Calypso Charters Sailing Again
Most people know by now that I am a boat person, happiest moments for me are out on the water. Thus, I am happy to help spread the word about some of the sailing and cruising opportunities that are re-opening. If you are a boat person you will understand my next statement, if you aren’t you may think I’m a bit odd. Boats, to me, are like people – they have their own personalities, they have the ability to make you feel a certain way, and no two are exactly alike. Some boats, you hop on and it is immediately party time. Others serve the purpose to transport you from point A to B and have a very utilitarian feel. For me, Dralion is comfort and contentment mixed with just enough exhilaration. I have my “AHH” moments when I step on that boat and it is very easy for me to relax and settle in. I really can’t explain it but I know other boat people will understand, it is like the comfort of being home!
So, I start this piece, with full transparency that, for me, seeing Dralion back in service is so exciting. I didn’t want this piece to be biased in any way so I asked Jason and Blanca to sit with me and explain in detail what they were doing to assure the safety of their clients and crew, as we move from lock down to a careful return of tourism.
One thing that Dralion doesn’t have to change is the number of guests it will accommodate. From the very beginning, what set Calypso Charters apart is they limit their private groups to 16 guests and 5 crew. The boat, a 44-foot catamaran, is cleared and approved to hold 24-25 passengers. They have never crowded their guests. There is always plenty of room to mingle, move about and enjoy the many special spots on the boat. One of my favorites is the bow’s pulpit seats, at the very front of each pontoon, but when the seas are a little rougher, I love the trampoline and when the waves are crashing - the front buil- in rumble seat. When I need some shade the aft deck area, with the wet bar, is perfect. So spacing is not a problem and all tours are private, meaning there are never any guests that aren’t in your party.
Jason, assured me that, as always, service and health and safety are the top priorities of Calypso Charters. The personal touch also sets Calypso apart. Jason and Blanca, the owners, work with each client. They don’t just own the boat but they are hands-on in the business. They know these are hard times for everyone and they will personally work with you and your group to find the perfect package for you. They are offering discounts and will tailor each package to the economic needs of the client. So don’t be afraid that your wallet may not allow you and those closest to you to enjoy some time sailing and snorkeling the Caribbean. Take advantage of their personalized service and know that never will they lower their quality of service. 5 stars just like the vessel herself!
That stated, let’s look at some steps Calypso has taken to assure the safety and cleanliness in the wake of COVID-19. As we talked, Jason explained that these are not temporary measures they are taking. Instead they have stepped up the level of precautions and will continue to operate at this level long after COVID-19 is behind us. Why? Because they understand things have changed and this is the new normal! The first decision they made was instead of just settling for the standards required in the nautical world, they instead would go a step further and apply for the CPPSIT (Certificacion de proteccion y prevencion sanitaria de instituto turisticas) Certificate. A certificate that hotels and resorts are required to get in order to open. To receive this certificate there is a questionnaire with 500 questions that need to be answered, along with the submission of a technical report and numerous photos. This decision was something they knew would assure the utmost safety for all who board Dralion. In most cases, it isn’t required because boats are naturally disinfected by the sunlight, salt water and wind. In addition, they have read and agree to be in full compliance with the maximum requirements of OMH (WHO – World Health Organization – in English). Crew will be washing their hands every 30 minutes, using hand sanitizer, wearing face masks and laser temperatures taken for everyone boarding the yacht. They even post their health and safety procedures on their website. To assure the protection of each guest who wants to borrow their snorkeling equipment, Calypso invested in UV disinfection boxes, which will be used in addition to the standard cleaning procedures. The boat and kitchen/galley will be disinfected before and after each charter. In addition, Calypso charters posts all of their permits right on their website.
Jason, Blanca and their incredible crew, consisting of Captains Jorge and Alejandro, first mate - Israel, host – Oscar and chef – Fernando are excited to welcome you and your group aboard the Dralion for a fabulous day of sailing and snorkeling or a sunset dinner cruise. To learn more visit their website or look for them on Facebook.