Part of the excitement of a sailing vacation in the Caribbean is the sense of adventure to explore new places as well as the opportunity to try exotic cuisine. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes time to present your charter. Whether you’re just buying drinks and snacks, or planning to prepare meals on the plane, stocking up can be a rewarding adventure in itself.
The key is to keep it simple and minimize the vacation time spent cooking so it doesn’t become an exhausting chore. There are three primary options for providing a sailing vacation in the Caribbean. First, if you have the money to spend and a taste for caviar, you can hire an independent provider to prepare your provisions in advance and deliver them to your boat. Secondly, for an additional fee, most rental companies offer a range of provisioning options. The rental company will provide you with a predetermined convenience plan.
The two main plans are the “full catering,” which includes three meals a day, or the “split program,” which eliminates some evening meals so you can eat on the beach. Provisions are not only delivered from the rental company to your boat, but frequently stored on board. Most rental companies will provide a sample menu.
The third option is to provide the boat yourself. Many of the islands have a supermarket either on the marina or a short taxi ride away. While they may not be the huge supermarkets you’re used to at home, local supermarkets usually have an amazing range of products. Be aware, however, that some items are very expensive. A box of cereal, for example, can often cost around $7.00. The choices may not be plentiful. So, if there’s a certain spice you can’t live without, or if paying over $3.00 for a box of cornflakes is going to completely ruin your Caribbean sailing vacation, you might want to consider packing and carrying those items on the plane with you. However, you risk having it confiscated at customs. Whatever you pack and carry, don’t try to bring frozen steaks and other meats in your luggage. If for any reason your flight is delayed or luggage is misplaced and your flesh melts in this mild tropical heat… yuck!
In many locations, supermarkets will deliver your supplies directly to the boat for a nominal tip or the cab driver will wait while you shop and bring you back with your provisions. Most of these supermarkets take credit cards. Even more exciting is shopping in an open air market. These markets offer everything from flowers, fruits, spices and vegetables to fresh fish or even live animals. Avoid the “guides” (usually a boy) who show you around the market. They will often take you to their friends’ booths and commission fees will be added to your bill. Throughout the Caribbean, everyone speaks some form of English, so it’s easy to communicate and get what you need. Before you buy anything, check out the entire market. This will allow you to see what’s available, general prices, and which stalls have the best goods. Bring your own bags or bags to carry your purchases as they are not available in these markets. At most, the food is wrapped in newspaper. Prices are usually chalked up somewhere on the kiosk. Open market vendors make their living selling food – not scamming tourists. Prices are very competitive and usually very reasonable, hence it is not appropriate to haggle over prices in food markets. Vendors will gladly help you make selections and will often explain how unfamiliar foods are prepared. A word of caution: Most of the fresh foods we’re used to are washed multiple times and wrapped in plastic. In local Caribbean markets this is not the case. Wash everything before you use it.
Knowing what to buy and how much is very important when saving a sailing vacation in the Caribbean. Many first time renters are already struggling. To figure out how much food to buy, think about how many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you’ll need, as well as any snacks. Also plan at least one emergency meal in case the transition takes longer than you think.
Unless you are an experienced sailor and really want to escape from the real world, you should plan to have a number of meals on the beach. There are several beach bars in almost every marina. After a few rum drinks, it’s very easy to stay for a burger and fries or any kind of Caribbean fare. Additionally, while exploring the islands offshore, it’s not uncommon to discover a charming inexpensive dining spot that serves quality food.
Think of food in terms of how long it will last without spoiling because refrigeration space is limited. Buy fruits and vegetables at all stages of ripeness so they can be enjoyed throughout the trip. One item that first-time renters don’t know about is long-life, ultra-heat-treated milk. It is a non-refrigerated product that comes in a paper box. It tastes as fresh as pasteurized milk, contains more vitamins, and if unopened, can last up to six months without refrigeration. It comes in pint and quart sizes and is readily available throughout the islands under the Parma brand name. For those cruisers watching their weight on a sailing vacation in the Caribbean, there’s a fat-free version available. Be sure to purchase an assortment of Ziploc bags and garbage bags if they are not provided by the charter rule.
There are two things people don’t always buy enough of: paper towels and bottled water. Expect to consume more drinks on a Caribbean sailing vacation than you would normally on land. It is important to have enough drinking water on board, so don’t drink too much alcohol just to keep yourself hydrated in the tropical climate. You must use at least one liter bottle of water per person per day on a Caribbean sailing vacation.
When we have family or friends sailing with us we have everyone write their name on a water bottle as soon as it is opened so we don’t have a number of open bottles. Again, because the cooling space is limited, only a few drinks can be chilled at a time. Cold drinks are usually kept at the bottom of the refrigerator. This means continually emptying all the stuff on top to get to the drinks, thus allowing cool air to escape. A good tip is to buy an extra bag of ice and put the drinks for the day in a cooler to be stored in the cockpit. Most rental companies will provide you with a cooler if you request it.
For a seven-day rental, plan initially to purchase at least four bags of ice and then refill them every two to three days as needed. Ice blocks last longer and store better than cubes. Cover the bottom of your refrigerator with these ice cubes. Don’t pour crushed ice over everything. When the compressor lowers the temperature, the crushed ice will solidify into an impenetrable block. No matter what you buy, never take a paper bag or corrugated cardboard on the plane. They are known as hiding places for cockroaches. If your provisions are not packed in plastic bags, unpack everything at the dock before taking it on the plane. Although you will be told by the charter base how to use the refrigerator before you leave, here are some pointers.
The refrigerator is the most popular place on a sailing boat to store food. It must be loaded carefully. Most marine refrigerators are top washers. Unlike a home refrigerator, it doesn’t lose as much cold when the doors are opened, however, and access to food is often less of a hassle. The goal is to get as much food as possible into the fridge without overfilling it (which interferes with the cold air’s ability to circulate) and without having to unpack it to get to the items at the bottom. Drinks are usually in highest demand during a Caribbean sailing vacation, and they should be on hand as often as possible. Pack food in the wire trays provided in the refrigerator or in mesh bags. This prevents food from coming in contact with the holding plate and freezing. If possible, try to layer the food in the order of use. Items that need the most cold or those that will be consumed last should go to the bottom of the fridge. Remember that ice blocks should cover the bottom of the refrigerator.
The boat motor is the power source for the refrigerator compressor. At least twice a day during the rental period, you will need to run the engine for at least 30 minutes. This can be done either at anchorage or while on a slipway if you are motor sailing. No matter where you take your car Caribbean sailing vacationPart of the adventure is providing your own boat. Although the charter company will gladly do it for you, there is a special excitement that comes from planning a trip that includes shopping on interesting Caribbean islands–particularly at the open-air markets. It’s a great way to interact with the locals and experience island life in a completely different way but up close and personal.
So book your private sailing charter and enjoy self catering. The chance to make food shopping a whole new adventure awaits!