Happy Holidays from Paradise Connections Yacht Charters

Happy Holidays!

Sorry that we haven't posted anything so far this month.  At the end of November, something happened after a power failure with the hotspot we were using in Long Bay, St Thomas. We were able to send & receive email fortunately, but we couldn't access the internet. We thought we would catch up on blogs when we reached Antigua.

The Antigua Charter Yacht Show started on December 7th this year and we were really looking forward to it, as well as the sail from St. Thomas to Antigua. On the Sunday morning, shortly before dawn, we were dismasted which is a pretty major happening on a sailboat. Won't bore you with the details, but we safely motored in to Christiansted, St Croix Monday morning. Very happy with our Electric Yacht electric motor!

We have excellent wifi service on the boat and Paradise Connections is fully up and running. I admit to doing minimal work upon our arrival (though still giving full service to our clients, of course) as we have been busy making adjustments and planning on building a new rig & sails plus all the other things that are going on :)

Stuff happens and you just have to go with the flow.  We've been toying with the idea of changing to a Junk Rig and now we have the opportunity to do so.

So, in the next few days we'll be posting some photos from the St Thomas Charter Yacht Show and get back up to speed with interesting bits and pieces about chartering and charter yachts.

Yes, Life is Good...

We'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season.

QWEST - Another great diving & sailing yacht charter

Thanks to Kim & Rich for another wonderful yacht charter!

Here are comments from our most recent clients aboard the s/v QWEST. Qwest is a 49-foot sloop which specializes in 2-person sailing vacations. Both Kim and Rich are dive instructors and diving is included in their rates.  As an added bonus, there is Jasmine, their feline cruise director :)

Sheri & Robert were celebrating their 20th anniversary...

Qwest yacht charter - November 2009

How did you enjoy your charter?

The entire experience was fantastic!  Could not have been better.

Did you find your crew to be helpful, accommodating and friendly?

All of the above. Kim and Rich are fantastic people.  We really enjoyed their company and their musical talent.

Was the yacht comfortable, clean and well maintained?

Great ship...very comfortable

How would you describe the quality and presentation of the meals served on board?

Exceptionally good. Kim was very creative in the galley and Rich was a master griller.  We enjoyed Kim's presentation of each meal and looked forward to every meal, even the beach picnic. 

How did you find the services offered by Paradise Connections?

Very informative, responsive and helpful.  Everything was perfect.

Would you be interested in taking another yacht vacation in the future?
Definitely

If so, would you like to charter the same yacht and crew?

Definitely

Did you stay in a hotel before or after your charter?

Yes

If so, which one and what are your comments?

At Home In The Tropics.  Fantastic!  The Inn is perfect.  It was a short, tho stair intensive walk to town which we grew accustomed to the first day.  The owners are very helpful and terrific people. The amenities were great.  Rooms and food excellent.

Are there any further comments or suggestions you would like to make to enable Paradise Connections, the yacht, or crew to better serve you and other clients in the future?

None that we can think of

May we use you as a reference?

Of Course

Thank you all for making our 20th Anniversary Vacation a fantastic and memorable one!
- Sheri & Robert, November 2009

By the way... QWEST is available for CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS!

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book Qwest
View Qwest's online brochure and brochure #2
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Visit to sail dive charter yacht, Trimaran OPUS

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters for your next sailing vacation

---

Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Motor Yacht ANALISA lowered rate for holidays 2009

The motoryacht ANALISA has decided to drop their premium for Christmas and New Years weeks for the winter 2009/10 season.

The holiday weeks are available for charter in the Virgin Islands for their regular winter 2010 rate of:

• 2 guests = $12,420/wk
• 3 guests = $14,145/wk
• 4 guests = $15,870/wk
• Add 2 children under the age of 12 for an additional $850.

Analisa is a 60-foot Hatteras motoryacht and can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children.

See their brochure for more details and then contact Paradise Connections to book your family's holiday vacation.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ANALISA
View Analisa's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Catamaran Yacht Charter Special Offer - AMARYLLIS

The charter yacht, catamaran AMARYLLIS, has a special of $1000 off their regular rate for any full-week charter taking place during the month of January 2010 (not to be combined with any other special, i.e. one child free or free rendezvous dive). Yacht charter location is the US & British Virgin Islands.

Amaryllis is a Privilege 45 catamaran, owned and operated by Laura & Bruce Masterson. This charter catamaran is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 double cabins.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book s/y AMARYLLIS
View Amaryllis' online brochures: Brochure 1 & Brochure 2
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Charter catamaran MAROLANGA prepares for new season

We received an email from Gus & Marcella, owner-operators of the Catana catamaran, MAROLANGA. They plan to "splash" tomorrow and they are looking forward to getting out of the boatyard and back into the water.

