Category Archives: Sailing

Get Ready for an Amazonian Adventure

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Credit: Public Domain/oscarwcastillo

The lush Amazon forest is a visual delight to visit in any season. The beautiful forest and rivers are mysterious and inviting at the same time. Millions of travellers visit the Amazon to explore this unique place and see the nature in its full glory. Continue reading →

Sailing Terms You Must Know

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Sailing around in the open sea is a unique treat that few of us are fortunate enough to experience. However, once you know the joys of sailing it’s hard to keep off. So to help you in your newest endeavour of sailing we have put together all the terms and phrases that every sailor must have in his dictionary.

  • Jibe

You can change the direction of your boat with the help of a jibe by bringing the stern of the boat through the wind. This manoeuvre is also called as ‘wearing ship’ in the square-rigged ships.

  • Rudder

Credit: Creative Commons/Kim Hansen

A rudder is a flat plank made up of wood, metal or fibre which is placed below the boat. The rudder is used to steer the ship in the waters.

  • Bow, Starboard and port

A bow is the front of the ship, to its right is the starboard and to its left is the port. These three are some of the most important terms in the sailing world.

  • Windward and leeward

Windward is the point of the boat from where the wind is blowing, while leeward is the direction opposite to which the wind is blowing. Both these terms are important to know as the boat moves to the direction of the wind.

  • Mainsail

The mainsail is the most significant and also the largest sail of the boat. It is huge and triangular in shape and lies close to the boat’s mast. It also has a bulky pole called the ‘boom’.

The Ultimate Cruise Destination For First-Time Cruisers

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Cruise ship at night.

Cruise ship at night. Credit: Creative Commons/Citking

Are you ready to soak up the sun as you set sail on your cruising vacation? If you are cruising for the first time, then there are plenty of things which you need to consider. Here is a brief overview for first-time-cruisers.

There are myriad cruise destinations, and you may consider the Caribbean for your first-cruising-vacation. The Caribbean cruise makes a great value for money and you can visit multiple scenic islands. However, should you consider the Eastern Caribbean cruises, the western cruises, or southern cruises? Here are some differences:

Western Caribbean

The western side of Caribbean is more spaced out giving more time for cruise ships at sea. You may consider leaving from ports in Texas or New Orleans instead of Florida to reach the western side. The destinations on the west are Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Dominican Republic, and more. The western side is featured with rain forests, more tropical climates, and ancient ruins.

Eastern Caribbean

The eastern Caribbean cruises are featured with more time on islands and lesser time at sea. The islands on the eastern side include St Thomas, St Martens, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and more. You can plan water activities like water skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, and more.

Southern Caribbean

The southern side includes Aruba, Curacao, Barbados and other islands. This will make a longer trip and as a first-time cruiser, you may find it to be an extended cruise.

Cruise Length

First-time cruisers may prefer a shorter cruise, so try a 3-4 day trip, instead of a 7-10 day. The trip cost would be cheaper and ideal as a quick-check on whether the cruise makes you sea-sick.

Try Newer Ships

First-time cruisers can try out the newer ships which have better stability, modern amenities, and are more enjoyable.