Plan your Sailing Charter
What is provided on a sailing charter?
On our day sailing cruise of 2.5 and 3 hours:
- Your captain
- Snacks & bottled water (see below for more details)
- Life jackets & other safety items required by law
- Restroom on board
On our sailing cruise of 6 hours and overnight sailing trips, we provide an additional crew member, plus certain meals and overnight accommodations according to the duration of your sailing charter. Rates displayed in the booking calendar also include yacht fuel, dock fees, water, propane for cooking, yacht insurance, cabin linens & bath towels.
Beverages & food
In every sailing cruise, light snacks and waters are provided as well as ice to keep beverages cold. You’re welcome to bring your own beverages including alcoholic beverages and snacks, but please avoid any glass containers for safety reasons, and please note that NO red wine is allowed aboard.
What to bring & wear?
You are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen, and extra layers or wind-breaker for your sailing charter. Don't forget your camera!
All passengers are asked to wear soft-soled tennis shoes. No boots or high-heels, please! Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended if you plan to venture on the deck while underway.
While Summer time in Annapolis tends to be very hot, guests may opt a long-sleeve shirt to help protect them from the sun. In the Spring & Fall seasons, dress in layers with comfortable and casual clothes. Definitely bring a warm jacket or sweater because it can get a bit cool out on the water.
The forecast calls for rain, will my sailing cruise be canceled?
We watch the weather forecast and radar very closely to insure your safety and enjoyment. Severe weather conditions may force us to cancel your sailing charter at our discretion.
If you are contemplating booking a sailing cruise but see the forecast is not looking absolutely perfect, book anyways, as it will most likely be a great day. Too many times, people wait until the day before to see if the forecast improves... but then it is too late as other guests may have booked the boat, or our crew made other plans. Last minute charters are difficult to put together.
Don't take a chance! Take the opportunity of your visit to Annapolis -- the sailing capital of the United States! -- to sail with us.
If your sail is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will happily reschedule or refund your sailing charter.
What are the payment terms?
For our shorter sailing charter options (2.5 and 3 hours): Full payment is required at the time of reservation.
For our all-day and overnight sailing cruises: A minimum deposit of 50% of the total price is due at time of your reservation. The balance is due 30 days before the date of the sail.
What is the typical crew gratuity?
Prices do not include gratuity for the crew. If you are happy with your trip and the performance of captain and crew, a 15% gratuity is appropriate.
Do I need to have 6 passengers to book?
You do not need to have six people to book a sailing cruise. We may add other guests to your group within this maximum capacity of 6 passengers including children (not including crew members).
However, a minimum of 4 passengers is needed to go sailing.
You may buy extra tickets to 'complete' the sailing charter, or we will do our best to fill the boat. If you would like to "buy the boat" you are buying 6 tickets; in doing so, you decide who goes sailing with you. Even if you buy a minimum of 4 tickets, we reserve the right to book additional passengers for the same trip.
What is the cancelation policy?
Once tickets are purchased they cannot be refunded. You may reschedule your sailing cruise (subject to availability) only if you do so seven days ahead of your scheduled sailing charter departure. Call for assistance with your rebooking.
Do I need to book in advance?
Although we can sometimes accommodate last minute bookings, we highly recommend that you call or book your sailing charter online in advance. If you plan to sail with us on a major holiday or busy weekend, we recommend booking a few weeks or months in advance to ensure availability for your Annapolis sailing cruise!
What are the safety regulations?
"Chanceuse" is a clean, well-maintained, and fully-insured sailing charter vessel. She is the largest and most comfortable yacht available for a sailing cruise in Annapolis from a woman-owned business owner. The vessel meets or exceeds the safety requirements established by the United States Coast Guards (USCG) with on board equipment including Type 1 Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets) for every passenger, an approved Sound Producing Device, fire extinguishers, flares, a VHF radio, and an approved ring buoy. The boat also meets the equipment, operation, and pollution prevention regulations established by the USCG. Vessel captains possess a valid license issued by the USCG and comply with strict drug testing requirements.