Family vacations are great. Really, truly great. If all they accomplish is getting you and the kids away from the daily grind for a little while, mission accomplished. That being said, there are some ways of traveling as a family that are better than others. As I write this, my most recent foray into family vacationing was a weekend getaway.
We were invited to stay at a nice hotel with a pool and enjoyed a few rounds of golf at a local putt-putt course. I would do it again in a heartbeat because I love getting away with my kids, but was it perfect? Um, no.
Had this been more than just a quick weekend, what a disastrous vacation it could have been. When you think of all the time, money, and effort we as parents pour into taking time out of our busy schedules to reconnect with our family, we want it to be enjoyable for everyone. So how do we foolproof the iconic family trip?
The answer is a crewed yacht charter. A crewed yacht charter vacation can be customized specifically for your family, allowing for unique requests and preferences while eliminating some of the headaches often encountered when going on the ‘typical’ vacation (National Lampoon’s “Family Vacation”, anyone?). As you plan your next trip, here are a few things to keep in mind:
What do you want to do while on vacation? Selecting the right yacht and crew
Thinking of a chartered yacht as a hotel designed just for you might help you stretch your imagination and think outside the typical vacation ‘box’. There are many options available when selecting a crewed charter yacht, so really give some thought to what activities and details you think would make this trip successful. How big is your family? What are the ages of your children? Do you want a hand’s experience or do you prefer a more catered feel? Will this be your child’s first attempt at a watersport or is she hoping to refine her skills? The brokers at CKIM Group can help you select the right crew for your vacation dreams. The more you tell us about your family, the better we can find the right match. No one knows your kids better than you, and no one knows these crews better than us. The perfect match is out there!
Whole family activities
Of course, kids love some surprises, but involving your kids in the planning of their vacation will help keep them excited about the upcoming trip and will prepare them for what to expect while onboard the boat. Most watersports can be adapted to almost any age traveler. Your family can enjoy water skiing, tubing, and snorkeling together while in the water. But what about your inland excursions? Talk to your CKIM Broker about the different sights you can enjoy with your kids on the islands. Plan a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt, or visit Geocaching to see if there are any treasures already hidden!
Remember, a crewed charter is a completely customized dream vacation; the crew will make their menus and schedules based on what you tell them. If you dream of sampling organic haute cuisine but you know your child will eat only hot dogs and spaghetti (not necessarily together, but maybe…), let us know! We can make that happen!
Reviewing boating and swimming safety rules is a good idea, too. While the waters in the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands are not typically rough, it’s a good idea to have some options at your disposal for first time boaters who might experience motion sickness. Discuss available choices with your family pediatrician to decide what is best for your child.
Before you go
After you select your yacht charter and destination, make sure you have all the necessary documents you will need for traveling. If traveling outside of a US Territory (such as the British Virgin Islands), everyone in your party will need a valid US Passport, regardless of age. If this is your son or daughter’s first time traveling outside of the U.S., apply for their passport several months prior to your vacation. It’s always a good idea to double-check the expiration date of your own passport as well. Many countries will not accept your passport if it will expire within 6 months of your vacation. For more information on passport applications, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
If you are bringing along a minor who is not in your immediate family (a lucky friend or cousin, perhaps), make sure to bring a notarized medical consent form authorizing you to make medical decisions on their parents’ behalf.
Bathing suit? Check✓ Rashguard? Check✓ Sunscreen? Check✓ More sunscreen? Check✓
The weather in the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands is amazing year-round. You and your kids will be spending a lot of time in the sun and on the water. Painful sunburn can really put a damper on an otherwise awesome time, so you’ll want to reapply sunscreen often.
Because you’ll be spending so much time outdoors enjoying the waters and beaches in the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, it’s also a good idea to bring a few activities along so your kids can relax and unwind in the evening. Some favorite books, cards, or board games are great. Many crewed yachts have activities already onboard like movies on the deck or cockpit or even gaming systems your kids will know, so check with your CKIM Group broker if you have any questions. “Two if by Sea” is an example.
You make the memories. We make the arrangements
Because each luxury yacht charter is customized and unique to your vacation, don’t hesitate to ask us questions. If you would like more ideas or if you’d like to discuss crewed charter yacht options for your family, call us at 321-777-1707 or visit us online at www.ckimgroup.com.
Contact us at 1-321-777-1707 or complete this form to discuss your vacation plans.