Imagine spending your vacation cruising the turquoise waters in an exotic location while being pampered and not having to lift a finger during the entire trip. Days are spent on deck with the wind in your hair, or at shore exploring different islands. As the sun sets, your yacht pulls into a tranquil lagoon and moors for the night. There’s enough time for one last dip in the balmy ocean before pre-dinner drinks are served and the chef starts preparing the first course. You were planning to move on to a different island tomorrow, but this one is so beautiful you decide to stay for another day. And maybe try one of the local restaurants for dinner the next night. No problem. Your itinerary is entirely up to you.

Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? It is. And the good news is that it can be quite affordable too.

Luxury yacht charters come in all shapes and sizes, fully crewed, captain only, or bare boat (meaning no crew at all), sail, power, catamaran or gulets (Turkish motor-sailers); basic or with every amenity you can imagine. Most provide water toys such as kayaks, jet skis, diving equipment, windsurfers etc. And all have speedboats to take you ashore (or go water skiing). You can find a luxury yacht for less than $2,500 in the Caribbean, even during high season. That is bareboat though; if you want a crew you’ll have to spend a little bit more. But you can still rent a luxury catamaran with a crew of 4 and room for 10 in the Caribbean for less than $4,000/week per person, or a luxury sailing boat with a crew of 2 and room for 8 guests for less than $3,000/week per person.

And of course, the sky is the limit. If you want the ultimate in luxury, consider the Alysia, which cruises the Mediterranean for a bit over $1.1 million/week. But here’s what that gets you: 25,833 square feet of guest space, a crew of 36, a business center, health center, a beauty salon (with 2 beauty therapists), wine cellar, chefs, 24 hour laundry service, elevators, Bose surround sound system indoors and out, nurse on call 24 hours/day, cinema, a Yamaha grand piano, diving equipment (including waterproof cameras), waverunners, water-skis, helicopter deck, and more. It holds up to 36 guests, so if you find 35 people to share the trip with, it breaks down to a little bit over $30,000 per person.

No wonder luxury yacht charter is becoming increasingly popular. There are boats available to suit anybody’s taste and wallet, and unlike at a traditional cruise, you don’t have to stand in line for anything, you can eat dinner in your bathing suit, you don’t have to listen to intercom announcements, there is no rushing from port to port or back on the boat after a few hours on land – you’re in charge of the itinerary and everything else you feel like being in charge of.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of vacationing on a yacht in the Caribbean but left it at dreaming, this year may be the perfect time to make that dream a reality.

Because of the current economic downturn, boat owners and charter companies all over the world are lowering prices, running specials, and throwing in extras to get bookings.

Moorings are currently offering $750 off on crewed charters, and 15% off PLUS free provisions or airfare rebates on bareboat vacations.

Boatbookings have some great deals available. How about 2 weeks for the price of one on the Symphony II, a beautiful motor yacht that comes with all kinds of water toys and a chef. If you can’t take two weeks off, they are also offering or 15% off on weeklong, all-inclusive charters on the Symphony II.

If you prefer state-of-the-art sailing, you’re in luck. The Dreamcatcher, a gorgeous crewed 82-foot luxury sailing yacht is available in the Caribbean at a reduced rate of $28,000/week (the normal rate is $42,000/week).

For even more savings, consider bareboat sailing. You can find deals of up to 30% off the regular rate this spring and summer. I recently saw a great sailing catamaran out of St. Thomas available for $6,000/week, bareboat. It sleeps up to 10 people, so that’s only $600/person.

Have a honeymoon coming up? Check out the luxury catamaran “Pas De Deux” out of Tortola or St. Thomas. It has air conditioning throughout, Bose surround sound system, staterooms with en-suite baths, flat screen TVs and even a washer/dryer! Their current “Honeymoon Special” includes among other things: private transfer to the yacht, champagne reception, beachfront sunset dinner at Anegada, and accommodation in the Owner’s master cabin.

Remember, if you have your heart set on a particular yacht but don’t see any specials for it – don’t hesitate to ask. You never know what you might be able to negotiate, even if you’re not dealing directly with the boat owner.

