Crewed Grenadines Charter: Genesis, December 2011

Petr & Tracy were unbelievable. I can't think of anything they could have done more for us. It was better than any service I've had in any 5 Star, 5 Diamond hotel. They were professional, friendly, unbelievably attentive (took me a day to get used to that level of attention. We have our own boat and often have friends aboard. I thought we were attentive but, turns out, not so much). It seemed like they anticipated everything we might need at any given time.

It was amazing to have one whole side of the boat for our cabin. Tons of storage, full height ceilings, huge head and shower (again, thought we had a big shower on our boat but this was bigger). Petr is also well versed in electronics so we had access to over 800 movies at any time (not that we ever made it through a whole movie). Tracy paid attention to our musical likes so it seems like if we mentioned a song, there it was.

AC was available if we wanted it and Petr would put up the canopy and hammock anytime we wanted it. We even slept outside on the trampoline in a lovely bay.

We have eaten at many high end restaurants. What we had on board Genesis was many levels above all of that. We were so amazed we took photos of most of our meals. Tracy took no shortcuts in cooking for us. Everything was prepared from scratch, the flavors were WOW and the presentation was nothing short of 5 Star. Rick even started calling Tracy "5 Star". We caught some Barracuda which Tracy (cleaned, filleted, etc) served us the next day for lunch. We had shark, calamari, conch, lobster, tuna, steaks, lamb and some of the most amazing breakfasts ever.

The scenery sailing the Grenadines was beautiful, the water was blue. Took my breath away when we came around the corner on the tender on the 1st day. Petr & Tracy took us to many destinations and it was wonderful. Anchored in the Tobago Cays 10' from turtles was fabulous. Petit St. Vincent has the most amazing boutique (oops, the Visa did get used). We did quite a bit of snorkeling, despite the fact that I'm kind of afraid of fish. Petr took us snorkeling with turtles and even took underwater photos of us. When we were leaving the boat they gave us a memory stick with 350 photos they had taken of us - fabulous! Also helps that Tracy is a marine biologist. Made for very interesting and educational trip. One night we had 20 stingrays under the boat!

Pamela A.

Crewed Catamaran Catatonic, December 2011

Owen and Heather are fun and fantastic - they really enhanced our trip.

The boat was a dream - very posh.

More food than we knew what to do with - delicious and lovely.

Perfect itinery (sailing from St Thomas). Owen had a plan, which he easily changed when the weather dictated, or we had a request.

Heather S.

Scuba Charter Braveheart, December 2011

Jerry & Dawn were more attentive and accommodating that we could ever have anticipated. We felt very comfortable were incredibly well taken care of throughout our week on Braveheart. Dawn and Jerry worked amazingly long, hard days touring us around and keeping us fed and entertained. We even had Jerry take us water skiing and wakeboarding, which was an incredible experience.

Braveheart was even more nicely appointed than I expected. It is beautifully laid out and afforded us all a very comfortable experience. Having four full bathrooms with separate showers was very luxurious. Braveheart is also immaculately clean and obviously very well maintained. Dawn and Jerry worked tirelessly at keeping the boat clean and 'ship-shape'.

The food was a highlight of the trip for all. All of Dawn's meals and snacks were incredibly flavorful and imaginative. They were homemade, healthy and thoughtfully prepared to take into account our group's preferences. The chocolate gateau for Mary's birthday was gorgeous, delicious and a very special added touch. We loved the homemade cookies Dawn made us for lunches and we came to look forward to Jerry's tropical cocktails before dinner each day. Jerry's napkin-folding sessions were a fun and memorable part of our trip as well.

Our itinerary was fabulous. We covered a lot of ground, but were always relaxed. Jerry and Dawn took us to many beautiful spots including, Norman Island, Manchioneel Bay, Trellis Bay, Mountain Point and the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, Ginger Island, Peter Island and more. We loved learning about the areas we visited, the yachting life and sailing. Jerry also took us ashore on several occasions.

