MELINKA - S&S Swan 80

S/Y MELINKA - S & S Designed Swan 80 - Accommodates up to six guests in three cabins.

Admirers of traditional yachts will recognize MELINKA's classic Sparkman & Stephens lines at first glance. Below decks, her handsome interior is warmed with rich leather upholstery and fine marine paintings from the owner's private collection. Three en suite guest cabins aft of the spacious salon comprise a large master with twin lower singles, desk and library shelves, plus two cabins with upper/lower singles. All heads have separate stall showers. The galley and crew quarters are forward of the salon to give guests maximum privacy.

Melinka's elegant style conceals an agile, high performance sailing yacht with good sea berths for offshore passages. The cushioned sundeck aft of the helm has space for everyone to relax after an exhilarating sail or an afternoon of water sports. Captain Forrest Shropshire heads Melinka's crew of three. Despite his quintessentially English name, Forrest is originally from Georgia. He has more than thirty year's experience cruising the waters of the Caribbean and the U.S. East Coast and holds a 1600 ton USCG License. Mate Jace Hector is a second generation professional sailor from Antigua who loves sharing his local knowledge of the Islands. His sunny disposition, ready laugh and singing brighten every day. Unfortunately, we do not have the chef's name, but we had lunch aboard Melinka and the meal was excellent.

Captain Shropshire and his crew look forward to welcoming you aboard Melinka.

RATES: $18,500/wk for up to 6 guests. All-inclusive except for fine wines, taxes, dockage & communications

Booked for the holidays.

View Melinka's electronic brochures: CLICK HERE and ALSO HERE :)

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

Happy holidays!

New lower rates: CLAUDIA IV 70-foot Swan

New Rates on the beautiful Swan 70, Claudia IV !

Re-priced (lowered) and changed from Euros to US dollars, Claudia IV's rates are now $20/000/wk for 2 guests, $21,000/wk for 4 and $22,000/wk for 6 guests. This rate is all-inclusive with the normal exceptions of special requests, taxes, dockage and communications. Note: Standard ship's bar is INCLUDED.

The accommodations on Claudia IV make her ideal for family charters as well as for three couples. A classic Frers design Swan 70, she offers three double cabins, each with en suite head and shower. The master cabin is aft with a centerline queen, settee and vanity/desk. Two identical guest cabins forward of the salon have one lower double and one single upper Pullman berth each.

British born Captain Mike Watts and his wife, Adele, the chef, have been polishing their hosting skills on charter yachts since 1996. Mike is a mechanical engineer, RYA Yachtmaster, RYA Sailing Instructor and PADI Certified Scuba Instructor. His knowledge of sailing and anchorages throughout the Caribbean is unsurpassed. Adele has done two circumnavigations, co-owned a dive charter company and trained at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy in London.

Electronic brochure: CLICK HERE and HERE TOO!

Contact Paradise Connections for more info : CLICK HERE

Happy holidays!

HOLIDAY DISCOUNT - Book last minute charter NOW

S/Y ASHLANA available for holidays - 10% discount with ship's bar included!

Last minute cancellation! This stunning Little Harbor 53 accommodates 4 guests. En suite aft master has port & starboard "cozy doubles". Guests may use either of the two forward cabins which share a head and shower: V-berth double with filler, or port cabin with upper/lower singles. Raves for Chef Christie's chocolate fondue served at Antigua Charter Show's Broker Appreciation Day Tea.

Discounted rates: USD $10,800/wk for 2 guests, and $12,150/wk for 4 guests except taxes, fees, dockage & communications.

Web site: CLICK HERE

Book now! Contact PARADISE CONNECTIONS : CLICK HERE

Happy holidays!

HANALEI BAY - Evening aboard in St. Thomas, USVI

Last night we had a wonderful evening aboard the charter yacht, Hanalei Bay, while we are still in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.



We had a simple, but SUPERB, meal of pork stew with sides of rice, potatoes, and mixed vegetables. Diane made a wonderful chocolate cake that I have been longing for... perfect!

Thanks guys, for having us over.

Hanalei Bay is currently available for Christmas 2007!
or how about spring break with the family?

View Hanalei Bay's brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections: CLICK HERE
.

Drumbeat - Dive Sail Charter Yacht

Drumbeat is under new ownership

---

Let's start planning your sailing vacation!

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters

For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Promenade Opening - Hot off the press!

Bad news, Good news...


BAD NEWS: Promenade, the 65-foot superfun trimaran with a wonderful crew, has had a cancellation for the week of June 12-19, 2008.

GOOD NEWS: Promenade is now available for this primo week for YOUR charter. The kids will be out of school and this is a great boat for families, too!