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The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is the sailing capital of the Caribbean and a fantastic place for yacht charters. A prime spot for diving, snorkeling and fishing, these 60+ idyllic islands offer a wide variety of experiences. Whether you are looking for a fully crewed, skippered or bareboat charter, or even just day sailing, the opportunities are endless. And if you’re in the market for a luxury Caribbean yacht charter, you’ve come to the right place!

Tortola, the largest and most populated of the islands, is home to Road Town, the capital of the BVI. Tortola offers numerous protected anchorages, white sandy beaches, lush mountains, national parks, a botanical garden and a myriad of activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, horseback riding, shopping and dining. Consistent Caribbean trade winds and a myriad of bays and coves make Tortola a prime choice for boaters, and the majority of the yacht charter companies are located here.

Virgin Gorda, the second largest inhabited island in the BVI, is home to the world-famous Bitter End Yacht Club (reachable only by water) and the Little Dix Bay resort (designed by Laurance S. Rockefeller). There is also an abundance of natural beauty – many gorgeous beaches, hiking trails, a nature sanctuary (with great bird watching) and of course shopping and dining. Don’t miss The Baths; a geologic formation of huge boulders strewn about by a volcanic eruption 70 million years ago, creating grottoes and saltwater pools.

Jost Van Dyke, with fewer than 200 inhabitants and known for its casual lifestyle, is THE place to drop anchor for the night – either at Great Harbour, Little Harbour or White Bay. Don’t miss a visit to the world famous Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay (no dock, you have to swim up) and try one of their “Painkillers”, a rum drink legendary in the Caribbean. Great Harbour is home to many bars and restaurants, the most well-known being Foxy’s, famous for their wild parties (their annual New Year’s Eve party in particular) and owner, Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood, who sings and plays guitar for his guests (there are also live bands Thur – Sun). Worth mentioning too is the Local Flavor Beach Bar (aka the Stress Free Bar) which runs on an honor system. You mix your own drinks and leave the appropriate amount of money when you leave! Jost Van Dyke is also an excellent spot for snorkeling, and for a non-aquatic experience, explore the island on foot on one of the many hiking trails.

Anegada, which lies northernmost in the chain, is the only coral island in the otherwise volcanic BVI. With 16 miles of beautiful, secluded, white sand beaches and a population of about 200, Anegada is a place to get away and relax. Surrounded by the 18-mile Horseshoe Reef (the second largest barrier coral reef on earth), Anegada is heaven for snorkelers and scuba divers. In addition to sea turtles and copious amount of fish, there are numerous sunken ships: British warships, Spanish galleons and American privateers. There is plenty of exciting flora and fauna on land as well; loblolly, frangipani, sea lavender and wild orchids can be found all over the island. At the saltwater ponds and mangrove swamps you will see Caribbean flamingos and many other exotic birds. The island is also home to the endangered Anegada Rock Iguana. In spite of its “deserted island” atmosphere, there are several local restaurants and it is said the lobster here is the best in the Caribbean. Make sure you try the special drink of Anagada, the “Rum Teaser”

In addition to the above main islands, there are numerous others to explore, inhabited and not, nature reserves, privately owned, or just slivers of sand. The most famous of the privately owned is perhaps Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private paradise in the Caribbean. The island is available for rent, but if renting the entire island is out of your budget, you still have a chance to visit – they do offer rooms for rent during specific weeks of the year. Peter Island is another private island accessible by boat or helicopter. There is only one resort on the island, but private yachts are welcome to visit. Sprat Bay has moorings, ice, water, fuel and showers available for visitors.

Cooper Island, 5 miles from Tortola, is the picture-perfect Caribbean island. With only four, privately owned properties and no roads and cars, the unspoiled Cooper is a true island getaway. Surrounded by coral reefs and aquamarine water, it is perfect for snorkeling, or just relaxing on one of the white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms. Or explore the island on foot – you will find many exotic birds and plants.

There is so much more to see in the BVI, and chartering a yacht is the perfect way to do it. With many islands and areas only accessible by boat, you will be able to escape the crowds and visit many sites that you would otherwise miss. Whether you’re a first time sailor or experienced boater, a yacht charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands will be a trip to remember.

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