Blog Archive

BSLC Admin

February 13, 2020

Blue Sky in the NEWS!

This month, Blue Sky Luxury Travels’ Shanna Dickerson went on Lowcountry Live WCIV for an interview about her company and how it was born. She also discussed her favorite island for couples looking to celebrate a honeymoon or other special occasion. And the winner is…….ST. LUCIA! On the segment, Shanna spotlights 3 of her favorite resorts on the island. Take a look at the video for drool-worthy images of Jade Mountain St. Lucia, Ladera Resort and Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

Blue Sky Luxury Travels has also been selected as the luxury travel advisor for NUE Magazine which covers Charleston, SC and Denver, CO. We will also be featured in their international magazines. And what did we pick for our 1st editorial?!! A story on one of our FAVORITE rental villas on St. John USVI, of course! Check out the feature on La Vita:

We are so grateful for these opportunities to share insider information about our favorite luxury travel destinations. Feel free to reach out at any time if you need help coming up with a vision for an upcoming vacation, family reunion, wedding or corporate retreat.

BSLC Admin

October 31, 2019

The Necker Cup is Coming Up Next Month!

All year long, I look forward to The Necker Cup at Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. This six-day, five-night all-inclusive Tennis Pro-Am and golf event takes place on December 4 – 9, 2019. I’ve been a part of the Necker Cup for several years, and I’d love for some of my clients and friends to join in the fun!

There is no other event in the world where you can get such incredible people on a gorgeous private island to include top tennis pros & legends, world class musicians, celebrities and guess all mixing and mingling together. As many of you know, I’ve been lucky enough to hang out on Necker many times and every visit is SO special, especially during the Necker Cup!

I adore the island’s beautiful wildlife and incredible views, and there are so many highlights that it is hard to pick a favorite. At the Necker Cup, I love playing tennis, hitting challenging golf shots with hole-in-one $1M wins, paddle boarding, snorkeling, kite surfing, and sailing. The exclusive dinners and parties offer networking with incredible like-minded people and just relaxing in paradise. It is truly a ONE-OF-A-KIND experience!

This year, there’s an add-on experience, the Dream@ Sea Voyage with Legends, sailing December 1-4 from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda. This luxury cruise will offer tennis clinics aboard the SeaDream Yacht, with stops to play tennis and golf on Nevis and Anguilla.

If anyone is interested in attending this year’s Necker Cup here is what you need to know!

Dates:
Dec 4th-9th

Location:
Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands

Musical acts:
Florida Georgia Line, Jewel, Skip Marley, and Zia Victoria

Tennis & golf pros:
Brad Gilbert
Martina Navratilova
Boris Becker
Caroline Wozniacki
Johan Kriek
Wayne Bryan
Rod Laver
Sir Nick Faldo
Jack Sock
Tommy Haas
Gigi Fernandez
Tennys Sandgren
Vasek Pospisll
Nick Monroe

Accommodations (which vary in price point):
Necker Island (https://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/necker-island)
Seadream Yacht (https://seadream.com)

Price:
Experience this amazing event with packages ranging from $16,995 – $122,000

On the final night pros, celebrities and guests join together for a tennis exhibition, charity dinner, and auction. Since 2012 this event has raised over $3M for a number of affiliated charities including the National Tennis Foundation and Virgin Unite.

If anyone is interested in attending or having their company sponsor this year’s Necker Cup event please let me know! Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, I’m in a unique position to tailor these experiences so there are many exclusive possibilities that I can make happen for my clients and guests.

Recommended Private Islands

Laucala Island

Necker Island

Eustatia Island

BSLC Admin

September 24, 2019

Chartering A Yacht in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands (BVIs) are a very popular destination for sailors—and with good reason. Near-constant trade winds, all-year-round warm temperatures and dazzling white sandy beaches surrounded by clear and tranquil turquoise waters and lined with striking coral reefs make these islands the perfect place to test your sea legs and create lifelong memories with your family and friends. Whether you want to explore the breathtaking, secluded anchorages, see tropical aquatic life by snorkel or scuba, hop between uninhabited islands, or head to the palm-fringed beaches and enjoy the bars, chartering a yacht in the British Virgin Islands gives you the option to do all of that and more. However, there are a few things you should know before making the big decision to charter a bareboat, crewed, by-the-cabin, or skippered yacht.

