Not For Cruise Ship Enthusiasts

Oct. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Thankfully, there's an alternative to cruising en-mass that won't break the bank.  

An epic sailing holiday from Grenada to St Martin on board Yacht Ibis is a full throttle, all action surf through a dozen countries and even more islands in as many days, and there’s no stopping at any cruise liner haunts.  With a maximum of 5 passengers on board guests will be unable to share their adventures with hundreds of other passengers; there will be no mass coach tours to manufactured attractions; no wasting time hunting for a place to be alone, and no making new friends standing in the queue for the buffet.  There’s no swimming pool on board so there will also be no swimming in a chlorinated pool half filled with wee.

Instead, active travellers spend time with a small group of people who share a common interest, who have a similar sense of adventure, and who are just as keen to avoid the mainstream tourist trail.  Guests will be more likely to make friends with the island locals than people from their own culture, and there are endless places to find wide open spaces and beautiful views without having to ask someone to move out of the way.  Taking a swim means diving into the bluest waters and sharing the experience with a zillion fish and occasionally turtles.

There’s only a small galley on board, so guests can’t choose from a plethora of westernised restaurants each mealtime.  Instead, they’ll help prepare the freshest local ingredients in a fusion of cooking styles, from Thai to Italian & Moroccan; throw exclusive barbeques on deserted beaches and eat ashore in local restaurants from time to time.  The fortunate (or perhaps that's skilled) might even catch their own fish for dinner, and learn how to clean it too!

There will be island hopping, but there won’t be any lazing about on a sun-lounger whilst travelling.  Guests will be expected to pull some ropes, help with the sails, do some steering, and participate in the navigation.  When  night sailing, they may be left alone to steer the yacht through the blackness under a carpet of stars and using the moon to light the way; they might very well have a dolphin swimming alongside whilst steering, but those on watch won’t be able to go to their bunks when they feel like it.  On arrival in a new place, there won’t be a tour bus waiting to whisk passengers off; guests will decide which parts of the island they want to explore and the crew will find a way of making it happen….with local help usually!

Ibis' crew won’t go home with a suitcase load of tat from the tourist shops, but they will take back hundreds of amazing pictures and a whole heap of extra special memories that really will last a lifetime.

For those who have the stamina, ambition and energy to spend 12 days aboard, sailing 350 miles in perfect trade winds on a proper world cruising boat this is a holiday to take seriously; improving your sailing whilst exploring the real Caribbean.

For more information, please go to http://www.yachtibis.co.uk/milebuildergrenadastmaarten.htm .

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Yacht Ibis - Caribbean adventure sailing holidays with relaxed tuition for singles, couples, families & small groups. Women's sailing, mile building & regatta participation in the Leeward & Windward Islands aboard a 48ft sloop. http://www.yachtibis.co.uk