Will I get seasick?
Everybody
is different, but we find most people have no problem as long
as
they stay well hydrated and on deck while sailing. At anchor,
the
movement is usually very slight and comfortable. Nonetheless, if you would feel better having
something "just in case", consult with your doctor or
pharmacist.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Things
happen and plans change. If you need to cancel, we will
gladly
refund all monies paid less a 25% cancellation fee. If you
purchase trip cancellation insurance from a third party, this fee may
even be covered. Keep in mind that the cancellation fee can be
fully
credited towards a future charter within one year.
How are you different from a cruise ship?
Total
flexibility and personalized service are the major differences.
Try asking the captain of a cruise ship to stay longer in an
anchorage you really like and you'll understand. With Safari
your
whole vacation is designed around your desires. We also have
access to areas the big ships can't even approach. You will
experience what it's really like to live on a yacht and travel with the
wind.
How long have you been operating?
We
have been sailing in the Caribbean aboard Safari and two smaller boats
since 1994. During this time, our chartering has been on a
word-of-mouth basis without extra marketing. With Safari's
larger
size and up-scale features, we have decided to target a larger audience
thru magazine ads and the Internet.
Why do you offer only a limited number of charters?
Our
main objective is to enjoy the sailing life and have fun with others in
the process. We limit our bookings to avoid feeling "burned
out"
and turning the experience into a chore. A side benefit is
more
time to prepare for each charter. For example, we never book
back-to-back charters because they are too tiring for us and would
prevent giving you our best service.
Do you take children?
Safari's
sleeping arrangement is designed for couples. An adult and a
child (at least 10) could share the guest cabin's queen-sized berth.
However, two adults and a child could not. A
maximum of two
guests is our limit.
Can you handle more than 2 people?
We
could conceivably handle more, but we prefer to offer luxury charters
and feel that sleeping on the settee is not in keeping with
this goal.
Do you offer other destinations?
Not
at the moment. We now only sail between Curacao/Bonaire and Las Aves.
What if I can't swim?
Surprisingly,
many sailors can't swim either. This doesn't stop them from
enjoying life on the water nor should it you. The
experience
of traveling under sail and living afloat can be just as rewarding for
a non-swimmer.
One of us loves to sail, the other isn't sure...
Bonaire is the perfect place to introduce a hesitant partner to the sport.
We can sail in very protected areas with little
heeling and
gradually progress to more challenging conditions. Once
anchored,
the fact that the beautiful surroundings can be better appreciated from
a boat will help overcome any further doubts.
Can I be reached while on board?
We
believe in leaving the "world" behind while on vacation. For
this
reason, we use a cell-phone in Bonaire & Curacao, for arrivals & departures, and then our on-board satellite e-mail can be use when we're in Las Aves.
If you need to be reached this system is very reliable in an unobtrusive way.
Will my cell-phone work?
It will work only in Curacao & Bonaire. As mentioned above, our satellite e-mail is available for remote areas.
Can I drink the water on board?
The
water on board far surpasses EPA standards, has not been chemically
treated and is never in contact with city or dock water. It
is
produced by reverse osmosis and is as healthy as a fine
bottled water.
Will we spend time in marinas?
We
normally prefer to avoid marinas and anchor for the evening.
The
breeze is pleasant, the neighbors are at a distance and the gentle
movement will rock you to sleep.
How often are the sheets and towels changed?
Sheets
are changed every 3 days, and the towels (2 Egyptian-cotton sets inside your cabin, and 2 large beach towels for outside showers) are changed as needed. With laundry
facilities on board, we can accommodate any request.
What about hurricanes?
The
official Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30.
Luckily, our sailing waters are considered to be out of the hurricane zone, making year-round chartering possible.
Why don't you charter with your dogs?
Bungee
is very active and has trouble accepting new people quickly.
She's a great guard dog, but can be overwhelming with guests.
Bingo is shy with strangers but would
be
fine on charter. However, we feel that they are happier together and
prefer to board both of them.
Why is your boat called Safari?
Cute
boat names (like Sea-fari) are fine in "Gringo" territory, but elsewhere they
are too confusing to port authorities and as radio call signs.
We
prefer international sounding names that are pronounced the same
everywhere. Since we have had several pets, including a
parrot,
and Safari is defined as "people on expedition together with
animals and/or vehicles that transport them", the name seems to fit.
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