Welcome aboard!
Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned seafarer, we’re delighted to have you aboard for a journey full of truly unforgettable people, places, and experiences.
In the last two decades, we’ve shared the magic of our planet’s most precious and plentiful natural resource with more than 60,000 guests. Our goal has always been to create an unmatched luxury experience that leaves a lasting impression on our guests without leaving a lasting impact on the oceans. And we’ve truly done all that we can to ensure that this remains true.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that every single decision we make as a company is made with the care and conservation of our stunning waters in mind – from the elimination of plastics to the use of non-toxic, marine-safe products and far, far, beyond. And as such, we’d like to encourage our guests to be an extension of that philosophy by being mindful of what and how you consume while spending time on and, especially in, the ocean. Because we believe that the ocean is kind to us in part because we do our best to return the favour.
But, of course, you are the reason that we do any and all of this. And to make sure that your stay is as fun, safe, and fulfilling as possible, we’ve put together a brief guest guide for you to read through covering everything you need to know about making the best of your stay with us. Please take a read while you settle into your cabin. And then sit back, relax, and let us take it from here.
Your cabin
Welcome to your cabin – your personal space to relax and unwind for the duration of your cruise.
We want to make your stay as comfortable as possible and although there is limited space aboard the yacht, we’re sure that you won’t be disappointed.
All of our cabins come with ample space for your belongings and each has been fitted with quality mattresses to ensure that you get a good night’s rest!
We’ve put together some handy hints so you can enjoy your cabin and ensure that you get the most out of your stay with us.
The hatch
Your overhead opening hatch will allow fresh air to get into the cabin and there’s nothing better than the fresh sea air, so keep it open when needed. We do ask our guests to ensure that hatches are closed when the yacht is underway.
We understand that sometimes it can get hot, so please help us to conserve the power used when the air conditioning is on, by ensuring that the hatches are closed.
Fans and lights
Please remember to switch off fans and lights both in your cabin and bathroom whenever they are not needed.
Port lights
Should opening port lights be fitted on your yacht, please ensure that these are closed daily before we set sail to prevent water coming into your cabin. We might be at sea, but we want to keep you dry unless you’re going for a swim!
Power points
Our AC power onboard is 220 V or 110 V depending on your yacht. Please speak to our friendly crew should you wish to use electrical devices.
Fresh water
Although we’re sailing on a vast expanse of water, we kindly ask you to sensibly conserve fresh water onboard at all times.
Onboard toilets
Marine toilets are different from those in your home and require thoughtful use. Please operate them as instructed by your crew. The toilets only accept human waste and a conservative amount of toilet paper. Please do not put beauty wipes, cotton wool, floss, napkins, or any other personal toiletry items into the toilet – trust us, it won’t be pleasant!
If you have any questions about your cabin, then don’t hesitate to speak to your crew, who will be happy to help
Your Safety on board
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us and we want to make sure that you enjoy every moment of your vacation!
Keep hydrated – reach for the H2O
It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re enjoying the heat of the sun. While at sea, your body needs more water than usual, so remember to drink plenty of water regularly. As part of our Plastic Pledge, instead of single-use plastic bottled water, we opt to use reusable water bottles on board. We’ll provide you with refillable water bottles which you can use throughout your vacation – so you remain hydrated and refreshed while having lots of fun in the sun!
Stay safe in the sun
- Whether you want to top up your tan or just want to enjoy a warmer climate, don’t let the sun ruin your time onboard. Be sun smart and follow these useful tips:
Slip – Slop – Slap! Slip on a swim shirt! Slop on some reef- safe sunscreen! Slap on a hat! - Don’t forget to protect the tops of your feet, the back of your neck and behind your knees – in fact, anywhere that doesn’t see the sun much. Re-apply your sun lotion often and as soon as you get back on the boat or go onshore!
- Where are your sunglasses? Remember to wear them!
Enjoy the sea
- Only enter the water when the motors are off and your Captain has given the “OK!”.
- Your crew will let you know of any adverse conditions before you enter the water.
- All our yachts supply swim noodles, these are great floating devices and keep you easily visible for your crew and other boaters.
- Ask your crew the depth of the water before deciding to dive from the yacht.
- Your crew will always be happy to run you ashore and closer to snorkeling sites.
- When planning to swim or snorkel always let your Captain know where you plan to go.
- If you’re not a strong swimmer, then please tell your crew.
Enjoy an all-inclusive vacation with TradeWinds
From the moment you step aboard, get ready to relax into vacation mode, and indulge in a fabulous week of all-inclusive luxury and unforgettable experiences. What a great feeling!
