Sunday, October 31, 2010

Three Moons is a treat

HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!

No trick here...

Treat yourself to a crewed charter yacht sailing vacation aboard Three Moons with

Galley wench Shelly and Captain Randy

Three Moons is a 72-foot Irwin ketch with a crew of three. Three Moons is fully air conditioned and has four double cabins with ensuite heads/showers. There's also the possibility of swapping out one of the double cabins for the forward cabin with twin upper/lower bunks, if that is better suited for the make up of your group.

Avast, partake excellent food, fun, and hospitality!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book THREE MOONS
View Three Moons' online brochure #1 and online brochure #2
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Friday, October 29, 2010

Charter Motor Yacht MISS KULANI in the South Pacific

M/Y MISS KULANI would like to welcome you to Paradise and explore the South Pacific islands on this exquisite 75-foot Marlow Explorer motoryacht.

Charter Yacht Miss Kulani - Yacht Charters in the South Pacific

MISS KULANI is fully air conditioned and has an impressive layout for 6-8 guests in 4 cozy staterooms:
  • The Master cabin has a king size bed, shower and toilet.
  • A VIP cabin has a queen size bed, 2 pullmans, shower and toilet.
  • A Guest cabin has a twin bed, shower and toilet.
  • A Guest cabin has a twin bed.
MISS KULANI is a non-smoking vessel.

Captain Stanley Chave, who is originally from Papeete, Tahiti will make sure your romantic South Pacific yachting holiday is like no other. This region is surrounded by miles of fine, white sandy beaches and crystal clear, turquoise water as far as the eye can see.

MISS KULANI charters at a very attractive rate of $31,500 per week plus expenses.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to charter one of the finest yachts in this region!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book MISS KULANI
View Miss Kulani's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Thursday, October 28, 2010

Charter Yacht CariAly

Charter yacht CARYALI, an 86-foot Nordhavn motor yacht, offers luxury accommodations for up to eight guests in four staterooms (ideal for six adults + two children).  Her professional crew of four, led by Captain Adam Steel, offer exceptional service.  With a 24-foot beam, CARYALI is more than impressive at first sight, and comparable in comfort, service and amenities to vessels well over 100 feet.

Charter Yacht Caryali
Caribbean (winter) - Bahamas (spring) - New England & Canada (summer)

M/Y CARYALI is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6/8 guests in 4 cabins:
  • Master Stateroom, main deck:  Full beam stateroom with king bed and spacious "his & hers" bathrooms -- 'His' with a shower & 'Hers' with a steam shower, each with their own head & basin / vanity. Entertainment center has a 42“ plasma screen television, DVD player, individual satellite receiver and Surround Sound.
  • Guest Stateroom, below decks to starboard:  King bed which can convert to twin beds, ensuite bathroom with stall shower; entertainment center with 19“ plasma screen television, DVD player and Surround Sound.
  • Guest Stateroom, below decks to port:  King bed which can convert to twin beds, en-suite bathroom with bathtub / shower; entertainment center with 19“ plasma screen television, DVD player and Surround Sound.
  • Guest Twin Stateroom:  available for children or staff with ensuite bathroom with stall shower; entertainment center with 19“ plasma screen television, DVD player and Surround Sound.
Whatever the itinerary, this spacious and elegant expedition style yacht is built for luxurious and economic, long distance cruising in style!
RATES, for up to 6 guests:
  • Winter 2010/11, Caribbean: $49,000/week, plus all expenses
  • Summer 2011, New England + Maine, Canada: $49,000/week, plus all expenses

Tentative schedule for CARYALI December 2010 through Summer 2011:

DATESLOCATION
December 2010  Windward Islands: St Lucia to Grenada
January 2011Leeward Islands: Martinique, Antigua , Barbuda
February 2011St Maarten, St Barths and the Virgin Islands
March 2011Turks and Caicos, including the southern outer lying Bahamian Islands
April 2011Outer lying Bahamian Islands and the Exumas
May2011Maintenance and delivery to New England, Sag Harbor and Eastern Long Island
June 2011New York, Long Island, Newport, Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket ...
July 2011Coast of Maine
August 2011Canada:  Nova Scotia, P.E.I., St. Lawrence Sea
September 2011  Returning south, available New England  /  Eastern Seaboard
October 2011Maintenance