Jerry took us on nine incredible dives. We really enjoyed the experience of diving from and returning to our floating accommodation. The lionfish-hunting was a unique opportunity to try to fight for the health of the reef ecosystem. The onboard compressor affords great flexibility. Given the space constraints of a sailboat, Braveheart accommodates divers very well.

Our time aboard Braveheart was a singular experience for all of us. We had the trip of a lifetime. It was amazing to be able to do so much and to visit so many beautiful places without leaving the comfort of Braveheart. We recommend the experience to anyone looking for a luxurious, delicious and active sailing vacation.

We were very happy with Sailing Directions' service and felt very comfortable with all aspects of this, our first, chartering experience. We will definitely use Sailing Directions for any future charters and would not hesitate to recommend Sailing Directions and will do so whenever the opportunity arises.

Heather P.

Catamaran Charter Priorities, November 2011

We just got off our sail aboard Priorities, and all I can say is "Incredible". It was the most flamboyant expression of food and service any of us have ever experienced. Rich and Lisa have truly set the standard for which I believe every other charter should aspire to obtain. This standard was achieved because at no time was it ever a job to them, but rather an expression of their passion. You truly see their heart seeping through all that they do for the blessed individuals who get to interact with them aboard that wonderful Catamaran, "Priorities".

Troy S.

Swish, Crewed Catamaran Charter, November 2011

How were your crew?
- Grant and Tara were fantastic! They accommodated our varied interests, kept the girls busy, gave us room if needed, and ensured we were constantly full with food and drink! The girls loved the diving instruction from Tara and especially the two shallow dives with the whole family. Grant kept us moving from place to place, but at a pace that we enjoyed. They even accommodated some interesting hobbies (geocaching)! Tara is a GREAT chef and we wish she had a cookbook we could borrow. She accommodated the one 'pescetarian' (no red meat) in our family while keeping the rest of us satisfied. She even cooked a turkey on Thanksgiving! We were very pleased with Grant & Tara and would gladly request them again if we sail again...

Was Swish comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Clean and well ventilated. For those of us from the northern climes, the A/C was definitely appreciated in the evenings. Grant and Tara kept the boat neat at all times and had to occasionally gently remind us of the rules (no shoes on board, etc.), which we eventually learned.

Did you enjoy your sailing itinerary in the Caribbean BVI's:
- By our request, we had no set itinerary. We took it day by day, but Grant had a general idea of where he wanted us to go. They were flexible to allow us more time here or there if needed, and were very good at keeping things going.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions?
You did an excellent job at providing information as needed, guiding to a final charter selection, and managing expectations and keeping us on track for getting there. That is exactly what we needed. Trust me, if we are going to charter again, you are the first call.

Dusty H.

Crewed Catamaran Soul's Calling, August 2011

Soul's Calling was amazing, spacious, immaculate, we were comfortable at all times.

Our crew was extremely attentive at all times. Alex had a wonderful knack of knowing what we would like to do before we knew! He was extremely attentive and had excellent sense of keeping us all (ages 11 to 50) entertained. After hours of exploring / hiking the islands, our floating raft was waiting complete with pina coladas (virgins of course for the kids) and the night of the full moon Alex had our own full moon party waiting for us on the boat, complete with disco ball and Abba music ready for dancing on the deck! He was playful and engaging with the kids and extremely knowledgeable about the past and current history of all the islands. I felt that Alex and Bea had thoroughly reviewed our interest sheets before we boarded the boat and were completely prepared to provide us with the adventure of a lifetime. We loved every minute of our time in paradise!

Beautiful, off the beaten path sailing the BVIs. Alex kept us very active taking us to amazing places that only a captain with years of experience would know about. He was given permission by Sir Richard Branson to explore the privately owned Mosquito Island which we enjoyed immensely. We often had islands to ourselves and slept in bays alone which is exactly what we had hoped for!

We had a wonderful chef named Bea who was delightful and whose meals were amazing. She cooked whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. My husband gained 7 pounds while onboard! (though the flowing pina coladas may have been a contributing factor!!) Excellent crew who provided exactly the experience we were hoping for!