Passports and Visas

Everyone in your party, including U.S. and U.K. citizens, requires a passport that is valid for another six months upon arrival when entering the BVIs. Most visitors who stay for less than six months don’t need a visa if they possess a return or onward ticket depending on your country of citizenship. For the latest travel advice including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information check travel.state.gov/stayingconnected and follow @TravelGov and facebook.com/travelgov. Talk to your British Virgin Island yacht charter company to make sure you have all of the correct documents for your seafaring vacation and make copies and/or take pictures of them.

Insurance and Deposits

Take out appropriate travel insurance before setting sail and make sure it covers you for all the activities you want to do. Every British Virgin Islands yacht charter company is going to have different insurance options, however, you’ll definitely have to buy (or at least, want to consider buying) yacht insurance. This may or may not cover trip cancellations, boat or dinghy damage, or lost items. Some special types of charters will require additional insurance or deposits, such as the racing deposit required for yachts chartered for entry into regattas or a cell phone deposit for a direct line of communication between your boat, your charter company, and their mechanic.

Temperature and Sailing Conditions

Temperatures in the BVIs are around 77°F to 82°F all year round. August is the hottest and sunniest month and sea temperatures are warmest in September. The hurricane season is between June and October, which is also the wettest month, however, there is a very low chance of a hurricane affecting your vacation. If you’re looking to be alone in an anchorage with the pristine beach to yourself, this is the perfect time to come. The BVIs are also known for the tradewinds season between November and June and the famous Christmas winds in December/January. Winds are mainly from the east or northeast and blow from 10 to 20 knots, depending on the time of year. Groundswells can occur between December and March after particularly strong winds. If you like a bit more action on your British Virgin Islands yacht vacation, this is when you’ll want to set sail.

Moorings and Marinas

Most of the bays in the BVIs have overnight moorings. A lot of sailors prefer the safety and comfort of an overnight mooring instead of anchoring. Expect to pay $30 per mooring per night. You can use the app BoatyBall to reserve and pay for mooring balls located in prime locations throughout the BVIs. If you would like to get your land legs back, spend the night in one the BVIs’ full-service marinas. Hook up to the shore power, run your shoreside AC if you have it, and make use of a little luxury onshore. Expect to pay from $1.50-$2.50 per foot for the night.

Bon voyage!

BSLC Admin

August 29, 2019

Top 5 Things to Do on Sugar Beach in St. Lucia!

A vacation on the gorgeous white sands of Sugar Beach, St. Lucia is an experience unlike any other and we here at Blue Sky are committed to making sure that experience is a memorable one. So while you could spend your days lounging away on the beach—soaking up the incredible views and listening to the lullaby of the ocean (and we certainly wouldn’t blame you)—we thought we’d let you know about some fun activities you can do during your stay. Here are the Top 5 Things to Do in Sugar Beach!

1. Speed Boat Tour with Solomon Water Taxi & Tours

Hop aboard Solomon’s boat, Justice/Justice Again, and cruise the coastline to Anse Chastanet, Saint Lucia’s very own black sand beach where you’ll go snorkeling. You’ll then head over to Soufriere to visit a bat cave before getting in a land taxi that will take you to a mud bath/volcano tour. Rub yourself or your partner in mud and then bathe in warm sulphuric pool water before rinsing off at the Toraille waterfall. Finally, you’ll grab lunch at Solomon’s mom’s delicious restaurant!

2. The Tree-to-Bar Experience at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat

Calling all chocoholics! This one’s for you. Unique to the Rabot Estate—and drawing on their expertise as a chocolatier and grower of chocolate—this is an exclusive opportunity for you to discover cocoa like never before and even have the opportunity to create your own chocolate! The experience starts with you walking through the estate’s cocoa groves and selecting ripe cocoa pods to harvest from the tree and ends with you making your own bar of chocolate. The tour also includes all the interesting steps in between—from the cocoa seedling nursery, fermenting room and sun-drying station to grinding, mixing and, of course, loads of tasting!

3. Real St. Lucia Tours’ Petit Piton Trail Hike

Seeking some adventure? You’ve come to the right place. Hiking Petit Piton isn’t for the faint of heart but truly provides one of the most exhilarating experiences you’ll ever encounter. Real St. Lucia Tours provides you with an experienced guide, and while the climb itself is quite difficult, you’ll find yourself surrounded by lush rain forests and met with a breathtaking view at the top of Soufriere, Gros Piton, and the majestic blue ocean beneath you.

4. Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park

This 18th-century estate is an all-in-one experience that offers lots of activities for every member of the family. Learn about their local history and culture from their working plantation where you’ll even get to taste crops like coca, coffee, coconut, orange, grapefruit, and lime and then strap in for an exciting zip line through the canopy with amazing views of the Pitons. You can even mount a horse and explore the estate cowboy style, riding into the Sulphur Springs volcano and onto the beach, or hike through the lush rainforest and experience a natural spa treatment at a mineral waterfall. You can then satisfy your appetite with a delectable local creole buffet lunch in their open-air restaurants.

5. Action Adventure Divers

Grab your flippers and wetsuit and get ready to experience the world below in a whole new way. Join Dive Master Chester for a single tank, double tank, or even a night dive in the reefs of the Soufriere Marine Management Area. Explore the fantastical Fairyland, the dazzling Devil’s Hole, the sublime Superman Flight (where Superman 2 was filmed), the remarkable Wreck of the Lesleen M (a 165-foot freighter that sunk in October 1986), and so many more magnificent sites. Everyone is welcome—from newbies to seasoned pros!

BSLC Admin

July 31, 2019

Blue Sky Luxury Concierge Announces Rebrand to Blue Sky Luxury Travels

Top Caribbean Luxury Travel Provider Expands Services and Scope for Worldwide Reach

Today, Blue Sky Luxury Concierge, Inc., the leading provider of luxury travel services in the Caribbean and Bahamas, announced the company’s rebrand to Blue Sky Luxury Travels. The comprehensive rebrand elevates the focus on bespoke travel planning services to individuals, families, groups, and corporations across the globe. With the rebranding effort, the company will continue to offer personal travel planning, while investing further in both global expansion and expert support for corporate clients.

The new corporate name for the longtime trusted travel provider signals a shift in the company’s vision and strategy in the travel market. “The Blue Sky Luxury Travels name represents the expansion of the company’s reach, increasing the service level at every touchpoint of the customer travel experience. “We are proud of the new vacation and corporate retreat offerings we are building for our clients as we work to become the foremost boutique luxury travel group worldwide,” said Shanna Dickerson, Blue Sky Luxury Travels CEO. “From our humble beginnings in 2010 as a grocery delivery service on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands to today’s global full-service travel experience design company, Blue Sky has grown with our customers’ needs. This new name reflects the company’s worldwide reach, and now we can bring the personalized service of our experienced team to each step of our clients’ travel planning process.”

In addition to the company’s core offerings of full-service luxury concierge travel and event planning, Blue Sky provides housing logistics for corporate clients. Blue Sky Global Logistics is the company’s newest division, providing corporate and workforce housing for disaster relief staff. They are currently at work in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico housing workers who are helping to rebuild and restore areas affected by natural disaster.

Blue Sky has also expanded their villa rental portfolio and now offers properties throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Fiji, and South Carolina. Every day, Blue Sky spotlights a different villa on the company’s popular Blue Sky Luxury Villas Facebook page. The company provides tailored and unique itineraries for personal travel and corporate retreats, including yacht charters, and private island rentals. The Blue Sky Luxury Travels blog publishes all types of information, travel tips, memories and suggestions to empower informed luxury travelers.

“Blue Sky helped us to plan our most successful company retreat from start to finish. Their planning advice was invaluable, their recommendations were spot on, and their service and support were smooth and professional throughout the entire outing. Blue Sky helped us with finding the ideal accommodations for our group, meal planning and reservations, transportation throughout our stay, arranging group activities (on land and on the sea!), and designing team-building events. I would highly recommend them for any corporate event and would love an excuse to use them again!” writes Scott Berman, President, HawkPartners.

Blue Sky Luxury Travels stands ready to assist individuals, families, weddings, and corporations with every aspect of travel and event planning. The Blue Sky business is connecting people to their travel destinations wherever that might be. The company has perfected this model to be an all-inclusive operation with an emphasis on client service, offering personal attention and availability around the clock. Blue Sky Luxury Travels provides outstanding service, enabling people to create memories and better enjoy their travel experiences.

BSLC Admin

July 11, 2019

Where to Go Fishing in the U.S. Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are located right at the edge of the six-mile deep Puerto Rico Trench, an area known for having some of the best game fishing in the world. Twenty-one world records in fishing have been set in the Virgin Islands including the still-standing IGFA Women’s ‘All-Tackle’ world record for Blue Marlin back in 1982—a whopping 1073 pounds! Monumental catches such as these are a testament to the excellent fishing opportunities anglers of all ages and experiences levels will find both inshore or offshore in the US Virgin Islands and we at Blue Sky Luxury Travels are here to make your trip one you certainly won’t forget.

