Cruise Ships in The British Virgin Islands : The Moorings 5800 Sail Catamaran

Treat the 5800 Sail Catamaran like your own private floating hotel, with a cook to prepare your meals and the expertise of a skipper to manage each day’s sailing. You have the freedom to sail wherever the mood takes you, be it a secluded stretch of beach or a bar with a rocksteady beat where you can try a painkiller (a local rum-based cocktail).

The 5800 Sail Catamaran is larger than the 4800, with more space to relax and extra facilities. Above the main deck is a fly bridge, which is furnished with a wet bar and grill — ideal for enjoying snacks and cocktails while watching the sunset. The air-conditioned saloon on the main deck leads out onto an outdoor dining area at the stern.

In the British Virgin Islands you can sail for one hour, or several: everything’s relatively close. Your skipper can share their local knowledge to help you discover some of the more off-beat sights, as well as hidden snorkelling spots or secluded coves. As you don’t have to rely on local transport, you can visit some of the outer lying uninhabited islands which are otherwise impossible to reach.

You can also step ashore to walk the pastel-painted houses of the capital Road Town or walk the hallowed pirate trails around Smugglers Cove Beach on Tortola. Wading among The Baths, a series of pools and ‘rooms’ formed by giant boulders, on Virgin Gorda is a highlight.

Cabins

With two different models of the 5800, you can choose a layout to suit your needs. The Legacy, Master and Select all have air-conditioned cabins with a private shower, wash basin and toilet. The cabins have been well designed to provide storage space under the bed as well as open shelves running alongside the bed.

Up to ten passengers can be accommodated on the Legacy. On the main deck there are two double bedrooms just off the saloon, both with French doors that open out onto a small seating area. Below deck there’s one twin cabin and two doubles, as well as a separate cabin for crew.

The Master also accommodates ten passengers. The main deck is the same, but below deck, the configuration is slightly different. One of the double bedrooms has been redesigned so that you can enjoy panoramic views from the window-facing bed, the other is slightly larger with an extended bathroom.

Dining

• Your on-board cook will prepare your meals, mix up a cocktail or two and rustle up afternoon snacks
• There’s a separate grill on the fly bridge, where you can enjoy freshly grilled appetisers while enjoying the ocean views, or you could take a picnic onto the beach
• Separate children’s dishes can be prepared, and the boat will be pre-stocked with your choice of food and drinks.
• Your cook can cater to your every whim — but there are also plenty of onshore restaurants and bars to explore
• You can moor up at a marina to dine at an à la carte bistro, or dig your feel into the sand at a local seafood barbecue

Routes

Every crewed yacht charter is different, and after boarding your vessel in Road Town’s marina, you’re free to explore as you wish. There are more than 50 islands to explore in the British Virgin Islands alone, but your skipper will be able to suggest places to visit depending on your interests. With their local knowledge, there’s also the opportunity to discover some lesser-visited sights you might not read about in a guidebook.

The main islands of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda are clustered together and, as you don’t have to rely on local ferries, easy to hop between. You’ll find a mix of lively marinas, fine-dining restaurants and relaxed beach bars as well as plenty of stretches of powder-soft sand. You can also travel further afield, to explore the tiny outer lying sandbanks and islets — most of which are uninhabited — as well as the more rural island of Anegada.