Booked for Christmas and New Years!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book CARYALI
View Caryali's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Catamaran GOOD MEDICINE : Last minute discount

The crewed charter yacht GOOD MEDICINE, a 46-foot Fontaine Pajot catamaran which accommodates 6 to 8 guests, offers a 10% discount on all charters commencing within 60 days!



Good Medicine is a 46-foot Fontaine Pajot catamaran with a crew of two. The yacht is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to six guests in three cabins, each with Queen berths and ensuite head/shower, PLUS they can sleep two children in the single "forepaw" cabins, or the pilot berth in the midsection of each hull, for an 8-person charter.

 Possible single berths circled in red

Good Medicine has a 12-foot dinghy with 15HP motor, tube, kneeboard, wakeboard, two 2-person kayaks, snorkel gear, floating mats, hammock, TV/DVD in salon, etc.

Good Medicine offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) Cruises for physicians. Can you think of a more enjoyable way to take your course?  90 minutes/day and then the rest of the day is yours to do whatever in your own bit of Caribbean paradise :)  More about this next week... or ask now if you can't wait...



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book GOOD MEDICINE
View Good Medicine's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



WANDERBIRD: Maine to New York City Repositioning Cruise

There is only ONE cabin available for the November 8-15, 2010 Cruise of Coastal New England from Belfast, Maine to New York City.

Wanderbird Repositioning Cruise from Belfast, Maine to New York City

Possible ports of call may include Gloucester Ma, Provincetown MA, Cape Cod Canal, Buzzards Bay MA, Newport RI, Block Island RI, Greenport, CT and New York City.

Rate:  $999/person, less a $150 last-minute discount = $849/person
All-inclusive, except for sodas & alcoholic beverages, 10% crew gratuity


What an adventure!

Enjoy a comfortable, intimate setting (only 12 passengers per cruise) with beautiful yacht-style furnished cabins, homemade delicious food and pastries. Get away from it all and enjoy an adventure cruise with Wanderbird. Captains Rick & Karen would love to have you aboard.




Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book WANDERBIRD
View Wanderbird's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



WANDERBIRD returns to Cuelbra this winter

Wanderbird will be returning to the Caribbean this winter (2010/11 winter season), based in Cuelbra in the lesser-known Spanish Virgin Islands...

The Wanderbird is based in Culebra this winter for week-long cruises departing from and returning to this magical island.

It is incredibly beautiful around the Spanish Caribbean Islands. Snorkeling, climbing for fresh coconuts, pale blue warm salty water, amazing cute little seaside towns, roaming wild horses originally brought by the Spaniards on Vieques, iguanas and wild chickens on Culebra and post card beaches... life is good. Come join us!

Located about nineteen miles east of Puerto Rico and eight miles north of Vieques, Culebra is the smallest of the inhabited Spanish Virgin Islands. She is seven miles long and 3 miles wide. Her many beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Culebra is an arid island, having no rivers or streams. She gets her water from Puerto Rico via Vieques. Because of the lack of run-off from streams and rivers, Culebra boasts crystal clear waters with sixty feet of visibility on a bad day.

Culebra is an island municipality under the domain of Puerto Rico, which has been under the protection of the United States, since its annexation from Spain in 1898. In 1909 the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge was established. The refuge takes in over one thousand four hundred acres of land and is well known both as a nesting area for numerous seabirds, as well as the endangered leatherback turtle and Culebra giant anole.