Let our dedicated crew look after your every need throughout your cruise. Savor delicious local produce that will tantalize your taste buds, enjoy our exclusive range of specially curated fine wines, and sip on fruity, tropical cocktails. Plus, don’t forget to experience our exciting range of activities available onboard. It’s time to spend your days relaxing and unwinding as we cruise some of the most pristine waters in the world.- All meals served onboard
- Open Bar
- Water and Fuel
- Professional Crew
- Kayak
- Snorkeling Gear
- Fishing Equipment
- All docking and mooring fees
- Cruising fees and permits
- Two evening meals ashore
- Diving (Free for TradeWinds Members only)
- Crew gratuities
TradeWinds Air-Conditioning policy
Many of our guests want air conditioning on our cruises. Whilst this is understandable, we also cruise in some of the most precious, unpolluted waters in the world and as a company, we have a responsibility to protect this for both our guests and the next generation.
We believe we have found a good balance between minimizing environmental impact, and giving you a level of comfort aboard.
We encourage you to open hatches and feel the breeze. It’s that very breeze that allows us to sail in the first place!
Aboard all TradeWinds vessels
- Air-conditioning is run on the dock when on charter.
- Running of air conditioning will depend on the size of the generator and usage of the battery charger and water maker.
- Air-conditioning can be turned on in the evening whilst guests prepare for dinner.
- If necessary air conditioning can be turned on through the night until 7 a.m. from when the first guest goes to bed.
AC Policy
Due to the complex nature of marine air conditioning, if the AC system fails, the crew will make an effort to fix the equipment, although often a specialist technician is required. No compensation will be offered in the unlikely event of air conditioning failure or due to the sound from running the generator.Jacques Cousteau
Our story
The TradeWinds concept began in the mid 1990s with a dream of cruising stunning turquoise waters, of scuba diving and exploring breathtaking coral reefs and watching the sun set over secluded islands.
More than twenty years later, our dream has become a reality, and we’re incredibly privileged to spend our days cruising across seas and oceans. Taking our Members and guests to fantastic destinations across the world. Discovering deserted beaches, beautiful atolls, and secluded cays. Diving into the unknown to explore a mesmerizing underwater world that only a few get to truly experience.
In reality, the sad truth is that our oceans and their ecosystems are being destroyed, by man. It’s a bold statement and one that is often hard to swallow. But it’s not too late and we still have a chance to play our part in making sure that we take responsibility for our actions.
At TradeWinds, we take our part caring for the environment incredibly seriously. In fact, we train all our base staff and yacht crews around the globe to live and charter green, and we encourage our guests to do the same. Over the course of your stay, you’ll experience first-hand how our dedicated crew ensures that we practice what we preach. Living green is easy, the hard part is educating people to become eco-friendlier!
Our yacht building partners, Fountaine Pajot, who custom built our range of luxury catamarans exclusively for TradeWinds are also committed to preserving the environment, crafting yachts innovated for green cruising.
As an environmentally conscious company, our base staff and crews do their part in helping to protect the environment and its these small steps that over time can, and will make a big difference.
And as testament to our successful ‘green living’ agenda, we’re proud to have been awarded the Charter Yacht Broker Association’s Save the Blue Challenge award in both Antigua and the British Virgin Islands.
Our responsibility to the environment
The ocean covers more than 70 % of the surface of the planet and makes up approximately 97 % of the earth’s water supply. However, the sad truth is that harmful pollutants are destroying our precious marine environment both above and below the surface. This fact alone is just one of the reasons why we’re so passionate about looking after the stunning waters that we are privileged to spend our days cruising. From the plastic debris that pollutes oceans and pristine beaches, to harmful toxins found in sunscreen that poisons coral reefs, it’s up to us to help save this incredible ecosystem.
It’s our responsibility to protect and preserve our environment both onshore and at sea, not only for this generation but for future generations too. Which is why at TradeWinds we believe that the only thing we should leave behind is just our footprints in the sand!
At TradeWinds we are environmentally conscious
We continuously strive for a greener planet. This takes effort, interest and commitment. As such, we hope that you will assist us, the environment, and our planet, by supporting this worthwhile effort.
From training our base staff and yacht crews to live and charter green, to collaborating with yacht builders who share our passion to be environmentally friendly, we strive to live by our promise to look after and respect our environment.
As an environmentally conscious company, we do our best to take care of the waters we sail in whilst maintaining our fleet of yachts at each of our bases. We ensure our crews have access to everything they need to provide our guests with a superior yachting experience, making as little impact on the environment as possible.
Our responsibility (continued)
Maintaining our yachts
Our dedicated crews maintain our yachts using a range of eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products. Vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, biodegradable soap (without parabens and sulphates) and essential oils are used to clean galleys, cabins, heads, surfaces, as well as linen and towels. We ensure that non-toxic products are used onboard at all times. In the event of any unwanted bugs, areas are treated with Diatomaceous Earth and Borax which are both non-toxic and eco-friendly.
Using a high concentration of toxic chemicals has an enormously damaging effect on our oceans and so we work closely with our base managers and yacht crews to provide them with the training and equipment to maintain our fleet of yachts using eco-friendly practices.
Eco-friendly onboard
We use some solar power but it’s still important for guests to remember to turn off fans and lights when they’re not in use. We manage our systems so fuel is used to its optimum, ensuring that marine conservation is always on our mind.