As I mentioned - food was amazing, fresh, healthy and nonstop - Bea was extremely attentive to our likes, dislikes. We were a bit of a challenging crew to feed as 3 were vegetarians and 2 were meat lovers - she kept all of us extremely satisfied and gave me many ideas for vegetarian cooking that I will be taking home with me.

We truly enjoyed ourselves and everything about the adventure!

Nancy Q.

Yes Dear, July 2011

The family had a great time. Weather was perfect and Ian and Jody were very attentive to the kids. Even had a chance to swim with a dolphin at our first anchorage. Had some good wind and smooth sailing. Very quiet anchorages and really not many other boats. Ladies were very pleased that no one got seasick. Normally I prefer bare boating but this worked out very well. The reason, I am sure, is that Ian and Jody were exceptionally well organized and their personalities meshed easily with everyone in our family. Not always an easy task.

Will happily recommend this kind of a vacation to all my friends.

Otto H.

Nauticat of Fowey, Catamaran Charters, August 2011

How did you find your crew, Bill & Ali; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
All of the above - they were an excellent choice

Was Nauticat of Fowey comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Was very comfortable and clean. Did get hot at night as it was unusually hot that week (not much wind)

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
The food was amazing and plenty of it.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Perfect itinerary sailing the Virgin Islands - very flexible

We all had an excellent vacation - the food was delicious. They accommodated us the fact that the kids were more picky with their eating - sometimes making two different meals to the kids preference. Ali was a bundle of energy. They were very flexible considering we got the dinghy stolen the first night - the crew made sure we didn't feel any of the stress and got a replacement dinghy quickly. Although this was their first cruise with kids - had no trouble adapting to them. Even did a treasure hunt and let them participate in fishing the mooring. Brought the kids tubing. ice cream, etc. Loved the itinerary - let us stay longer when we enjoyed a spot - even changed the schedule so we could experience a full moon party. Would definitely do it again!

Natalie A.

Yacht 5 Star, July 2011

Hugh was very friendly, thoughtful and a perfect host. 5 Star's accommodation was to a very high standard and comfortable.

The food was fantastic. Hugh was an excellent cook, with food that was of restaurant standard which was amazing since it was made in such a small kitchen on a yacht. Hugh adapted his menu based on our preferences and was very imaginative.

We managed to visit 10 Caribbean islands I think. We let Hugh pick the itinerary and he adapted it based on weather and the activities we wanted to do. We did loads of snorkeling at some amazing sites.

Richard M.

Crewed Charter Soul's Calling, July 2011

How did you find your crew, Alex & Carla; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
VERY attentive, organized, and proactive in addressing our needs and interests. Alex was always presenting us with itinerary options, was super cool when we made deviations, and made it a point to expose us to new and different experiences.

The crew really defines the experience and we loved every minute. They were creative when discussing possible plans for each day and constantly looking for opportunities to add to our enjoyment of the trip.

Was Soul's Calling comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Very much so. We've stayed in the owner's suite on different CAT's, and Soul's Calling was by far the most spacious, including massive amounts of storage. I also liked the large flat screen. Our cabin was always kept very clean. My only constructive feedback would be to pump the AC in to the guest bathroom & master head.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
The food was very good, and the chef catered each and every meal to my VERY specific diet preferences (almost to the point of having to prepare a separate meal at each sitting). And the desserts were incredible. The crew also did an excellent job sourcing the F&B suggestions we submitted on our preference sheet.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed in the British Virgin Islands?
Loved it, including the fact that Alex fully allowed us to provide itinerary feedback along the way. We were pretty excited to visit Richard Branson's private island, not to mention our brief exchange with him. VERY cool stuff.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
Excellent service. John was extremely timely with his responses, always providing comprehensive feedback (my hot button)!

We have now sailed on 4 different CATS (7 total CAT trips), and I fully believe that Soul's Calling represents by far the best bang for the buck (not to mention the strength of the crew), hence our immediate decision to rebook SC for 2012. And all the cool toys onboard were over the top!

You have been very responsive and professional in assisting us through the process of booking this trip. We were very pleased. I would recommend Sailing Directions and Soul's Calling to anyone. Thank you very much!

