calypso cat catamaran antigua

Eagle Discovery Transfers & Tours

Calypso Catamaran Cruise to Bird Island

“Calypso Catamaran Cruise” has plenty of seating, open and covered, all with excellent views of this beautiful and picturesque island, “BIRD ISLAND” while you enjoy the fun activities that the Captain and his crew has waiting for you while listening to soft Caribbean tunes.

$75 per adult

$40 per child

Exclusive to guests

Exclusive to Verandah Resort and Pineapple Beach Club Guests.

FREE Cancellation

Must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour.

Tour details

• 45-Minute Snorkel at one of the BEST reefs in Antigua
• FREE Snorkel Equipment Rental
• Guided Hike around Great Bird Island
• Leisurely Beach Time
• ALL Beverages and Refreshments

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 9am to 1pm

Departs from Long Bay. Please see Guest Services/Tours Desk at the resort.

You will be dropped off at the same point where you were picked up

• Please be at the pick point 15 minutes prior to departure from Calypso Catamaran cruise
• Please bring sunscreen, towels, swimwear, and any additional clothing you may need at Calypso Catamaran Cruise.
• Please secure your electronic devices; Resort will not be responsible should they sustain water damaged.

Cancellation Policy

• Guest must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour towards Bird Island. Cancellation within 2 – 14 days of sail date, a penalty of 20% applies plus admin fee.
• Non-refundable 24 hrs of sail date.

Island Vibz Antigua Tours & Transportation

Calypso Catamaran Cruise to Bird Island

$75 per adult.

$40 per child

Exclusive to guests

Exclusive to Verandah Resort and Pineapple Beach Club Guests.

FREE Cancellation

Must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour.

Tour details

• 45-Minute Snorkel at one of the BEST reefs in Antigua
• FREE Snorkel Equipment Rental
• Guided Hike around Great Bird Island
• Leisurely Beach Time
• ALL Beverages and Refreshments

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 9am to 1pm

Departs from Long Bay. Please see Guest Services/Tours Desk at the resort.

You will be dropped off at the same point where you were picked up

• Please be at the pick point 15 minutes prior to departure.
• Please bring sunscreen, towels, swimwear, and any additional clothing you may need.
• Please secure your electronic devices; Resort will not be responsible should they sustain water damaged.

Cancellation Policy

• Guest must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour. Cancellation within 2 – 14 days of sail date, a penalty of 20% applies plus admin fee.
• Non-refundable 24 hrs of sail date.
• I am the traveler.
• Booking for a client.
• Request for someone else

Jolly Beach Antigua

http://jollybeachantigua.com/

TOURS & EXCURSIONS

Experience the best of Antigua as you sail across turquoise waters aboard our Calypso Cat catamaran cruise or explore the island’s best kept secrets when you embark on our Pink Panther Island Safari tour. Whether you prefer water or land-based activities, we have an excursion to fit all your FUN IN THE SUN vacation needs!

PINK PANTHER SAFARI

CALYPSO CAT CATAMARAN

DEEP-SEA FISHING

RAINFOREST CANOPY ZIPLINE

STINGRAY CITY

NELSON’S DOCKYARD

SHIRLEY HEIGHTS

* All guests must be 12 years of age or older to stay at Jolly Beach Antigua. A Resort Fee of US$12 per room per night and a statutory T ourism Levy of US$5 per guest per night apply to all bookings and are payable locally at the resort.

TRAVEL ADVISORS

Welcome to the Jolly Beach Antigua Travel Professional Portal. Please sign in below or call 800.858.4618 for assistance. To register as a Travel Agent click here .

Dear Future Guests,

Your health, safety, comfort, and enjoyment of your holiday is always our primary concern. Thank you very much for taking a few moments to review the below information regarding food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Food Allergies & Ingredients

The kitchens, bars, and food outlets at our resort use wholesome ingredients, which may include peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, nut-based oils, eggs, shellfish, shrimp and shrimp paste, seafood and seafood pastes, soy, milk, wheat and other items that may be potential allergens.

Due to the all-inclusive nature of our resort, and the large scale of our food and beverage operations, we cannot guarantee that food items will not come in contact with potential allergens even if a particular dish does not normally include these ingredients.

Guests who may have severe allergic reactions to certain foods and allergens should take precautions. The resort cannot guarantee that exposure to potential allergens will not occur.