Check out their online brochure : CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections to book : CLICK HERE

(Still open for Christmas 2007)

Welcome Charter Yacht Conundrum

We visited the 62-foot Little Harbor sloop, Conundrum at the St. Thomas Charter Yacht Show on Saturday. It is a beautiful yacht. We were just leaving when the captain returned to the boat. He looked at Bob and said "Loose Moose 2! Bob & Sheila". We were shocked! How does he know Loose Moose?

We looked at his name tag and when he said his name (Johnny SPECTOR) it dawned on us.... this is Karen's son.... Wow! He hasn't seen us in at least 6 or 7 years yet he remembers us. Well, Loose Moose and the Wise's are kind of "infamoose" :) Conundrum is a lovely boat and is definitely well cared for, but if Karen's son is the captain, we know that you too will be well looked after (or we'll tell his Mom!)

Also, I was looking at Conundrum's printed brochure and I liked it's philosophy. It states very clearly what a crewed yacht charter should be, so I'm going to quote a bit from it...

"IT IS A CONUNDRUM... SO MUCH TO DO, OR SO LITTLE TO DO!

Is your idea of a dream vacation to pack in everything possible, every day? Exciting ports of call and trendy beaches, interlaced with the thrill of slicing through the ocean water while under full sail? Take the helm yourself, or just sun and enjoy the view.

Or is your idea of the perfect getaway to slow down and take each day as it comes? Enjoy the peaceful morning breeze from the sundeck, wander an island trail, and relax with a drink to enjoy the romantic sunset?

Either way, or a little of both, is perfect for us if it's perfect for you. We enjoy providing exactly the experience that is right for you. Gourmet food using exotic and fresh local ingredients? Meat and potatoes? The answer is YES, we can do that.

Remember: When deciding which sailing yacht to charter, it's not a conundrum... it's THE Conundrum... because we create the vacation experience you desire."

Well said!

View Conundrum's brochure : CLICK HERE

For more information, contact Paradise Connections : CLICK HERE

Christmas & New Years 2007 UPDATE Charter Yacht Sailing Vacations

CONTACT PARADISE CONNECTIONS FOR CURRENT HOLIDAY CHARTERS

Check out current special offers on crewed charter yachts. 

CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL OFFERS

---

Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters

For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

---

Virgin Island Charter Yacht Shows

Hi! Sorry for the lack of posts as we have been attending the two charter yacht shows in the Virgin Islands this week and we haven't had much spare time or decent internet access until today (hurray!).

We just successfully signed up and now have good wifi on the boat so WATCH OUT!

Must dash as we have been invited to visit NSS Pattam at 10am as we were unable to fit them in yesterday (saw them at the pirate party though!)

More soon come!

QWEST Summer Vacation 2007

We sent an email to some of our favorite charter boats to ask what they did on THEIR summer vacation...

Here's what Kim & Rich of the charter yacht QWEST had to say:


Hi Sheila & Bob,

Sorry about the slow reply, but we have been busy in the boatyard getting ready for the season.

We spent most of our summer in New Mexico visiting family and friends. A lot of our time was spent "working on our music." We have been adding songs to our repertoire, and learning some new techniques and playing styles for ukulele and harmonica.


We don't have any photos, but we did add a music page to our (no-contact) website that has links to a couple of mp3s and a video. The link is www.YachtQwest.com/music.html .

We hope to add some more stuff to the page, but right now things are crazy busy!!!

See you at the show, Kim & Rich

View Qwest's brochure : CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

QWEST is still available for both Christmas AND New Years!

CRYSTAL CLEAR : Pre-Christmas Discounts

Charly & Carolina of the charter yacht Crystal Clear, are ready to welcome you aboard for a yacht charter sailing vacation this season.



Two Special Offers:

• $500 discount on new bookings taking place before Christmas week
• No holiday surcharge for Christmas week, Dec.20-27, 2007 - Tortola

View Crystal Clear's brochure : CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for more info : CLICK HERE

Christmas Season Day Sail Holiday Cruises - New York

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY ABOARD EASTERN STAR!

'Tis the season to enjoy a private, exceptional cruise aboard the m/y Eastern Star.

• Elegant 85 Ft Motor Yacht Eastern Star trimmed in Mahogany decorated in Charming Holiday Decor
• Wood Burning Stove aglow accompanied by Champagne Upon Boarding
• Enclosed, Heated Upper deck set up for a Fine Dining Experience
• Complimentary DJ Entertainment
• Climate Controlled Interior
• Formal Dining Room available for Intimate Gatherings
• Exceptional Cuisine prepared onboard with Holiday and Customized Menus Available
• Outstanding Professional Crew
• Conveniently located at Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers

EXPERIENCE STUNNING VIEWS, FINE CUISINE, AND GREAT ENTERTAINMENT!

