Choosing Your CrewIt may seem obvious, but choosing the right crew to go with you on your vacation cruise will make or break your excursion. If you are just taking immediate family, you don’t have much choice, but if you are taking guests along, making the right choice is crucial. People you are considering need to understand that life aboard a sailboat is not like going to Sandals or Club Med. It is a lot more fun for most people, but there are some who will be happier at a resort hotel. Let them go. First of all, life aboard a sailboat has certain elements of camping. Everyone must be willing to do his or her share. If you have a prima donna with you who expects to be waited on, resentment will build quickly unless you choose a crewed yacht. But I’m talking bareboat here, where you have complete freedom as well as responsibility. There isn’t a lot of work to be done; however, nobody goes on a cruising vacation to be an indentured servant. Your sailboat adventure will require living in closer quarters than many people are accustomed to. We remember taking a good friend with us once, only to find out that she was claustrophobic and being in the head was really frightening. Generally, people who demand absolute privacy are not great candidates for your trip either. Face it. With people constantly changing from bathing suits to whatever, there are bound to be some humorous moments. A good friend of ours was sailing with a group of people he knew well. One day, while he was using the head, the door flew open and out he came, tail over tea kettle. Find out the special interests of your prospective members. If shopping or nightclubbing are their favorite activities, sailing in the Grenadines is not for them. Most of the people you invite won’t know whether they are prone to seasickness until it strikes. This should not disqualify them, but it does mean that you need to stock remedies. West Marine sells a wrist band that is reported to be effective and is non-medicinal. Frequently ginger ale and saltines will do the trick. Finally, your crew members need to be flexible. Help them understand that weather and other factors are beyond your control. As captain, safety must be your primary concern, even if it means missing one of your stops. Friends that you consider for your vacation cruise may be wonderful friends at home. Try to assure that they will still be friends after you’ve been to sea.
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