Special Diets / Dietary Restrictions

We frequently receive questions regarding special dietary needs and restrictions. In an all-inclusive setting, we are not able to accommodate individually tailored meals for specific guests. We do offer a wide variety of meal choices, which includes salads, fresh fruits and vegetables, and vegetarian options. However, we are not able to cater to specific individual needs such as vegan, gluten free, allergen free, religious observance, or similar custom made dishes.

We thank you for your attention and understanding.

Your Dining & Beverage Team

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Calypso Catamaran Cruise to Bird Island

$75 per adult.

$40 per child

Exclusive to guests

Exclusive to Verandah Resort and Pineapple Beach Club Guests.

FREE Cancellation

Must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour.

Tour details

• 45-Minute Snorkel at one of the BEST reefs in Antigua
• FREE Snorkel Equipment Rental
• Guided Hike around Great Bird Island
• Leisurely Beach Time
• ALL Beverages and Refreshments

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

 9am to 1pm

Departs from Long Bay. Please see Guest Services/Tours Desk at the resort.

You will be dropped off at the same point where you were picked up

• Please be at the pick point 15 minutes prior to departure.
• Please bring sunscreen, towels, swimwear, and any additional clothing you may need.
• Please secure your electronic devices; Resort will not be responsible should they sustain water damaged.

Cancellation Policy

• Guest must cancel at least 14 days prior to schedule date of tour. Cancellation within 2 – 14 days of sail date, a penalty of 20% applies plus admin fee.
• Non-refundable 24 hrs of sail date.

• Request Tickets

CALYPSO CAT - FULL DAY - PRIVATE CHARTER

Total: $1370.00

10am to 4pm

Using Calypso Cat boat from SJC

Pick up at Rasta Beach

guests coming from private home near Verandah

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Wadadli Cats

Antigua water tours.

Welcome to Wadadli Cats!

Get into the “spirit of antigua” and sail away with wadadli cats.

Set Sail with Wadadli Cats and remember the day forever.

Choose between three exciting cruises showcasing everything from Antigua’s crystal clear bays and uninhabited islands to its fish-stocked reefs just perfect for snorkeling. Your cruise will also include great music and fun company, and it couldn’t be easier to get on board as you’ll be picked up right on the beach from one of the island’s main hotels.

Imagine sailing off to a deserted tropical island…feeling the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair as you sail through the Caribbean Sea towards paradise. Snorkeling in crystal clear waters then enjoying an alfresco lunch with your new found friends….. Who said dreams never come true?

Choose from 2 unique day tours:

a Circumnavigation of the entire island – There’s no better boat than the “Spirit of Antigua” for this 60-mile trip. Your day includes snorkeling, exciting open ocean sailing along the north coast, as well as lunch at Green Island. In the afternoon you take a leisurely sail past English Harbour before returning to your departure point.

Or if you prefer a shorter tour along the west coast sail with us to  Cades Reef  – cruise along the calm leeward coast past Pelican Island to Antigua’s most impressive barrier reef. Anchor in shallow waters at this snorkellers’ paradise stretching for an amazing two miles

As a private charter we also offer a day trip out to Great Bird Island ,  this uninhabited little island designated a national park is located within the NEMA protected are on the north-east coast of antigua. Enjoy a gentle cruise along the north coast of Antigua past Long Island out to Bird Island . These reef bound waters around the island are perfect for children and beginner snorkelers or for simply enjoying a swim from the sandy beach of the protected bay.

You can also design your own Private Charter to enjoy Antigua your way….

Relax, kick back and enjoy….

Hammock Cove Antigua

Experiences

The perfect spot to relax with a book, our three-tiered infinity pool provides a calm and peaceful setting for your next tranquil retreat. Listen to the water trickle down our multi-tiered boardwalk and watch the gentle waves lap the shoreline of our private, white-sand beach. With no shortage of sunbathed loungers, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted luxury as you breathe in the sights and wait for your personal ambassador to deliver the perfect cocktail or refreshment. 

Activities & Amenities

Tours & Excursions

Experience the best of Antigua with a tour of downtown St. John’s, or visit idyllic historical sites like, Betty’s Hope, Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights. To explore the Island by sea, climb aboard our Calypso Cat Catamaran Cruise and enjoy classic cocktails, light fares and music that will take you on a delightful journey through the Caribbean. Whether you prefer water or land-based activities, we have an excursion to fit your affluent vacation needs!