Bill G & Gary H.

Sailing Catamaran Adeia, July 2011

How did you find your crew, Leon & Michelle; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
Michelle & Leon are wonderful!!

Was Adeia comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Yes

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Absolutely

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Absolutely

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
Very happy - Excellent service.

Lauren C.

Ma Ha Sailing Charter, July 2011

The trip was awesome. Andrew and Kellen were great and treated us fabulously. They were the perfect crew for our rowdy bunch.

I would definitely recommend Ma Ha and Sailing Directions. Great job.

Landon P.

Yacht Sayang, July 2011

How did you find your crew, Paul & Ratna; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
Yes. They were both very responsive to our requests and had very good recommendations on food, entertainment and locations to visit. Paul's recommendation to use UBS for our scuba was great - Kat was a great instructor.

Was Sayang comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Exceptionally clean and well kept boat.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Yes, Ratna did a very good job with food. She had a nice mixture of types of foods and checked with us regularly if wanted to adjust our preferences. We had plenty to eat and drink, we weren't in need of anything.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Yes, Paul did a great job of picking nice destinations based on wind / currents. Loved the islands we stopped at, the scuba and snorkeling locations. Eating lobster outside in Anegada with the family was a very nice meal out. A few walks and beaches were very nice mix of things to do.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
Very happy.

Kim S.

Crewed Charter Soul's Calling, June 2011

How did you find your crew, Alex & Carla; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?

- They were all of the above and much more. Carla has a gift in the kitchen and was a pleasure to be around. She taught us about food, life and Italy. Alex was a very seasoned Captain and threw out all the stops. Alex was so accommodating and a comedian! We were always their main priority and it never felt like a chore to them. It is obvious they are completely and utterly passionate about what they do. They respect the boat, the people and the ocean. It was an unforgettable experience!!!

The boat was always immaculate. The AC definitely worked well - loved sleeping in a cool cabin at night.

The food, the presentation and the heart that went into every meal was very obvious. Everything was delicious and we could not leave without learning how to make homemade ravioli from the master herself.

I loved how they always listened to what we were looking for and what we wanted to stay away from. All of the snorkeling spots were gorgeous and the bonus was that we had hundreds of pictures to document our many adventures. They treated every day as a new day and made sure we were always smiling and enjoying every moment (which we absolutely did).

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?

- I actually had a conversation with Alex about our communications with you and hoped to always have the type of customer interaction you afforded us. I felt comfortable throughout the entire process and really appreciated the recommendations (insurance, itineraries, boats, etc.)

We would not change one thing about our experience on Soul's Calling. It was amazing from the first minute to the last. I miss the boat and the crew already!

Thank you so much for directing us to such a wonderful crew, boat, and experience. It is a once in a lifetime trip!

Joy & Cory H.

Yes Dear, June 2011

How did you find your crew, Ian & Jody; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
Yes! Very much so. There was not a moment of the day or night that they were not tending to any needs we had. Awesome crew! Fantastic people. Really know how to take care of people.

Was Yes Dear comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Yes. I was somewhat nervous about it being non ventilated and stuffy, but it was not. AC made things very comfortable at night too. Very clean boat. Jody should have a holster for that Windex bottle!

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
As good as any 5 star restaurant! Food was amazing and well presented! Every single one of us loved every single meal and we looked forward to seeing what was next. Never disappointed. We could not believe what she created in that tiny galley space.

Jody skills in the galley slightly overshadow Ian's bartending skills, but his talents are worth noting as well. Made lots of great concoctions and introduced us to many new local drinks.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Yes. Perfect sampling of all the BVI had to offer. I tend to be a planner and like to get involved in such things, but was glad I did not for this trip. Just put your trust in Ian and Jody. They were more than happy to guide us to all the great places in the BVI.

Randy H.

