Barefoot cruise
 

Anyone been on a barefoot cruise? Did you like it? What line was it? We were looking at Moorings (small), Star Clippers, Windstar and Windjammer. Any comments? How about the destinations? Just starting to look.

There's a huge difference between the cruises you have listed.

The Moorings is a company that charters sailboats. They offer a berth on a large boat (usually a 62 ft. catamaran), and the experience is very intimate. With only 6 or 8 other passengers, you had better like your shipmates! These boats are ideal for people who want to do a lot of water sports, i.e. snorleling, diving, windsurfing, etc. You anchor every night in a different cove. It's wonderful.

Star Clippers ships are true sailing cruise ships. The Star Clipper and Star Flyer each carry 170 passengers, and the Royal Clipper 227. By any measure this is a small cruise ship. The cabins are not large, but they are well-designed so there's room for all your stuff. The passengers are interesting and from all over the world. There are real ports of call, and you sail during the night from one to the other. They usually schedule a couple of beach stops on evrry cruise, as well. I've been on these ships and I loved the experience. They really sail!

Windstar is a cruise ship with sails. There's about twice as much space as on the Star Clippers, and it's more formal, although there are no formal nights as on a traditional cruise ship. The food tends to be better, there's a small casino, and also a water sports platform.

Windjammer Cruises are a very inexpensive alternative to all of the above. I haven't tried it, because I've been told that 1) the people who go on them drink all day, starting with Bloody Marys for breakfast, and it gets pretty rowdy, and 2) they don't really sail very much. People say that they put the sails up and motor around. Cabins are small and very basic. Some have upper and lower berths. Doesn't sound like anything I'd want to do. They have a very loyal following, though.

Hope this helps!

I've sailed on Windjammer many times and love it! It's true, it's not for everyone. If you're the evening gown/ice sculpture type, stay away. It's a great, economical way to see the islands in a casual, laid back environment with a group of like minded people. Sail at night, different island each day. Pretty much a beach, snorkel, explore or hang out and read a book kind of trip. I'm actually joining a group this year on a charter on the Windjammer ship Mandalay. The charter provides a 30% discount of the regular price so it's a great way to go. It is a two week sail from Grenada to Antigua however and I know many people can't, or don't like to, take that much vacation time. There are standard cabins available so if anyone is interested I can put you in touch with the person who is coordinating the trip.

Only can tell you about Moorings. We had two crew members. You don't need to take much in way of clothes or luggage as there is no place to put it. Very casual. No real schedule--they go where you want to. We boarded at St. Marteen. virgo839 is right about your shipmates--you need to be compatable. Happy sailing!

Thanks for all the responses. The Moorings sounds great if you go with friends but it looks expensive. The rate on the internet was $13,000-$14,000 for a crewed 7 day trip including most meals. Surely you can get it cheaper than that. Anyone know?

That's probably the price for chartering the entire boat. They also offer single cabin bookings, but you run the risk of getting stuck in very intimate surroundings with incompatible shipmates.

If you go in the summer time, they often offer a 30% discount. Or they offer 10 days for the price of 7, or both. There are a number of other charter companies that I recommend: Tortola Marine Management, Sunsail, Horizon Yacht Charters, The Catamaran Company, North-South. I have also chartered with Ed Hamilton & Co. Those people are great, and they have info on ALL the boats. Stay away from Trade Wind Yachts, however. They have very old boats, and they don't keep them up. I could tell you a horror story about our last charter with them!

BVI and the Grenadines are regularly identified as the two best areas for sailing in the Caribbean.

I don't know BVI but have chartered (with a crew) frequently in the Grenadines.

IMHO, the Usual Suspects website has the best information on Grenadines sailing and destinations.

I don't charter from one of the large companies. My charter of choice is SY Pelangi, owned and operated by the Frangipani Hotel in Bequia. The skipper, Bamo, is a born and bred Bequian who knows the waters like the back of his hand. His seamanship, cooking and service are outstanding. I think the costs are very reasonable. You can find out more at the Frangipani Hotel website.

There are other excellent Bequia skippers as well, who run their own independent operations, like Dwight Taylor and Johnny Ollivierre.

Most of these boats are in the 45 foot range and will sleep 4-6 depending on the configuration.

In this region, I don't see the point of going on a larger boat (like Star Clippers, Windstar, Windjammer). The islands are very small, and these bigger boats (although not as big as the monster cruiseboats) can be overwhelming in the smaller anchorages, if they can get in at all.

Virgo839's assessment of the differences among Star Clippers, Windstar and Windjammer is very good. I'd say, however,that the folks I have met ashore from Windjammer cruises, especially the Mandalay, seem to be having a very good time and did not seem to be rowdies. Watching the Windjammer come into or leave port with all sails up is magic.

Finally, I'd suggest posting your questions also on www.traveltalkonline which has a lot of avid sailors who share information freely. In the past few months, there's been discussion about the merits of chartering from a company like Moorings (out of Canouan) as compared to other options like Barefoot (St. Vincent), and so on. You would probably find this helpful.

Fair winds !

here's another option for a shared charter company that operates out of Bequia. It is an affiliate of RCI International. I have met a number of satisfied customers. http://www.tradewindscruiseclub.com/