Caribbean Cruises – and why not take in the Tropics too!

Start planning your winter warmer now! Equinoxe Yachts has a uniquely tempting array choices for anyone thinking about a Caribbean cruise or a voyage of discovery in the Tropics this winter. Classic dream destinations for all yacht lovers.

There is so much variety in the charter world today, it can be difficult to know where to start. Particularly when it comes to peak times like the summer in the Mediterranean and winter in the Tropics. Although there are some golden rules in the charter world, many are constantly changing and evolving. This is partly to do with the turnover of the yachts themselves and partly because international brokers are now offering a more bespoke service with holidays tailored around the needs of individual clients. Fashion is another factor: some areas of the world are quite simply cooler and trendier then others at any given time and the seafaring sector is no exception. The result is that entire nations or exotic locations are suddenly in and getting to them becomes a bit of an obsession. Currently the trendsetting spotlight is firmly focused on exotic destinations. Caribbean cruises remain an evergreen favourite but the tropical likes of the Maldives, the Seychelles, Indonesia and Malaysia gathering momentum fast too. Or, of course, you could try something truly unique tailored especially around your own personal requirements.

As always, Equinoxe Yachts is well ahead of the game and quick to respond to demand for specific kinds of boats and exclusive destinations. If you work with our experts, they will give you sound advice on which routes to choose, which yacht to charter and the best time of year to go. Then they will help with all the finer details of the cruise too – everything from shore or sea excursions to the onboard wine list. To be certain that your Caribbean cruise and trip to the Tropics are exactly what you want them to be.

To help you slip into tropical mode, we’ve put together a choice of charter ideas for the trendiest exotic winter destinations which are, of course, something of a standard-bearer for Equinoxe Yachts’ excellence on the yachting holiday front.

THE CARRIBEAN: THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, BAHAMAS, AND GREATER AND LESSER ANTILLES
Could anything be more seductive than the thought of a chilled-out Christmas sailing cruise aboard a modern 30-metre sloop and a 20-metre catamaran? Just think: the joy of planing along in utter comfort with the Trade Winds filling your boat’s sails….
When it comes to choosing your Caribbean cruise, the highlights of the Equinoxe Yachts fleet have to be Dharma, a gorgeous 29-metre Southern Wind with three two-berth cabins, one with a third Pullman berth, and one single. Dharma’s eight lucky guests will be cared for by a professional crew of four. Another star is Sagittarius, a 20-metre catamaran built by Jeantot Marine which can welcome aboard up to 10 guests in five cabins with four crew aboard to ensure a completely relaxed time.

THE MALDIVES
Take a step back in time and sail at the pace of nature herself aboard beautiful traditional wooden boats that offer a luxury holiday combining contact with the local culture with an in-depth insight into this magnificent Indian Ocean archipelago.
For a truly unique experience in the Maldives , Equinoxe suggests the lovely Dhoni Stella 1 and Dhoni Stella 2, two Maldivian yachts designed to welcome four to six guests apiece. The perfect choice for an intimate, exclusive cruise experience with unforgettable diving and unfettered contact with the sea.

THE SEYCHELLES
Let yourself be transported by the sheer magic of sailing aboard a catamaran in the crystal clear waters of the Seychelles where the multihulls in the Equinoxe Yachts-managed Moorings fleet are based throughout the summer season in the tropics.
Designed for six or eight guests, these multihulls are perfect for exploring the most breath-taking of the area’s anchorages thanks to their shallow draughts and extreme stability. Twin-hulled sailing is also extremely comfortable. Sailing lovers will absolutely adore the Moorings 5800 (eight guests, two crew) but motoryacht fans will love the Moorings 514 (six guests with two-three crew).

INDONESIA: RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS
The Raja Ampat islands are a vast archipelago of almost 1,500 islands floating in the Indian Ocean. Mostly mountainous, the Raja Ampats lie to the west of New Guinea in Indonesia. Exploring them by boat is really the only way to truly understand their true nature and beauty – their very essence in other words. Equinoxe Yachts has two very different kinds of boat to offer in the area, each of which will give you an authentic Indonesian experience.
The first is Mutiara Laut, a 46-metre schooner clothed in wonderfully elegant classic lines. She has accommodation for 14 guests in seven cabins and an impressive 1:1 guest-crew ratio which gives a good idea of the impeccable standard of service and care offered aboard.
The second choice for an archipelago covered by only a select few brokers is Mantamae, a schooner-rigged 31-metre traditional local sailer, with a master cabin plus two others with bunkbeds, accommodating a total of six guests. You’ll find life aboard Mantamae fun and laidback. She is the perfect choice for diving enthusiasts or for anyone that has ever dreamed of being gently rocked by the Indian Ocean. You holiday aboard Mantamae will also bring you into genuine contact with the culture of this enchanted area of the world. It is a real paradise for divers too: Manta rays and whale sharks are just a few stunning animals you may encounter as you swim with the onboard dive masters.