Here's a photo of Gus from earlier this week polishing the hull.

We look forward to seeing them next week when we sail over to St. Thomas, USVI.

Marolanga is currently open for both CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS !!!

I know, we are really surprised, too. Don't miss out... Marolanga is an excellent choice for a family sailing vacation for the holidays!

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book s/y MAROLANGA
View Marolanga online brochures: Brochure 1 & Brochure 2
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Virgin Islands Yacht Charters for Christmas & New Years

UPDATED: November 6, 2009

UPDATED: November 3, 2009

UPDATED: October 28, 2009

UPDATED: October 13, 2009
We have some other yachts we can suggest as well, so if nothing here quite suits your fancy, let us know and we'll see what we can do for you.

If you are interested in other Caribbean locations, pop us a line or give us a call :)

UPDATED: Sept 11, 2009 - Quite a few changes have been made in the 2 days since I worked on this post... There have been a few confirmed bookings and some new holds. Since the holds are not confirmed, we still offer those yachts as we can always challenge the other party. We have updated the info below.

Now that Labor Day has passed, we expect to be receiving our standard flurry of post-summer inquiries for holiday charters.

s/y Sandcastle

There are still some good boats available for this coming 2009/2010 holiday season for Christmas and New Years in the Virgin Islands (rates & availability as of 2009/09/09):

We have some other yachts we can suggest as well, so if nothing here quite suits your fancy, let us know and we'll see what we can do for you :)

* ~ * ~ CHRISTMAS CHARTERS 2009 ~ * ~ *

The 2009 holiday season is now over (Happy New Year) so we have edited this post to save space as the material is no longer relevant.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your sailing vacation
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

RECIPE : Charter Motor Yacht FLAME Virgin Islands

We received this recipe from Barbara of the Charter Motoryacht FLAME, a 65-foot Feadship in the Virgin Islands.

Shrimp and Lobster Risotto with White Truffle Oil
(serves 6-8)

This is one of our favorite recipes; even Wayne eats it!

Wayne loves to kill "anything that swims, walks or crawls across the ocean floor" but really would prefer a hot dog for dinner!  He does, however, love this risotto so I think that speaks volumes!

Wayne, the lobster hunter --- Wayne, Hot Dog gourmand

I am always looking for ways to showcase the lobster Wayne brings home and this is a great favorite of our guests.


Shrimp and Lobster Risotto with White Truffle Oil
(serves 6-8)

4 tbs butter
2 tbs olive oil
10 oz Arborio rice
7 +/- cups stock (see attached recipe)
12 oz white wine
1 cup shallots
3 cups lobster and shrimp, cut into 1" chunks and cooked halfway
1 cup asparagus tips
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
White truffle oil

Stock:

In a large stockpot:

• Combine 8 cups water, about 30 shrimp shells, 1 or 2 lobster shells, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped carrot, 1 chopped celery stalk, handful of parsley, handful of thyme. 
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until broth is flavorful. 
• Strain, pressing vegetables to release all flavor. 
• Keep at a simmer.

Risotto (takes about 20-25 minutes)

• Melt butter and olive oil, and sauté shallots and rice briefly.
• Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until almost all absorbed.
• Add stock by the cupful, stirring until each cup is absorbed before adding the next.
• When rice is almost done (a little too al dente), stir in asparagus, then seafood.
• Finally, stir in 1 cup parmesan cheese and stir in white truffle oil to taste (add by the 1/4 teaspoon until it is to your taste.  White truffle oil is VERY strong, use sparingly).

Serve as a main course or with a baked filet of grouper or snapper.  Garnish with remaining parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Bon appetit!

Jake loves shrimp, lobster and fish!  He waits on the roof, watching for Wayne to come home from hunting. If Wayne is not wearing a shirt Jake knows there might be goodies in the dinghy and will come tearing off the roof to greet Wayne at the ladder!

Barbara

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book FLAME
View Flame's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Special Offers / Discounts : Yacht Charters

We would like to remind you of some special offers that are still in effect on yacht charters... Don't miss out!

ICARUS EXPIRED See previous blog post View online brochure

VICTORIAN ROSE EXPIRED See previous blog post View online brochure

CRYSTAL CLEAR EXPIRED View online brochure

CATALYST ECONOMIC BAILOUT option for 2-person charters! Save $500. The only difference is that you will have a crew of one. Alan will be Captain, Chef, and Dive Instructor. Offer good for Summer 2009 and Winter 2009-10, too! View previous post View online brochure

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EXPIRED See previous blog post View online brochure

COCONUT EXPIRED COCONUT now includes standard ship's bar! See previous blog post View online brochure

MAROLANGA EXPIRED See previous blog post View online brochure

IRIE EXPIRED View online brochure

PROMENADE Discounted rates of only $15,990 for up to TEN guests, for charters taking place on open weeks between November 15 and January 29, 2010 - Includes Thanksgiving week & New Years! See details Previous blog posts View online brochure

RUNAWAY EXPIRED See details View online brochure

We hope you'll be able to take advantage of one of these special offers. You deserve it!

