A bareboat charter means we're renting the catamaran and acting as our own crew. We'll be responsible for sailing the boat, navigating, cooking, and all other aspects of the trip. No hired captain or crew will be provided.

Upon arrival to Bahamas Customs, they will ask you where you are staying and where you will be going. The answer to this question is that you will be staying on a charter catamaran from Dream Yacht Charters based out of Palm Cay Marina in Nassau and that you are cruising through the Exumas to and from George Town Exuma and Providence Island (Nassau).You will also need to provide them with the name of the vessel, which we do not have yet. The name will be provided to you a few days before travel.

The cost covers the charter fee for the catamaran, including basic insurance. It also includes provisions for snacks and meals on the boat as well as National Park fees (except Exuma Land and Sea Park), cruising taxes, fuel, and water. It does not include your flights, transportation to/from the marina, ice, restaurant meals, activities, souvenirs. Drinks beyond water such as specialty sodas, mixers and adult beverages are not included, but can be provisioned for you at your cost. An order form will be provided with prices included.

Yes, a valid passport is required for travel to the Bahamas. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining from your return date.

For on-trip expenses, credit cards are accepted in most places, but cash (USD) is often preferred, especially on smaller islands.For the shuttles / taxis to and from the airports, we will coordinate the transportation, but each person will need to have cash to split the cost.

Sailing in the Bahamas is generally safe, but it's important to be aware of your surroundings and follow safety guidelines. We'll have a safety briefing before departure.

The Bali 4.8 is a huge vessel with several different common area shared spaces. From the front deck to the fly bridge on the outside to the galley and salon on the inside, everyone will have use of the space. It is very important for the comfort and enjoyment of all that we each make a conscious effort to keep our personal belongings neat and tidy and stored in our cabins. We will designate an area in the salon for everyone to keep their sunglasses, Yetis, cozies and water bottles.

The Bahamas offer a wide range of activities, including snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, exploring deserted islands, and dining at local restaurants. We'll discuss as a group what we want to do once we are there.

We will have breakfasts and lunches on the boat most days. We'll likely eat dinner ashore at restaurants 3 to 4 nights. We'll discuss dietary restrictions and the planned menu before the trip. For a sampling of the menu, see the FAQ section below on Meals.

The boat has normal 110 volt plugs just like your house. In each cabin you will have at least 1 normal wall plug and at least 1 USB A socket. Frequently the cabins will have an additional couple of USB ports so that both sides of the bed have the ability to charge phones.

Pack light! Space on a catamaran is limited. Essentials include: o Clothing: Swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, a light cover-up, a hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen (lotion only, no spray sunscreen on the boat). A light rain jacket or windbreaker is also a good idea. Consider packing a set of clothes you don't mind getting wet/dirty for dinghy rides and exploring. o Shoes: Flip-flops or sandals, boat shoes, and perhaps a pair of closed-toe shoes for exploring ashore. o Personal Items: Toiletries, travel soap and shampoo, medications, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle. o Snorkeling Gear: If you have your own, and you have space, you are welcome to bring it! Otherwise, the charter company has gear available at no cost. o Other: A dry bag for electronics, a book, a travel towel (quick-drying).

The catamaran has 6 cabins, each with a private bathroom.

Internet access through your cell phones should work with most major providers and will be available in most of the region. There will be a few hours between Highborne Cay and Nassau where we may not have good service as we will be 20 miles from shore in both directions. I have a satellite phone as well as Starlink internet that I use for my navigation software, weather forecast updates and emergencies, but they are too expensive to use for normal daily use of web surfing as they charge by the amount of data used.

Seasickness is possible, even on a catamaran. If you are prone to seasickness, consult your doctor about preventative measures. Seas bands, ginger candies, and staying on deck in the fresh air can also help. Catamarans tend to be more stable than monohulls, so seasickness is rare but possible. BJ’s doctor gave her a prescription for scopolamine which is a patch for motion sickness. She has been traditionally prone to seasickness and this has worked well for her on our last 4 trips.

Water, Tea, Coffee. Additional Beverage Options available for individual provisioning.

Eggs, Bacon, Bagels & Cream Cheese, Yogurt, Assorted Fruit

Spaghetti & Meatballs, Chicken Enchiladas, Shrimp Bowls, Salad

Hummus, Chips & Dips, Vegetables, Fruit, Nuts

Salads, Sandwiches & Wraps

We'll be sailing between different islands and anchorages. Sailing times will vary depending on the distance and weather conditions. The longest sail we have is about 40 miles and will take about 5 hours. Most other sails are closer to 20 miles and will only take 2 – 3 hours wind and weather permitting. We will sail approximately 150 miles over the course of the week. Most of the sailing will be in shallow waters within a few miles of shore.

