Sweet, sweet 'Rapsody'

Claudia Gardner, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

MARRIED COUPLES, families and friends travel every year to Montego Bay to either rekindle their romance, relax or to experience the usual ­ sun, sea and sand. Some, however, make it on to a Rapsody Cruise ­ a fun, relaxing, yet exhilarating sail, along the Montego Bay coastline, in an elegant 65-foot Gold Coast custom-built yacht.

It all began when Gregory Lee, captain, founder and part owner of Rapsody Cruises, sailed his first yacht from Canada to Jamaica in 1987, and started operations in Montego Bay in 1988 with his partner Donna Lee.

"At that time we did fairly well as it coincided with the beginning of the English tourist market, and we also had a lot of Germans coming here," Mr Lee said. "The big change for us came when we had the first Dreamer ( yacht) which was the 'Tropical Dreamer'."

Mr Lee said after buying Tropical Dreamer 10 years ago, the company started operating out of Sandals Montego Bay and still does to this day. The Island Dreamer and the Day Dreamer were purchased later bringing the number of the fleet to three. Rapsody has since been providing cruise services to Sandals Whitehouse in Westmoreland, by way of the Day Dreamer. Rapsody currently provides two three-hour cruises per day, which include a morning cruise from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.

TYPICAL ROUTINE

A typical Rapsody Cruise on the Island Dreamer out of Montego Bay commences with a welcome drink and introduction as soon as guests get onboard. A welcome bar is also opened throughout the cruise, offering an array of beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic such as natural lemonade and fruit punch. Soft drinks- rum punch, vodka, rum and beer are also served.

Of course, visitors will meet the strapping crew members- Captain Kevin Johnson, a coastal master; first-mate Stanford Johnson; second-mate, Mark Frazer; third mate, Calbert Brissett and fourth mate Tanecia Lottery who are all certified in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, (CPR), and are qualified first-aiders who will ensure their safety.

But, the highlight of the cruise is no doubt snorkeling. Rapsody provides complete snorkel gear for adults and children and members of the crew serve as instructors and guides. Rapsody cruises are inclusive and as such, catering to non-swimmers is no exception. Non-swimmers and people who have never snorkeled before, are able to snorkel without fear as they are provided with, in addition to snorkel gear, life jackets, and floating devices are at their disposal. They are also given a short but mandatory instruction session in snorkeling, by crew members, some of whom are scuba-dive masters.

The snorkel site is located a mile out in the azure waters of Montego Bay, approximately a mile from land, between the Sangster International Airport and the Doctor's Cave Beach. The water is exceptionally warm and a host of colourful marine creatures can be seen flitting to and fro beneath the surface, including thriving multi-coloured fish, sponges, in addition to some of the healthiest and coral reef structures in the bay.

After leaving this site, the Islandreamer heads back to land for a brief stop at Margaritaville Seafood Restaurant - where guests can have lunch, or frolic in the water or just enjoy the pulsating music there before heading back to the Day Dreamer.

POINT OF EMBARKMENT

The last 45 minutes of the cruise are spent sailing back to the point of embarkment. During that time dance parties are held, and the ladies are treated to a foot massage.

Rapsody's reputation for quality service has seen many top international business leaders gracing its yachts, according to Mr Lee.

"We do a lot of private charters. For example, a lot of the big groups like Ford, Volvo Jon Deer and big financial houses like Merril Lynch. We have the capacity to deal with them, because of our boat size; because they come in big groups," he told Hospitality Jamaica, adding that the cruise's most active months are from February, to May.

But what does Mr Lee think is the most special thing about Rhapsody Cruises?

"The crew, the boat - the service that you get is exceptional," he said. "People must come from a cruise feeling that their money was well-spent. They must not be short-changed."

PHOTO BY CLAUDIA GARDNER
The crew of Island Dreamer, operated by Rhapsody Cruises.