Your holiday package includes:

• 1/2 hour boarding with 4-hour cruise
• DJ entertainment
• Champagne upon boarding
• Premium bar
• Holiday dinner menu

How much, you ask?

• 20 Passengers: $5,500
• Each additional passenger: $115 per person
• 20% crew fee, sales tax, and dockage not included (gratuity appreciated)
  
• Package rates do not apply to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Rates are available upon request.
  

Consider Eastern Star for other occasions, too:

• Corporate celebrations & milestones
• Off-site business functions
• Incentive cruises
• Fall foliage cruises
• Holiday celebrations
• Private parties
• Dinner cruises
• Cocktail receptions
• Brunches & lunches

View Eastern Star's brochure: CLICK HERE

Contact Paradise Connections for booking & more info: CLICK HERE

Cruise Maldives - Force Blue Feb/March 2008

The charter motor yacht FORCE BLUE is available in the Maldives for charters between February 10 and March 20, 2008.

FORCE BLUE is a 207-foot (62.33m) Royal Denship motoryacht based out of Male.

CHARTER RATE: Euro 245,000 (high season) Euro 235,000 (low), plus all expenses.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Master king on main deck. Vanity. Jacuzzi
1 x queen. Tub
1 x twin. Tub
2 x queen. Jacuzzi
1 king (VIP). Jacuzzi
Full gym on below deck
SPA center : Steamshower, Hammam, Sauna jacuzzi, hydro massage. Massage room

WATERSPORTS.:
Snorkel gear, 2 x 2-man wave runners, water skis

TENDERS:
BAT 37" with 2 Honda, 8,20m Taka Limousine in Mahogany wood, 9m Pascoe with 2 BMW engines

Contact Paradise Connections for more info: CLICK HERE

TACHYON, Summer Vacation 2007

We sent an email to some of our favorite charter boats to ask what they did on THEIR summer vacation...



Here's what Eric & Jacque of the charter yacht TACHYON, a 47-foot catamaran, had to say:

Hey Sheila and Bob!

We just got back from our first charter of the season, and now have a few moments to get to our email!

We had a great summer in the mountains of Colorado where we spent 2 months in Grand Lake Colorado sailing (Eric was racing E-scows on Grand Lake, competing for the Lipton Cup -- he crewed on a boat that got second place!), water skiing, hiking and camping, doing a bit of horseback riding, and generally resting up and hanging out with our friends.

We had a wonderful time and are now gearing up for a very busy season!

Unfortunately, I'm using Eric's computer as mine has suddenly refused to recharge itself -- all our pictures are on my computer so I can't send one...sorry!

That's OK, Jacques. We'll get some photos when we see you in a couple of weeks when we sail over to the Virgin Islands for the charter yacht shows.

View TACHYON's brochure : CLICK HERE

Contact us, Paradise Connections, to book Tachyon : CLICK HERE

Friday BOAT Cat Blogging: Jacob on FLAME

Today's boat cat is Jacob who lives aboard the charter motor yacht FLAME.

Jacob is a fabulous charter cat. He really does the balance of entertainer, but not too-much-in -your-face charter host. His folks are very pleased with him and Flame's guests have adored him.

This morning, we asked Barbara and Wayne for a new photo and a bit about Jacob. Here is what they said:

Jacob is skinny in this picture cause he was still a kitten. He is still pretty slim but he has this funny droopy stomach that the vet says is very normal, just usual in older cats.

Jake is two years old. We got him at the St Thomas (USVI) humane society when he chose us for parents. I sat down in the cat enclosure and he climbed in my lap. I put him down to check out the other kittens and he climbed back on... my heart was won! He is not a lap cat for other people...

He likes to interrupt me when I am at the computer. When he was little he would lie on the computer keyboard and roll around listening to it beep! I had to stop that when somehow he managed to make my entire picture file go away. He loves to lie on the counter at the bottom of the steps going into the main salon so he can keep track of everyone. Me, he whacks as I go by so he can get attention. He is playful in the morning and the evening.. right now he is finding the charging cord for the phone a fun toy. He is also fond of hunting flies. I suppose the funniest thing about him is that he uses the toilet. We used the insert to train him and now he is down to the last ring with no litter in it. Last summer Wayne and I did a charter on Eliza (they had no crew and were in a panic) and we told them we come with cat. Jake just rolled with the punches and used the toilet there just like on Flame (on land he uses the great outdoors).

Well, obviously I could go on and on about him! He is just the sweetest, good natured cat!

You can see another post (June 12, 2006) with Jacob and Flame HERE.

Unfortunately, Flame won't be at the November St. Thomas charter yacht show as they will be on charter. But, as we will be in the Virgin Islands aboard our boat, we will probably run into them and catch up on everything... including more pictures!

View FLAME's brochure : CLICK HERE

Contact us, Paradise Connections, to book Flame : CLICK HERE