JerseyGirlJen Posted May 12, 2020 #1 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Has anyone done this in St. Maarten? I saw this years ago and said if I ever get to St. Maarten I'd love to do it, but I've read a few things here or there that people have gotten pretty seasick. Is it really that bad or is it like at Disney where almost every ride has the motion sickness warnings on it? This will be day 4 of the cruise....we will be there in early December (if that matters with the swells in the bay)....I will be taking Meclazine daily on the cruise because I don't want any problems. I've never been sick on a cruise ship, just don't want to jinx myself so I always take it in case. 🤪 If it's that intense I will probably choose something else. Any tips are appreciated. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted May 29, 2020 #2 Share Posted May 29, 2020 Just now seeing this. My BIL and I did this back in 2012, along with a guy off our roll call. But all 3 of us are off-shore sailors and I have had 12 meter sailing "experience"--not racing but onboard for practice runs with America 3--a totally different experience from this excursion. Most of the people with us had little or no sailing experience. While given "assignments", they mostly just enjoyed the ride. There are at least 2 "races" between the boats. On the up wind leg the leeward side can drag in the water if the wind is strong. But downwind legs it's pretty smooth. You are inside the bay, but I would guess if the water is too choppy, they would cancel. But this is NOT a leisurely sunset sail type of an excursion. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted May 31, 2020 Author #3 Share Posted May 31, 2020 On 5/29/2020 at 1:17 PM, crewsweeper said: Just now seeing this. My BIL and I did this back in 2012, along with a guy off our roll call. But all 3 of us are off-shore sailors and I have had 12 meter sailing "experience"--not racing but onboard for practice runs with America 3--a totally different experience from this excursion. Most of the people with us had little or no sailing experience. While given "assignments", they mostly just enjoyed the ride. There are at least 2 "races" between the boats. On the up wind leg the leeward side can drag in the water if the wind is strong. But downwind legs it's pretty smooth. You are inside the bay, but I would guess if the water is too choppy, they would cancel. But this is NOT a leisurely sunset sail type of an excursion. Thank you for your information and advice. I think I'm going to stay with it and see how it goes. I've watched a bunch of youtube videos of the excursion and it doesn't seem like anything I can't handle. I will probably pop an extra Bonine just in case if I see that it's extra choppy out there. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted June 1, 2020 #4 Share Posted June 1, 2020 22 hours ago, JerseyGirlJen said: Thank you for your information and advice. I think I'm going to stay with it and see how it goes. I've watched a bunch of youtube videos of the excursion and it doesn't seem like anything I can't handle. I will probably pop an extra Bonine just in case if I see that it's extra choppy out there. Thanks again! Volunteer to be the IceBerg Lookout and then enjoy the ride. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted June 1, 2020 #5 Share Posted June 1, 2020 And sometimes it is just another lazy day on the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted June 2, 2020 Author #6 Share Posted June 2, 2020 1 hour ago, gtaylor said: And sometimes it is just another lazy day on the water. Nice, is that you guys? If so I'm glad you enjoyed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted June 2, 2020 #7 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Yep, that was us. gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser61262 Posted June 2, 2020 #8 Share Posted June 2, 2020 (edited) I have done this on three different occasions. Highly recommend. I was the Winch Wench because of past sailing experience. I have done it on windy days and a somewhat calm day, every time was a great experience!! Definitely sign up for it early because it does sell out. As far as sea sickness, never seen anyone having an issue, I think the exhilaration and Adrenalin rush overshadow any discomfort Edited June 2, 2020 by cruiser61262 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatonDoolittle Posted June 2, 2020 #9 Share Posted June 2, 2020 I took this excursion with them in Cozumel a few years back. Someone on our boat did get very sick, right on the boat floor, so it does happen. The water was was not overly rough. I've done it 3 or 4 times total, and in my opinion, it's not a day for kids or queasy stomachs. It cost us the race, as the Captain had to slow and let the crew clean up. The guy was mortified and no one was rude to him, but there was plenty of disappointment - it is a race , after all, and does attract some competitive types. NOTE - the t-shirt upgrade (if they still do that), will work between islands, I traded in a reggedy St Maarten one for a Coz one. Also other non-active roles include timekeeper and bartender. Please just don't get sick on the fellow sailors! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted June 2, 2020 Author #10 Share Posted June 2, 2020 5 hours ago, cruiser61262 said: I have done this on three different occasions. Highly recommend. I was the Winch Wench because of past sailing experience. I have done it on windy days and a somewhat calm day, every time was a great experience!! Definitely sign up for it early because it does sell out. As far as sea sickness, never seen anyone having an issue, I think the exhilaration and Adrenalin rush overshadow any discomfort Thank you! I'm looking forward to it and will report back when I get home in December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted June 2, 2020 Author #11 Share Posted June 2, 2020 3 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said: I took this excursion with them in Cozumel a few years back. Someone on our boat did get very sick, right on the boat floor, so it does happen. The water was was not overly rough. I've done it 3 or 4 times total, and in my opinion, it's not a day for kids or queasy stomachs. It cost us the race, as the Captain had to slow and let the crew clean up. The guy was mortified and no one was rude to him, but there was plenty of disappointment - it is a race , after all, and does attract some competitive types. NOTE - the t-shirt upgrade (if they still do that), will work between islands, I traded in a reggedy St Maarten one for a Coz one. Also other non-active roles include timekeeper and bartender. Please just don't get sick on the fellow sailors! Thanks! I'm going to make sure I'm all set with Bonine....we're embarking on the cruise on Saturday so I'll be taking a pill each day so by the time I get to St. Maarten I'll have a few days worth in me. I think I'm going to give it a shot, but I will keep my fingers crossed for a calm day! I'll keep my eyes out for the t shirt upgrade too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldilocks Posted February 8, 2021 #12 Share Posted February 8, 2021 We did the 12 meter yacht experience in Cozumel and loved it. My wife got to be the start time keeper. I got to be lazy passenger....much older guy with a lot of youngsters. They got the 'hard' work...and you do work. We won our race by about 1-2 meters over the Canadian boat. Our captain said we won it by doing one of the some of best tacts he has ever seen of an amateur crew...and he meant it. We did have a number of the crew who were experienced sailors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted February 8, 2021 Author #13 Share Posted February 8, 2021 5 hours ago, baldilocks said: We did the 12 meter yacht experience in Cozumel and loved it. My wife got to be the start time keeper. I got to be lazy passenger....much older guy with a lot of youngsters. They got the 'hard' work...and you do work. We won our race by about 1-2 meters over the Canadian boat. Our captain said we won it by doing one of the some of best tacts he has ever seen of an amateur crew...and he meant it. We did have a number of the crew who were experienced sailors. Thank you! Unfortunately the cruise was cancelled, but when I can get a cruise going to St. Maarten again I'm still really interested in doing it, it looks so fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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