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'This ain't no foo foo ship'
He might lead the judging for costume night or arrange boat races, which are not what you might think.
Like Carmichael, the Poly has a few stories to tell. Built in 1938, the ship began life as a Portuguese fishing boat off the grand banks. The Argus, as she was known then, was featured in a 1952 National Geographic article.
Cabins are, well, sparse, but functional. In fact, you can do anything needed in the bathroom without ever getting off the toilet. Don't bring a hard-sided suitcase because there's nowhere to put it. But you can also sleep on deck - just bring your pillow and blanket from the cabin and make a bed on one of the blue floating mats that double for beach duty during the day. Especially while the ship is sailing, sleeping under the stars is an experience not to be missed.
My recent week aboard was Carmichael's first back since his, ah, unsatisfactory foray into real estate. This trip, in late November, was a repositioning cruise as the ship moved from its hurricane-season home in Aruba to its winter home of weekly sails out of St. Maarten.
The crowd is fairly typical, a significant percentage of veteran 'Jammers along with some newbies, ages ranging from mid-20s to 60s and more. Days spent ashore can be on tours arranged through the ship or just wandering the alleyways and hideaway restaurants of Dominica or Isles de Saintes. Scuba diving is available at many islands and there is a dive mate aboard. There might even be swimming off the ship, including dives off the gangplank.
Evenings start with snacks and rum swizzles promptly at 5. The rest is up to you. You might dine ashore, or attend the dining room seating of your choice. First Mate Cesar Lopez, a Panamanian with a wry sense of humor, might conduct sailing or knot-tying classes. Or you might just land near the bar exchanging tall tales.
The point, as with all things Windjammer, is to do what you like, not something demanded by the Foo Foo masses. You'll be back.
If you go:
WINDJAMMER BAREFOOT CRUISES: http://www.windjammer.com
SCHEDULE: Weekly roundtrips on three sailing ships, the Polynesia, the Yankee Clipper and the Legacy for 64 to 122 people departing from various ports around the Caribbean, including St. Maarten, Grenada, St. Thomas, Aruba and Miami. The Mandalay sailing vessel departs from Grenada or Antigua on one-way, 13-day trips. Destinations vary by season and include Bonaire, Tortola, Dominica, St. Bart's and St. Vincent. Periodic theme cruises, like photography, singles, yoga.
PRICES: Prices range from $900 (euro739) to $2,200 (euro1,800) per person for six-day cruises; $2,400 (euro1,971) to $3,200 (euro2,630) for 13-day cruises. Special deals are often available. Additional costs include port charges of $65 (euro53) for the six-day cruises, included in the longer cruises. Stowaway night, which means boarding the ship on Sunday before the Monday departure - the best deal going - $55 (euro45) to $65 (euro53); included in the longer cruises. Windjammer has also recently instituted a $25 (euro21) fuel surcharge. There are no single supplement charges. Meals included. Tips extra and recommended at $75 (euro62) per person for the week.
TIPS: Traveling to the islands to meet the cruises can be an adventure in itself. Major airlines like American, Delta and US Airways have regularly scheduled flights to major islands. Inter-island, Liat and Caribbean Star are other options. Windjammer offers air reservation services that are often competitively priced, even if the schedules are not always ideal.
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