Cruise Special

Room with sea and view

Guests can kayak (above) or chill on the deck. PHOTO: EU HOLIDAYS
A seating-cum-dining area is found below the deck of the Oceanis 45 yacht. PHOTO: DISCOVER SAILING ASIA

Looking for a different kind of staycation? On a "sailcation", you get to relax with the fresh sea breeze and enjoy a constant change of scenery.

Home-grown tour agency EU Holidays offers packages to the Southern Islands, which are operated by sailing company Discover Sailing Asia.

So many staycays, so little time. What makes this special?

Unlike a regular hotel, there is no need to specify that you want a room with a sea view.

For those who want something more private, this is just the ticket as the Oceanis 45 has three cabins and, due to the pandemic, capacity is now capped at five guests.

First impressions?

The 13.94m yacht does not seem particularly big but in addition to the air-conditioned cabins, there is room for a kitchen and dining area below deck.

I am impressed when I learn that Discover Sailing Asia's original plan was to sail from Phuket to Okinawa in this vessel. Grounded in Singapore en route because of Covid-19, the company decided to try something new.

EU Holidays started offering sailcation packages in October and, due to strong demand, it decided to charter three yachts from last month.

Rain and lightning chase us as we depart from One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove at around 3pm on a Thursday afternoon. Thankfully, the weather clears up.

SPH Brightcove Video
Tour agency EU Holidays offers “sailcation” packages to the Southern Islands, which are operated by sailing company Discover Sailing Asia.

Is there a spa?

I lie back and let the ebb and flow of the water lull me into a pleasant reverie. I am on a small stretch of beach on Lazarus Island and there is no one else around. Nothing like a natural spa on a secluded beach for a taste of the exclusive life.

There is even a giant water bed of sorts. At night, in the cosy cabin, the sea gently rocks me to sleep.

What else is there to do?

I do a spot of kayaking in a light and inflatable craft. Paddle boarding is also an option. Or you can take a dinghy, which trails along behind the yacht, to Kusu Island for a bit of exploring. Just do whatever floats your boat.

  • 2D1N SOUTHERN ISLANDS SAILCATION

  • WHERE Set sail from, and return to, One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove (01-01 Sentosa Cove, 11 Cove Drive)

    INFO www.euholidays.com.sg/sailcation, www.discoversailingasia.com

    RATES The two-day, one-night Southern Islands cruise which I experienced is priced from $288 (inclusive of GST) a person (based on five guests) from next month. This month's slots are booked out. Sailcations of shorter and longer durations are available.

After we drop anchor off Lazarus Island in the early evening, I wander over to the crescent-shaped Lazarus Beach, calm and quiet after the day-trippers have gone.

Why sleep in when you can get an early start to the day?

Sunset and sunrise are some of the best reasons to do a sailcation.

If the weather holds, you can have Lazarus Beach streaked in hues of gold pretty much to yourself before the first public ferry arrives.

Guests can kayak or chill on the deck (above). PHOTO: DISCOVER SAILING ASIA

Verdict: Bliss or miss? If you are looking to get away from it all, or if the sea makes you happy, then hop right on board.

It would be an even sweeter deal if the bento dinner could be improved upon. As it is, the only thing of note is the bubbly Prosecco wine.

If you are splurging anyway, you might want to consider topping up for a four-course meal by a private chef (an additional $388 a person); or the Singapore Airlines Business Class four-course meal with overnight cruise package ($798 a person, two to go).

Hot tip: Ask to have a turn behind the steering wheel and feel like the captain of the vessel. Also, even if you do not get seasick on the boat, you might feel as if you were bobbing on water after returning to shore at around 10am the following day. Give yourself about a day to recover.

• This staycation was hosted by EU Holidays and Discover Sailing Asia and is part of a weekly series. For more staycation reviews, go to str.sg/SuiteLife.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 15, 2020, with the headline Room with sea and view. Subscribe