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ALL AT SEA APRIL 2021
SAIL AWAY
on your dream holiday this year with the latest news and offers
Dinghy Cruising Trails Dinghy sailors can be inspired to explore the British Isles with the Dinghy Cruising Trails’ initiative, launched at the virtual RYA Dinghy Show. The initial six trails are at Ullswater, Largs, Rutland Water, Milford Haven, Brownsea Island and Hickling Broad, with more to come. All are under six miles and each trail has been selected because launching is free or available at nominal charge. “We know this is the summer of the staycation, and this is a fantastic low-cost way of using your dinghy with family and friends whilst exploring our beautiful coastline and inland waters. Dinghies are not just about racing, it is about discovering the great outdoors,” said RYA programmes manager Michelle Gent. Each trail comes with its own map and instructions including distance, safety, sailing times and launch sites. They are also packed with details of navigation or anchorage, wildlife spotting, picnic spots and more. rya.org.uk/programmes/Pages/Dinghy-Cruising-Trails.aspx
Caribbean adventure
Enjoy a rare piece of yachting history with a Caribbean charter on the award-winning Thandeka, a 37m Camper & Nicholsons yacht. Thandeka’s accommodation, for up to eight guests, includes a full-beam master suite with a private lounging area and en-suite, as well as a double cabin and two twin cabins. Guests will also be able to enjoy the yacht’s interior update, including the fitting of new entertainment systems. The crew of six includes a chef who is renowned for his culinary prowess and imaginative creations. In between dining, guests can enjoy a selection of watertoys including a jetski, kayaks, paddleboards and diving equipment. The yacht’s guests can access all manner of remote bays and coves, allowing you to get the most out of a charter by getting up close to both sea life and nature ashore, as well as docking in the numerous vibrant port towns around the Caribbean. For this supremely luxurious getaway – £73,000 a week! y.co/yacht/thandeka
Marvellous Martinque
For travellers looking to soak up a charming mix of French flair and laid-back Caribbean vibes, Sunsail has added Martinique to its holiday destinations. Nicknamed the ‘culinary capital of the Caribbean’, Martinique is a cultural melting pot that blends cosmopolitan appeal with local island charm. Located in the heart of the Lesser Antilles’ Windward Islands, the volcanicformed island is a mountainous region that is part of the French Republic. With an average year-round temperature of 24 - 30˚C and consistent trade winds blowing in from the northeast, sailors enjoy a tropical climate and ideal cruising conditions. Anchorages and stopovers are easy to navigate with line-ofsight cruising and plenty of mooring buoys available. Prices for a one-week Martinique charter start from £646 per person (based on four people) departing on 17 May 2021, on board a Sunsail 41.1 premier yacht. An optional skipper can be hired for £180 per day. Flights can be booked through Sunsail from £600 per person from London Heathrow via Paris. Kate Staniforth, UK senior marketing manager for Sunsail, said: “From hiking through exotic rainforests to bathing in natural hot springs, strolling along striking blacksand beaches to feasting on authentic French and Creole cuisine, this one-of-a-kind destination is worthy of every traveller’s bucket list. “We are making sure our customers experience their Sunsail adventure in a safe environment, and have made sure that we are able to adhere to all social distancing guidelines and have implemented stringent new health and safety procedures across all of our bases to protect our guests and staff.” 0330 332 1182 / www.sunsail.co.uk
Ultimate UK staycation P&O Cruises is offering short break and week-long UK cruises as ‘the ultimate escape’ staycation this summer. P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Whilst holidays here in the UK will be the first to become a reality, we will, of course, gradually see the return of international travel, but first we want guests to be able to enjoy a proper summer holiday at sea with the best in relaxation, entertainment and dining choice. These sailings will leave from our home port in Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters enjoying the summer sunshine. “We will do our utmost to make it a very special time. There really will be something for everyone and the opportunity to spend precious and much-longed for time with family and friends. P&O Cruises says sailings on cruise liners Britannia and Iona in the Ultimate Escape UK holidays will be for UK resident, Covid-19 vaccinated guests only. Proof of vaccination – including the second dose - and the dates given will be required for boarding. Relevant travel insurance must also be obtained. Paul continued: “In order to offer these UK breaks it does mean that, unfortunately, we need to cancel some of our published programme of holidays this summer. Cruises on
Arcadia, Aurora, Azura and Ventura have been cancelled until the end of August, and on Britannia and Iona until the end of September. “We remain in very close contact with the UK government and associated bodies as we monitor the situation and guidance on travel. From the moment we see travel restrictions lifting we will begin the significant logistical task of re-starting our operations. It will take some time for the first ship to return to service, followed by the phased return of the remaining fleet. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back on board with the protection of effective protocols to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all crew and guests. “I really am so sorry for the disappointment these cancellations will cause, but hope that the new UK cruises will enable everyone to enjoy a wonderful holiday this summer.” All guests whose cruises have been cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125 per cent of what they paid. This 125 per cent Future Cruise Credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021. Alternatively, a 100 per cent refund is available through www.pocruises. com and may be requested until December 2021.
Holiday travel restrictions up-date In England, the stay at home rule finished on 29 March, although holidays within the UK will not be allowed until 12 April at the earliest subject to four tests being met including the vaccine rollout going smoothly and no surge in Covidrelated hospital admissions. People are then allowed to stay away from home with other members of their
household, or bubble, in self-contained accommodation. The earliest date people from England will be able to travel abroad for a holiday is 17 May. Hotels and B&Bs are also set to open for holidaymakers in England on 17 May at the earliest. Note that different rules apply for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and so check local rules before booking any holiday.
Bahamas’ silent island
Silent Resorts, partner with SILENTYACHTS, the Austrian company that produces solar electric catamarans, has secured a SILENT55 as its maiden promotional yacht and chosen the Bahamas for the location of its first resort. Construction will begin this year and will include 16 four-bedroom waterfront villas and eight custom solar powered catamarans from SILENT-YACHTS, along with a beachside clubhouse, resort-style pool, restaurant, bar, fitness room, games room and a spa. Silent Resorts’ mission is to make island villa and luxury yacht ownership more affordable and create a sustainable, self-sufficient,
private and secure luxury land and sea experience. All Silent Resorts members/ owners will have access to their villas and four-cabin suite yachts for five weeks or more per year, with the possibility to share their no-cost stays with friends and family. www.silent-resorts.com
FURTHER INFORMATION IMPORTANT The outbreak of COVID-19 continues to evolve. Please check FCO travel advice pages for the latest travel information: www. gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice.
■ Nautilus Yachting: www.nautilusyachting.com ■ Nisos Yacht Charter: www.nisosyachtcharter.com ■ Seafarer: www.seafarersailing.co.uk ■ BVI Charters: www.bviyachtcharters.com ■ Ocean Elements: www.ocean-elements.co.uk ■ The Moorings: www.moorings.co.uk ■ Mauri Pro: www.mauripro.com ■ Dream Yacht Charter: www.dreamyachtcharter.co.uk ■ Sunsail: www.sunsail.co.uk ■ Mallorca Yacht Charter: www.mallorcayachtcharter.eu ■ Tall Ships Adventures: tallships.org ■ Naleia Yachting: www.naleiayachting.com
