Luxury Private Sunset Cruise for up to 6 guests

Sunsets feel better from the water. This private sailing trip aboard the 40-foot Frances Anne gives your group up to six people a quiet Caribbean evening with music, drinks, a charcuterie board, and the option to swim or snorkel. I especially like the private boat setting and the way the crew can help mark a proposal, birthday, or other special moment. The main consideration is the short two-hour schedule, which leaves limited time for both swimming and a long sunset sail.

I also like the all-in-one price, $695 for the entire group rather than a per-person fare. Split six ways, that comes to about $116 per person, which is fair for a private boat, an open bar, food, equipment, and crew. If your group is smaller, though, the cost per person rises quickly, so this is best shared with several friends or family members.

Key Points At A Glance

• Private 40-foot sailboat: Your group alone takes part, with space for up to six people aboard Frances Anne.
• Two-hour sunset outing: The timing is built around the evening light, with the boat returning to Sapphire Beach Marina.
• Open bar and charcuterie: Alcohol, soft drinks, and a board of meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables are included.
• Swimming and snorkeling are optional: Equipment is supplied, but you can stay on deck if you prefer.
• Crew makes special occasions easier: Captains and mates such as Tommy, Kendall, Alex, Courtney, Danny, Dante, Mark, and Rusty have been praised for attentive service and help with proposals.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

Starting At Sapphire Beach Marina In St. Thomas

Your cruise begins at Sapphire Beach Marina, at 6720 Smith Bay Road in Smith Bay, St. Thomas. The trip also ends there, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the sail.

That simple out-and-back setup matters. You can plan your evening around one known location, rather than wondering where the boat will leave you after dark. The marina is near public transportation, though the provided details do not include a private hotel transfer.

I would allow enough time to locate the marina and reach the boat without rushing. Your confirmation arrives at booking, so keep those details handy and check the meeting instructions before setting out. Since the cruise is private, the crew is expecting your particular group rather than a large crowd being loaded onto the boat.

The boat is the Frances Anne, described in the supplied information as a 40-foot sailboat. That size gives you a more personal setting than a large sightseeing vessel, while still providing room to move between the deck and the water. With a maximum of six people, your group can talk easily without shouting across a crowded boat.

Setting Sail On The Frances Anne

Once aboard, the evening centers on the simple pleasure of being on the water as the light changes. The schedule lasts about two hours, so this is not a full-day sailing trip or a long island-hopping route. It is a compact evening experience designed to put the sunset first.

You will have an open bar with alcohol and soft drinks. The supplied details do not list a specific drink menu, so I would not assume a particular wine, beer, or cocktail will be available. The safest approach is to tell the operator about any special request when you book, especially since the company invites you to ask about customizing a trip for a special occasion.

Music is also part of the experience. That helps set the mood, especially during the quieter part of the sail when the sun is dropping and the boat is moving at an easy pace. If you want a peaceful evening, the private format gives you more control over the feel of the outing than a shared party boat.

The crew is a major part of the appeal. Captain Kendall was praised for being experienced, friendly, and helpful during a proposal. Captain Tommy received repeated praise for making occasions special, with Courtney and Dante also mentioned as attentive crew members. Alex and Danny were noted for explaining local waters and teaching some sailing basics, while Mark and Rusty were praised for offering unusual views and taking care of a proposal.

Crew assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one specific captain will be aboard. Still, the pattern is useful: this is not meant to be a bare-bones boat ride. You can expect the crew to handle the sailing while helping shape the evening around your group.

The Charcuterie Board And Open Bar

Food is built into the price, not sold as an extra. The onboard charcuterie board includes meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables. That is a practical choice for a two-hour sunset outing because it gives you something to eat without interrupting the cruise for a formal meal.

I like this arrangement for couples and small groups who want a special setting without booking dinner before or after. You can nibble while watching the changing light, then return to Sapphire Beach Marina when the cruise ends. The food is also useful for a proposal or family celebration, since it feels more festive than a few packaged snacks.

Still, keep the scale of the meal in mind. A charcuterie board is a snack spread, not a full dinner. If you expect a substantial meal, you should plan one separately. The supplied information does not specify portion sizes or dietary substitutions, so ask ahead if anyone in your group has food restrictions.

The included alcohol and soft drinks add real value. On many private boat trips, drinks can push the final cost higher than expected. Here, the bar is part of the package, which makes the $695 group price easier to judge. It also means you can stay aboard and enjoy the evening rather than worrying about carrying supplies.

Drink responsibly. A moving boat, optional swimming, and an evening schedule are a poor mix for anyone who overdoes it. The best version of this cruise is relaxed, social, and comfortable.

Swimming And Snorkeling At Sunset

You may jump into the water for swimming and snorkeling, and snorkeling equipment is provided. This gives the trip a second mood: you can remain on deck with a drink and music, or get into the water and view the sunset from sea level.

That choice is one of the strongest features of a private cruise. Not everyone in a small group needs to do the same thing. One person can swim, another can snack, and someone else can simply watch the sun go down from the boat.

The timing also creates a tradeoff. With roughly two hours total, time in the water takes away from time under sail. If snorkeling is your top priority, you may find this outing too short for a long session. If the sunset is your main goal, a brief swim can add variety without taking over the evening.

