My 9 year old son and I had a fabulous experience aboard the Vela in the British Virgin Islands. We are "adventure travelers" and were looking for something a bit outside the norm. We prefer small, personalized, unique experiences filled with culture and charm. We got our fill of all of the above aboard Island Windjammers Vela!

I had traveled to the British Virgin Islands before and knew that is not an easy journey (no commercial flights into the BVIs).....but so worth it! We flew into St. Thomas, USVI the day before the Vela sailed and stayed at a B&B. The day of the cruise, we ferried over to Tortola, BVI. Be aware that the ferry experience is often unreliable and stressful. Allow for cancellations of scheduled ferries and give yourself plenty of time to make your cruise.

As to be expected aboard a sailboat, cabins are small but charming. We stayed in a deluxe cabin with a full size bunk on the bottom and a twin size bunk on the top. The bathroom had a small but separate shower. There were 9 hooks on the cabin walls for clothing, bags, etc, and a small compartment under the bottom bunk that would house a couple backpacks or a duffel bag. There is no more storage----no closet or drawers. Island Windjammers prepares you properly by explaining you should pack minimal necessities for a barefoot cruise and pack in soft-sided luggage. The cabins are very nicely appointed with teak and tile and the beds are quite comfortable. Read more