Find Your Client a Private Yacht Charter!
by Bobbie Murphy

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As my client was concerned enough to decide to cancel his vacation, I went to work quickly attempting to rescue him, as he and his wife, an adult son and his wife, and another son had arranged flights into St. Martin and home from Tortola. NOW what?

Google to the rescue! I plugged in “yacht charters,” discovered there were several different brokers we could consider from Tortola, and I quickly emailed several of them. As is often the case (we should all make note of this in our OWN business!), the first responder got my attention that day. Lynne Campbell of Carefree Yacht Charters was going to be my “lifesaver!”

What fun! I asked Steve if he would consider a sailboat charter, and he hesitated. “My wife and daughter-in-law are both worried about seasickness,” he replied quickly. “Let me see what they say about that.”

While Lynne worked quickly on her end to see which of the yachts she had access to were available, the next email from Steve revealed that the girls were a “GO!” I was VERY excited, and let Lynne know immediately that the client was game.

We discussed the fact that perhaps a catamaran-style boat would suit this family’s needs best, but Lynne also explained that the classic sailing experience found aboard a monohull-style yacht might be an excellent option as well. Not only did she discuss this with me, but she was more than happy to talk directly with my client in order to answer questions, address concerns, and help determine the best boat and crew for this particular vacation – which turned out to be a monohull in this case!

Carefree Yacht Charters is now an OSSN supplier, and they will pay 10 percent to you – and take care of EVERY detail. I can’t tell you how many amazing amenities these boats have, right down to the great water toys. Of course, each yacht is unique, just as each crew is different. Some have just one crew member who acts as both captain and chef, while others have two or even more.

A yacht charter typically includes ALL alcoholic beverages and meals, and the course is often charted by your clients! A client preference request form is sent to the clients, so all their needs are met. The price is NOT much more than the cost of a Windjammer or big-ship cruise. In fact, this family is bringing six people for just over $10,000, plus the customary 15 percent tip to the crew. They will have a “sleep aboard” in the harbor the first night as they arrive late, and will sail for six more nights.

Remember, all the toys are right there, so there’s no need for expensive excursions. And what fun it will be to be able to “hang out” in the ports for the local night life!

You can check out the boat my clients will sail on in late January by going to www.libertecharters.com. Do check out the web site for Carefree Yacht Charters at http://www.carefreeyachtcharters.com>www.carefreeyachtcharters.com. Tell Lynne or Joe that you are an OSSN member, OK? I know you’ll love her as much as I did.

I need to share with you that they owned and operated two successful yacht charters in the Virgin Islands for twelve years, so they are really well equipped to organize and book your clients’ vacations. And I can’t WAIT to share with you some stories when my clients return from this adventure. And, to think it all came about because of a potential cancellation!

Now let’s hope that Windjammer comes out of this smelling like a rose, too. I am rooting for them! [Editor’s Note: At press time, unfortunately, Windjammer Barefoot Cruises canceled the coming week’s worth of departures and took down its Web site. No formal announcements have been made yet about the company’s future.]

Bobbie Murphy -- the director of OSSN’s Kentucky Chapter! -- is the owner of Bobbie’s Travel, Ltd., her home-based travel business in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(Credits: Bobbie Murphy; Liberte Charters)