Yes, on our normal "Holidays" and "Training weekends" you share with other people who have booked
the same trip to Sea.
We offer you a Sailing holiday at a price. We
tell you what is included and what is not. We tell
you where the holiday starts and finishes. If
you want to take part, you post us a booking form
and enclose a deposit cheque, for the number of berths you
require.
But this is not the same if you book one of our Bespoke Holidays. Then you share with whom you choose, plus your skipper.
Will I have to share a cabin with others?
Many Yachts have "double" cabins. A
few of these involve bunk beds. You might have
to share this type of sleeping cabin with others,
but these are rare. More often than not, a fore
cabin (for example) will sleep two people side by
side.
A yacht described by a Charter Company as
"eight berth" may sleep six people in
three double cabins, and the saloon area (where you
would normally sit around a table), may sleep
two singles, on opposite sides of that saloon.
We would not put eight people on this type of yacht
for a five or seven day holiday. We might for a
weekend though.
So whether or not you share the sleeping cabins
depends upon the offer for the particular trip. Read
the offer carefully. If our offer makes it cheaper
for two people to book together (sharing a cabin)
and the price for one person booking is more than
half the "two people" price, then the
single booked, is either in a single cabin (rare),
sharing a bunk cabin (also rare) or is the sole
occupant of a double cabin.
If you will be expected to share a sleeping
cabin, it will say so in the offer. We do our best
to make up crews that will work well together.
What happens about meals?
A crew will normally eat together. In the detail of the
offer about the Holiday or Training trip it will tell you how many meals on board
are included in the price you pay. It should also specify how many meals you will
be expected to take ashore. You pay separately for meals taken ashore, just as you
would at any restaurant or public house offering meals. A crew will usually agree on
the sort of place they want to eat at.
Meals on board are different in the sense that the crew will usually lend a hand
at the food preparation and "washing-up" after. Sometimes we generate a "rotor" for
this and sometimes we just leave it and see how it works out. A "menu" is usually generated
before the trip and this forms the basis of the shopping (victualling) that will be done for that trip.
I have special dietary requirements?
We need to know about any special requirements, at the time that you book. This is important to us.
We have some experience in dealing with special diets. Some are easy and some virtually impossible! If we think we cannot
satisfy your special dietary requirements, we will say so. We may be able to put you in touch with someone else
who has sailed with us before, and has been on a similar diet.
The important thing is, you let us know when booking, not a couple of days before we go!
I am worried about making a payment by cheque. It would be more secure for me if I could pay by Credit Card?
We are aware of this. We have looked at the cost of accepting Credit Cards with bookings and for the present time
see this as an expense that will push up our prices. We have introduced Internet Banking so you can use this instead
of posting a cheque. For "paying in" details, find our Contact Us page.
If I send you a booking form and make a deposit payment, will the trip definitely take place?
Not necessarily. When we get your booking we tell you the date
when we think the "crew list" for that holiday will
close. We keep your cheque safe until....
When we have enough people for the holiday (which
might only be six people), we establish the
availability of a suitable Yacht from a reputable
Charter Company. If you posted us a cheque, then we will bank it and pay
the booking deposit for the yacht. We tell you we
have secured a yacht and the holiday is going ahead.
So what happens if you do not get enough people for the trip?
We will keep you up to date with the bookings for the trip you want to go on. It is
always difficult when you are the first person to want to book onto a trip. Always easiest if you happen to be the last!
We will not present your cheque to our bank until we are satisfied that we can "go ahead".
As soon as we have sufficient for a "crew", we will bank the cheques and book the yacht
and skipper. We will inform you, preferably by E-mail, that we have done that. If at that
stage you have only paid a deposit, you will become liable to pay us the balance, as
described in the original offer.
If we are forced to cancel a trip or training course (due to insufficient people booking with us), we will tear up
your cheque or, if you paid money to us by Internet Banking, we will make you a full refund to you of all monies paid.
How many trips do you end up cancelling due to lack of a crew?
Surprisingly few, probably one in twelve.
There is a risk that I might have to cancel, due to circumstances beyond my control,
at the last minute. Can I get my money back?
You are liable to pay the balance to us, in the event that we have accepted your booking
and you have to cancel. It is your responsibility to buy your own travel insurance to cover
this. We might be able to recommend Insurance but you would have to purchase it.
Sailing on yachts at Sea involves other risks. You should insure yourself against
these risks as well.
I am concerned about being Sea-Sick. What can I do?
We can recommend various things you can do about Sea-Sickness. Prevention is better than
cure as the act of vomiting often further weakens the person. Some people never get Sea-Sick,
others feel the effects every time they go to Sea. It is said that Lord Nelson was sick every
trip! From a Chemist, we would recommend "Stugeron". Some people like the "wrist band" type of
cure. Generally being busy on the yacht, such as taking over the steering, helps to focus the mind,
as it is clear to all of us who suffer, that "Sea-Sickness" (Mal de Mare or Motion Sickness) is a
condition entirely created in the brain. The sufferer's mind "learns" that the motion is OK and
you get your "Sea Legs". Time at Sea to do this varies from 6 to 24 hours.
