I bought this deal way back in Septenber, and made my reservation for my 7th Wedding Anniversary, January 12, 2012. All things DO come to those who wait. I was so excited I was ALMOST afraid I would be let down. Fortunately, it was everything I had hoped for and more. I stayed on the Crown Jewel, a 50's retro-style all wooden yacht. Sleek & luxurious, took me back to the Opulent 50's when people valued quality and their time and made the most of it. It is located on the very end of the dock on the side facing the Queen Mary (and when I was there a docked cruise ship) and the shops and dining at Shoreline Village. The lighthouse (that glows friom blue to purple all evening) and park are directly across the the harbor. I had a tough time tearing myself away from the spacious aft lounging area-the sun was was warm, the breeze nice and it was relatively quiet-except for the Carribean music from the entertainment @ Gladstone's which is the closest restaurant to the yachts (I'll touch on that later on my Gladstone's review). Back to the yacht. It needed some minor fixes, but nothing that got in the way of the enjoyment. The master "head" didn't give me much room to change my mind, but who spends vacation in the bathroom/shower anyway. The important rooms, the Master Bedroom (with comfy king bed) the Galley, and the living room had plenty of room and there are plenty of windows to let in the fresh cool air. Plus I had the whole outdoors up short stairs. Spent my days on deck and evening curled up in front of my firesplace watching miovies, sipping my favorite wine & munching on cheese & crackers, and Pistachio's. I am talking serious heaven here.
I stayed in the off season on a Sunday,which I would highly recommend, because craft traffic is at a minimum. keeping the peace and quiet. The tourboats and larger crafts do create a bit more of a wake than the smaller boats; but the yachts are very securely tied down and bobbing is at a mimimum. For most of the time, I had to concentrate on a staionary object on land to be able to tell there is a very subtle motion depending on the harbor most all the time, Actually, it's more noticable outside than in, because you can hear the little squeaks from the tie-downs.
I had a wonderful time, Slept like a log, and hated to leave. I look forward to coming back another day, but I will again opt for the Crown Jewel. It is my idea of a yacht-and there are no areas cordoned off from the open air. REPEAT< serious heaven here.