Culebra has about three thousand residents. The quiet, unspoiled island has little to offer in nightlife, except for a quiet, safe walk in the moonlight or the occasional sound of guitar music from one of her few night spots. The island has little crime and very little to do, but relax at the beach or your favorite watering hole. The snorkeling and scuba diving around Culebra are outstanding. Hard and soft corals abound in the shallows and magnificent reefs encircle the island. Tropical fish and other sea life abound. The depths rarely exceed one hundred feet.

Come with Wanderbird on a sea adventure to explore the Caribbean island of Cuelbra (winter 2010/11) with your hosts Captains Rick and Karen. Share their dream of life on the sea on their renovated 90-foot Dutch fishing vessel, the WANDERBIRD.



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book WANDERBIRD
View Wanderbird's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



WANDERBIRD: Early Booking Discount

WANDERBIRD is offering a 10% early booking discount for this winter's Caribbean cruises if you book before November 30, 2010.

Greetings from the good ship WANDERBIRD

Wanderbird will be based in Cuelbra this winter

It's been a great summer but the cold weather is already starting to chill the bones a bit, eh? By the time winter rolls around you'll be ready to take a break from the cold weather to join us for a week of warm temperatures, swimming, eating, relaxing, snorkeling, beachcombing and, did I mention, relaxing aboard the WANDERBIRD...

From now until November 30, 2010 we will be offering a 10% discount on our 2010 Caribbean Cruises aboard the WANDERBIRD. This is a great opportunity to plan your winter vacation and save a BUNCH OF MONEY by booking early.


Enjoy a comfortable, intimate setting (only 12 passengers per cruise) with beautiful yacht-style furnished cabins, homemade delicious food and pastries. Get away from it all and enjoy the splendor and serenity of nature with Wanderbird. Captains Rick & Karen would love to have you aboard.

STANDARD (pre-discounted) RATES & AVAILABILITY:


DATESSTANDARD RATES
January 17-22, 2011$1,299/person
Jan 31 - Feb 7, 2011$1,299/person
Feb 28 - March 5, 2011$1,299/person
March 28 - April 2, 2011$1,299/person


What is included:
All meals on board except for first and last night, snorkel gear, beach chairs, kayaks, and your stateroom with all linens and private toilet and shower and all of the relaxation, fun and natural beauty that you could ever want.
What is not included:
  • Air and ground transportation to and from Culebra
  • Crew gratuity of 10%
  • Sodas, beer, or any alcoholic beverages
Wanderbird generally does individual cabin bookings for shared charter weeks, but there is the possibility of full-boat charters if it fits into their schedule... INQUIRE!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book WANDERBIRD
View Wanderbird's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Charter Catamaran Entrepreneurship: Bahamas this spring

The charter yacht Entrepreneurship, a 50-foot Catana catamaran, is now accepting bookings for the Bahamas for mid-February through June 2011 charters.

After stopping in the Bahamas last summer, Barry and Liz decided to share what they had discovered.
We had no idea what to expect when we arrived in the Bahamas and what we discovered was beautiful cruising grounds and crystal clear water! It was magnificient!
Entrepreneurship is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 4 guests in two cabins. The starboard hull is a dedicated master cabin designed with privacy in mind... The master suite has a King-sized berth, and ensuite head with stall shower.  For the second guest cabin (port side), you have your choice of the forward double cabin or the aft cabin which can be configured as either twins or a double. Each of these cabins have an ensuite head with shower.

Entrepreneurship has a divemaster and offers on board diving. Two dives/day for certified divers at an additional cost of $40/day/diver.  You can bring your own equipment or rent.

Entrepreneurship is also referred to as "E-Ship" which is a bit easier to say and write :)

Booked for Christmas and New Years!



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book ENTREPRENEURSHIP
View Entrepreneurship's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Welcome Charter Yacht CLEVELANDER

We would like to welcome Clevelander to the yacht charter fleet. Clevelander offers stylish modern comfort on a sleek German Frers-designed hull for exhilirating sailing.


