Multiple Nordhavn mini-rendezvous in the Caribbean

The Caribbean provided an ideal backdrop last week for two Nordhavn mini-rendezvous. Three Nordhavns fresh off Atlantic Ocean crossings hooked up in Barbados to celebrate their accomplishments and for some well-deserved rest. While a few hundred miles to the north, six different Nordhavns all vacationing in the Bahamas gathered for an impromptu cocktail party.

A few weeks ago, James and Jennifer Hamilton arrived in Barbados after having made what is believed to be the longest crossing in a Nordhavn under 120 feet: the couple traveled 3,600-nm from St. Helena to Barbados in their Nordhavn 52. They arrived just days after two other Nordhavns, Starlet, a 46-footer, and Southern Star, an N47, crossed the Atlantic from the Canary Islands.

Though blogs and social media, the travelers knew they were all on similar itineraries by the time they reached Port St. Charles marina in Barbados and quickly sought each other out to discuss their individual crossings. While the Ullmans on Starlet were new friends for the Hamiltons, they had last run into Robbie and Jo Ashton in New Zealand. A small world, indeed. Nordhavn’s in-house media specialist, Doug Harlow, flew to Barbados to video interview the crews about their lives as passagemakers and world travelers. (See video here.)

Meanwhile, anchored off Sand Dollar Beach in Georgetown, one of Nordhavn’s first families of cruising, the Besemers on board their Nordhavn 43 Three at Sea, found themselves in a sea of Nordhavns. The family had just completed a 4-day transit from Jamaica and wound up in Elizabeth Harbor where they soon realized they were surrounded by two N55s, an N63, N47 and N35. Naturally, it called for an impromptu Nordhavn happy hour. “We had a wonderful time getting to know each other and talking about boats, cruising, and a variety of other topics,” said Kathryn Besemer. “In addition to this fantastic virtual community that we all share, it’s also special when we get to make connections in person.”