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All packed and ready to go - Ritz and STJ Sailing- Wednesday
All packed and ready to go - Ritz and STJ Sailing- Wednesday
Another wonderful night of restful sleep brought the day we all were looking forward to the most … a day of sailing, snorkeling and beaches of St. John.
We are seasoned visitors to St. Thomas and St. John and I am a veteran researcher. I know that there are less expensive and more customized and individualized charters (we have done them in the past) but we decided that this trip we would take advantage of all the Ritz had to offer since this was a short trip.
After packing our heavy duty sunscreen, T-shirts and hats in my beach bag we headed to the beach at 9:45 a.m. to board the Lady Lynsey for our six-hour snorkel and beach tour of St. John.
One of the many things that I loved about the Lady Lynsey was the ability for it to pull up on the beach to allow passengers to board via drop down steps in the water. Talk about spoiled!
There were 25 passengers on this excursion, which cost $140 per person and included a continental breakfast, lunch and open bar. The bar did not open until after the snorkel stop but coffee, tea, water, juices and soft drinks were ready and available.
We quickly boarded and backed off the beach. The wind was perfect for sailing so Capt. Patrick and his mates quickly had us out of the bay.
There seemed to be rain showers and clouds around us but Capt. Patrick navigated us to a perfect and new spot for us to snorkeling … Lovango Cay!
Getting ready to anchor off Lovango Cay
Once securely anchored we were invited to put on our yellow vest that were mandatory, fins, snorkels and masks. The boat provided everything including towels and noodles as well. We had the option of taking the bow stairs into the water or jumping off the side where the gate was open.
A view of the water and the snorkeling grounds from the aft of Lady Lynsey
The spot was just perfect! I haven’t seen such beautiful coral in a long time. The fish were plentiful and colorful.
After an hour of snorkeling, Capt. Patrick blew the conch shell for all to return to the boat.
Once we were all accounted for we headed back into the wind for a lovely sail to our lunch stop … Little Cinnamon Bay.
The view at lunch of Little Cinnamon Bay
Drink of choice in hand, turquoise water all around, steady wind filling the sail and some Kenny Chesney music while sailing off St. John made for one of those perfect moments that helps get us from trip to trip and through the winter weather!
Secured in our location, the mates then set up a wonderful lunch buffet with something for everyone … PBJs for the children on board, grilled shrimp, salads and gourmet sandwiches and much more!
After lunch the steps were lowered and the gate was opened so those who wished could swim to the beach. Tender service, via the dingy, was established as well as ran continuously.
DH and DD jumped off the boat while I did my mom thing and used the steps. DH and I never made it to the beach as we just floated and swam around. DD and a newly made friend swam to shore and back.
DD jumping in right after her friend
Much too soon it was time to sail away.
The weather was cooperating so Capt. Patrick was able to put up the spinnaker for a wonderful and leisurely sail past the houses at Peter Bay then past Caneel and Cruz Bay before heading back to the Ritz.
View of Peter Bay houses before pulling up anchor at Little Cinnamon Bay
View of the house that was featured during this season's "Real Housewives of New York City" from the water
Once the cat was beached we walked down the steps into the warm water and onto the beach at the Ritz. It was an absolutely perfect day and perfect way to spend our last full day on island.
We headed back to the room and cleaned up. None of us were really hungry so we grazed at the Club and later in the evening ordered room service that was sent to the Club Lounge. Macaroni and Cheese for DD and grilled chicken sandwiches and fries for DH and me.
We walked around the property awhile, sat on the beach, listened to the ocean and then promised to return to St. John in the spring.
We are seasoned visitors to St. Thomas and St. John and I am a veteran researcher. I know that there are less expensive and more customized and individualized charters (we have done them in the past) but we decided that this trip we would take advantage of all the Ritz had to offer since this was a short trip.
After packing our heavy duty sunscreen, T-shirts and hats in my beach bag we headed to the beach at 9:45 a.m. to board the Lady Lynsey for our six-hour snorkel and beach tour of St. John.
One of the many things that I loved about the Lady Lynsey was the ability for it to pull up on the beach to allow passengers to board via drop down steps in the water. Talk about spoiled!
There were 25 passengers on this excursion, which cost $140 per person and included a continental breakfast, lunch and open bar. The bar did not open until after the snorkel stop but coffee, tea, water, juices and soft drinks were ready and available.
We quickly boarded and backed off the beach. The wind was perfect for sailing so Capt. Patrick and his mates quickly had us out of the bay.
There seemed to be rain showers and clouds around us but Capt. Patrick navigated us to a perfect and new spot for us to snorkeling … Lovango Cay!
Getting ready to anchor off Lovango Cay
Once securely anchored we were invited to put on our yellow vest that were mandatory, fins, snorkels and masks. The boat provided everything including towels and noodles as well. We had the option of taking the bow stairs into the water or jumping off the side where the gate was open.
A view of the water and the snorkeling grounds from the aft of Lady Lynsey
The spot was just perfect! I haven’t seen such beautiful coral in a long time. The fish were plentiful and colorful.
After an hour of snorkeling, Capt. Patrick blew the conch shell for all to return to the boat.
Once we were all accounted for we headed back into the wind for a lovely sail to our lunch stop … Little Cinnamon Bay.
The view at lunch of Little Cinnamon Bay
Drink of choice in hand, turquoise water all around, steady wind filling the sail and some Kenny Chesney music while sailing off St. John made for one of those perfect moments that helps get us from trip to trip and through the winter weather!
Secured in our location, the mates then set up a wonderful lunch buffet with something for everyone … PBJs for the children on board, grilled shrimp, salads and gourmet sandwiches and much more!
After lunch the steps were lowered and the gate was opened so those who wished could swim to the beach. Tender service, via the dingy, was established as well as ran continuously.
DH and DD jumped off the boat while I did my mom thing and used the steps. DH and I never made it to the beach as we just floated and swam around. DD and a newly made friend swam to shore and back.
DD jumping in right after her friend
Much too soon it was time to sail away.
The weather was cooperating so Capt. Patrick was able to put up the spinnaker for a wonderful and leisurely sail past the houses at Peter Bay then past Caneel and Cruz Bay before heading back to the Ritz.
View of Peter Bay houses before pulling up anchor at Little Cinnamon Bay
View of the house that was featured during this season's "Real Housewives of New York City" from the water
Once the cat was beached we walked down the steps into the warm water and onto the beach at the Ritz. It was an absolutely perfect day and perfect way to spend our last full day on island.
We headed back to the room and cleaned up. None of us were really hungry so we grazed at the Club and later in the evening ordered room service that was sent to the Club Lounge. Macaroni and Cheese for DD and grilled chicken sandwiches and fries for DH and me.
We walked around the property awhile, sat on the beach, listened to the ocean and then promised to return to St. John in the spring.
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
What an awesome day!
This brought back super memories of our vacation on Lovango Cay last year!! Love those pictures! Gotta love Little Cinnamon too~~ one of our absolute favorites~
Thanks for bringing us along with you!
Cheers~
This brought back super memories of our vacation on Lovango Cay last year!! Love those pictures! Gotta love Little Cinnamon too~~ one of our absolute favorites~
Thanks for bringing us along with you!
Cheers~
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
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