Charter Yacht Clevelander
Sailing vacations in the Caribbean (winter) & Eastern Mediterranean (summer)

Clevelander is a 82-foot Nautor Swan with a crew of three. The yacht is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in 4 staterooms (Queen, Twin, Double with Pullman or the Nanny cabin).

Clevelander's 2010 refit includes:
  • New Mainsail and Jib,
  • Running rigging, 
  • Hull paint, 
  • New Upholstery above and below decks
  • All New Linens
RATES:
  • Winter 2010/11, Caribbean: $35,000/week plus all expenses ($37,500/wk +ALL for Christmas & New Years weeks)
  • Summer 2011, Eastern Med: €27,500 - €26,000/week plus all expenses
Captain Simon Hughes and Chef/Stew Ginny Holt (Deckhand to be announced) look forward to greeting you on board Clevelander and will ensure each charter experience is a memorable one.

Clevelander is a non-smoking vessel.

Toys:
  • 15' tender with teak floor boards & 40HP 4-stroke outboard
  • Snorkeling Equipment (x 10: All Sizes)
  • Remote Control Sail Boats (2)
  • Paddle boards (2)
  • Wakeboards
  • Sea Biscuit
  • Surfboard
  • BBQ

Available for Christmas and New Year!




Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book CLEVELANDER
View Cleveelander's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Monday, October 25, 2010

Storm Petrel returning soon to the Virgin Islands

Storm Petrel will soon leave their summer chartering location in New England and return to the Virgin Islands for their winter yacht charter season. We are looking forward to catching up with Phil & Laura.
I did do my marathon baking for the HOI fair (Heart of Illinois) again this year. I got 3 grand champions, for my cake (a tropical coconut-coated, pineapple-filled layer cake); next for my yeast breads (an egg bread braided loaf); and lastly for my pie (another tropical influence with a coconut crust, rum and pineapple and whipped cream filling). My mom got a grand champion for her cookies. We won other categories, but at the moment I can't recall, as the grand champs are easy to remember, and feel like an honor, as they are chosen from all of the entries of those categories.    It's chilly up here, highs of 60's, lows of 40's at night... burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... too cold for me!

- Laura n Phil
Congratulations on your Captain's License, Laura!

Storm Petrel is definitely one of our favorite charter yachts.  They are an excellent choice for a couple, and quite affordable for families with small children (2 kids can sleep in salon).

 Charter Yacht Storm Petrel
waving as they leave Yacht Haven Grande marina in St Thomas

Storm Petrel is a Robert's designed 44-foot Offshore 44 sloop, owned and operated by Phil Levine along with his girlfriend, Laura. Storm Petrel has a queen cabin aft and a V-berth cabin forward. They have an 11-foot dinghy with 15HP motor, windsurfer, hammock, snorkel equipment. Besides enjoying windsurfing, Phil also does kite boarding! He has three kites and a couple of boards on his boat, in addition to his windsurfing gear. Alcoholic beverages are not included in their rates, but they will stock with your preferences at cost.

RATE: All inclusive, except bar & dockage
  • $4150/wk for 2 guests
  • $4900/wk for 4 guests
"Brian and the gang had a great time. Brian was thrilled and is talking about getting another sailboat. God help us!" - Jennifer D.

Read comments from a couple of other of our Storm Petrel clients:
Storm Petrel is booked for Christmas & New Years



Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book STORM PETREL
View Storm Petrel's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com



Saturday, October 23, 2010

News & Recipe from Charter Yacht Three Moons - Sail the Virgin Islands with Randy & Shelly

Randy & Shelly Tucker, owner-operators of the 72-foot charter yacht Three Moons, will be celebrating Thanksgiving at their home in Tennessee this year. Shelly says that Southern-style cornbread dressing has always been at the top of her Thanksgiving list of favorites, but this year she's going to go "outside of the box" and introduce family and friends to mofongo.
More from Shelly: What is mofongo? Wikipedia defines it as ultimately of African origin and traced to both Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. You’ve seen those lonely looking green plantains at the grocery store and wondered what to do with them? Well, I have the answer if you are looking for some down-home, island-style comfort food! Barring all carb-control, I think mofongo is a great replacement for mash potatoes, rice and other starchy side dishes.