Offered at an additional charge

• Spa treatments
• Island excursions
• Salon Services
• Personal training sessions
• Romantic, private, beachfront, moonlit dinners
• Sommelier-led rum tastings
• Sommelier-led wine tastings

Privacy Overview

• Couples-Only Resorts
• Wedding Essentials
• Romantic Experiences
• Vendors’ List
• Wellness Month
• Wellness Guide
• Antigua & Barbuda Hiking Trails
• Green Initiatives
• Cool Is Clean
• Antigua and Barbuda Art Week
• Island Personalities
• Culture & Heritage
• Traditional Cuisine
• About Our Islands
• Antigua Sailing Week 2024

Getting To Barbuda

• Island Accommodation
• Must-See Attractions
• Things to do
• Food and Drink
• Travel Guides
• Certified Tourism Businesses
• Getting Around
• Travel Advisory

Antigua’s charming sister-island Barbuda is perfect for those seeking a tranquil getaway, laid-back luxury, beautiful beaches, a connection with nature, and the warmth and hospitality of Barbudans. The low-lying coral island, known for its untouched pink coral and white sand beaches and the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere, is located 28 miles north-east of Antigua. If you are planning a visit to Barbuda from Antigua here are a few options on getting here.

SVG Air operates scheduled and chartered flights throughout the Caribbean. SVG Air offers a personalized service second to none. Professional and experienced pilots fly their fleet of light twins and business jets. SVG Air offers one-way and round-trip flights. www.flysvgair.com

Fly Montserrat  operates chartered flights between Antigua and Barbuda. The aircraft offers nine seats and twin engines which are designed and driven by the requirements for ease of operation. Fly Montserrat offers two daily flights from Antigua to Barbuda along with Private charters to the island.

Website: www.flymontserrat.com

Telephone: 1-268-484-1416

Telephone: 1-268-562-8033

The most popular way to get to Barbuda is a high-speed ferry. It takes about 90 minutes to get from Antigua to Barbuda on a pleasant day. There are currently two ferry services available The Barbuda Express and The Island Escape.

The Barbuda Express is a powerful catamaran that offers same-day one-way and round-trip services. The Barbuda Express runs 6 days a week between Antigua and Barbuda. Tourists can economically visit Barbuda with a selection of packages to explore and discover this undeveloped and little-visited island. The Barbuda Express ferry can be boarded at the ferry dock in St. John’s Harbour. The ferry dock is at the bottom of High Street in St. John’s City Antigua. www.barbudaexpress.com

The Barbuda Express also operates the Typhoon Express which can accommodate passengers and cargo. Barbuda Express Ferry Service & Day Tours

Codrington Express Ferry Service

The most affordable, reliable, high-speed ferry!!

Summer Breeze Ferry was the missing transportation link between the beautiful twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda. Come sail with us and visit Antigua’s charming sister Island of Barbuda! This beautiful gem of an island shimmering in the distance, to the North of Antigua, is a nature lover’s paradise where everything slows relaxingly down.

Our aim to our passengers is to provide the best quality service there is to offer while they travel in style and comfort. Our Motto is: You’ve tried the rest; Now try the Best!

For more information on Codrington Express please see here.

Boat Charters and Excursions

A range of boat companies in Antigua are also available to operate private charters and excursions from Antigua to Barbuda.

CalvinAir Helicopters offers charter flights to Barbuda. These flights last for 15 minutes. www.calvinair.com

On-Island Transportation

The majority of Barbuda’s over 2,000 inhabitants live in the town of Codrington. Visitors to Barbuda will find the best way to get around the island by taxi or rental.

Taxis are a very good way to find out about the island because you get a friendly local guide as well as the transport, and they operate with standard fares that are set by Barbuda Council. Taxis are available through hotels or by contacting taxi/tour services. They are a few cars available for rental on the island for those wishing to discover more of the island.

Our rivershack bar is only for those 21+.

Is that you, come back when you’ve seen a bit more of the world..

ZERO SUGAR AUTHENTIC MARGARITA TASTE

New sweet heat by america’s #1 margarita, explore uncharted flavors..

Our crisp lineup adds elevated ease to every adventure.

Ready to Serve Margarita

Premium malt beverage with flavors Select markets only

YOUR TREASURE AWAITS.

Cayman Jack® is available at these retailers.

FOLLOW CAYMAN JACK.

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Humane Society  of the Palouse

"helping those who cannot help themselves.".

