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The Perfect Vacation Despite COVID’s challenges, boaters can still fi nd adventure, relaxation and escape through chartering.
Over the last few months, we’ve used this column to explore the impact of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic on recreational boating. We’ve looked at how companies adapted to public health guidelines and found innovative solutions to engage with boaters; how Millennials quickly discovered boating in massive numbers; and how the surge in new boaters affected summertime service and towing.
Now, as winter arrives in the Great Lakes, we’re turning our attention to an offseason pursuit loved by so many in our community: Chartering. With the rolling thunder of COVID-19 still very much part of daily lives, what does that mean for the charter industry — and for those boaters who seek respite in the lower latitudes when the water gets hard?
Reopening in the islands COVID has been brutal for the charter industry. When the pandemic exploded in mid-March, charter companies embarked on a painful, lengthy shutdown. For example, The Moorings stayed shuttered for more than six months, a first in its 50-year history.
British Virgin Islands
Even as destinations like Greece, Croatia, Spain and Italy partially reopened in an attempt to salvage the summer season, access was patchy. Americans were able to book charters for about a week, but that ended when U.S. cases spiked.
It hurt the newly reopened Bahamas as well. According to Ian Pederson, senior marketing manager for The Moorings and Sunsail, a month’s worth of charters quickly sold out, then the Bahamas shut the doors to Americans again.
“People clearly still have an appetite for chartering, even with [the pandemic],” Pederson says. “That’s good news, because a lot will change in the next six to eight weeks, and for the better. The mood feels very different now. There’s optimism.”
The first inkling of that temperature change came with the British Virgin Islands’ announcement that it will open its borders to international visitors on December 1. Andrew A. Fahie, premier and minister of finance, shared the news during the launch of the new “BVILOVE” tourism campaign September 21.
“Right after that press conference, our phones were ringing off the hook,” Pederson says. “The BVI is our most popular destination, and we think it will be the first domino. Others will follow. Our Bahamian base that serves the Exumas is on our radar to open soon, as is St. Martin.”
As destinations open their floodgates to the American market, insiders predict a major shift toward chartering. Those who otherwise might have spent their valuable vacation time at all-inclusive resorts or on cruise ships are recognizing that a private yacht offers a perfect, flexible solution for a much-needed getaway.
“A charter vacation is the best social-distance vacation solution,” Pederson says. “You can be as isolated as you wish, and you get to choose if and when you engage with others. That appeals to people right now.”
In response to this new trend, The Moorings formed a partnership with CRUISE.COM in August. Website visitors are able to view yacht charter options under “Specialty Cruises,” and travel agents who might have been unfamiliar with chartering now have that information at their fingertips.
This isn’t the only trend Pederson and
his colleagues are seeing. The other is, unsurprisingly, the arrival of the Millennials.
“Bookings for 2021 have been coming in for months, and our demographics shifted five to 10 years younger than usual,” Pederson says. “Millennials are into travel, experiences and influencers — they’re chomping at the bit.”
All of this is great news for the charter industry. Yet customers do remain concerned about COVID- 19 and how they can travel as safely as possible.
“Airline travel is the biggest hurdle, and we can’t do much about that,” Pederson says. “But once you arrive, we take care of everything.”
The Moorings operates its own taxi service, ensuring that there is minimum occupancy and maximum space in each vehicle. Staff members have their temperatures checked daily upon arrival at work; all transactions are hands-off and cashless; each boat is fully sanitized, down to the silverware and bedding; and all provisions are sealed, labeled and dated.
Perhaps best of all, briefings are handled prior to travel. “Instead of cramming 50 people into a room at the base, we provide an online orientation and briefing beforehand, which you can do from home,” Pederson explains. “The boat briefing is online as well. It’s a recorded walk-through of your boat, followed by a live Q&A with one of our experts. It’s really cool.”
Embracing adventure at home Offseason charter opportunities don’t only exist outside U.S. borders, of course. Some of the most sublime cruising in this hemisphere exists right here at home.
Barbara and Vic Hansen started Southwest Florida Yachts in 1984, when they purchased a small existing company with a fleet in North Fort Myers, Florida. After 29 years in that location, the Hansens relocated their charter company to Cape Coral in 2013.
Southwest Florida Yachts didn’t see the debilitating long-term shutdowns experienced elsewhere. In fact, Barb Hansen reported that they had a record-breaking summer season.
“We were probably up 20% over previous years,” she notes. “Who knew? We didn’t know what to expect when it became so important to stay close to home. All of a sudden, people from the Southeast — and even from Florida — were discovering our wonderful and unique coast, which has been neat to see. People who normally would charter in the Caribbean said, ‘Why don’t we charter here?’
Useppa Island main dock
“Normally August and September are our slowest months, with school starting,” she continues, “but we’ve been crazy busy this year.”
During the summer, new charter customers primarily hailed from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Texas. Now, with the arrival of winter and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s removal of COVID restrictions in September, more northerners are finding their way to Cape Coral.
Southwest Florida Yachts is already booking charters well into January and February 2021. Hansen says these customers are either hesitant to go to the islands, or their plans for international vacations and cruises have changed.
“They like the idea of being self-contained on a private boat rather than in a hotel,” she explains. “They do worry about what’s open. We’re happy to tell them that everything is open, from marinas to restaurants, and is easy to reach.
“We can make all the reservations and have their float plan ready when they arrive,” she continues. “Publix is nearby for provisioning, but they can order groceries, and if they prefer to anchor each night and stay on their own, they can do that.”
Like The Moorings, Southwest Florida Yachts has extensive sanitization protocols in place. For those boaters who may have less experience, the company provides classes through its sail and power school, and it offers the services of licensed captains as well.
“There are so many options if you want to charter a boat,” Hansen says. “The people who have chartered with us this year said this is exactly what they needed, and that makes sense to me. You’re out there in the sunshine and fresh air, making memories on the water. And out there, life still feels normal.” ★
For more information, visit MOORINGS.COM, CRUISE.COM and
SWFYACHTS.COM.
HEATHER STEINBERGER is an award-winning writer/ editor who has specialized in boating, travel and outdoor adventure for more than 20 years. Visit her website at
