FAQ | Distant Shores
Sail Away Week passages and cruises are per person. The cabins are designed for 2 people. On cruising (such as the British Virgin Islands) we offer different options to have either the forward cabin with it's own separate heads, or the mid double cabin,which shares a heads with us in the aft cabin.

On ocean passages berths will be assigned according to the passage.

The price covers onboard necessities including food and beverages on board (alcoholic beverages include beer and wine), insurance, fuel, marina fees, cruising permits, gratuities and training.

Not included is airfare to and from the boat, airport transfers, trip cancellation insurance, travel/medical insurance, communications costs, meals or drinks ashore and shoreside activities.


Note prices are in US$
There are 2 main routes into the BVI - by air directly to Tortola BVI, or by ferry after flying into the USVI.

The British Virgin Islands can be reached flying to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands - Airport code STT. From there it's a short taxi ride to the ferry dock to take the scenic 1-hour ferry ride to the British Virgin Islands. Ferries run to the main port of Road Town on the main island of Tortola. From Road Town you can take a taxi to Nanny Cay.

Here is a list of the ferry companies connecting the USVI to the BVI. It's a good idea to reserve a ticket in advance but not all the companies put up fares more than 6 weeks in advance.

Road Town Fast Ferry (also called Tortola Fast Ferry)
https://www.roadtownfastferry.com

Native Son
https://www.nativesonferry.co

Smith's Ferry Services Ltd.
https://smithsferry.com/

Alternatively you might find a convenient flight directly to the main BVI airport on Tortola - airport code EIS. Then take a taxi to the catamaran base at Nanny Cay.
Fly into Athens Greece - Airport code ATH. The boat we are meeting is based in Alimos Marina in the outskirts of Athens.

Arriving
We recommend flying in a day before you are due to join us so you can explore the area and in case of travel delays. The date the trip starts on the Sail Away Weeks Schedule is the first day that guest crew can arrive at the boat.

It is roughly a 40 minute drive by taxi or Uber from ATH airport to Alimos Marina. If you arrive early you might travel in to Athens itself and either sightsee or enjoy a leisurely day to recover from jet lag.

We are setting up Facebook groups to help people meet up online before you meet aboard, and we will also share contact info with the others on your Sail Away Week(s) with your approval. It can be helpful to get to know your fellow sailors before arriving at the boat, coordinate travel plans with the possibility of sharing costs of taxis, etc.

Departing
Your Sail Away Week ends on the last day listed on the Schedule. However we recommend booking your departure travel plans for the day to cover possible delays.
The Netherlands can easily be reached flying directly to Amsterdam (airport code "AMS") arriving at Schipol airport.

Arriving
We recommend flying in a day before you are due to join us so you can explore the area and in case of travel delays. The date the trip starts on the Sail Away Weeks Schedule is the first day that guest crew can arrive at the boat.

It is roughly an hour and a half drive from Schipol airport up to the northern province of Friesland. Alternatively you can take a train to Leeuwarden where we collect the boat.

We are setting up Facebook groups to help people meet up online before you meet aboard, and we will also share contact info with the others on your Sail Away Week(s) with your approval. It can be helpful to get to know your fellow sailors before arriving at the boat, coordinate travel plans with the possibility of sharing costs of taxis, etc.

Departing
Your Sail Away Week ends on the last day listed on the Schedule. However we recommend booking your departure travel plans for the day to cover possible delays. For our last day we will be making an optional visit to the boatbuilders in Makkum (half an hour drive from Leeuwarden).

Three payments are required:

Holding Deposit
- To secure your booking, a non-refundable holding deposit of $250 US per person is required. When our office receives your request and we confirm that space is available, an invoice will be sent for the $250 US per person holding deposit along with an application form. You may pay the holding deposit by PayPal, credit card or check.

50% Deposit less the $250 US Holding Fee - Once your application has been accepted, 50% of the balance (less the $250 US per person holding deposit) is due within 7 days. If your application is not accepted (this is a rare occurrence) your $250 US per person holding deposit will be returned in full. An invoice for the 50% deposit will be sent to you along with the application. We'll send you an email confirming your registration has been accepted and the invoice may be paid by credit card, money order or cashier's check.

50% Balance - Final payment of the remaining 50% owing is due 90 days before the trip starts, and you'll again receive an email invoice asking for this.

If you need to cancel, please see our cancellation policy below.

Rates include all onboard necessities, including food and beverages on board, insurance, fuel, marina fees, cruising permits, gratuities and training. Not included is all airfare to and from the boat, airport transfers, trip cancellation insurance, travel/medical insurance, communications costs, meals or drinks ashore and shoreside activities.

Once you are booked, we will send out a series of emails as the sailing date approaches with information to make your voyage with us relaxed and easy - suggested packing lists, travel hints, etc.
You can receive a full refund (minus $250 cancellation fee per person) if we receive written notification of cancellation more than 60 days prior to departure date only if we are able to re-book your cabin. We highly recommend trip cancellation insurance. Please contact your travel agent to make arrangements. Your payment may be eligible to transfer to a future passage if we can re-book your cabin.

In the event that an emergency arises and we need to cancel the leg of the voyage that you are booked on, you will receive a full refund.