The supplied information confirms that snorkeling equipment is available, but it does not spell out every detail about the swimming location, water depth, or the exact amount of time spent there. I would treat swimming as an optional part of the cruise rather than a guaranteed full snorkeling stop.

You may also prefer to remain dry. That is perfectly reasonable. The boat offers enough other elements to make the trip worthwhile, including views, music, food, drinks, and private time with your group.

Watching The Caribbean Sunset From The Deck

The main event is the evening light. From the deck of Frances Anne, you can watch the sunset over the Caribbean while the boat is underway or positioned for the view. The exact route and angle will depend on the conditions and the captain’s plan, so the experience is about the changing sky and open water rather than a fixed sightseeing checklist.

This is especially appealing for a proposal. Several couples used the cruise for an engagement, and the crew helped make those moments special. The private setting gives you room to plan a surprise without a boatload of strangers watching. You can contact the operator before the trip to discuss a special occasion or ask about customizing the outing.

A private sail also works well for a family or a group of friends who want an evening together without sharing space with other parties. One booking is limited to your own group, up to six people. That makes conversation easy and lets you choose how much of the evening is social, quiet, festive, or romantic.

The drawback is that sunset depends on weather. Clouds may soften or obscure the view, and the company requires good weather for the trip to operate. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from paying for a cruise that cannot safely run, but it also means you need some flexibility in your St. Thomas schedule.

What $695 Means For Your Group

The price is $695 per group of up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $115.83 per person. For a private 40-foot sailboat with an open bar, soft drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, crew, and a two-hour sunset setting, I consider that a reasonable private-experience price.

The value drops for smaller groups, though. Four people would pay about $173.75 each if splitting the cost evenly. For two people, the effective cost is $347.50 per person. Couples may still find that worthwhile for a proposal or milestone event, but you should compare it with the value of a shared sunset cruise if privacy is not important.

The strongest reason to pay the private rate is control. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and the crew can focus on your group. That matters for a proposal, a family celebration, or friends who want a calm evening rather than a party atmosphere with a large crowd.

The drinks and food also help protect the budget. Since alcohol, soft drinks, and the charcuterie board are included, you have fewer add-on costs once aboard. The exact bar selection and food quantity are not provided, so I would still ask any important questions before booking.

This cruise is booked about 29 days in advance on average. That is a useful planning clue, especially if you are visiting St. Thomas during a busy period or need a particular date for a proposal. You do not have to assume every date will sell out, but I would not leave a private sunset boat until the last minute.

Who Will Enjoy This Evening Most

I think this outing fits best if you want a private, polished evening rather than a long day on the water. It suits:

• Couples planning a proposal or celebration
• Families with up to six people
• Friends who want drinks, food, and sunset views in a private setting
• Small groups who value attentive crew service
• People who like having the choice to swim or stay on deck

It may be less suitable if your main aim is an extended snorkeling trip, a full meal, or a long sailing route with several stops. The two-hour length keeps the outing easy to fit into an evening, but it also limits how much can happen.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The provided information does not give detailed accessibility information for boarding or moving around the boat, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Practical Booking Advice For A Smooth Sail

Book early if your date matters, especially for an engagement or another event that cannot move easily. The average advance booking time is 29 days, which suggests that planning ahead is sensible.

Contact Virgin Islands Day Sailing if you want to discuss a special occasion. The operator specifically invites requests for customized trips, and the crew has helped with proposals before. I would share the plan clearly and early, rather than trying to stage a surprise once you are already aboard.

Keep your group size in mind when judging the price. Six people gives you the best per-person value, while a couple will be paying for privacy and the boat itself.

The cancellation terms are simple but firm. You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off follows local St. Thomas time.

The company also requires a minimum number of participants for the trip to run. If it cancels because that minimum is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Weather cancellations receive the same choice of a new date or a full refund.

Should You Book The Frances Anne Sunset Cruise?

I would book this cruise if privacy is the main reason you are looking at a boat trip in St. Thomas. The private 40-foot sailboat, included drinks and snacks, optional snorkeling, and strong crew service create a well-rounded two-hour evening.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it for a proposal or small celebration. Kendall, Tommy, Courtney, Alex, Danny, Dante, Mark, and Rusty have all been praised for warm, capable service, though the assigned crew may vary. The company’s willingness to discuss special occasions adds useful flexibility.

I would pause only if your group is small and price-sensitive, or if you want a full snorkeling excursion rather than a sunset sail. For six people, $695 is easier to justify. For two people, the private setting needs to be the point.

If your ideal evening is a sail, a drink, a snack board, good music, and a sunset shared with only your own group, this is a strong choice. Just plan around the weather, allow time to reach Sapphire Beach Marina, and remember that two hours goes quickly once you add swimming to the schedule.

FAQ

How much does the private sunset cruise cost?

The cruise costs $695 per group of up to six people.

How many people can join the cruise?

Up to six people can participate, and only your private group will be on the activity.

How long does the sunset cruise last?

The cruise typically lasts about two hours.

Where does the cruise begin?

The meeting point is Sapphire Beach Marina, 6720 Smith Bay Road, Smith Bay, St. Thomas, USVI.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at Sapphire Beach Marina, the same place where it begins.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. Alcohol, soft drinks, and a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, dips, and vegetables are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you may choose to swim and snorkel or stay aboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.