The family rented a private boat for the holidays: pleasure, would not start again

• My five -year -old family chartered a yacht for six nights in Bahamas for around $ 14,000.
• He had advantages and felt luxurious and relaxing. We loved seeing many beautiful beaches.
• However, we sometimes felt isolated and uncomfortable for several reasons throughout the trip.

Ten years ago, my husband developed a plan to celebrate his 50th Birthday on a boat – The one we didn’t have to manage.

After in -depth research, I realized his dream by reserving a private yacht charter of six nights in the Abacos, an island group in the Bahamas.

The private cruise cost about $ 14,000, including advice and grocery products, and we climbed on the 42 -foot yacht in New Year’s Eve.

Yacht charters are announced as the ultimate in vacation freedom and luxury. In many ways, they deliver. We have visited three places most of the time, often having superb white sandy beaches for ourselves.

Throughout the trip, we never had to drive or search for a parking space. We didn’t even have to plan – the captain took us to all the best places.

Despite the pleasure, beauty and memories, we would not start this again. Here are four reasons why yachting is not for our family.

The jump of island wanted to travel in a sealed bubble

It was so practical to send a text to our captain to come and get us when we have finished exploring Historic Hopetown or caressing the swimming pigs to no name Cay.

However, this convenience meant that we were barely talking to anyone except the other and our skipper throughout the trip.

We loved family all the time, but we would also have loved meeting and connecting with more local Bahamians.

It was weird to have the captain with us day and night

Some people have the expertise to charter a “night” yacht and pilot it themselves, but we certainly do not do it.

Our captain did a good job by passing us from one place to the other safely, and he added local expertise to the trip. But as an incomplete, I sighed in relief when he withdrew in his cabin each evening.

As a mom, he also felt like another person to fear. For example, he did not care about the grocery store we had bought to share.

Due to the holidays and the scarcity of the markets in the Abacos, we could not take it to make food right away. I spent this time worrying that we are affecting our captain.

The yacht was not as comfortable as we expected

The 42 -foot yacht felt luxurious when we were lying on the bridge, sipping bubbles.

When we took a shower using a nozzle connected to the bathroom sink, feeling the used toilet paper in the trash? Not so much.

I’m sure the superyachts used by the rich have more comfort. However, I found to live on this (almost new) Catspace Bali felt surprisingly similar to staying in a motorhome.

The mattresses did not seem thicker than the gym carpets, the storage space was limited to a few listenings, and the districts were – naturally – tight. I finished the trip with bruises on both arms, striking in the input bars.

In addition, despite taking medication, each of us sometimes felt a bit of seasickness.

For a family, the cost can be prohibitive

The thing about a Family holidays with children is that parents often pay everyone path. It is an important factor for making yacht a unique thing for our family.

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Timing – necessary by school hours – has made our trip even more expensive than the average. Charter companies generally have longer minimum rentals and invoice higher costs during the holidays.

I could consider to charter again, but only with friends who could share the cost.

Overall, I’m glad we tried to charter a private yacht at least once

These are the reasons why I will supervise a photo of our family that wads in the most beautiful clear waters that we have ever seen, but not making a plan for our next yacht charter.

Yachting felt a lot out of our league, but I’m glad we tried it. After all, our typical family trip is to go to a national park and exchange homes to save money.

I am already thinking of the family holidays next winter. This will involve a hike, cultural experiences – and no boats.