There are two things we have to have every season when we travel through Puerto Rico on our way to and from our charter yacht in the Virgin Islands: mojitos and mofongo! OK, so maybe we have to have some tostones (fried plantains), rice & beans and lechon (whole roasted pig) too!

Typically, mofongo is served in a tall wooden pestle style bowl. Delivered to your table, the mofongo ingredients are prepared and then mashed with mortar in a wooden bowl.

Since I don’t have any tall wooden bowls, I like the adaptation of the recipe below:

Plantain Mofongo

Ingredients:
  • 2 green plantains

  • Vegetable oil for frying

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (not extra virgin)

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 ounce bacon

  • 2 teaspoons saffron broth

  • 8 Jumbo Shrimp Peeled and Deveined

Procedure:
  1. To make it easier to peel the plantains: Under running warm water, cut off 1/2 inch from both ends of the plantains. Using a sharp knife, score the skin lengthwise in three different sections. Slide the tip of the knife or your finger under the skin and begin to pull it away, going from top to bottom.

  2. In a frying pan or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350º F. Cut the plantains into 1-inch pieces (or half-inch for smaller tostones), and add to the hot oil. Fry for about 6 minutes until they start turning golden and are tender inside. Remove from the oil, and drain on paper towels.
  3. Prepare the mofongo: Oil the inside of a deep wooden or glass bowl with the olive oil. Add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of salt and, with a wooden spoon, pound the garlic to a paste. Add half of the fried plantains to the bowl and pound to a coarse mash, incorporating the garlic paste as you pound. Add the bacon, saffron broth and the remaining pieces of plantain. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and pound to mash the newly added plantain and incorporate the others ingredients. Rotate the bowl as you go, pounding with a downward motion toward the sides of the bowl. Once the mixture is mashed, spoon it into a ramkin or 4oz bowls. After molding and smoothing out the surface, flip onto a plate. At this point the mofongo should look like a half dome.
  4. Saute shrimp in a little oil or butter and cook until done. Place over the Mofongo and top with the saffron broth.

Saffron Broth

Ingredients:
  • 2 cloves of garlic

  • 2 pinches of saffron

  • 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter

  • 1 cup organic chicken broth

  • Salt

  • Fresh green peas
 Procedure
  1. Thinly slice 2 garlic cloves while preheating sauté pan at medium temperature.
  2. Add butter and the garlic and bring up temperature to high.
  3. Sauté for a couple of minutes and add 1 cup of chicken broth, bring to a boil and add more butter until you have a nice and smooth consistency.
  4. Add 2 pinches of saffron and salt to taste. Allow saffron to incorporate an even color by stirring lightly.
  5. Lastly, add the peas and cook further a couple of minutes.

Three Moons is one of our favorite charter yachts in the Virgin Islands. Our only problem with them is that they are difficult to book because they are very popular and their calendar fills up quickly :)

Charter Yacht Three Moons - Caribbean Sailing Vacations in the Virgin Islands

Three Moons is a 72-foot Irwin ketch with a crew of three. Three Moons is fully air conditioned and has four double cabins with ensuite heads/showers. There's also the possibility of swapping out one of the double cabins for the forward cabin with twin upper/lower bunks, if that is better suited for the make up of your group.

Three Moons features "spa cruises" with massages, facials, manicures and pedicures at "normal" spa rates. Shelly offers a complimentary foot massage to guests. They have a 17-foot dinghy with 115hp motor, adult & kids waterskis, wakeboard, tube, kneeboard, snorkel gear, fishing equipment, floating mats, two 2-person kayaks, hammocks, 32-inch flat screen TV with Bose Theatre System in salon, satellite radio, internet where available, etc. Shelly has won many culinary awards and has published several cookbooks.




Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book THREE MOONS
View Three Moons' online brochure #1 and online brochure #2
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com