Crewed Charter Soul's Calling, June 2011

Alex & Carla were unbelievably friendly! Instantly made us feel at home. Soul's Calling's accommodations were better than we hoped for. Very clean and spacious rooms. Never felt uncomfortable thanks to the AC in every room. Each meal was a masterpiece. Carla puts so much heart into her meals and it comes through phenomenally. While we most definitely ate very well, we never felt like it was too much. The BVI's were beautiful. The secluded beaches, excellent snorkeling, and friendly people made it a place we will never forget. Sailing Directions' service was impeccable. Alex and Carla's combined experience and passion made it a trip of a lifetime.

Sean M.

Catamaran Charter Priorities, May 2011

Our trip was fantastic!! I couldn't imagine a more professional, hardworking crew. Rich and Lisa have probably spoiled us so that we would be scared to even try another charter without them. The food and drinks were so good that my husband, the self described "food snob", wouldn't even go to a restaurant. The attention to detail and guest comfort was amazing...soft towels, tempepedic mattress, I could go on and on.

I think that the people and the service and the comfort of the boat make this trip. I would have enjoyed a cruise anywhere with them!

Thanks so much for finding the perfect match for us.

Shelley P.

Yacht Sayang, May 2011

Food: The food was fabulous. Ratna is an excellent cook with a great variety of spices and dishes. The calamari salad and Haddock with gruyere cheese are two recipes I need to obtain from her. Everyday her breakfast, lunch, and dinners were something we looked forward to.

Boat: Sayang is an absolutely gorgeous boat. We were so comfortable in the aft cabin all to ourselves and had plenty of space. The AC at night definitely helped Patrick sleep. The maintenance of Sayang was obvious and appreciated by us (so clean and spotless!). We would definitely recommend something like Sayang to our friends.

Sailing: Paul was a great captain. The weather, unfortunately, did not cooperate for him but he remained positive and was very accommodating to our desires. Paul would even try to sail so that we could take away some of the experience. He was mostly quiet during the week, but when we conversed, he obviously had intelligent and humorous things to say. We wish we could have interacted with Paul more, but I know it can be difficult for a crew to draw the line on how much interaction they want to have with us.

Itinerary: We wanted to see all the beaches on every island and Paul was able to steer the boat to do this. We were thrilled to have seen so much and hear all the trivia that he knows on each island. The BVI is just ridiculously unspoiled and beautiful, which is why we choose (and chose) to come almost every year. The snorkeling sites were full of color and we were able to use our legs and hike on the islands almost everyday. That was perfect!

Kim S.

Solstice, Bahamas Yacht Charter, May 2011

Many thanks for your help, it was greatly appreciated. I cannot put into words how much we enjoyed our time aboard Solstice, nor can I tell you how much we enjoyed the company and expertise of both Cliff and Lisa. My friends are already sick of hearing about them and my honeymoon. You done us proud my friend, keep doing what you do and you will make many more people as happy as we are.

Cliff & Liza are exceptional people, we are proud to now call them friends.

Solstice was brilliant and perfect for the occasion.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Exquisite and considering the size of the galley, I cannot understand how the food tasted, or looked so good.

Cliff knows the Exumas very well, can show us exactly what we want to see and reads the conditions to ensure we had the best time possible.

Sailing Directions was first class in organizing our honeymoon aboard Solstice. If/when we decide on another charter, Sailing Directions will be our first port of call (Excuse the pun).

Dean & Alyson M.

Charter Catamaran Hypnautic, May 2011

Tom and Mel were outstanding, very customer focused, Mel created tasty, quality and healthy meals, we were amazed how she could create such meals out of that tiny galley, additionally she made it look so easy. We looked forward to our meals.

We did exactly as we liked and Mel and Tom where always eager to do what ever we wanted. This was a no stress vacation and we enjoyed ourselves greatly. The boat is well maintained, clean and comfortable. Tom and Mel are highly trained and experienced sailors. We felt very safe with them at the helm.

Gary & Dawn M.

Oteka, Captain Only charter, May 2011

I wanted to send my comments as well regarding the Oteka & Captain Pat. What a fabulous experience we had! We were a little nervous in planning this, as your Captain can really make or break your experience since they are with you 24/7 and 100% involved in what you do. I can now say 100% that Captain Pat made our trip absolutely delightful. Not only is a great sailor and patient teacher he is warm, friendly and a pleasure to be around.