The weather this time of year in the Bahamas is generally calm. We have subscriptions to weather routing services and weather forecasting with live radars. We'll monitor the weather forecast closely. If necessary, we may adjust our itinerary for comfort and safety. If the weather is bad one day, we will stay put and when the weather improves, we will continue.

Yes, that's perfectly fine! Some of us have sailing experience, and we'll work together as a team. You can learn on the trip!

Hair dryers use a lot of power and are generally not recommended on a bareboat charter due to limited power generation. Embrace the natural beach hair! If you need one, you will have to bring it, the boat will not have it. If you are thinking about bringing one, you may check with your traveling companions to see if someone else is bringing one so they can be shared. If all else fails, you can stand at the front of the boat while we sail and if we go fast enough, it may work the same.

Use biodegradable and reef-safe soaps and shampoos. These are better for the environment and won't harm the marine ecosystem. Since you will have to bring these with your toiletries, travel size is recommended. Amazon has several options available for reef safe products in travel sizes.

The waste goes into holding tanks. These tanks are emptied at designated pump-out stations or offshore during open water sails, at the discretion of the designated Wastewater Evacuation Engineer (you already know who you are).

Keep showers brief (2-3 minutes is ideal) to conserve water. Water is a precious resource on board. The general guidance is to turn on the water to get wet, then turn off the water. Soap up and then turn the water back on to rinse off.

The showers on this catamaran are known as a wet heads. The entire floor of the bathroom is a shower pan with a drain. The walls are waterproof like the walls of any home shower. They use a limited amount of fresh water, so short, efficient showers are essential. They often have a "sump pump" that drains the grey water. In a wet head, the sink faucet pulls out and hangs on the wall up high like a handheld shower and the entire bathroom doubles as the shower.

We'll need to find a source of fresh water to refill the tanks. This may involve going to a marina. The boat has a watermaker, but it only produces 12 gallons per hour and requires the generator to be running to work. Watermakers are also prone to failure and as such should not be the only option for water on a boat. In the Exumas, marinas are not found on every island, so we will need to plan accordingly.

Don’t Do It! A clogged toilet is a major inconvenience for everyone on board. We will have to either attempt to clear the clog ourselves, which is not fun, or call a professional, which can be very expensive and interrupt our timing and sail plan.

The shower and sink water (grey water) is pumped overboard immediately.

Let Jason or the WEE know immediately. We'll try to address the issue. There may be a plunger on board.

Absolutely nothing other than human waste. Do NOT flush anything else – no toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, wipes, paper towels, tissues, or anything else. These items can clog the system, leading to unpleasant and expensive repairs.

This is a serious problem. Notify Jason or the WEE immediately. We'll need to clean and disinfect the affected area thoroughly.

Catamaran toilets are typically marine toilets, which are different from the ones you're used to. They don't flush with a large volume of water. Instead, they use a pump system. You'll typically push and hold an electric switch to flush waste into a holding tank. There will be a demonstration on how to use the toilets properly when you board.

Yes, please do! Whenever we are at a marina, restaurant, or ashore, it is highly recommended to use the land-based facilities to conserve water and holding tank space on the boat.

Unfortunately, long, hot showers are not possible due to limited water capacity. We'll need to be mindful of water usage. Consider rinsing off with the freshwater hose on deck after swimming. With 10 – 12 people on the boat, the 100-gallon water tank can get depleted very quickly without intentional conservation by all.

We typically run the generator and AC in the evening and if we are anchored away from other boats and it is hot, we will run it overnight.

Yes, our catamaran is equipped with air conditioning, but only in the cabins. The galley and salon however depend on the breeze through the front windows and doors and the back garage door.

The AC units are designed to take the edge off the heat and make the cabins comfortable for sleeping. They may not be able to achieve the same temperatures as you have at home. Expect the cabins to be cooler than the outside temperature but not necessarily ice-cold. These systems will not get down to 69° like many of us like at home. They do however knock the heat out and allow for a comfortable temp to sleep.

We can run the AC when the generator is running which can only happen when the boat is not moving. We will establish a schedule for generator use to balance AC comfort with fuel consumption and generator maintenance. Running the generator constantly is usually not permitted and can be very loud. We will usually run the generator in the evenings. Generators cannot run around the clock and attempting to do so will almost certainly lead to not having a generator by the end of the trip.