St. Thomas is home to several fishing tournaments throughout the year such as the Dolphin Derby in April, the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament in July and the Wahoo Windup in November. It’s also one of the most renowned locations to catch Atlantic Blue Marlin and while Marlin fishing is fine year-round, the most optimal months are May through October. One of the best places to go fishing on the island of St. Thomas is in Red Hook. Offshore, you’ll find Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish and of course, Marlin. Stay closer in and you’re looking at the perfect place to catch some King Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper and Jacks. Red Hook also has some great snorkeling where you can swim alongside turtles, stingrays, a variety of colorful fish and amazing coral of all shapes and sizes.

Just twenty minutes west of Red Hook is where you’ll find another great fishing spot in St. Thomas—Charlotte Amalie. Thanks to its proximity to the North and South Drops, you’ll find waters rife with Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi and Tuna. Some charters even allow you to snorkel with turtles and dolphins. Spend a day here and you’ll be able to say that you fished some of the best sports fishing grounds in the world.

Cross the Pillsbury Sound and you’ll reach the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands, St. John. Without a doubt, the best place to go fishing on this island is in Cruz Bay and with Offshore Adventures Charters, you can depart from either The Westin St. John, Resort & Villas or the National Park Dock in Cruz Bay (along with all of the resorts and public docks back in St. Thomas). Choose between a custom 32ft Diesel Inboard Center Counsel Fishing Boat with Marine Head and a 41ft Custom Open Salon-Style Ronin Sportfisher and spend four, six or even ten hours live bait fishing to your heart’s desire.

There’s another fun spot to fish in St. John and this one’s particularly underrated. For a completely different experience, head over to Leinster Bay for classic flats fishing. Here, you’ll find the easily-spooked and hard fighting bonefish. These fish can weigh as much as 19 pounds and measure as high as 30 inches or more.

Finally, we turn our attention to the largest US Virgin Island, St. Croix. This island is surrounded by a drop which is .5 to 4 miles north or south. Migrating schools of small fish gather in these areas so you’ll find a lot of fish similar to St. Thomas here—the Billfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, and Mahi Mahi. However, unlike St. Thomas, St. Croix has a narrow under-water shelf off its shores which makes fishing from small boats close to the shoreline very rewarding. On the northern side of the island is the town of Christiansted where you’ll find some of the best charters and tours. It’s also a great sight-seeing spot for whales, porpoises, and turtles.

What are you waiting for? Give us a call and let Blue Sky Luxury Travels provide you with a legendary experience in one of the best places to fish in the world.

BSLC Admin

May 28, 2019

Necker Island is BACK!

I’ve spent many busy, blissful days at Necker Island, leading group trips and managing entertainment, and sometimes just enjoying connections and relaxation with friends. It was heartbreaking to see the island in ruins after Hurricane Irma almost two years ago, but I’m happy to say that Necker is back in business. I took a group to Sir Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands a couple of months ago, and Necker is gorgeous and the lemurs are as playful as ever.

After being shuttered in September 2017 after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma the luxurious resort has been completely restored and updated with new additions. Branson, who rode out the hurricane in the wine cellar with family and staff, has been very involved to support Unite BVI and the BVI community as the whole of the British Virgin Islands recover after the devastating storm. Now completely rebuilt, Necker Island offers an enhanced experience that’s ideal for corporate, social or family groups looking for a luxurious retreat.

Ready for a new chapter, the Great House, where people come to dine, party or just relax together, has been completely re-created with the addition of 2 new rooms (11 rooms total) in a Balinese style. New completely freestanding, the Leha Lo house sleeps two adults with panoramic sea views, private sundeck, hot tub and an improved and expanded Bali Hi complex offering private plunge pools in each of its houses.

ituated in the picturesque British Virgin Islands, Necker Island’s 74-acre estate has all the ingredients for a holiday of a lifetime. One of the most exclusive and private-island destinations in the Caribbean, guests can look forward to the gorgeous white sandy beaches, a full array of exciting watersports equipment (scuba, sailboats, paddleboards, wakeboards), refreshing drinks timed perfectly to sunset views and multiple gorgeous freshwater infinity pools. From private tennis lessons with a resident professional coach and top-class watersports to relaxing on your own stretch of private beach, guests have everything they need to truly enjoy the tranquility of the island.

