruise on Hanalei Bay to anyone who thinks they might like a holiday with a difference, who has sailed or might like to sail, who wants to explore inaccessible beaches and tiny islands, and who wishes to be made welcome by congenial hosts who are skilled in making guests feel happy.
• The charter was way better than we ever imagined!!! Everyone had fun. My husband really enjoyed our little 30-60 minute snorkelling time TOGETHER everyday.
• Todd and I had an amazing time on our vacation!!!! Words cannot really due justice to our experience. Franz and Diane were so much fun! We all really clicked, and had just a great time. Franz is responsible for my pants being too tight this week!!

You are in luck! Hanalei Bay is still available for the 2007/8 Holiday Season!

View HANALEI BAY's electronic brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

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SUMMER CHARTERS / SAILING VACATIONS

Looking for a quick getaway this summer? How about a Caribbean sailing vacation? There are some excellent yachts chartering throughout the summer.

VIRGIN ISLANDS:

• DRUMBEAT : CLICK HERE
• PROMENADE : CLICK HERE
• CATALYST : CLICK HERE
• LA DOLCE VITA : CLICK HERE
• MAROLANGA : CLICK HERE

DOWN ISLAND (South of Virgin Islands):

• SUDIKI (Grenadines) : CLICK HERE
• THE DOVE (Grenadines): CLICK HERE
• JABBERWOCKY (Antigua) : CLICK HERE
• ALIDADE (Martinique, Guadeloupe...) : CLICK HERE
• MAGPIE (Grenadines) : CLICK HERE
• MYSTIQUE (Grenadines) : CLICK HERE

Or you may want to consider Alaska/Pacific Northwest, New England/Maine, the Med... Just let us know where! How about a hotel barge cruising the European canals?

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

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HOLIDAY CHARTERS - Christmas and New Years

As we are in the middle of summer, you might not want to be thinking about winter holidays but don't leave it too much longer! Most of the larger yachts are already booked and we always suggest that people plan a year ahead of time to give them the most choice.

But ...

there are still a few goodies out there!

Contact Paradise Connections to book your holiday yacht charter: CLICK HERE

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PROMENADE offering a cabin cruise in 2008

The 65-foot trimaran PROMENADE has just opened up a 6-night, cabin cruise week for March 30 to April 5, 2008 .

This is an all-inclusive, 6-night charter for $4100/cabin (double occupancy, not each person). Prices include all gourmet meals, ships bar, and water sports.

SCUBA diving:

• Certified divers $125/week. Bring your own gear OR $125 BC and reg rental per person
• Resort divers. $75 pp per dive to a maximun of $400 pp, includes gear
• Open water referral $225 pp plus gear rental (This includes your diving for the week)

While you will be sharing your sailing vacation with other people, Promenade will do their best to accommodate interests, activities, meals, etc. to their guests on board, rather than a fixed itinerary and menu like a theme park ride.

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, 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!

To view Promenade's electronic brochure, CLICK HERE.

Contact Paradise Connections : CLICK HERE

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THIS & THAT...

* HOTEL BARGES (French canals, Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Italy...)

There are still a few open weeks for this season for European hotel barges. Book now for next year as their calendars fill in quickly! You can view some of the barges we represent on:
http://www.paradiseconnections.com/moreyachts.html (top right column) and visit our barging blog : http://allaboutcanalbargecharters.blogspot.com/

* SPRING BREAK & EASTER VACATION

Just another quick warning that the charter yachts book up quickly for these weeks... Start now!

* TURTLE PICTURE !!!

Here's a super photo that Rich from the trimaran Promenade took recently. Thanks for letting us share this picture, Rich!

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CONTACT PARADISE CONNECTIONS

Feel free to contact us at anytime to inquire about your next sailing vacation or drop us a line just to let us know what you are up to... we think of you as friends and not just clients!

All the best!
Bob & Sheila
Paradise Connections Yacht Charters
http://www.paradiseconnections.com

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