Broadreach Caribbean Sailing Voyages

was a little nervous going into but ended up having the most amazing time ever learning so much and meeting so many new people. i learned so much about so many things that i never would have thought i would learned while i was there. we went to coolest places and get to experience the coolest things ever. i was so sad to leave all of my new friends that had been like family for the past few weeks. The councilors were also the kindest and most supportive people ever and were always there to talk about things.

My daughter just returned from the 12 Day Scuba and Sailing Exploration aboard The Trinidad with three instructors. I want to warn others to consider the following issues before they book this trip.

COMMUNICATION:
About a day before the trip we received an email letting us know that the sims card would be removed from the kids phones when they arrived. I understand the need to limit cell phone addiction BUT not being able to communicate with my daughter was not something that I expected. This info was not communicated to us before we booked the trip and that is not right!

SCUBA SAFETY:
My daughter contacted me by about the fifth or sixth day to report to me that she had run out of air during a dive because her tank had a leak and that it caused her nose to gush blood. I was very concerned and alarmed, so I contacted the North Carolina Office and directly emailed, the address recommended for emergencies and for contacting the BR officials that were with the kids in St.M. It took the North Carolina Office over 24 hours to get back to me with a lame message that denied what my daughter told me and NO ONE ANSWERED BACK MY EMAIL!!! The folks that were supposed to be my emergency contact did not even bother to contact me back to answer my concerns about my daughters scuba incident and the safety of the scuba equipment!!!

FOOD:
There simply was NOT enough food for these active teenagers. The kids were always hungry and, although they had a remote storage area that my daughter said was FULL of food, these kids were not given more to eat. They were weak and had headaches because of food depravation. They bought nutella with their own money and resorted to eating that junk out of extreme hunger. One instructor told the kids that any food that they bought on land had to be shared with everyone, which I agree about, BUT she would have food that she claimed was totally hers and no one was to touch it. She even keep cold drinks for herself when the boat ran out of drinking water! Yes, you read that right- they ran out of water!!!

WATER:
We were not warned before this trip that EXTREME water conservation was practiced and that if they kids ran out of water they would be left without ANY until they could refill. Now, I agree to teaching kids about water conservation BUT not to the detriment of their health and safety. They should have been supplied with as much fresh drinking water, as needed, without question!!! Dehydration is a serious health issue that Broadreach did not care about. An instructor told the kids that they could refill the water but he did not feel like doing it because of how long it took. They kids all said that they would help since they were soo thirsty but he still made them wait until the NEXT DAY for water.

TOILETS:
The toilets backed up raw sewage all over the floors and because of conserving water, they only used a bit of ocean water to splash it away. It was not cleaned up or properly sanitized and the girls were told by an instructor that they were no longer allowed to shave because of the probability of them getting Staph if they got cut. The kids were then told that from now on they were not allowed to use the toilets to defecate. If they had to do that, they were expected to jump into the water and defecate there- they called it a "water dookie". So gross!! However, one instructor didn't abide by her own rules and would stink up the girls bathroom everyday.

LANGUAGE:
An instructor screamed at the kids if she heard them using foul language but, hypocritically, she used foul language while telling them that they couldn't.

INSTRUCTORS:
One instructor is only 20 years old and does not seem mature or responsible enough to handle being in charge of 12 kids.
Two other instructors were liked by the kids, which seemed to anger the other instructor and make her more spiteful.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL VIEWS:
One instructor brought up social and political issues that were inappropriate in this situation and no one appreciated her opinions. If she does not eat fish or meat, that is her business and she should not be scornful of what the kids choose to eat. She also should not be making comments about the parents of these kids and their choices and lifestyles.

MEDICATION:
An instructor was in charge of dispensing the medication to the kids that needed it and she was very neglectful with this duty. She forgot to do it so often that she just put the meds out and told the kids to do it themselves.

SANITATION:
This boat was filthy and contaminated and the only cleaning was done by the kids themselves on the last day. I'm willing to bet that BR will not properly disinfect and sanitize this boat before the next group boards.

OVERALL:
My daughter said that she did have a good time because she totally loved all the other kids. They truly bonded and got through the hunger, thirst and filthy conditions with each other and their support and laughter. They made the best of the situation but these issues need to be addressed by BR!!!