Caribbean Cruising aboard Twister

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

Setting Sail from Martinique

Your voyage begins in Martinique, an overseas department of France. This lush island is renowned for its sugar plantations, which produce some of the finest rum in the Caribbean. It would be rude not to taste it, really!

Martinique is a fascinating place, particularly for sailors. The island is a popular stop for transatlantic crossings on all sorts of vessels, and Le Marin has one of the largest marinas in the region, making it a great location for boat-spotting. Traditional ‘Yole’ racing, a unique form of sailing with local wooden boats, is a key part of Martinique’s maritime culture, and fantastic to watch if you get the opportunity.

On stepping aboard Twister, you’ll be greeted by the friendly professional crew and have time on your first evening to settle in, get to know your fellow sailors over dinner, and receive a safety briefing from the Captain. The next morning it’s time to set sail!

Along the Way

The captain knows the area well, so expect some beautiful out-of-the-way anchorages and idyllic bays. On these trips, passengers are also allowed to contribute ideas, so if there are places in the area that you definitely want to visit, let the crew know and, if possible, they will be added to the itinerary! This trip is taken at a “cruise” pace, meaning fewer miles per day and more time to explore ashore, swim and snorkel.

From Martinique, your first port of call may be Saint Lucia. The Caribbean Indians called it “Land of the Iguanas.” The island is relatively densely populated and known for its delicious fruits such as papaya, mango, passion fruit and banana. Saint Lucia is recognisable from afar by its two cone-shaped mountains. If you sail into one of the bays here on a Friday, chances are you can join one of the traditional “Friday Night Parties.” This is when rum and barbecues are brought out and calypso or reggae music sounds.

There is always a nice breeze in the Caribbean, which along with the pleasant temperature makes it a lovely place to sail. Your next stop could be Saint Vincent- a volcanic island; La Soufriere is still active and occasionally still spews out some ash. Also special is the small island in the flooded crater.

Bananas and high-quality cotton grow on the fertile volcanic soil, among other things. Mass tourism has largely passed this island by while the volcanic landscape, rain forests with waterfalls and sandy beaches are well worth seeing.

Then onwards to the Tobago Cays and Grenadines: an improbably beautiful collection of 100 inhabited and uninhabited islets. This is one of the best sailing areas in the world, and there is plenty of time to explore.

Arriving in Grenada

Grenada is known as the “Spice Isle” due to its abundant spice plantations, and you’ll be surrounded by the scent of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon as you disembark in St George’s. The lively capital of Grenada is a picturesque harbour with plenty to keep an errant sailor occupied for a few days if you have some spare time! Tour Fort George to experience the island’s colonial history and visit the Grenada National Museum to learn about local culture.

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

During your voyage you can expect pleasant Caribbean temperatures and steady winds, providing ideal sailing conditions. While the weather is generally sunny, be aware of occasional volcanic activity on Saint Vincent, where the active La Soufriere occasionally releases ash, causing a haze.

A NOTE ON VOYAGE DESCRIPTIONS

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice. 

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

What to pack for a sailing adventure aboard Twister

What is Included:

• All meals and soft drinks aboard
• All safety equipment, including lifejackets and harnesses.
• Your bunk, bedding and a towel

What is Not Included:

• Travel to and from your voyage
• Personal travel insurance (see our advice on Travel Insurance)
• Alcohol- drinks are available to purchase on board- consumption is always at the discretion of the Skipper, and is never permitted whilst the ship is underway.
• Waterproofs - sets are available to hire: make sure to discuss this with the ship's team before you arrive.

What to Bring

YOUR PASSPORT! Along with any other required travel documentation. Please read the joining instructions you receive from the Ship carefully to ensure you have everything you need.

• Please, no valuable jewellery or other valuables, unless you have got specific travel insurance to cover it.
• Waterproofs - see above.
• Hats for sun and cold weather.
• At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
• Swim suit and suntan lotion.
• Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes. Sailing boots or wellies are also helpful.
• All terrain type Sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read, a musical instrument, pack of cards, magic tricks...
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasickness tablets or pressure-point wrist bands (talk to your pharmacist)
• Your own logbook if you'd like to keep track of your sea miles.
• Tech chargers (along with adaptors for European sockets) and waterproof cases for any electronics. A rechargeable battery pack for your phone / camera can be really helpful.

N.B. BOATS HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE SO PLEASE PACK AS LIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE. Don't use a rigid suitcase or a bag with a rigid frame. Soft bags are much easier to fold up and stow.

Voyages on Twister