The Oteka was a fantastic boat, and Captain Pat keeps it clean and in mint condition. The living and sleeping quarters were well lit, well ventilated, and very comfortable.

We used Bobby's Market for provisioning, and they were very easy to work with, and had a print out form that made planning/order easy for the group. When we arrived, everything was there, and Captain Pat had put everything away. What a relief after the long day of travel to have all of that ready to go, and cold beverages available!

Thank you so much for all of your help in this process. We certainly hope to have an opportunity for a trip like this again in the near future.

Alex C. & Stacy F.

Crewed Charter Soul's Calling, April 2011

The crew were amazing. Completely accommodating. They anticipated our every need. Alex is an excellent tour guide and Carla is a wonderful cook. Alex and Carla were as much a part of why we loved our charter as Soul's Calling was itself, with its amenities and toys.

Soul's Calling was more spacious than we anticipated and in perfect condition when we boarded. Kept clean, comfortable and ventilated throughout our trip.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Absolutely! Excellent variety, Homemade pizza and pasta were amazing. Desserts were delicious. We enjoyed every meal!

Perfect itinerary in the British Virgin Islands. We loved all the deserted islands and the bars and local spots. Enjoyed the variety throughout the week. Alex was extremely knowledgeable about all of the history in the BVI and his years of experience in doing this showed in his taking us to wonderful locations

Sailing Directions was a good experience. Attentive to our questions and prompt in getting us any information we needed. Will recommend to others.

Our crew, Alex and Carla, made the trip. We loved our boat, but our crew was amazing. This was a trip of a lifetime for all of us. We will be back!

Tom G.

Yacht King's Ransom, April 2011

A Fantastic crew and a wonderful stay and we will not hesitate to recommend your organization to our friends.

The crew was perfect. Euros, Emily, Rica and Arnold did everything possible and more to make us feel safe and happy. All the attention we got from all and each of them was so appreciated. The best word is "overwhelmed".

We just loved everything about King's Ransom. It was indeed comfortable, clean (thanks to the crew) and very well ventilated.

For food we could not ask for anything more as we got a 5 stars meal in the morning, at lunch and for dinner. We are used with very refined cooking and love to go to the nicest restaurant at home and everywhere we go (we travel a lot - at least 5 trips a year). So congratulations to Emily who also kept in mind what our preferences were. Every detail was taken into consideration.

We were very happy and would definitely recommend Sailing Directions as well as King's Ransom and of course our captain, chef and crew members. Only the best. Our rate is 11 on 10, without exaggeration!

Claude R. group

Grenadines Catamaran Motu, April 2011

The cruise ( boat + crew ) were perfect - a 10 out of 10, really ( and I don't give that sort of mark lightly ).

The boat itself was beautiful - though the 1 thing missing from our week was wind, we did have a morning where it blew 15-20 knots and the boat sailed fast and handled wonderfully. It's fitted out impeccably, both from a comfort and an aesthetic point of view. Cabins were terrific, and the A/C a great plus given it was a hot week.

The crew were the high point. Jeff is a wonderful captain, extremely knowledgeable and passionate about both sailing and the Grenadines. He was also great with the 3 kids in our group, willingly subjecting himself to hours endlessly driving the tender in circles while towing them around on an inflatable tube. Dani was a terrific - tremendous - cook, conjuring up 3 gourmet meals a day in a small ( but well-kitted out ) kitchen. Wines were also excellent. Dani kept the boat - and our cabins - in tip-top condition and was charming to be around.

I would return to the Grenadines with Motu in a heartbeat. Many thanks for your contribution in all this, we hope to work with you again.

Daniel S.

Yes Dear, April 2011

Ian and Jody were fantastic. They went out of their way to accommodate us and our kids and tailored each day around the best location and activities for us. We loved being with them and found Ian to be very knowledgeable, professional but also relaxed and fun. Jody was phenomenal as well. Totally organized and her appetizers and meals were amazing!

