Here are some info and ideas for planning your Caribbean family vacation.
Our annual sailing itinerary is divided into 4 groups on the tabs above each with 13 weeks. During the first quarter, Weeks: 1-13 we sail north from Antigua to St. Croix. During the second quarter, Weeks: 14-26 we sail south from Anguilla to St. Lucia. During the third quarter, Weeks: 27-39 we continue south from St. Vincent to Trinidad and Margarita. Then in the fourth quarter, Weeks: 40-52 we start north again from Grenada to Barbuda.
To get started, you must first determine your vacation target dates. You may be constrained by dates such as Spring Break, Easter, Christmas or summer vacation. If so then browse the itineraries above for the dates you are available and pick the location that best suits your interests. We skip the marginal locations on our itinerary. So the worst you can do is paradise! Remember that other families will be constrained to the same dates. So make your arrangements with us early.
You might be constrained by location because you have already decided which island(s) you wish to visit. In this case browse the itinerary for that location. We visit most locations twice each year, once northbound and once southbound. Those we do not visit twice a year we usually stay for several weeks. So pick the week(s) that best suit your plans. Passports are required for travel to most of the Caribbean. If your name changed make sure your passport matches your other documentation. Get your application or renewal early. Some countries will not allow entry if your passport expires less than 6 months after you are scheduled to leave that country. The only exception to the passport requirement at this writing is travel to the US Virgin Islands from the USA or Puerto Rico. For our itinerary that means weeks 10, 11 and 12 for St. John and St. Thomas are the only possibilities. Be sure and confirm the requirements before you plan your travel.
Our normal guest cycle is weekly from Sunday afternoon arrival until Sunday morning departure. Of course you can arrange your stay for any schedule you want, but our planed itinerary is based on the normal cycle. This is very similar to the schedules used by the cruise lines and charter boats. So from the USA, there are many flights leaving on Saturday that will get you here on Sunday morning. You could even leave Friday night and spend Saturday night in a hotel. The extra day really helps you absorb the overnight flight and be prepared to "jump start" your adventure. On Sundays there are many flights that will get you back home Sunday evening.
To help you select the right weeks to match your sailing enthusiasm, here is a breakdown by week according to the amount of sailing difficulty.
Short sails with no passage required: Weeks 2, 8, 11, 19, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 40, 46, 49.
Little sailing with a short passage: Weeks 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 29, 30, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 48, 52.
Typical sailing with a typical passage: Weeks 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 26, 44.
Longer sails with a longer passage: Weeks 1, 3, 9, 12, 16, 17, 23, 37, 38, 50, 51.
Overnight sailing required for a long passage: Weeks 6, 13, 31, 33, 36, 39, 42.
Use the tabs on the left or click here to check out trip planning guides and the accommodations. Determine to what extent you can customize your activities and itinerary. Plan your airline flights. Then estimate your share of the costs including ground transfers, then make Arrangements with us.
Copyright (c) 2009 Family Affair. All rights reserved.