| Have you ever had a booking catastrophe turn | | | | We discussed the fact that perhaps a |
| GOLDEN? | | | | catamaran-style boat would suit this family's needs |
| An August news flash via one of our daily emails | | | | best, but Lynne also explained that the classic sailing |
| alerted me of a "situation" in Europe with the | | | | experience found aboard a mono hull-style yacht |
| Windjammer vessels. Apparently they were being | | | | might be an excellent option as well. Not only did she |
| held in port for non-payment of various bills, and I | | | | discuss this with me, but she was more than happy |
| diligently forwarded this press release to my client, | | | | to talk directly with my client in order to answer |
| who had been booked for a January 2008 cruise with | | | | questions, address concerns, and help determine the |
| Windjammer for some time. Not only had we | | | | best boat and crew for this particular vacation - |
| deposited $1,500 for three cabins, but we had | | | | which turned out to be a mono hull in this case! |
| pre-paid the hotel stay as well! I was very concerned | | | | Carefree Yacht Charters takes care of EVERY detail. |
| when my call to the company went unanswered. | | | | I can't tell you how many amazing amenities these |
| As my client was concerned enough to decide to | | | | boats have, right down to the great water toys. Of |
| cancel his vacation, I went to work quickly | | | | course, each yacht is unique, just as each crew is |
| attempting to rescue him, as he and his wife, an | | | | different. Some have just one crew member who |
| adult son and his wife, and another son had arranged | | | | acts as both captain and chef, while others have two |
| flights into St. Martin and home from Tortola. NOW | | | | or even more. |
| what? | | | | A yacht charter typically includes ALL alcoholic |
| Google to the rescue! I plugged in "yacht charters", | | | | beverages and meals, and the course is often |
| discovered there were several different brokers we | | | | charted according to the clients preferences! A client |
| could consider from Tortola, and I quickly emailed | | | | preference request form is sent to the clients in |
| several of them. As is often the case (we should all | | | | advance of the charter so that all their requests and |
| make note of this in our OWN business!), the first | | | | requirements are met. The price is NOT much more |
| responder got my attention that day. Lynne Campbell | | | | than the cost of a Windjammer or big-ship cruise. In |
| of Carefree Yacht Charters was going to be my | | | | fact, this family is bringing six people for just over |
| "lifesaver!" | | | | $10,000, plus the customary 15 percent tip to the |
| What fun! I asked my client, Steve, if he would | | | | crew. |
| consider a sailboat charter, and he hesitated. "My | | | | I need to share with you that Lynne and her |
| wife and daughter-in-law are both worried about | | | | husband owned and operated two successful yacht |
| seasickness," he replied quickly. "Let me see what | | | | charters in the Virgin Islands for twelve years, so |
| they say about that." | | | | they are really well equipped to organize and book |
| While Lynne worked quickly on her end to see which | | | | your clients vacations. And I can't WAIT to hear the |
| yachts were available, the next email from Steve | | | | stories when my clients return from this adventure. |
| revealed that the girls were a "GO!" I was VERY | | | | And, to think it all came about because of a potential |
| excited, and let Lynne know immediately that the | | | | cancellation! |
| client was game. | | | | |