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your yacht charter

Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

---

---

Charter PROMENADE - Thanksgiving, New Years, Winter Discounts

Richard and Lisa are back aboard the ever-popular charter yacht Promenade and they have decided that they want to fill up the last few remaining weeks available on their winter 2009/10 calendar, so they are offering an incredible deal to entice you aboard!

These rates will apply to Thanksgiving week, New Years, and open weeks from now through January 2010. Promenade is then booked solid through the beginning of May, with the exception of the cabin cruise week of April 19-25 which still has 3 of 5 cabins open (see information here).

So, what is this SPECIAL DEAL????

An all-inclusive 7-night charter aboard the charter yacht Promenade, a 65-foot trimaran well-known for fun and diving, at the discounted rate of $15,990 for up to TEN guests. Their normal winter rate is $20,900/wk & $50/dive... about a 25% savings!


RATES INCLUDE:

• Seven nights' accommodation aboard Promenade for up to 10 guests
• All shipboard toys and activities
• One SCUBA dive per day for certified divers, including gear
• Cold breakfast buffet, and hot cooked-to-order breakfast daily
• Lunch Buffet
• Dinner served at table
• Wine with dinner
• Unlimited Beer, & non alcoholic beverages (juice and sodas)
• Captains Choice cocktail hour over the yard arm with appetizers nightly
• Open bar with basic spirits: Rum, Vodka, Tequila, along with mixers

Not included:

• Crew Gratuity
• Diving for resort divers (available at a cost of $50.00 per person per dive)
• If air conditioning is requested by guests OVERNIGHT ONLY, then there is an additional $60.00 per night charge for each night it is run
• Premium wines and liquors, or any meals or beverages you choose to have off the yacht
  

DATES FOR SPECIAL OFFER:

• November 15 - December 19, 2009 - Including Thanksgiving week
  
• No additional premium for New Years (December 28 - January 4, 2010)
• January 12-29, 2010
  

Sounds pretty good!

Read more about the Trimaran Promenade in previous posts

Promenade at anchor --- Fishing --- Hiking

Diving --- Ride the Banana --- Chill on the Power Lounger

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book PROMENADE
View Promenade's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

It's snowing??? Not here !

We just received an email from a charter client who told us her husband was delayed in the Denver snow storm.  It is difficult to imagine a snow storm when you look outside and it looks like this...

I just took this photo from our nomadic office and decided to post it for all of you who might be wearing socks :)

Enjoy!

RUNAWAY to the Virgin Islands - Special offer

Jim & Lisa, owner-operators of the charter motoryacht RUNAWAY, wrote to us yesterday to let us know that they want a Thanksgiving charter. Watch the football bowl games on Runaway's satellite TV with their new 52-inch LCD TV.

OK, so let's do it :)

Runaway is offering a 20% discount on yacht charters taking place between November 18 and December 18, 2009. You can also look at this as an early Christmas present!

M/Y RUNAWAY is an 82-foot Azimut motoryacht with a crew of two, and accommodates up to 8 guests in 3 cabins. All staterooms have en-suite head with marble or granite countertops and  enclosed shower stall. Each bedroom also has its own LCD flatscreen television with dvd/cd/mp3 player and individual climate control. The salon now boasts a 52-inch LCD TV for their Satellite TV.  Jim is a dive instructor and Runaway offers diving for their guests.

SPECIAL RATES: (Nov.18-Dec.18,2009)

• 2 guests: $14,000 ($17,500 -20%)
  
• 4 guests: $15,600 ($19,500 -20%)
• 6, 7 & 8 guests: $17,200 ($21,500 -20%)

We hope that you'll be able to take advantage of this special offer!

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book RUNAWAY
View Runaway's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Catamaran Charters Thanksgiving 2009 Special Offers

Special offer on select catamarans for Thanksgiving week 2009: Pay for 6 nights and stay for 7. That's a great deal to be thankful for!

Click on the yacht's name to view their online brochure.

