TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin New hotel offshore of Club Orient

Just came across this and thought it was a novel way to stay on the beach https://www.blue-sail.ch/en/what-we-offer/

Hope they have a mooring ball. I asked why more boats dont overnight and someone said it wasnt a great anchorage spot.

It is a great option and what fun to meet other people and enjoy a CO experience. Mooring is good and if they look there is an engine on the bottom that they can moor to.

I don't know squat about sailing, but it sure seems like it would be very rolly there.. And the food situation seems odd to me. They provide breakfast, and then people can cook together?? Not sure how well that would work, unless several people booked together.

I agree! The meals should be offered from a preference sheet for those who want to eat in and the chef should be available the full time not just for breakfast.

Well, sounds good. Wouldn’t want 2 of them moored in the bay but a few sailboats add to the scenery.

I get the idea this is brand new, so things are subject to change. Anyone else think it's odd that they require clothing inside the vessel? For sure, sit on a towel, but to require clothing? Odd..

Didnt see that, yes odd.

It states clothing when in port not on the yacht....

On-board dress code
The on-board dress code complies with Club Orient rules. Clothing is optional on deck. Inside the catamaran, clothing or swimwear should be worn. Please read the participation conditions for more information.

I still don't find that on the website! What does the Salon is occupied? That would be the place to hang out?

Seen this a few times on various Facebook posts, no way does this comply with Club O rules, also the "Tender" to shore stops after dark, no way to have dinner in the village

I am NOT a 'boat' person, so I don't know. Would it be SAFE to tender to shore after dark??

It's located about half way down the site page on the right hand side under DRESS CODE

I suspect because of the closeness of on-board living and a rolling deck you would want something on. Imagine falling into another patron.
The tender must be driven by the captain after dark from what i read.
It would be fun if a group of friends booked the whole boat but i think you would have to be pretty easy going person to appreciate the arrangement.

I thought that meant that even though the salon can convert to a sleeping place it will not be used as such

I am wondering if the crew are using the salon as a cabin? I like the concept but if you are going to fill the niche do it right and offer a full on board experience.

I thought I read the crew consisted of captain and mate.

Sorry, how does that relate to the question of where they sleep? Mate in sailor language doesn't mean "mate" in the husband and wife sense...

cost: 2200 to 2800 euro per week, weekly rental only no kids unless you book the boat with another family with kids. Otherwise cabins rented only adults.

So, if we say 2500 euros is the average that's about $400 USD per night for seven nights. I assume that's a two person price, and not a per person charge. At first that may seem a little expensive, but given the rise in cruise ship prices these past few years that's really not that bad. They need to improve their website, and better address the many questions that will arise (like those on this forum).

THose prices were for each cabin for two people. Slightly less for one person in the cabin.

I suspect the clothing below deck is a “starting point”. If the group is comfotable i bet that melts away. But you wouldnt know comfortable until everyone checks in.

Riding the dinghy through the surf could be dicey day or night. The tiko tiko used to take you into the calm area by watersports. That would be along walk after dark.

Theyll either have to make meals available all day or they will have trouble IMHO.

The website has a contact (you must click on link at top of page) which I think was Switzerland for questions.

Gotta read all the rules on the site to get the scope of the offering. A little too restrictive for my taste. You can drink but in moderation ( who decides what that is) and only on approval from the captain, I get it but thats a lot of money for a whole lot of rules. Like what has been said already looks like evening trips into the village or to the island nightlife is doubtful. Not for me but to each thier own.
Cheers

Plus you pool your money for booze, food etc.

You have to wonder if you need permission to drink onboard and at the captains pleasure, I would assume to control onboard behavior, would they not allow you back onboard if they felt you had had too much onshore ?

I didn't read all the rules, but that does seem bizarre to me, to restrict drinking. I don't know, never been on a crewed charter, but maybe that is a fairly common restriction? Just put there for the really out of control person? When they are renting by the cabin, you are pretty 'stuck' with your boat-mates.

IMHO it is to cover themselves from drunk passengers that could injure themselves or fall off the boat and drown.
It seems the webite is catering to Europeans and not Americans. I remember a lovely Swiss couple renting the other half of our Club Orient studio and the differences between us were glaring. We were BBQ steaks on the terrace and the smoke apparently was bothering them due to the fact they were vegans and did not drink alcohol. So instead of moving to a different chalet they had to tolerate our drinking and cooking up a storm. They swam to Green Key everyday while we finished a case of heineken. My point is not everyone vacations the same way. That was 1985...

You sound like our kind of people.