Air conditioning on our boats is supplied for our guest’s comfort, however, please be aware that we still need to limit its use. If you decide that air conditioning is not required to cool your cabin, make your captain aware, to avoid running the generator all night.
We ensure that all our menus are planned in advance, using the freshest produce available to ensure minimum food waste whilst onboard. Reusable food containers are used instead of plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
To help reduce the amount of plastic that sadly makes its way into our oceans each year, we don’t purchase plastic bottles to use onboard our yachts. We shop consciously and instead choose eco-friendly and recyclable materials, such as reusable bottles and containers.
Our guests have access to freshly filtered water onboard and reusable bottles that they can take with them onshore.
Fishing
Many of our guests love our onboard activities, such as fishing. However, extreme overfishing in certain destinations, such as the British Virgin Islands has meant that we have made the conscious decision to no longer offer it to our guests onboard as an activity. As Jacques Cousteau once said, “The best way to observe a fish, is to become a fish”, and we couldn’t agree more!
No green, no blue.
Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer
Our responsibility (continued 2)
‘Going Green’ with our guests
We advise our guests to be aware of the types of products that they bring on board with them. Environmentally friendly and all-natural products are better for you and they’re also better for our oceans and marine life. Choosing a reef-safe sunscreen and non-toxic products is a great way to help preserve the delicate reef ecosystems. To help repel mosquitos, we have an eco-friendly insect repellent and an all-natural sting relief available onboard, just ask your crew!
TradeWinds are dedicated to providing a first class service to our guests, without compromising our environmental promise. Let’s work together and help to preserve our sailing destinations for everyone to enjoy.
Reef-safe Sunscreen
Did you know that using non-eco-friendly sunscreen and personal care products can induce coral bleaching and cause irreparable damage to the marine ecosystem? Sadly, many lotions and potions that we use contain toxic chemicals that are poisoning our oceans and fragile reefs. The main culprit is regular sunscreen which can wash off once you enter the water leading harmful chemicals to seep into the corals. And it is these chemicals that poison the ecosystem relied on by marine flora and fauna, including algae, fish, urchins, mussels, and dolphins, to name a few.
The good news is that reef-safe sunscreens are widely available, making it easier than ever to stay safe in the sun while looking after the environment. Here are our top tips:
- Check the ingredients before you buy!
Avoid sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate as these are two of the most harmful chemicals that are responsible for coral bleaching and DNA deformities. - What SHOULD be on the reef-safe sunscreen label? Look out for ingredients like Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide and make sure your product is Non-nano, Paraben-free, Biodegradable, Cruelty-free, and Non-GMO.
- Use shade or cover up!
We hate sunburn, so when the sun is at its hottest, grab a hat, sunglasses, and T-shirt. Or step on board your luxury catamaran for some shade and protect yourself from the harmful rays!
Your guide to marine conservation
According to the Plastic Oceans Foundation, a global network of independent not for profit organizations and charities, more than 8 million tons of plastics are dumped into our oceans every year. Studies have shown that it will take approximately 450 years for plastic to degrade in water!
We want our guests to help us start a movement to ensure that we continue to respect and care for our marine life and oceans. Humans cause the greatest threat to the deterioration of coral reefs, but we can also help to educate and encourage better marine practices.
When you book a luxury vacation with TradeWinds, you get to experience the natural beauty of our surroundings, both above and below the water. The marine environment is a delicate ecosystem, that’s why we encourage our guests to remember the following:
- Don’t touch – look and appreciate. Some coral will die at just one touch and some sea critters, although they might look harmless will sting you!
- Don’t take anything – leave those lovely shells behind.
- Don’t stand on reefs – you will kill hundreds of years of growth and possibly cut your feet on the sharp coral – and trust us, there’s nothing more painful!
- And remember, while visiting Marine Parks all fishing is strictly prohibited.
Annie Crawley, underwater filmmaker
Get involved in marine conservation
Even when your vacation has come to an end and you’re back on dry land, there are plenty of ways to care about conserving marine life, from the comfort of your own home. What we do on land, often has an impact off shore too.
Follow these simple steps at home and you can help to preserve our precious oceans:
- Buy reusable water bottles and food containers
- Don’t buy products that have been made using coral or other delicate marine life
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning and personal products – check out our eco-friendly recipes
- Choose sustainable seafood sources
- Take part in local beach clean-up programs
- Use all-natural and eco-friendly hair and skin-care products
To help protect our marine environment, we need to become conscious of our own actions. Sometimes we overlook the small things like buying a plastic bottle of water from the store, because it doesn’t ‘affect’ us in our everyday lives. However, we all need water to live and our seas, oceans and marine life need our help to survive too.
Together we can help the environment by becoming ‘water wise’ and being eco-friendlier at home!
You can create a wave of change at plasticoceans.org. Visit oceanservice.noaa.gov for useful information to find out how you can get involved with conserving marine life.