The Ultimate Caribbean Vacation: A Crewed Yacht Charter With The Moorings

Picture the perfect Caribbean vacation. Perhaps a beachfront villa rental offering seclusion and relaxation comes to mind, or maybe it's a small-ship luxury cruise promising multi-island exploration. Now imagine a five-star tropical escape that lets you effortlessly experience both. Exclusivity and freedom—that's the winning formula of the best vacation you've probably never heard of: a fully crewed, all-inclusive yacht charter with The Moorings.

Accommodating six to 10 guests—ideal for a family or group of friends—the luxurious motorized sailing yachts operated by The Moorings specialize in flexible itineraries and personalized gourmet cuisine. The state-of-the-art catamarans used for the company's all-inclusive charters are all under five years old, built to stringent specifications, and feature air-conditioned staterooms with queen-size beds and en suite bathrooms. These sleek vessels are crewed by an experienced captain and a gourmet-trained chef, typically a couple, who will share their love for the islands as they become your personal tour guides on an unforgettable bespoke Caribbean vacation.

Flexibility is key to all crewed voyages with The Moorings; in the Caribbean, charters are available in the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, the Bahamas (the Exumas and the Abacos), Grenada and several other locales. Spot a gleaming white-sand beach you'd like to visit? You can. Want to linger at a snorkel spot teeming with colorful sea life? No problem. Eager to sip a cool cocktail or two at the best beach bars in the BVI? Go for it! That's the beauty of a luxury yacht charter with The Moorings: Guests, no matter their experience at sea, are free to create the itinerary of their dreams and then relax while an experienced captain makes it a reality. Beyond the Caribbean, island-lovers can also book a crewed charter with The Moorings in the Greek Islands, Croatia, Sicily, Sardinia, Tahiti and Belize. 

The extraordinary freedom of an individually curated sailing means your all-inclusive vacation unfolds exactly as you want, from a freshly prepared breakfast enjoyed on deck at sunrise to lazy afternoons swimming in picturesque coves, posing for keepsake photos at the Baths on Virgin Gorda (after the cruise ship crowds have left, of course), or marveling at blissfully remote Anegada, where you'll feel as if you've arrived at the edge of the world. In the off-the-beaten-path Exumas, skim over the surface of some of the clearest, most dazzling blue water imaginable or hang out with the islands' world-famous swimming pigs. Sun-kissed and utterly relaxed, you'll wind down with unlimited wine and cocktails from your catamaran's fully stocked bar as you savor the sunset and an incredible dinner prepared to your personal preferences (vegetarian, pescatarian, or lactose- or gluten-free, for example), which have been ascertained via a pre-cruise questionnaire. 

The Moorings has more than 50 years of experience in private yacht charters, and all crewmembers are trained to provide a consistent and reliable luxury experience for their guests. Your home away from home will be one of the company's exclusive crewed vessels, which range from 45 to 58 feet in length and feature sleek, modern interior décor and ample outdoor space for relaxation. Options include The Moorings 4500, sleeping six guests; The Moorings 5000, sleeping eight guests; and The Moorings 5800, sleeping 10 guests.

Your intimate and low-key Caribbean yacht vacation can be as active or relaxing as you wish. Guests seeking to explore and play have access to water toys, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable tubes and snorkel gear. While some travelers opt to disconnect while sailing, those who wish to stay in contact with friends and family back home still can, because each of The Moorings' luxury catamarans is equipped with Wi-Fi.

While island-hopping in the BVI, it's also possible to experience the more social aspects of the yachting lifestyle with a visit to Virgin Gorda's North Sound, where legendary resorts such as the Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock cater to yachties with a welcoming ambience and live music. But if a private beach picnic with chilled Champagne is more your style, your captain can make that happen too. 

"The best-kept secret in travel is that a crewed yacht charter with The Moorings offers the luxury of extraordinary experiences and access to places you might not ordinarily see—places that are certain to make you say, 'Wow!'" says Ian Pedersen, senior marketing manager for North America for The Moorings.

If this sounds like the kind of Caribbean escape that celebrities regularly indulge in, it is. But you don't have to be famous to appreciate the privacy and exclusivity offered by a sailing charter with The Moorings. It's easy to book a charter to celebrate an anniversary or milestone birthday, or enjoy a multigenerational family vacation (children are welcome). The company's crewed catamarans are bookable by the day, with a five-night minimum. All-inclusive rates start at around $20,000 for a seven-night sailing accommodating six passengers. The Moorings is also a full-service travel agency that can arrange your flights and transfers. With one phone call or online consultation, you can ensure that your next Caribbean vacation will be luxuriously carefree, perfectly curated and truly unforgettable.