Our Mission:

 The Humane Society of the Palouse is a no-kill animal shelter located in Moscow ID, founded in 1978.  Our mission is to ensure the humane treatment, welfare and safety of companion animals in Moscow and Latah County.  We strive to prevent cruelty to animals, to ensure companion animals are adopted by responsible and caring owners, to promote spaying/neutering, to educate the public regarding responsible pet ownership, and to minimize euthanasia.

     The HSoP is administered by an elected volunteer board of directors. These are citizens of the Palouse who are interested in animal protection, adoption and education.  These working directors donate time and experience to direct and help fund the shelter.

Our Vision:

Create a welcoming, caring and informed environment for all HSoP patrons. Be that staff, volunteers, potential adopters and owners needing to relinquish their pets.

Promote community wellbeing through our programs: SNAP, TNR, our pet supply pantry, and pet identification (microchips and name tags). 

Develop innovative programs to promote humane education in aims to reduce the need for owners to relinquish their pets due to behavior problems. 

To grow in our community through gaining and maintaining strong partnerships.

For HSoP to be short-term, temporary housing until the homeless animals under HSoP care find their forever homes.

To provide the animals under HSoP care with the best health care possible within HSoP’s abilities.

HSoP Core Values:

Help those who cannot help themselves.

Golden Rule: To treat all living things as we ourselves would wish to be treated.

Kindness: To demonstrate compassion and respect for all living creatures.

Positive influence: To judge our effectiveness by the extent to which animal lives are saved and improved, and by the positive experience of the people we touch.

Leadership: To lead by example, developing, promoting and sharing great new ideas and programs to help animals.

Authenticity: To do what we say we do.

Transparency: To be open and honest in our relationships .

The Humane Society of the Palouse was founded in 1978.  The city of Moscow had a pound facility and the two organizations teamed up together for the betterment of animal welfare for animals residing within the Moscow city limits, as well as for those residing in Latah County.

HSoP has a long history in our local pet community.  We have been uniting pets with their forever homes for 45 years.  We are dedicated to our mission and believe whole-heatedly in our practices.  From a safe place that provides food, shelter and preventive care, to providing lifesaving surgeries, HSoP gives second chances to pets in need. 

The City of Moscow owns and maintains the HSoP facility.  HSoP is directed under the Chief of Police and reports directly to a designated captain.  The City of Moscow pays for HSoP utilities such as water, sewer and electrical.  They also provide us with $2400.00 each fiscal year for facility upkeep and maintenance. The City of Moscow also provides the funds for one pay period per month.  The City of Moscow provides 22% of our yearly budget. 

Latah County provides HSoP with 10% of our yearly budget.  35% of our annual operating budget comes from our generous community support through donations.  For our 2016/2017 fiscal year, fundraising made up 8% and adoption fees contributed 10% of our budget.

HSoP is a community center striving to provide humane education for local pet owners.  HSoP with the assistance of volunteer dog trainers, provide our community with training classes that focus on positive reinforcement and learning how to communicate with your canine friends.  HSoP also has a Facebook page and Website section dedicated to humane education.

HSoP has a strict spay and neuter policy for any animals adopted from our organization. HSoP encourages national and local initiatives that reduce pet homelessness and resulting euthanasia.  We believe programs like SNAP, as well as a strict spay/neuter requirement for animals adopted from HSoP, promote responsible pet ownership by reducing unwanted or accidental litters that contribute to the pet overpopulation crisis being experienced nationwide.  An average cat has 1-8 kittens per litter and 2-3 litters per year. During her productive life, one female cat could have more than 100 kittens. A single pair of cats and their kittens can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in just 7 years.

We receive grants that are contingent on HSoP maintaining a strict spay and neuter program. Grants make up 13% of our yearly budget. 

Humane Society of the Palouse

PO Box 8847

2019 E White Ave

Moscow, ID 83843

[email protected] (208) 883-1166  

We try to be as responsive as possible. The shelter is staffed from 1-6 pm Monday through Saturday, so we'll respond as soon as we're able to!