The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down! Necker Island has held some of the most legendary parties that you can offer to your guests while staying on this private island. From Casino Night, complete with poker and roulette tables, to Disco Fever with a setup including a variety of colored disco lights, Necker Island is ready to give your guests a memorable experience they will be talking about for yers to come.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common questions asked when booking a luxury vacation on the idyllic island is about the weather. In the British Virgin Islands, the average monthly temperature ranges from highs of around 82°F (28°C) in January to highs of roughly 95°F (35°C) in July. In short, it’s pretty much sunny pleasant weather year-round!

Regardless of when you plan your next visit to Necker Island, you can expect warm and sunny beach weather in an island paradise, a fully stocked bar, meals served on the roof terrace and a stunning array of wildlife from flamingos to lemurs to giant tortoises! Experience the world’s most exclusive island retreat and savor inspiring beauty from amazing panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and neighboring islands. One word of warning, once you’ve experienced the astounding beauty and luxury of Necker Island, you may never want to leave!

BSLC Admin

May 14, 2019

Ten Questions to Ask Before Your Next Luxury Vacation Villa Rental

Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, we select only the best in villas, resorts, yacht charters and private islands for our discriminating guests. Our local team ensures quality and unique experiences as well as planning tailored and unique itineraries. When you’re making the decision of which villa is right for your island vacation, here are 10 important questions to consider:

1. What is the location of the villa?

Is it located near a city or town or is it in a more rural area? Are there any shops nearby? Banks? Ferry boats? Asking the right questions about the area can help you get a better idea of the location you’re staying at and how accessible it will be to pick up any last-minute supplies or gifts.

2. What services and activities are offered?

As an all-inclusive operation, Blue Sky offers a variety of services at most of our villas including private chefs, personal trainers, childcare professionals, massage therapists, tour guides, private transportation services, and more. We are able to tailor a dream vacation that is unique to your interests and desires. Experiences can include day charters for powerboats, catamarans, and sailboats, private jets, event planning, helicopter charters, excursions (guided hikes, kayak, and paddle boards), private local land and sea tours, and more. If you’re looking for a specific diving experience or for snorkeling near to where you’re staying, you might want to choose a close-by villa for your stay, and we will be glad to advise you on the best selections.

3. Can I send a wish list of important things we are looking for in a villa?

YES! The more specific the better! You can let us know the location you prefer, your range in budget, if full AC is important or if AC in the bedrooms only is ok, beachfront or a high up view, etc. Asking the right questions can help narrow down your options. From there Blue Sky will go to work on locating your perfect villa!

4. Do I get to choose the food?

If you’re opting for a private chef or villa provisioning, you’ll be able to make dining plans for your entire villa vacation in advance. For provisioning prior to your luxury villa vacation, you’ll fill out a shopping list so our team can do the shopping for you and have your kitchen stocked before you arrive. For private chef services, you’ll fill out a questionnaire to provide the chef with your food and beverage preferences along with any dietary or medical conditions in your party. Then the villa chef will work their magic to prepare gourmet meals for you to enjoy!

5. Can I have a party at my villa?

Blue Sky is a company with over 15 years of experience planning events from small intimate parties to large scale corporate gatherings and even worldwide tours. From arranging talent to planning production logistics, we handle all aspects of private events and believe anything is possible. Our team can make your party or wedding dreams come true during your vacation, but you’ll want to make sure that the villa you select allows this type of function.

6. Do the luxury villas allow pets?

We are pet lovers! Let us know if you have any pets joining you during your stay. We are at your service to create the ultimate luxury vacation for you and all your loved ones. Our concierge team will help you choose a villa that allows pets if you choose to bring your furry friends along on vacation.

What is the cancellation policy?

Great question! Cancellation policies vary by property, but we are always here to answer any of your questions. Please let us know which property you are interested in and we can discuss the cancellation policy with you before you plan your luxury vacation.

8. Is the area safe?

We personally visit all of our luxury villas to make sure we know what’s out there. Many villas have extensive security systems and are in guard-gated communities. When security is paramount, our concierge team will help you select the appropriate villa for your needs.

9. What should I pack?

Your villa will come fully equipped with everything needed for luxury, safety, and meal preparations. Of course, you’ll want to remember the basics like passport, prescription medication, reef safe sunblock (we can recommend some great ones as well as chemical free if you like), lip balm, and insect repellent. As far as clothing, definitely pack several cute swimsuits, comfortable walking shoes, and sunglasses!

