TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #96 Nov/Dec, 2007 | Page 20

TimeSharing Today Page 20 Nov/Dec, 2007 Our Best Exchange Was on a Boat! By Andrea Mansfield, Hamilton Square, NJ I hesitate to write this account of our week aboard the Coral Dream because I want to keep it a secret so it does not become too popular with RCI exchangers! The best ever exchange of our Hilton Grand Vacation Club points that we have ever experienced was a TradeWinds Cruise Club catamaran sail in British Virgin Islands. For the value of a onebedroom, one week exchange plus a reasonable All-Inclusive fee of $1300 per couple, we lived like very wealthy yacht owners for one week last summer. We flew to Tortola, via San Juan on the Friday before our cruise was to begin and rented a hotel room at the TradeWinds marina. We arrived very late in the evening and our room key was waiting in an envelope, just as the staff said it would be. On Saturday morning, we checked out of the room, checked in with the Cruise Club, stowed our bags with them and spent the day at a lovely beach that they recommended. At about 4 PM, we returned to the marina for a shower and cold rum punches. We became acquainted with our shipmates for the week and our wonderful crew, Bridget and Barry, a young couple from South Africa. Our biggest trepidation in making this exchange was the fear that we would be the oldsters among a group of 20 somethings with whom we had nothing in common. However, we decided that if that happened, we would just read all the books that we brought along. However, our shipmates for the week were three great couples whose ages spanned about 35 years and with whom we had very much in common. The 45-foot catamaran has three cabins in each hull, each with its own bathroom/shower. (There was one empty cabin on our trip). Never had to open a book! Bridget and Barry showed us to our cabins after they had finished reprovisioning the pantry, we unpacked and Barry took our empty luggage ashore for storage, while Bridget prepared the first of her memorable meals. The boat stays docked until Sunday morning, which avoids noshows due to plane delays. Once we set sail, Barry set a course that was somewhat predetermined but could be very flexible if there was a weather problem or a special request by a guest. Each day we sailed to a different island in the British Virgin Islands and hit some of the snorkeling/SCUBA highlights or especially attractive beaches. At Peter Island, spa treatments were an option. We sailed whenever possible and relied on the engine only when the winds died down. In the evening, we anchored in a cove, usually in a spot where there was interesting nightlife on shore. Each day, Bridget prepared three beautifully presented delicious meals, all different and each superb. There was plenty of beer and wine and a fully stocked bar. We ran out of diet coke of all things (we were real party animals) and we were restocked at one of our stops. There are two evenings when dinner is taken ashore, at your expense. This gives the crew a short well-deserved break. Generally, you tender ashore in a zodiac and you must be somewhat agile. The cabins are very small but adequate for a week of casual living. www.tstoday.com for back issues, message boards, Resale Value Tracker and much more