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Calypso Cat - don't book this trip - The Verandah Antigua

• Caribbean    
• Antigua and Barbuda    
• Antigua    
• Saint Philip Parish    
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• The Verandah Antigua

Calypso Cat - don't book this trip

We had a horrendous trip on Calypso Cat where there was a medical emergency. These things can happen I know. However, the way the crew responded to it was seemingly without clear protocol or procedure. It was the guests who organised and performed a majority of the medical response. Others were put at risk being left in the sea for far too long without a clear plan to get them out and then finally, all of us being thrown around on the much-delayed frantic return to shore through heavy seas. Please assure yourselves that steps have been made to make this trip safer if you want to do it. More

Dear Valued Guests, Thank you very much for taking the time to read our management response. Yes, we had a very unfortunate incident where an elderly guest apparently suffered a heart attack while snorkeling. This was apparently due to a medical condition, and although tragic, was not the fault of the boat crew. The Calypso Cat is one of Antigua’s most popular catamaran excursions. The crew is properly trained and licensed, and the boat is fully equipped with all requisite safety equipment. There is never a good time for an emergency like this to occur, and while the boat crew were focused on trying to get the at-risk passenger and all remaining passengers safely back aboard the vessel, several very kind and concerned guests who were CPR trained began performing CPR on the heart attack victim in an effort to save his life. The Calypso Cat undergoes regular inspections, and crew training is ongoing throughout the year. We take the safety and comfort of all guests very seriously, and the Calypso Cat enjoys an excellent safety record. Emergency situations are, as the name implies, emergencies; and these situations may sometimes appear to be chaotic because staff, crew, and guests are all working as fast as possible to address the situation and save a life. This was the case in this instance. The crew followed protocol, immediately notified emergency responders, and transported the guest back to shore for medical treatment as quickly as humanly possible. Again, we sincerely appreciate all our guests, and we will continue to do all we can to provide each guest with a fully safe and enjoyable holiday. Sincerely, The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua Staff & Management

• Free parking
• Visit hotel website

I had a good holiday in a large room, and was looked after by a hardworking and polite staff. The rooms were clean an dwell air conditioned. I would have liked to have known the following (in no particular order): 1. BarBQ night was poor 2. There was no obvious attempt to separate accommodation for guests with children from those without; which I would have appreciated. 3.Only sea front units are on the ocean, the others might see the sea, but do so over the rooftops of there units. 4. Units were semi detached, with paper thin walls. You can hear a sneeze, so the tranquility of your stay is dependent on the conduct of your neighbours. 5. It appears that you share a water tank with next door, so how hot your water is depends on whether your neighbours have deep baths. 6. Coffee is dreadful 7. Excursions are expensive, but very much the same. Three trips, three times told which was Eric Clapton's house, three times shown around Nelson's dockyard. 8. Awkward arrangements for booking evening dining, only 48 hours in advance. 9. Lots of guests had really young children; I would not suggest this was a resort for the toddler and smaller; many good moments for us were disrupted by parents struggling in the heat to placate little ones for whom there is not enough to do. 10. Good water sports, enjoyed the beaches. 11. The clientelle are diverse, so the attempts at entertainment fall flat, as staff struggle to find their target audience. 12. WiFi is extra (an expensive) but you pay only for access in your room. 13. Your bill will have $2 per day donation to an cancer charity. 14. I enjoyed my holiday, but I think it was expensive for what I receieved.

