As I write this there is several inches of snow on the ground outside my window. If I can around this time of year I do like to get away for a warm part of the world for a charter if I have time and can afford it. I well remember my fist charter, not sure what to expect I was unsure if we would actually like it but we had a grand time and have been back again and again. Although I don't actually have a charter planned at the present time the winter is a the ideal time for us up in the north, the winters are long and if like me you ache to get back out on the water where it's not actually frozen then a charter could be a good bet.

I'd like to be back on that boat right now!
Getting the best from a charter vacation starts long before you step aboard the boat. It pays to do a little research before you hand over the deposit check. The web can be a godsend making it easier to research companies, prices and other pertinent information. The first thing is to consider is where you want to go; the Caribbean is probably the most popular charter destination for US citizens as it is fairly close and served by many airports with an abundance of flights. The Med is another popular destination but the long flight there and back can take the edge off the holiday and can be trying especially with young children. Depending on when you go your vacation one must consider the weather. Taking the Caribbean as an example you would probably want to avoid the hurricane season. Personally my favorite charter destination is the BVI's and I am not the only one as it is without doubt the world's busiest single bare boat charter destination; navigation is easy, the trade winds are predictable and the islands are close by each other with pristine beaches and crystal clear warm water that makes it ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Wherever you go however you will want to consider the type of boat. Catamarans are probably best for nervous sailors and older folks or those unsteady on their feet. They don't heel over like a mono hull and offer prodigious amounts of room which makes them very social boats and great for large parties of friends or families. You can expect a charter cat to have a bathroom or head for every guest cabin. Mono hulls are great too but they do not have the room of a comparable cat of the same length and room below is likely to be more 'cozy'. When chartering first started to make inroads into boating holidays the boats were almost all sail but now companies like the Mooring offer a range of power catamarans which are as spacious as their sailing counterparts with the added advantage that you can cover more ground if time is limited.
If contemplating a bare boat charter where you captain the boat yourself just about every company will want to know your prior boating experience but if you are unsure if you are up to the task you could always opt for a crewed charter where the charter company provides a captain for you at an extra charge who will take you where you want to go. He or she will know the local area and may be able to show you local spots that others may not know about, he may also know the best places to eat ashore or where to see the most fish if you go snorkeling. Another option is to join a flotilla this is where a lead boat guides the fleet from port to port and is there should you have any questions or get into difficulties. A flotilla can be a good option for those with limited experience with the added benefit of getting together with others at the end of the day if you want to.
It is important to consider others in your party, after all not everyone may be as keen as you on being on the boat as the skipper. With this in mind you can opt for a stay at a resort such as the Bitter End Yacht Club that allows the sailor in the family to go out boating for the day while others lounge on the beach, visit the spa or 101 other shore side activities.
The cost of a charter varies with when and where you go, the size of the boat and obviously the length of the charter. One way to ease the burden is to charter a boat with friends to share the cost but don't forget that to the cost of the charter you will have to add in air fares to your destination. It is also worth considering cancellation insurance too which you can purchase from the charter company so if an unforeseen circumstance prevents you going at the last minute you will not be out of pocket to the tune of several thousand dollars. Another extra cost can be for additional items like paddle boards, kayaks or windsurfers. All boats in the Caribbean come with dinghies with outboards but I can tell you from experience that these are often an optional extra in the Mediterranean. Read the small print before you sign on the dotted line or click the mouse so you know exactly what you can expect when you arrive, but if there is a problem with the boat or it's equipment then speak up, don't wait till you get home as it will be too late in many cases for the charter company to do anything about it then. If you have never experienced a charter vacation then a I urge you to go, I can almost guarantee that you'll love it and wonder why you did not do it sooner.
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