If you've been on a tall ship sailing cruise, such as Island Windjammers or Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, you know that incomparable feeling of escaping the ordinary, and leaving your cares behind. The spice-filled tropical air, the warm breezes, the taste of salt spray on your lips as you listen to your ship gently cut through the waves...all create a never-to-be-forgotten vacation experience. Friends old and new are always ready to share in laughs and casual conversation, or leave you to your thoughts or a good book. The hypnotic beat of island music brings you to your feet, to dance under the moon and stars.

Many of our supporters and Facebook fans have been following Island Windjammers (IWJ) from the conception of an idea, to our inaugural trips last November.

After four months of cruises, and as we prepare for cruises all summer long, our guests' responses have been better than we had hoped! From the captain, to the islands, the ship and the overall experience, people are saying that we've provided a vacation full of memories.

Now that we've hit the mark with creating memorable experiences, we're ready to start publishing a monthly newsletter for you, the group of kindred spirits which share our love of Caribbean tall ship sailing vacations. Since you can't be jammin' every month, we'll provide you with tastes of the tropics through stories, pictures and eventually sounds. (We haven't figured out how to do smell over the Internet!)

Our monthly newsletters and regular Facebook postings will transport you to the world of Caribbean tall ship sailing. We invite your feedback. Pause, and enjoy the moment!

A typical Island Windjammers escape to Paradise includes Bequia (pronounced Bek-way). Bequia is a favorite of sailors and yachting enthusiasts from around the world. The island is ringed with pristine waters and quiet beaches, with a wealth of beautiful snorkeling and diving opportunities

In the main town of Port Elizabeth, you'll find a variety of excellent restaurants and unique shops. Mac's Pizza is famous for its oven-fired lobster pizza. If you're looking for nightlife, follow your ears to the evening's live music!

Bequia's history is rich in boat-building, fishing, and whaling. As you stroll through the shops, look for the exquisite model ships on display. To see more of the island, take a tour with one of the local taxi drivers (negotiate a rate beforehand). Don't miss the Oldhegg Turtle Sanctuary. Here, hawksbill and leatherback turtles are raised and nurtured. When they're capable of fending for themselves, they are released back into the ocean to replenish the dwindling numbers of their species.

The responses our guests have shared in email and on Facebook have been beyond our expectations.

While Capt Matt and Capt Nervo said they were confident they could thrill the people who sailed with them, some of us remained a bit cautious. Fear not. Their guests consistently write about great times and being eager to return.

Thanks to the Internet, we're able to involve you in our planning. You're invited to help us grow. Really! We'll be inviting your input on food, music and activities offered on the trips. The objective is to make the memorable Island Windjammers tall ship sailing experience even better.

Our ability to grow our fleet and add new destinations is directly related to the interest of you, our future guests. Instead of putting money into advertising and fancy brochures, we're putting our money into the ship and crew…and turning to you to spread the word.

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• Help us find other people like you:
  • Forward this email to your friends using the link at the bottom of this email
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Thanks in advance for spreading the word. And as always, we welcome your feedback, or you can post on our Facebook fan page.

Wishing you fair winds and following seas,

Captain Matt Thomas
Liz Harvey, President