Questions and Answers - Briefly Put

In the question and answer blogs we'll attempt to answer some of the questions we're often asked in the hopes they may offer some guidance to others who are considering cruising.

1/ Q. - Do you need to be physically fit?
    A. - We were considerably more fit and felt much healthier upon our return than when we left.   
            While cruising we were required to walk great distances on shore for provisioning etc.         
            plus we lived a more active lifestyle.  We felt "great" while cruising.

2/ Q. - What compelled you to undertake this journey?
    A. -  We had travelled to the Caribbean several times on week long hotel packages and even
            chartered once.  We were enticed by how unique one island could be from another even
            though they were within sight of each other.  We had a desire to take an extended vacation
            to explore all of the islands and since we had sailed when we were younger cruising seemed
            like an economical method to reach them.  As well, we had the opportunity in that we could
            both retire early plus our children were both adults.  We had no one tieing us down, therefore
            the answer is simply - we had the desire and the opportunity.

3/ Q. - What would you do differently if you went again?
    A. - With no hesitation what-so-ever we would only sail where the sailing is good (offshore from
            Florida, south to the Bahamas.....Caribbean).  We've had more than enough of motoring along
            the ICW, swamps, ditches, rivers and canals.  Next time we'd put Sea Star on a truck and all
            happily travel down the highway to our next good sailing destination.

4/ Q. - How did you access cash?
    A. - We were able to find ATMs that dispensed the local currency to us on all the islands except
            the Dominican Republic.  We were forced to use our credit card while there but all the others
            accepted our credit union or President's Choice debit card.  Of note, U.S. dollars seem to be
            universally accepted.
            At one time we had ten different currencies on board.  (Pound sterling, U.S. dollars, Bahamas
            dollars, Dominican Republic Pesos, Canadian dollars, Dutch Guilders, T. T. (Trinidad &
            Tobago dollars), E.C. (Eastern Caribbean dollars), Euros and French Francs)

5/ Q. - How do you clear through Customs?  Are all the islands different countries?
    A. - Yes they are which brings up the point of clearing in and out through Customs.  Be aware
            there is a fee involved and time constraints.
            When you arrive at an island and drop anchor you immediately hoist your "Q" (yellow 
            quarantine) flag.  The captain gets cleaned up (dressed smartly), takes all the crew's
            passports, the ship's documents, a pen and currency (cash - the island's currency if
            possible but U.S. is accepted everywhere) to the Customs and Immigration office.  This is
            done immediately upon your arrival regardless of how tired you may be or how long a
            passage you may have had.  You can find their office hours on the (www.noonsite.com)  
            web-site or by contacting a local marina by radio.  If the office is closed you must remain
            on board until they're open.  Only the Captain goes to shore,