There are 3 sleeping cabins on Distant Shores IV.
Forward is large double cabin with it's own separate heads and shower.
There is a large midships double cabin on starboard side. The mid-cabin is accessed by a door in the lower cabin. This cabin is right next to the central heads with separate sit-down shower.
There is also a pilot berth cabin aft on port side. This is a single berth and is accessed from the raised salon.
Finally the lower salon table can drop down to form a convertible double berth.
Forward is large double cabin with it's own separate heads and shower.
There is a large midships double cabin on starboard side. The mid-cabin is accessed by a door in the lower cabin. This cabin is right next to the central heads with separate sit-down shower.
There is also a pilot berth cabin aft on port side. This is a single berth and is accessed from the raised salon.
Finally the lower salon table can drop down to form a convertible double berth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can fly into any of the Caribbean Islands we have chosen to meet for the start of the cruise. Antigua has great connections to both Europe and North America as does St Martin, Guadeloupe and Martinique. For the Saintes Leg we will meet at the main port in Guadeloupe near Pointe-a-Pitre airport.
A website like Kayak.com will usually be a good place to start looking for reasonable routes. Rome2Rio.com might also provide ideas. Once you have established which airlines might be best you might check out the airlines themselves for actually booking the tickets.
If you have trouble please contact us for suggestions.
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. If you arrive early you might 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 after to cover possible delays.
A website like Kayak.com will usually be a good place to start looking for reasonable routes. Rome2Rio.com might also provide ideas. Once you have established which airlines might be best you might check out the airlines themselves for actually booking the tickets.
If you have trouble please contact us for suggestions.
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. If you arrive early you might 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 after to cover possible delays.
For the Turks and Caicos we will be docking on the Island of Provo AKA Providenciales. PLS is the airport code for Providenciales. There are numerous flights directly from many North American hubs.
For the Bahamas we use the GGT airport in Georgetown Exumas as well as the Abacos at Marsh Harbour - code MHH for Leonard M. Thompson International Airport. GGT and MHH are both smaller airports and travelling may involve 1-2 connections.
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.
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
If you are flying out of the Turks and Caicos use PLS code for Providenciales. If you are flying out from Georgetown Bahamas (airport code GGT) the airport is very convenient to the harbour where will be arriving.
For the Bahamas we use the GGT airport in Georgetown Exumas as well as the Abacos at Marsh Harbour - code MHH for Leonard M. Thompson International Airport. GGT and MHH are both smaller airports and travelling may involve 1-2 connections.
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.
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
If you are flying out of the Turks and Caicos use PLS code for Providenciales. If you are flying out from Georgetown Bahamas (airport code GGT) the airport is very convenient to the harbour where will be arriving.
Three payments are required:
Holding Deposit - To secure your booking, a non-refundable holding deposit of $300 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 $300 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 $300 US Holding Fee - Once your application has been accepted, 50% of the balance (less the $300 US per person holding deposit) is due within 7 days. If your application is not accepted (this is a rare occurrence) your $300 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 $300 cancellation fee per person) if we receive written notification of cancellation more than 60 days prior to departure date only if we are able to re-book your cabin. We highly recommend trip cancellation insurance. Please contact your travel agent to make arrangements. Your payment may be eligible to transfer to a future passage if we can re-book your cabin.
In the event that an emergency arises and we need to cancel the leg of the voyage that you are booked on, you will receive a full refund.
In the event that an emergency arises and we need to cancel the leg of the voyage that you are booked on, you will receive a full refund.
Sail Away Week passages and cruises are per person. The cabins are designed for 2 people. On cruising (such as the British Virgin Islands) we offer different options to have either the forward cabin with it's own separate heads, or the mid double cabin,which shares a heads with us in the aft cabin.
On ocean passages berths will be assigned according to the passage.
The price covers onboard necessities including food and beverages on board (alcoholic beverages include beer and wine), insurance, fuel, marina fees, cruising permits, gratuities and training.
Not included is airfare to and from the boat, airport transfers, trip cancellation insurance, travel/medical insurance, communications costs, meals or drinks ashore and shoreside activities.
Note prices are in US$
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$