Catamaran AC systems typically run on the boat's generator which can only be used while sitting still. They use salt water to cool by transferring the heat from the air to the water that is pumped from the ocean through the condenser. The AC units are individually controlled in each cabin.

• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. • Sun Protection: Wear a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen. • Timing: Plan your most strenuous activities for the cooler parts of the day. • Relaxation: Embrace the island lifestyle and take it easy during the hottest parts of the day. Important Note: April in the Bahamas is generally a pleasant time to visit, but it's still a tropical climate. Be prepared for warm temperatures and plan accordingly. The high temps are typically 81° to 83° this time of year and the lows are 72° to 74°. Again, we will be in the tropics. No matter how well you tan, a week on a boat in and out of the water and wind will accelerate the effects of the sun. Good sunscreen and SPF clothing are vital. Please plan accordingly.

While we will do our best to ensure the AC is functioning properly, mechanical issues can and will occur. If the AC breaks down, we will attempt to troubleshoot the problem. Unfortunately, repairs may be difficult to arrange while on charter, so we recommend being prepared for the possibility of warm nights.

AC is only located in the cabins. So during the day and even in the evenings in the salon and galley, there are a few things you can do to stay comfortable. o We recommend bringing lightweight, breathable clothing. o Consider bringing a small, battery-operated fan for your cabin. o Opening hatches and ports (when safe to do so) can help with ventilation. o Spending time in the water is a great way to cool down. o We will try to anchor in areas with good breezes. o Plan activities for the cooler parts of the day.

Many smaller cays and islands do not have trash collection services. If you generate trash on these islands, please pack it out with you and dispose of it properly at the next available location with trash facilities.

We will provide trash bags for general waste for both the galley trash and the bathroom trash cans.

We will have designated bins or bags for trash in the galley on the catamaran.

We will keep an extra trash bag near the back deck of the boat to dispose of beer cans. Cans should be crushed down before being thrown away to conserve space. On a boat, space is the 2nd most valuable commodity, right behind alcohol.

We can dispose of trash at marinas, designated trash receptacles on shore, or when we return to the charter base. Do not leave trash on beaches or uninhabited islands. At many anchorages, someone will come around on a dinghy in the mornings and take our trash for $5 to $10 per bag so that we can keep it off the boat. We generally take turns paying for this service as it helps support the locals and keeps the boat more organized and freer from STINK.

Everyone's cooperation is essential for maintaining a clean boat and protecting the environment. Please be mindful of your trash and follow these guidelines. Remember, everyone shares the common spaces of the boat and be considerate of others.

Absolutely not. Throwing trash overboard, even biodegradable items, is harmful to the marine environment and is illegal. Please do not throw anything into the ocean.

These items should be wrapped securely and disposed of in the general trash. Do not flush them down the toilet. Each bathroom will have a roll of small waste bags that can be used for this purpose.

o Don't overload the dinghy. o When boarding or exiting the dinghy at the boat, you should sit on the edge of the boat and ease in and out of the dinghy as it can be very dangerous, especially when we have been drinking and you are all getting old! o Be aware of your surroundings, including other boats, swimmers, and reefs. o Operate the dinghy at a safe speed. o Be mindful of tides and currents. o Know how to start and stop the engine. o Never operate the dinghy alone, especially at night.

Nighttime dinghy operation is strongly discouraged and will generally only occur when returning from a dinner on shore. If nighttime dinghy use is absolutely necessary, Jason will be the operator. Ensure use a spotlight or flashlight, which Jason will bring several. Proceed with extreme caution.

When boarding or exiting the dinghy at the back of the catamaran, you should sit on the edge of the boat and ease in and out of the dinghy on your butt with both hands free to hold onto the boat and the dinghy. This means you should not be trying to hold open drinks and other miscellaneous personal effects. Using a dry bag with a strap is recommended. You are all old and getting in and out of the dinghy is where many old people get hurt. I would hate to have to leave you on an island while I continue sailing through paradise, so don’t get hurt!

Only designated and experienced members of our group will be allowed to operate the dinghy. We will discuss this at the start of the trip and our Dinghy DART will be designated.

The dinghy can safely carry 6 people at a time. As such, when we all go ashore, we will need to make multiple trips.

The designated Dinghy Deployment and Retrieval Technician will use the davits (the lifting arms at the back of the catamaran) to launch and retrieve the dinghy and ensure that it is always secure to the boat. (PS: If you are still reading this, text Jason with “Designated Drinker” just to show me that you read this far through the FAQ, and I will buy you a drink of your choice on the island of my choosing).