A yacht charters and sailing vacations news blog from your charter yacht specialists, Paradise Connections, who are currently cruising about the Caribbean.
To
get you in the festive spirit, here’s our Parisian Poinsettia cocktail
recipe – the perfect fusion of champagne, triple sec and cranberry
juice…
The Perfect Poinsettia
Best served in a martini glass, or a stemmed red wine glass, the
Parisian Poinsettia cocktail truly packs a punch when the rim is
sugar-coated. Getting the perfect proportions can be tricky when making
more than one Poinsettia cocktail. If that’s the case, use measuring
equipment to ensure ideal measures when decanting. Don’t forget to leave
enough ice if you prefer your Poinsettia cocktail on the rocks! Start
by filling your glass by a third, before adding your ice cubes, then
topping up. Prefer your Poinsettia cocktail on the rocks? Just be sure
everything (including your glass) is perfectly chilled before serving…
Ingredients
25ml triple sec
50ml cranberry juice
75ml champagne (or prosecco)
Method
Chill the triple sec, cranberry juice, champagne and a martini glass in the fridge until cold.
Pour the triple sec and cranberry juice into the chilled
sugar-rimmed glass, then slowly top up with the champagne and perhaps
garnish with a bay leaf.
Today we feature the catamaran Dreaming On. Geoff & Iza have kindly provided an update about chartering in Belize... Take it away, guys!
Iza & Geoff
Belize has taken very organized steps to control the spread of COVID. Case numbers are still low and land, sea and air border controls are regularly modified as required. The vaccination program is proceeding well. The Government has just passed a new rule that requires anyone requiring access to a Government Building, either to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result taken with the previous 72 hours.
Southern Belize has the distinct advantage that it is so much less crowded than the popular and very busy areas of Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, so, in our opinion, much “COVID safer.”
Traveling from Belize City International Airport to Placencia has always been easy on either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air, our local commuter airlines.
However, with the recent opening of a new road connecting the airport directly to the Western Highway avoiding the outskirts of Belize City, the road travel time to Placencia is now 2.5 to 3 hours. This gets people out of the airport quickly and into a safer, more controllable social distancing environment. The drive also takes guests through some wonderful, forested mountain scenery, with an optional stop along the way.
There are some wonderful jungle lodges along the way to break the journey as an option and we can offer some great Surf and Turf packages.
The other advantage of taking the road trip is the door-to-door service. The driver meets guests at the International Airport Arrivals and delivers them directly to hotel or yacht in Placencia. No waiting around in the main terminal for commuter flight connection or rechecking bags on and off a commuter flight, then a taxi.
Southern Belize offers spectacular turquoise waters, amazing snorkeling, superb scuba-diving opportunities, reef fishing, deep water fishing, (no Ciguatera in Belize) and magnificent fly fishing.
Placencia is a wonderful small village with many choices of eatery and bars when ashore. So much less busy than Ambergris Caye in the north.
The number of international flights operating to Belize has expanded with the addition of Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
American Airlines: Miami, Charlotte, Dallas and Los Angeles
United Airlines: Houston, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles
Delta Airlines: Atlanta
Southwest Airlines: Houston, Denver
Alaska Airlines: Los Angeles, Seattle
Frontier Airlines Orlando, Denver
WestJet Airlines: Toronto
And remember, Dreaming On Yacht Charters guarantees an island to ourselves every night, and a reef to ourselves whenever snorkeling. Leave the crowds behind.
Thanks, Geoff & Iza, for the first-hand information about Belize.That was very helpful and much appreciated.
About Dreaming On
Dreaming On is a 47-foot Leopard catamaran with an owner-operator crew of two, Geoff & Iza, who have fallenl in love with Belize.
Dreaming On is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to six guests in 3 Queen cabins each with ensuite heads having shower, sink/vanity, and an electric-flush toilet. The salon is roomy with an all around view and a 'U'-shaped, fully appointed galley. With an abundance of deck space and the large trampolines up forward, guests have many areas to roam and relax.
Dreaming On has a 13-foot dinghy with 30HP motor, tube, 2 kayaks, 2 stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), 2 beanbag chairs, snorkel gear, fishing equipment, noodles, inflatable floating island lounge, double hammock, underwater camera, beach games, weights, yoga mat, onboard wifi where available for email use, etc.
Itineraries
There are no set itineraries on board Dreaming On. Itineraries are based on your preferences. When you are onboard, settled in and chilled out, various options will be discussed, taking into account your vacation wishes and the weather.