10. How do I get there?

Some villas are more remote than others. If time is short, you may want to select a villa that has quick access to a local airport so you can start your vacation quickly. For longer vacations, it might not be such a big deal to take a ferry and a boat to get to your vacation home. Either way, our team will make sure you have all the information you need on the easiest and most convenient way to arrive at your vacation destination.

Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, our clients are our top priority and we strive for excellent service. You will have access to our luxury concierge, Shanna Dickerson, and her on-site staff to assist during your entire luxury villa stay. We hope these questions, along with our personalized assistance, will help you choose the perfect vacation villa for your next luxurious escape.

BSLC Admin

March 29, 2019

Five Questions to Ask Before Your Next Luxury Yacht Charter

Many of our clients choose to spend all or part of their island vacation aboard a luxury yacht. Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, we are experts in yacht charters, so we know how to pair our clients with the perfect luxury yacht. We consider the age makeup of the group: whether it’s all adults, families with kids, or a multigenerational family reunion. Your ideal level of vacation activity is also important: some people just want to lay in the sun relaxing with a beautiful view, while others look for adrenaline-filled days of diving, fishing, jet-skiing, and kayaking. We always ask our clients how high a priority they place on fine dining, since some yacht charters offer elegant meals in refined dining rooms, while others focus on grilling up the catch of the day and taking meals on the deck. We present our clients with a curated selection of ideally matched luxury yachts for their consideration. When you’re making the decision of what yacht charter is right for your island vacation, here are the 5 most important questions to consider:

1. Where do you want to go?
The Riviera, Italy, Fiji, The Greek Isles, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas are all hotspots for luxury yacht vacations. One benefit of chartering your own yacht vs. taking a cruise ship is that you don’t have to stick to a fixed schedule. You can choose the timing and location of where you want to begin and finish your voyage. Blue Sky Luxury Travels can help you find the right luxury yacht charter for the destinations you choose.

2. Do you prefer a motor or sailing yacht?
If you have a large group and want an experience that’s more like a private cruise voyage, you may prefer a motor yacht. They travel faster so you can cover more ground and are suitable for larger groups seeking elegance and luxury. Sailing yachts, including catamarans and trimarans, are also luxurious but can be available for smaller groups at a lower price point. They offer a closer to the sea experience and are wonderful for family and couples vacations. Often with sailing yacht charters, the price includes your fuel and meals. Gratuity is additional and is usually around 15%. For motor yacht charters, they typically charge for meals and fuel in addition to the base yacht charter fee.

3. What does the crew do?
Both motor yacht and sailing yacht charters include the services of a crew unless you order a bareboat charter. Crews typically stay with the boat for several years at a time, so they know the vessel and itineraries well. Your yacht charter crew will be made up of a captain and additional trained crew including a chef, a concierge, deckhands, housekeepers, engineers, and sometimes even masseuses and beauticians on some larger yachts. Their goal is to make sure you don’t have to lift a finger while you enjoy your luxury yacht vacation.
4. Do you get to choose the food?
Provisioning is a vital part of the yacht charter experience. Your yacht chef will prepare meals for your group throughout your vacation, but since there’s no grocery store in the water, everything has to be purchased in advance. Prior to your luxury yacht vacation, you’ll fill out a questionnaire where you can provide the chef with your food and beverage preferences along with any dietary or medical conditions in your party. Then the yacht chef will work their magic to prepare gourmet meals for you to enjoy!

5. What should you pack?
Planning for your yacht charter vacation is half the fun! Your yacht will come fully provisioned with everything needed for sailing, safety, and meal preparations. It’s a good idea to pack your things in a soft-sided bag, ideally something collapsible like a duffle, since closet space is at a premium. Of course, you’ll want to remember the basics like passport, prescription medication, reef safe sunblock (we can recommend some great ones as well as chemical-free if you like), lip balm, and insect repellent. “Dry Bags” are super useful for keeping your money and electronics dry and safe. Bring along some seasickness pills or patches just in case.
When it comes to clothing, of course, you’ll want several cute swimsuits with coverups, and casual clothes for days on the water, sunglasses, a hat, and a light raincoat. Guests are usually asked to go barefoot on the boat to keep it clean, but you’ll want a pair of shoes with non-marking soles and a good grip that you can wear either onboard or ashore. Flip-flops are always good for beach excursions and bring along some water shoes for diving.