• Sleep Quality

This is a really difficult review to write because much of our fourth stay at the Verandah was relaxing and enjoyable. Yes, there are niggles with the rooms and some other review comments about poor staff courtesy and lack of consistency are entirely justified. Generally, however, we had a relaxed and enjoyable stay. This review, however, relates solely to a truly traumatic experience on the Calypso Cat half day trip to Bird Island. It comes with a health warning that what follows is only my perspective on the situation and we have been assured that a full investigation by the resort is underway. My main reason for posting these comments is to encourage the resort and tour management to take their responsibility very seriously indeed. We had booked to go on the half day tour on the Calypso Cat to celebrate the end of our holiday with friends. The weather the day before has been very windy and we had been told by one of the staff that a private trip on the boat had been cancelled (not sure whether this was at the request of the tour operator or the guests who booked the boat). The previous evening there had been a small-boat weather warning for strong winds and sea swell and the forecast for the day of our trip was similar. We checked multiple times with guest services on the morning to ask whether our trip would also be cancelled – how we wish it had been! The boat itself is, as others have commented, relatively new, in very good condition and appears to be well-maintained. Most of the equipment on board also seems to be in good condition. At the start of the trip the staff were upbeat and seemed unperturbed by the breezy weather conditions. The first stop after a bumpy ride out from Long Bay was a snorkelling spot in the ‘shelter’ of Bird island. In the briefing beforehand we were told that we would swim away from the boat but, because of the conditions it would then move around to another spot to pick us up – this seemed different to the usual arrangements and surprised even some of the Calypso Cat crew. But everyone was offered a floatation aid and three of the crew joined us in the water with additional floats, which was welcome. What became quickly apparent was that the conditions were far from sheltered. We moved quite a significant distance from the boat and both the swell and current made swimming challenging – this had not been mentioned specifically in the earlier briefing. Because the boat was then moving away from its previous position there was no option to return early – we had to follow the crew members between the various reefs. Visibility in the water was poor and so there was little pleasure in the actual snorkeling – I’m sure that on a calm day with strong sunlight the experience would have been different. As we started to turn back toward the boat one of the guests became unwell in the water. We don’t know exactly what happened but the result was that he was in significant difficulty. The staff members gathered around him and attempted to support him using the additional floats. They then set off towards the still-moving boat which was understandable as the gentleman concerned was clearly in some considerable distress – possibly by this stage unconscious. It took some time (10-15 minutes) to get him back on the boat which we witnessed from afar, having been asked to hold back whilst the emergency situation was being dealt with. From later accounts there are serious concerns about the way in which he was supported during this time and how he was manhandled onto the boat with the support of a small number of other guests who had chosen not to swim. Meantime, we had been left to fend for ourselves in the water. I should emphasise at this point that it is completely understandable that the priority was to render first aid to the gentleman in distress. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife who was with him at the time and his family. Because the boat had moved from its previous position it wasn’t anchored safely – as I have mentioned already this seemed to be unusual from normal arrangements and, we assume, was influenced by the sea conditions. The consequence of this, however, was that the captain found it difficult to hold the boat still enough for us to approach it to get back on board. There were numerous attempts and we were called forward and then told to stand off multiple times. All of this was making us more tired and less able to swim against the current. Throughout this time, the instructions we were getting were often confused and conflicting – come closer / stay away / wait / hurry…. The overall impression was of panic on the boat with no clear commands and significant difficulty in understanding what we were supposed to do. This was not a well-managed situation. When we eventually managed to get close enough to the boat to make an attempt to board the captain was still fighting to keep it off the reef. Which meant using the outboard motors right next to the rear steps. Whilst children were struggling to get into the moving boat he had to run one of the motors – it is, frankly, a miracle that no-one else was seriously injured as a result! A really dangerous moment. By the time we did get on board we were exhausted and in shock. And we were still over 30 minutes from the harbour where medical assistance could be given to the gentleman in distress. Whilst we were trying to get back on board a number of guests had started emergency CPR. Despite subsequent assurances from management that all staff had up to date first-aid training, the person coordinating the CPR was a retired nurse from Scotland who acknowledged that his training may not reflect the latest best practice. It is unclear to what extent staff were involved at all. Other guests tried to assist and maintain a constant rota of volunteers – I wasn’t involved personally but I understand from a friend who was that this was a massively demanding period, both physically and emotionally. Once everyone was back on board the captain made haste back to shore. The sole means of communication between the boat and the shore team seemed to be a mobile phone with details being relayed by another crew member whilst the captain tried to retain control of a very fast-moving boat. It is not clear whether other vessels were in the vicinity and could have offered support or, even if they were, how they would have been contacted. Sensibly, we did not return to the beach where we were picked up, we headed instead to Rasta beach where there is a jetty and emergency access. Two things about this approach, however, added to the distress of the situation: as we approached the beach it was clear that no communication had been passed on to the staff there. A swimmer was still in the water and, despite, numerous soundings of the boat’s horn he took some time to clear the area. In addition, a number of families were on the beach as the boat approached – why wasn’t the beach cleared in advance? Also, despite almost an hour passing since the gentleman’s initial distress in the water, the ambulance was not on the dock waiting for us to return wasting more precious minutes before medical assistance could be given. Why wasn’t the call made for an ambulance earlier? When we did dock a guest ran to seek assistance and access to a defibrillator only to be met with the response that no-one knew what one was! It turned out that there was one at the other beach at the watersports desk – why wasn’t this brought to Rasta beach in anticipation of the boat’s return? You will gather from the above comments that the whole experience was immensely traumatic, especially for the wife of the gentleman in distress, but also for other guests some of whom were young children. Whilst we completely respect the need for privacy we would very much like to know whether the first-aid delivered by guests was able to help save a life that day. The signs were not hopeful, however. I want to end with some key questions for the management of the Verandah Resort and the Calypso Cat: 1. Given the conditions and the forecast sea state should the trip have gone ahead in the first place? 2. When we arrived at the snorkelling site, why was further warning not given about the conditions so that guests could make an informed decision on whether to enter the water? 3. Why was a decision made to move the boat from its original anchorage and why did this come as a surprise to members of the crew? 4. Why are crew members in the water not equipped with some way of communicating with the boat in an emergency? 5. If crew members are up to date with first aid training why was the immediate response being led by a retired nurse? 6. Why is the there no defibrillator on board the vessel with someone trained to use it? 7. Why was communication between the captain and the crew so unclear and confusing when trying to pick up the remaining guests in the water? 8. What further assistance could have been offered to ensure a safe return to the boat? As I mentioned above it is a miracle that further serious injuries were not incurred at this point! 9. When we did get back to Rasta beach why was the beach not cleared in anticipation of our return? 10. Why was the resort’s available defibrillator not on standby at the jetty? 11. Why did the ambulance take a further ten or more minutes to arrive? / was there a closer jetty we could have headed for to access emergency assistance? If you are thinking about taking the Calypso Cat trip please do think about the conditions and only enter the sea if you are a suitably strong swimmer. This is not ‘off the beach’ snorkelling. I really do hope that the lessons from this truly terrifying ordeal are learnt quickly and that the boat does not set sail again until they have been addressed. I fear, however, that the usual Caribbean approach of ‘no problem’ will prevail.

