You're fortunate to have so many choices this summer: relax in your backyard, drive to visit family, work on the yard and garden, or go to the beach or lake during the few weeks that the weather is the best.

Sadly, most people will settle for a 'sort of OK' vacation, in spite all of the options they have. They often settle for crowds, cloudy weather, or cold water. If you're in Miami, Dallas or Phoenix, it's too hot. As much as people want to be outdoors, they are too often inside avoiding the 100° heat, chilly water temperatures, and the crowds.

Crowds at US beaches and lakes are at their peak, particularly in July and August. Hotels, events and restaurants are often 'sold out.' All of the smallest of diapered kids are there, along with their fast-moving older siblings. Sure, they're cute – until they get tired or hungry!

Your better choice is visiting the uncrowded calm of The Grenadines, where the locals are always thrilled to have you. And the weather? Probably better than where you are – even in the summer.

This is the time to sneak away – and it's ideal for a family with teens or grown children. Maybe you have newly married children. Join us, before they have kids of their own and it impacts their plans for the next decade or so! You may have adult children whose kids are at camp, or are staying with the other parent. Perhaps your kids are away, and you want special time with your own parents. There are plenty of reasons to make this summer one to remember.

Miami is one of the country's most humid cities, with relative humidity commonly being more than 85% in the summer months. However, people in Washington, DC would argue this when the summer humidity hits 100% for a week at a time.

Have you traveled to the beach or lake, only to find that it is partly cloudy or overcast? Something special about the Grenadines is the short torrential outbursts of rain followed by sunshine – not by light rain or even clouds, but by Vitamin D-packed sunshine!

• Singles Cruise
  August 1-7, 2010. The perfect opportunity to meet new friends! This is a wonderful way to find people who share your interest in a Caribbean tall ship escape, and are ready to mingle.
  
  
• Last-minute Cruises
  If your lifestyle allows you to schedule a cruise with just 21 days of advance notice, we may have a deal for you!
  
  
• Teachers
  Summer in the Caribbean is an ideal time for teachers. Gather 'field experience' that can be shared in the classroom in the Fall, or simply enjoy the calm, calm environment that island life brings. In either case, we welcome the special people who are shaping the future of our world.
  
  
• Learn To Sail
  A combination of classroom instruction and on-the-water experience will provide you with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience sailing a 22-26' sloop (something you'd find at a lake or bay, which carries 2-4 people comfortably.) The training will give you an understanding of how the 101' Diamant is able to move under sail power only. (Additional fee for this option)

Weeks that are currently sold out… June 20 and July 18

An Island Windjammers escape to paradise starts in Grenada. As you exit your plane, you smell the sweet fragrant scent of the sea mingled with spices. The palm trees are swaying in a soft breeze, and the night birds greet you.

Grenada is an authentically Caribbean island, without the "duty-free avenue" we've come to know in St. Thomas and St. Martin. The people are uniformly warm and friendly. The cuisine is as wonderful as it is varied.

Your time ashore can be as varied as hiking to waterfalls, exploring a spice estate, and visiting a rum distillery. At the end of the day, your beach awaits as you watch the sun set over the Caribbean Sea.

Offshore, there is world-class scuba diving to be done. But the snorkeling is also spectacular! Make a point to schedule an excursion to the Underwater Sculpture Gallery. For divers, you will do a gentle drift dive (conditions permitting) along the reef at Moliniere Point, then come around the southern end of the reef and drop into the sculpture gallery. For snorkelers, your boat will bring you right to the sculpture gallery. The deepest sculpture is only in 30 feet of water, so you will be able to enjoy the sculptures as much as any diver. The experience is truly captivating, and one you will never forget.

Grenada is a treasure of bustling activity as well as many opportunities to practice the art of "limin," or chilling out, Caribbean style!

Last month, we invited your general input, and we received a boatload! The leading responses were those of thanks and appreciation for keeping the dream of tall ship sailing alive, and those confirming that we have matched or exceeded their previous tall ship experiences.

Thanks to the Internet, we'll continue to involve you in our planning. Really! Help us grow and we'll provide you with more opportunities to create memories. So, we be askin' your t'oughts for two 'tings.

1. What do we need to include to make your future Island Windjammers experience memorable?
2. How can we help you spread the word about how enjoyable a windjammer cruise is?

Thanks in advance for spreading the word! And as always, we welcome your feedback.

Wishing you fair winds and following seas,

Captain Matt Thomas
Liz Harvey, President