Come sail away on a sailing vacation this summer
By Aimee Heckel
If you love the ocean, but aren’t drawn to cruise ships, there are still plenty of ways to spend your summer on the waves.
1. Enroll in sailing school.
Sunsail offers sailing classes to get formal qualifications for all skill levels. Many countries, especially in the Mediterranean region, require certification for the skipper and first mate. So, even if you have experience sailing ships, you might need to enroll in a special class to take your sailing vacation.
Or, make a trip out of it and enroll in the British Virgin Island Sailing Courses.
“Combine vacation, fun and enhanced skills,” the Sunsail website says.
2. Rent a houseboat and stay on Lake Powell, Utah.
Check out this list of houseboat specials and packages. Some houseboat rentals are 50 percent off in June. For example, rent the deluxe 48-foot Navigator for $2,579 for five days. This boat sleeps between 12 and 14 people. That’s as little as $37 per person per day.
Also check vacation rental by owner websites, like VRBO, for discounted rates on houseboats that you can rent directly from the owner. For example, rent a 46-foot Voyager houseboat for up to eight people starting at $1,673 for three days.
3. Rent a yacht for a group vacation.
The Moorings has a new catamaran that it calls the “most revolutionary yacht” it’s ever offered. Travel with a group of up to 12 people to save money. The yacht has five rooms, all with private baths. Choose from 27 different locations. (See photo.)
Don’t have your own captain to man the ship? Ask about The Moorings’ staffed yacht rentals.
4. Cruise down the river overseas.
Imagine cruising down the Amstel River in Amsterdam, instead of being stuck on land. Booking.com rents houseboats in Amsterdam. This boat sleeps four and includes a full kitchen, air conditioning, a terrace and dining area. Oh, and free wifi. Not that you’ll want to be online when you’re bobbing down the Amstel with these views.
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