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Creating the romantic vacation of your dreams

How to organize your own cruise on your own boat

LAS VEGAS, CA/ Troy Media/ - A cruise is one of the most romantic vacations possible. There is the sun setting on the horizon, the lapping waves and salty ocean air, and your loved one snuggled close on the deck, no distractions in sight – except for the hundreds of other couples and families talking loudly and running chaotically to and fro.

Indeed, cruises are so popular these days that mammoth ships are packed to the gills with fellow vacationers, and those who desire a calm, relaxing trip at sea can scarcely find it. The truth is, if you want a passionate vacation cruise with your loved one, you’re going to have to organize it yourself.

Fortunately, a personal, private cruise can be significantly more rewarding than anything you can purchase from Princess or Royal Caribbean. Here’s what you need to do before you can set sail for romance on your own boat.

Own the right boat

Not every boat is suitable for a voyage at sea. In fact, most boats are rated for shallow freshwater excursions close to shore. If you aren’t certain that your current boat can handle rough conditions, has seen better days, or lacks the storage and living space necessary for a long trip, you might consider donating your vessel and investing in a newer, worthier model.

Yachts are inarguably the most appropriate vessels for a luxurious, romantic cruise. Motor yachts are built for deeper water and, with two motors, these craft have the power to navigate in choppy water. Usually at least 40 feet in length, yachts offer plenty of space to spread out during long voyages; most feature two or three decks’ worth of space, including a stateroom, a kitchen, a bedroom, and more. Additionally, yachts’ engines provide electricity to the living areas to provide ample comfort while you’re at sea.

Another viable option is the houseboat. Like terrestrial motorhomes but larger, houseboats are built primarily as accommodations. Thus, they are unbeatable in terms of living amenities, with multiple restrooms and bedrooms as well as living and dining rooms. However, houseboats generally don’t have the power to move quickly or efficiently, and they can only store enough fuel for a day or two.

Freshen up your boating skill

All boat owners love going out on the water – but only a handful are able to make time for their craft every month. This means you may be proficient at short trips close to shore, but on a cruise you will face all sorts of challenges you are unfamiliar with. Instead of heading into a difficult situation with deteriorated skill, you should spend some time refreshing your knowledge of boating. There are all sorts of boating classes available to help you relearn forgotten information, and you may even learn about new laws or techniques that will help you on your journey.

Chart your course

This is definitely the most exciting activity of the planning stage: Now that you are confident with the quality of your vessel and the superiority of your boating skill, you can plot exactly where you will go during your private cruise. You might imagine a month-long voyage to Alaska or a relaxing jaunt in the Caribbean– but before you think about sailing to New Zealand, you should consider the realistic range of your craft.

While far-off destinations may be romantic, they probably aren’t feasible for your boat and skill level. Instead, you should purchase cruising guides for your area and select destinations based on your capabilities and that of your vessel. Then, you should print hard copies of any navigational charts for the course in case your technology fails mid-trip.

Pack

Once you know the duration of your cruise, you can begin loading up your boat with necessary supplies. Even though you will certainly plan stops to refuel, stretch your legs, and see the local scenery – just as professional cruise ships do – you should try to pack everything you will need so you can avoid surprise expenses later on. You should include more than enough food and fresh water to keep you both satisfied in case of an emergency, and you should certainly double-check your safety gear to ensure every piece of equipment is up-to-date and working.

Finally, you absolutely must bring along tools to increase the romance. Candles, wine, and soft music will make your private cruise into the passionate vacation you were dreaming of.

© 2015 Distributed by Troy Media

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