Dear Valued Guests, Thank you very much for taking the time to read our management response. Yes, we had a very unfortunate incident where an elderly guest apparently suffered a heart attack while snorkeling. This was apparently due to a medical condition, and although tragic, was not the fault of the boat crew. The Calypso Cat is one of Antigua’s most popular catamaran excursions. The crew is properly trained and licensed, and the boat is fully equipped with all requisite safety equipment. There is never a good time for an emergency like this to occur, and while the boat crew were focused on trying to get the at-risk passenger and all remaining passengers safely back aboard the vessel, several very kind and concerned guests who were CPR trained began performing CPR on the heart attack victim in an effort to save his life. The Calypso Cat undergoes regular inspections, and crew training is ongoing throughout the year. We take the safety and comfort of all guests very seriously, and the Calypso Cat enjoys an excellent safety record. Emergency situations are, as the name implies, emergencies; and these situations may sometimes appear to be chaotic because staff, crew, and guests are all working as fast as possible to address the situation and save a life. This was the case in this instance. The crew followed protocol, immediately notified emergency responders, and transported the guest back to shore for medical treatment as quickly as humanly possible. Again, we sincerely appreciate all our guests, and we will continue to do all we can to provide each guest with a fully safe and enjoyable holiday. Sincerely, The Staff & Management

First let me start by saying that we are avid travellers. We've been all over Cuba, Dominican, Jamaica, etc. We travelled to Antigua staying at The Verandah in January 2018. (We did an all inclusive package with Air Canada, leaving from Toronto) We stayed for one week. This was by far the best resort we have ever stayed at, from the beautiful beaches, to the amazing food, and wonderful staff. Our three kids (ages 10, 8, 3) absolutely enjoyed every minute of this resort. The kids are fairly picky eaters, but there was never an issue. The buffet had tons of options, and the beach bar restaurant had a great menu. Favourites were the pizza and the chicken wraps. Also, the service was top notch. Everywhere within the resort the staff were friendly and helpful. Our room had two double beds and a pull out sofa which was perfect for us. We had a nice balcony and ocean view. There was also a kitchenette with a small fridge and microwave. Note, we were very glad we brought a little stroller for our 3 year old. This resort is built into the hills, and it was a lot of walking (good exercise), our little guy just needed the break! There isn't even one negative thing I can say about this island and this resort. Totally blew us away with it's beauty and was by far the best Caribbean vacation we've taken. Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions!