Dreaming On has two sample itineraries for Southern Belize to help you:
All inclusive {including Belize tax), 7-night rates except for 1 dinner ashore at guests expense:
2 guests: $12,100 | 3 guests: $12,650
4 guests: $13,200 | 5 guests: $14,135
6 guests: $15,400
Guests Comments
We can't thank Geoff and Iza enough for their incredible hospitality, these are going to be cherished memories to look back on for the rest of our lives. Island paradise galore, along with all the activities and food to die for.
- November 2021
We cannot say thank you enough for making this such a special trip, for a late 50th birthday celebration, to a last “full family at home” event. You are both so inspiring to all of us. Rob and I hope to be able to see you on the water again someday.
- August 2021
Thank you for a fabulous week. Your hospitality was warm and welcoming. Iza’s cooking made us feel as if we were at a five-star restaurant every meal. We thoroughly enjoyed all your stories and are hoping to share more adventures in the future. It was beautiful weather, and the snorkeling was fantastic. Looking forward to travelling with you again.
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to announce the resumption of seasonal flights from Canada and daily flights from the United States to Belize in November.
WestJet resumed flights November 3, 2021 to Belize from Toronto, Canada with a total of 157 passengers. WestJet’s flight to Belize is seasonal, visiting every Wednesday and Saturday with the last flight for the winter season departing Belize on April 30, 2022. The resumption of this flight could not have come at a better time with Canadians now more flexible with travelling again given that the restrictions with travel for leisure have been relaxed both in Canada and the US.
Southwest Airlines resumed its daily flights to Belize from Houston on November 7th. Southwest’s flight from Denver resumed on November 20th, flying to Belize every Saturday for the winter season through April 2022.
The resumption of these flights to Belize will allow visitors to enjoy its tropical weather, the warm hospitality of Belizeans, the myriad attractions, culture and cuisine that Belize offers as a premiere destination in Central America.
In addition to the above-mentioned flights Belize will be welcoming new airlift with additional routes from the US with Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines in November and December respectively. SunCountry will resume its Saturday flights to Belize in December as well. Belize is also serviced by American Airlines, United Airlines from main hubs in the United States, by COPA Airlines from Panama, by TAG Airlines from Guatemala City and by Tropic Air, which provides offers a direct flight to and from Cancun, Mexico.
For more information, please contact the Belize Tourism Board at 227-2420 or via email at info@belizetourismboard.org.
We have updated the Covid-19 protocols on our website for various charter areas. You can find the COVID-19 link under the MORE menu heading at the top all pages on ParadiseConnections.com.
Oui Cherie is a spacious Lagoon 52F catamaran, known for their deluxe cabins and performance sailing. The 52F catamaran is Lagoon’s performance luxury model; perfectly intersecting the concepts of comfort and capability. Oui Cherie's accommodations fit the combination of adventure and enjoyment.
Some of Oui Cherie's features:
2017 52-foot Lagoon catamaran
Accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 Queen cabins
Flybridge seating, as well as spacious cockpit and foredeck lounging area
New air conditioning
Kayak, tube, standup paddleboards, wakeboard, water skis, sub wing, 20-foot Aqua Lily Pad
Mini inflatable Tiwal sailboat
14-foot Highfield dinghy with 40HP outboard
Onboard diving with dive instructor
All inclusive rates include 3 dives per certified diver
Based in BVI
Rates, all inclusive 7-night charter, except BVI fees:
2 guests = $21,000 | 3 guests = $22,500
4 guests = $25,500 | 5 guests = $25,500
6 guests = $26,000
Meet The Crew
Captain Corrai
Raised in Alabama, Corrai was cultivated in an environment of southern hospitality and a love for the outdoors. He studied philosophy with a double in psychology which has been an enriching factor in connecting to those around him while leading a safe and memorable adventure at sea.
Creativity and problem solving are his passions and can be witnessed in his designing renaissance flavored maps of local waters, developing his own board game, surprising island patrons with honkey-tonk piano tunes on nights out, and culminating in his ability to tailor a personalized and unforgettable charter.
Chef Martyna
Born in Poland, Martyna grew up studying the fine arts and pursuing adventure across the European continent. She then uprooted herself for Canada where she worked and managed her father's dive shop; leading successful trips as far as the Caribbean. In the Bahamas, with her dive experience she was able to fill every role that could be asked of her from dive instructor, engineer, cook, and first mate and she earned the well-deserved nickname across the fleet as "Wonder Woman."
In her free Martyna can be found free-diving to impressive depths, bringing back a spearfishing bounty that would earn a nod of respect from Neptune himself, and keeping her online photography shop well stocked with new works of art.
