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Some of my favorite vacations are when the family takes a catamaran charter to the Caribbean. Since we book our yacht several months in advance, I always have plenty of time to look forward to the trip, but I really get excited when it comes time to pack. It is really easy to pack for a charter Caribbean! Here are some of my tips:
- The most important thing to remember to bring is your passport. If you forgot that, you cannot go anywhere. It is now a requirement to have if you are traveling to the British Virgin Islands or any other island in the Caribbean.
- When packing clothes, I would recommend putting everything in a duffle bag. It is small enough to fit in the over head bins on the airplane, and you can fold it up for easy storage on the boat. For a seven day trip, I would recommend 4-5 swimsuits (you can wear them more than one day), 5-6 shorts and t-shirts, 1 cover-up, pajamas and any undergarments you will need.
- When it comes to shoes, I would bring two pairs: flip-flops or sandals, and then a pair for walking around in. On most islands in the BVI, you could walk around barefoot when you go ashore, but be careful – the ground gets really hot and there could be rocks on the ground. After burning my feet the first time at The Bitter End on Virgin Gorda, I learned my lesson. Now, I bring a pair of shoes to shore every time I go in.
- I like to bring a beach towel for drying off after swimming or snorkeling. The charter base will supply each person on the trip with two sets of bath towels. I would recommend saving those for showers and use your own beach towel.
- Another thing you do not want to forget is sunscreen and lots of it! This is one thing that if you forget, could really make your trip miserable if you get sun burned. If you do end up forgetting it, there are always shops to buy it in, but it is going to be really expensive. Sun glasses and a baseball hat or visor are always a smart idea, too.
- One thing that my family makes sure not to forget is games. They are great for passing time late afternoon or in the evening after dinner. You can find all sorts of small games that will fit in your duffle bag. Spending time laughing and playing together is usually one of the highlights of our trip. We all have so many memories of the hours spent playing games.
- Like for all of your trips, you never want to forget your book and camera. For me, at least, when I get back from a charter Caribbean, my friends love seeing all of my pictures.
- Finally, always bring some money with you to buy t-shirts, bracelets, etc. Most of the islands in the Caribbean take both cash and credit card.
I hope this list helps you make your trip as fun as mine always are! There is no better vacation than a family catamaran trip on a charter Caribbean.
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