This was our first visit to The Verandah and Spa and will be our only one. In the past, when we have gone to an all inclusive holiday, we have left with amazing memories of the island but also the resort. Sadly with The Verandah this was not the case. There were some positives however these were outweighed by the negatives: Pros: ⁃ good water sports- chance to do paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, pedalos, etc; however, see cons section... ⁃ Nice beaches- the best one is the Rasta beach ⁃ Family villas have lovely view over the quieter bay (Rasta beach) ⁃ Small child friendly pool close to the family villas ⁃ a few very nice staff, really trying hard to make your stay better ⁃ Mini golf close and beach volleyball at the Rasta beach ⁃ Family-friendly- we saw lots of families with small kids enjoying themselves here ⁃ Hit a good night at one of the bookable restaurants and you’ll have a really lovely evening meal Cons (please note that these are seriously first world problems but when you’ve paid a small king’s ransom on accommodation and food, annoyances do start mounting up: ⁃ Significant building works right next to the main beach, with the air filled with construction noises (sawing, hammering, drilling - you get the idea) which our tour operator did not warn us about, all the photos we saw before our trip were of the main beach wreathed with mangroves....when we got there it was a construction zone.....very, very disappointing.....I have attached two photos one showing the end of the main beach where the building work starts and the other from the beach bar area which shows the extent of the work - all of the area on the headland was green mangrove in the pictures I saw when we booked.....if we had known about this we would have cancelled our booking and gone elsewhere ⁃ why does the largest villa size only have 2 bedrooms? There are loads of families here with more than 2 kids and you can’t expect boys and girls who are older than 10 share a room. We have 3 kids of varying ages, 2 of whom shared and one had the sofa bed which was uncomfortable as sin (not to say that the beds were much better- very hard on the back!) ⁃ No snorkelling trips using a resort motorised rib. Every other resort we have stayed in has done these for free at specific times or for a fee at other times. You can’t kayak or paddle board particularly far as the rescue boat gets very antsy and comes and rescues you even if you are a confident kayaker or paddle boarder ⁃ Main pool pretty murky most evenings- seemed fine in the morning but by 4 or 5pm the bottom 2/3 of the pool appeared grey and murky ⁃ WiFi non-existent in our villa and in the public areas, despite being charged $50 for it over our stay ⁃ Very unreliable golf buggy system- made us late for a taxi on one occasion, making other people late for a helicopter ride, and on another occasion made my family wait for well over 30 minutes for a buggy which never turned up, forcing me to carry a very hefty (asleep) 6-year-old back to our villa for 15 minutes (although they did give us a late check out for free because of this) ⁃ Evening meals: restaurants have to be booked 48 hours in advance or there’s no chance of getting a table and they’re tiny, so you have practically no chance of getting a table reservation. Also, food selection very hit and miss, especially at the Seabreeze buffet - some food was uncooked (scalloped potatoes) and some so over cooked that they were dry or leathery (meat). The roasts at the Seabreeze were OK though ⁃ Buffet food at the Seabreeze in the evenings; you’d think this was the easy option - parents of fussy non-veg, non-fruit, mainly carbohydrate eaters beware... this is not for the faint-hearted (oh and the temperature of the restaurant varied from hot to unbearable) ⁃ Cocktails not that great, seriously watered down at times, and many of the staff quite grumpy ⁃ Coffee totally undrinkable, whether it came from the restaurant or from the small “coffee bar” ⁃ Evening “entertainment” was highly variable from some random guy murdering songs with his karaoke machine to a fairly okay band ⁃ Rasta beach cafe could really do with making Rotis!! No evidence of actual Caribbean dishes in any of the restaurants we tried ⁃ There was one day at the Rasta beach cafe where one member of staff was left on her own to deal with all the orders. We were there for a number of hours and saw masses of people waiting for food, which she dealt with (albeit not as fast as if she’d had help!!). She was lovely but you could really tell she was overwhelmed!

Dear Valued Guest, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your recent experiences with our staff and management team. At The Verandah Resort & Spa, highly value our guest feedback, as we highly value these comments in order to learn from our guests, build upon our relationships, and note any room for improvement. While we thank you for your generous compliments regarding our plentiful watersports and lovely amenities, we were certainly disheartened to learn that, at any time, you did not have an enjoyable experience, and we deeply apologize for any disappointment. Please know that all of your points have been noted and addressed, as our management carefully reviews guest feedback and will take any necessary measures to improve our cherished guests' experience. Again, we are sorry that we were not able to exceed your expectations, and can only hope you give us the opportunity to provide you with an enhanced holiday experience during a future visit! Best Regards, The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua Staff & Management

Very nice hotel with two beaches half an hour from the airport. The staff were very friendly and the rooms extremely spacious and comfortable. There were activities arranged throughout the day to suit the whole age range from 2-70! Good water sports. The food was very good but in peak periods there were queues to get a table for meals.

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