Here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels, we are at your service to create the ultimate yacht charter vacation. We personally visit several yachts in charter destinations worldwide to make sure we know what’s out there. Let us help you choose the perfect luxury yacht charter for your next dream vacation!

BSLC Admin

March 7, 2019

A Day In the Life: What Does a Luxury Concierge Service Actually DO?

Blue Sky Luxury Travels is based in the Caribbean and creating vacation experiences for clients in stunning destinations all over the world. We make a point of visiting each property that we represent, and we love to share our discoveries so we post photos every day of beautiful destinations and luxury experiences. We know it may all look like fun and games, island-hopping in Fiji, Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, but we promise, we are actually hard at work! Since so many people have asked, we wanted to share what a day in the life is for Shanna Dickerson, the CEO of Blue Sky Luxury Travels. Shanna stays in different islands and towns all over the world, but wherever she is, she makes sure to keep to her schedule and make sure that all of her clients’ needs are cared for.

So here’s what a day in the life of Shanna really looks like:

6am

Shanna rises early and meditates for twenty minutes to get her head straight for the day. Next, she heads straight for the coffee machine for a nice hot cup of coffee. She checks her phone for any urgent client messages and looks over her schedule for the day, always making a point of picking a beautiful spot with a view to start the day off right.

6:30am

Workout time! It’s so important to keep energy high and muscles strong, so Shanna gets her exercise done, either with a hike in the hills, a trip to the local gym, or her 25-minute at-home workout routine.

8:00am

Client messages. Clients and vendors communicate with Shanna through many different means: text messages, Facebook and Instagram direct messages, emails and phone calls. When a new client comes in, Shanna sends them a Concierge document outlining the services that Blue Sky Luxury Travels has available, and clients usually email her with their specific needs. Shanna keeps track of client requests for upcoming trips on a gigantic spreadsheet, so she refers to that and fills in details as she gets new requests. She makes notes of what needs to be done for the day and answers questions for clients who are coming to the islands.

10:00am

Vendor phone calls. In the Virgin Islands, most car rental services, grocery delivery services, and BVI Yacht Charters operate primarily by phone. This is why it’s so essential to have a travel concierge service handle planning when you’re visiting St. John, St. Thomas, St. Lucia or the Bahamas- it’s hard to get in touch with someone who can set things up. It’s not like other trip planning where you can just go online and do it all yourself. Internet service can be spotty on the islands, so Shanna makes most of her arrangements with vendors over the phone. They’re all accustomed to hearing her cheerful voice and she makes sure they stay organized and keep to the arrangements she’s made for her clients coming to the islands. Shanna makes arrangements for Caribbean villa rentals, yacht rentals, catamarans, fishing trips, grocery delivery, snorkel gear rental, kayak and paddleboard tours, and dining reservations so her clients can relax and enjoy their Caribbean vacations.

12:00pm

Shanna takes a break for lunch, usually a big salad or veggie bowl, at a restaurant on the island. She makes sure to try all the different dining options on each Caribbean island where she stays, so she can offer the best recommendations.

1:00pm

Back to work on emails and phone calls, making arrangements with clients and vendors.

2:00pm

Client meetings. Shanna handles housing for hundreds of hurricane recovery workers through her Blue Sky Global Logistics division. She often meets with top-level officials to understand their needs and find the appropriate solutions. Some days, she’ll take a boat to another island to meet with visiting corporate clients to plan their upcoming corporate events on the islands. Other times, she’ll offer a quick island tour to visiting friends, to show off her favorite spots for paddleboarding and beach time. Face to face is always best, so Shanna makes the time to meet in person with her clients.

6:00pm

Dinner time. Sometimes it’s a dinner meeting with clients, or a meetup with friends staying in a Caribbean villa nearby, or even a quick sandwich at home when the work schedule is intense.

8:00pm

Shanna checks her messages one more time to make sure everything is handled, then the phone goes OFF for a little meditation and quiet time before bed.

9:00pm

Bedtime! Early to bed, and early to rise, keeps Shanna energized, cheerful and ready for anything!

We hope this window into Shanna’s world has helped you understand a little more of what Blue Sky Luxury Travels really does. We take care of every trip planning detail for you from start to finish. Our goal is to make your vacation relaxing, fun and incredibly memorable. If you’d like to put our concierge team to work for your next vacation, please email us at info@blueskyconcierge.com.