Mini Regatta in St. Maarten

St. Maarten - America’s Cup 12 Metre Challenge

Ever dream of sailing a real America’s Cup race boat? Dream no more! Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup winning Stars & Stripes, Canada II and True North are yours for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Your group will thrill to the exhilaration of racing these magnificent “Greyhounds of the Seas” in your own America’s Cup Regatta, in the warm blue waters and brisk trade winds of St. Maarten. 

Prior to boarding the yachts, your group will be divided into teams. On the way out to the yachts, everyone is offered a “crew” position and receives a crew t-shirt that is an authentic replica of that worn by Crewmembers in the 1987 America’s Cup. The crew shirts feature a giant 12 Metre sail emblem on the back together with the sail number of the yacht on which they will race, along with the customized name or logo of your program. Professional crew offer individual instruction on what to do and what to expect, and then it’s off to the racecourse, as you are taken to the yachts via tenders.

Grind a winch… trim a sail… punch a stop watch, or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the complimentary refreshments. For this unique adventure… this highlight of your cruise program, previous sailing experience… is NOT necessary!

The adrenaline flows and the commands come thick and fast, as the two classic thoroughbreds nearly seventy feet long with masts the height of an eight-story building duel in an equal match. The excitement builds. The race boats slice through the clear blue waters at speeds your guests will have never sailed before and suddenly everyone wants to win!

Every race must have a winner, and only one boat can cross the finish line first. However, after such a uniquely thrilling experience as the St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge, there can be no losers! So after the race, the fun continues in true Caribbean style on shore at the island rum and fruit punch party, celebrating great competition and teamwork. Dramatic 8 x 10” action shots taken by the photo boat, complete with a Certificate of Excellence, customized for your group, provide a visual reminder of the incredible experience.

St. Maarten - America’s Cup 12 Metre Challenge

DETAILS

What’s Included

• Transfers from the cruise ship pier to America’s Cup Yachts via tenders
• Professional crew of 3 on each boat
• Customized Crew T-Shirt for each guest (authentic replica of 1987 America’s Cup)
• Dramatic 8 x 10” action shot of each participant (winning the America’s Cup!) taken by photo boat, and customized Certificate of Excellence for each guest
• Complimentary refreshments on the boats (sodas, beers and ice water)
• Caribbean-style rum and fruit punch party
• Team prizes

Departures:

The St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge offers four regattas per day:

Capacity:

Each departure time has a capacity of 4 America’s Cup Race boats, limited to 18 guests per boat (minimum of 8 per boat). This provides a capacity of 72 guests on each capacity, or a one-day total capacity of 288 guests.

Transfers:

Approximate transfer time from your ship at Philipsburg pier to the St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge dock is 10-15 minutes.