Nearly everyone in Saint Lucia has gone “down the coast,” as locals say, and they go by boat, because the island’s most striking views of the Pitons are from the water. Travel advisors now have an elevated new way to send clients there: Lady Gerts, a 94-foot luxury yacht that OSAM Yachting says is the first in Saint Lucia fully owned and operated by a Saint Lucian family.
Based in Rodney Bay, the yacht underwent a complete overhaul so that everything on board, from the cuisine to the service, reflects the island, according to Neil Marshall, Sales Director for OSAM Yachting.
“She’s been converted, if you will—the way someone might leave their origins behind and immerse themselves completely in a new culture and its people,” Marshall told Recommend. “There’s nothing else like her down island in Saint Lucia.”
“Stepping back into the ocean and looking at the mountains and the whole landscape from the water is the most magical experience,” he said. “Pair that with the luxury and opulence she brings, and it’s such a joy.”
Day Trips and Overnights Aboard Lady Gerts
OSAM Yachting runs half-day and full-day shared trips every week. Couples or small groups staying at island hotels who don’t want to charter the vessel exclusively can book per person, with up to 16 guests on board.
The company’s scenic coastal tours run four to eight hours and take in the Pitons, Marigot Bay, volcanic cliffs, fishing villages and rainforest valleys, with swim stops along the way. Snorkeling gear, a chef and a local rum tasting are part of the experience. The vessel has a capacity of up to 16 guests for these tours, and the company also offers sunset sails, corporate charters and private events such as weddings and birthdays.
For longer escapes, Lady Gerts sleeps up to eight and can be chartered for multiple days. Clients can cruise around Saint Lucia or make overnight trips to nearby Martinique and St. Vincent. The yacht can also travel elsewhere in the Caribbean for as many days as clients book her. On board, guests will find private cabins with island views and 360-degree lounge decks.
What Advisors Need to Know
OSAM Yachting provides a rate sheet with net rates and room for a markup of up to 30 percent, set at the advisor’s discretion.
“If it’s your sister’s wedding and you don’t want to make any money, that’s fine,” Marshall added. “If you want to take the full 30 percent, that’s up to you too.”
The minimum lead time is 48 hours, but advisors planning a honeymoon, wedding celebration, or other date-specific experience should reserve as early as possible.
“She’s the only name in the game on the island, so you want to secure that spot with a deposit,” Marshall said.
Advisors already in Saint Lucia can arrange a tour of the yacht or a short sail by contacting Marshall directly. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority has already brought its top-selling destination sales representatives to tour the vessel.
“With enough notice, we’d certainly be willing to do fam trips, the whole nine yards,” Marshall said.
For Marshall, Lady Gerts is as much a point of local pride as a luxury charter.
“We’re so proud to unveil her to Saint Lucians and visitors alike,” he said.
For more information, visit osamyachting.com.