Fully vaccinated will no longer be required to apply for entry through the BVI gateway portal application.
Vaccinated minors – travellers under the age of 18 who are travelling with vaccinated parents or guardians — will also be exempted from the BVI gateway portal while being subjected to similar stringent measures.
Upon entry into the territory, each vaccinated traveller must provide the results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen rapid test that is no older than five days.
They are also required to present valid proof of vaccination
Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers as well as unaccompanied minors (who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated), or any other persons not covered by the fully vaccinated portal exemption protocols, will still be subject to using the gateway portal to obtain entry to the BVI.
[NOTE: An antigen test is required on arrival to the territory at the current price of $50 per person.]
Beginning October 1, all fully vaccinated travelers to the BVI including cruise ship passengers and crew will no longer have to apply to enter the BVI using the BVI Gateway Entry Portal.
Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Andrew Fahie made the announcement late this evening, September 21 during the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme.
“You don’t have to worry about the portal at all if you are fully vaccinated and go through all these tests. You don’t even have to tell us you are coming, you just show up at the port you are leaving from with a negative test [no older than five days], proof of vaccination and you come and when you land you have to pay for the antigen test, right now its $50 per person,” he said.
The Premier who said Cabinet made the decision
today, pointed out that they have also commenced the process to address
the issues with the BVI Portal to make it user friendly.
“Coming
into the territory you don’t have to go through the portal anymore
after the 1st October once you are fully vaccinated. Only fully
vaccinated persons or any minor that is traveling with a fully
vaccinated person. All other persons not in that category going to have
to use the portal still, and that is in the process of being updated so
it will be more user friendly,” he said.
Also,
there are heavy fines attached to any passenger or carrier who breach
the new rules. The transporter will be fined up to $10,000 per passenger
and passengers will be individually fined up to $5000.
We have six catamarans based in Belize that have a fantastic special offer. We hope you will be able to take advantage of it.
Special Offer: Treat your friends or family
Book an all-inclusive yacht charter for 2 or more guests and bring 2 guests FREE of charge. Offer valid for charters taking place from now through December 15, 2021. Prices may be pro-rated for charters of less than 7 nights (4 night minimum).
The catamarans mentioned above are based in Cucumber Beach Marina in Old Belize City, just 8 miles from the Belize International Airport (BZE). Airport transfer on arrival and departure from charter are included. Check in is between noon and 3pm so you can set sail the same day.
Rate includes all meals, standard bar with local rum, beer, house wines (Chilean/Argentinian wines, one bottle per person per day), juices and soft drinks, fuel, and airport pickup/drop off. If you would like other alcoholic beverages for your charter it is recommended to buy them at the airport's duty free.
Belize sample itineraries:
Itineraries are tailored based on guests' tastes, pace and interests. The Northern Itinerary is ideally suited for those wanting to explore island life, go bar hopping, explore restaurants and so forth, or for families with kids who don't want to sail for more than a couple of hours a day. The Southern Itinerary is suited for those wanting to see spectacular tiny islands that dot the reef and see as few people as possible. The Northern and Southern itineraries can be merged to include some of the highlights of both routes, this would ideally require 6 days or more.
Get inspired by our sample itineraries that show the many possibilities of discovering Belize on your private yacht charter. Click here to view.
Travelling to Belize:
Effective August 9, 2021 all travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.. Click here for FAQs.
The Minister For Health And Social Development issued a statement on July 5th, 2021. You can read the full statement here.
One thing of interest to BVI charter guests is that the Cabinet decided that, in addition to existing measures, all
vaccinated persons will be subject to a rapid test upon arrival, effective 12th July, 2021, at a fee of $50.00.
Catamaran The Space Between is available for charter in the Florida Keys. They are currently available for New Years from December 30th onwards.
The Space Between is a 46-foot Leopard
catamaran with an owner-operator crew of two, Scott & Holly. They are based in
Florida and will charter out of Miami and the Keys.
This catamaran is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to 6 guests in 3 Queen cabins each having private, ensuite heads with sink/vanity, stall shower, and electric-flush toilet.
The Space Between has a 12.5-foot dinghy with 25HP motor, tube, two standup paddleboards (SUPs), snorkel gear, floating mats, beach games, fishing gear, underwater cameras, salon TV/DVD, USB ports, etc. Minimum age of 12 years old for children or watersafe (inquire). Please note that this is a non-smoking yacht.
Scott & Holly
- RATES: All-inclusive, 6-night charters (alcohol and Florida tax not included)