Naej --- Tahuata

NAEJ - Privilege 495: 7 guests for $13,285 (instead of $15,500) all inclusive
TAHUATA - Privilege 585: 8 guests for $18,430 (instead of $21,500) all inclusive

Ocean's Seven --- Motu

OCEAN'S SEVEN - Privilege 585: 8 guests for $18,430 (instead of $21,500) all inclusive
MOTU - Privilege 615: 8 guests for $19,715 (instead of $23,000) all inclusive

• Or, if you rather charter a monohull, XTC is offering the same special:

XTC - CNB 76: 8 guests for $18,885 (instead of $22,00) all inclusive, except drinks

Inquire for rates for smaller charter groups.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to plan your sailing vacation
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

VIVO New Catamaran Joins Yacht Charter Fleet

VIVO, a 60-foot Fountaine-Pajot catamaran, has just entered the Caribbean charter yacht fleet.

Charter Catamaran VIVO

The charter catamaran VIVO is fully air conditioned, has a crew of two and accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 queen cabins, each with ensuite head/shower.

Jason is a dive master and VIVO includes 5 dives/week for certified divers.

RATES:

Winter 2009/2010 (beginning December 15)

• 2 guests: $18,900
• 3 guests: $19,500
• 4 guests: $20,100
• 5 guests: $21,240
• 6 guests: $22,380

Summer 2010 (beginning May 1st)

• 2 guests: $16,940
• 3 guests: $17,360
• 4 guests: $17,780
• 5 guests: $18,340
• 6 guests: $18,900

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book VIVO
View Vivo's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Charter catamaran ALEXIS is leaving

The catamaran ALEXIS will be chartering in the Virgin Islands through November and then they will be leaving to continue the sailing adventure they started 10 years ago.

So, in honor of this occasion, Alexis is having a Thanksgiving special...

RATES: 7 days/8 nights, all-inclusive charter, except for one dinner ashore at clients' expense & BVI taxes

• 2 guests, $6000
• 3 guests, $7000
  
• 4 guests, $7400

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book Alexis
View Alexis' online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Megayacht THANKSGIVING WEEKEND Specials

Here's a few 4-day/3-night Thanskgiving weekend specials that you might find interesting...

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26th this year (2009).

CALISTO's online brochure

PARAFFIN's online brochure

OCEAN PEARL's online brochure

SUDAMI's online brochure

DRAGON's online brochure

TOUCH's online brochure

If you are looking for a special way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend this year, how about one of these?

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters : CLICK HERE

.

OCEAN PEARL Mexico - Winter Special offer

The charter yacht OCEAN PEARL, a 115-foot Christensen motor yacht, has a Special Inclusive Offer for Mexico this winter 2009-10 season!

m/y Ocean Pearl

Such a deal! You may charter Ocean Pearl out of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 4-days/3-nights for only $30,000 and, that's an "all-inclusive" price!

Explore the beautiful coastline of Mexico watching whales, swimming with the dolphins and zip lining through the canyons!

Of course, they are also available for longer charters :)

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book OCEAN PEARL
View Ocean Pearl's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

Charter Yacht DULCINEA - Refit Update 2009

We received word from Dulcinea that they are out of the New England shipyard and they are making their way back home to the Caribbean.

Charter Yacht DULCINEA

---

Here's what Jon had to say:

We have started making our way south after a very busy summer in the shipyard in New England making substantial upgrades to DULCINEA.  Highlights from our busy yard period include the following work: The engine was removed and completely stripped down and rebuilt by Mac Boring of Yanmar -- so the engine now runs as new!  It is much smoother and quieter also. DULCINEA has been fitted with a new state-of-the-art Varifold 4-blade folding propeller and also a new transmission.  We can now motor very comfortably at ten knots having eliminated vibration higher rpm's.  In addition, we have noticed a significant increase in DULCINEA's sailing performance as the new propeller is very streamlined when folded, compared to a traditional fixed prop. Other upgrades and improvements include: New whisper quiet Cummins Onan 11.5kw generator New upgraded saloon air-conditioning Brand new Doyle Stratis Genoa We are looking forward to a busy Caribbean season and offering guests even more comfort from the above upgrades during charters on board DULCINEA.

---

Thanks for the update, Jon.

DULCINEA is a 63-foot Dixon sloop, with a crew of two. Ducinea is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 cabins, each with ensuite head/shower. The aft master cabin has a centerline queen berth, while the other two guest cabins forward, each have a double berth.

RATE:

Winter 2009-10 Caribbean, All inclusive except special requests, taxes, dockage & communications.

• 2 guests: $17,500/wk
• 4 guests: $18,500/wk  
• 6 guests: $19,500/wk
  

Christmas/New Year 2009-10

• 2 guests: $20,500/wk
• 4 guests: $21,500/wk
• 6 guests: $22,500/wk

We look forward to visiting Dulcinea at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in December.

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book Dulcinea
View Dulcinea's online brochure
Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com