The food was one of our favorite parts of the trip. We were surprised how good and professionally prepared all our meals and appetizers were.

We feel we saw the best parts of the Caribbean islands. Ian was adept at taking us to some tourist places and some remote stunning quiet areas. It was incredible!

All in all it was a phenomenal experience, mostly because Jody and Ian were so great.

Malia F.

BVI Catamaran Adeia, April 2011

Leon and Michelle were great and we all had a fantastic time. Adeia is comfortable, clean and in very good shape. Our itinerary was fantastic and Leon did a great job tailoring it to our group. We also enjoyed Michelle's cooking a great deal.

Thank you for your assistance, with our group including my in laws Adeia and crew were a very good fit and made the trip a memorable one.

Jerry E.

Solstice, Bahamas Yacht Charter, April 2011

We had a wonderful time and hope that we can make it work to go back again. Cliff and Liza were wonderful and feel a bit like family now. So glad that we chose to go with them on this fabulous trip. Thanks for all your help with the details!

The itinerary (in the Bahamas' Exumas) was wonderful. I honestly don't think I know what I would have wanted to change. I felt that Cliff and Liza really listened to our requests for the "style" of vacation we wanted and didn't try to take us places or do things we didn't want to do. There were several afternoons just hanging out on the beach or swimming around the boat - exactly what we wanted. We also really appreciated the special little spots that they showed us - we're still daydreaming about them on a regular basis.

Inga B.

Catamaran Best Revenge 5, April 2011

How did you find your crew, Johny & Kelly; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Could not have been happier. Superior team.

Was Best Revenge 5 comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Exceeded our expectations

Did you enjoy the Caribbean BVIs?
- Each anchorage was better (and different) than the last

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Yes especially you John. You are key to my returning because of your responsiveness.

John M.

Catamaran Charter Priorities, April 2011

I wanted to send you a brief note to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed our week with you on Priorities. To quote Laurren, "Ah, reality. No post-breakfast snorkel, no 10:30 am rum punch served to me, no catamaran. Is life still worth living??" I couldn't say it better myself. :)

As you know it was our first vacation of this kind and it was truly a fun trip. The boat was perfectly suited for us and immaculately clean. And the meals, oh my, too much wonderful food. Of course we all loved Reggie, could you tell? :)

The tour around the islands was really wonderful and beautiful - we were talking about how it really is the best way to see and get a feel for the Virgin Isles. I am so glad we had such great weather and calm seas. Last but not least, you guys were great - professional, cheerful and a pleasure to be around.

Very happy with the professional service provided by Sailing Directions

Mark & Dana W

Catamaran Tiputa, April 2011

We had a great time with Luc and Frederique. They are both truly delightful and created a wonderful experience for our entire family. You should recommend them and we would be happy to be a reference. And thanks for all your fine work. Sincerely,

Rich B.

Yes Dear, March 2011

Ian and Jody were amazing! They were so easy to hang out with in a small space for a week. Ian's laid back, easy going ways are contagious. But that's not to say he wasn't very attentive and knowledgeable about the boat and the area. MMMMM Jody. She never ever cut corners with her delicious meals. Hello- pita bread comes in a bag, but NO, she made her own! Just one example of her willingness to serve top notch meals. Most of our group are vegetarians and she did a fantastic job catering to our quirky desires.

Yes Dear was very clean and comfortable.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Whoops. I already went over that. But I can't say enough. I don't think I mentioned Ian's amazing cocktail hour concoctions (is noon considered cocktail hour in the Caribbean)? Jody's appetizers are to die for. They're not something you see everyday. Every dish she made had unique and unusual flavors. There wasn't a bad one! Oh and did I mention the desserts were fabulous too?

Did you enjoy your sailing itinerary in the Grenadines?
The itinerary was great. We had a lot of distance to travel and I think it was very well planned. The overnight moorings were all spectacular. We feel like we saw the highlights but could easily go back to the Grenadines and sail there some more. It was absolutely beautiful!

We were very happy with Sailing Directions' service.

Kelly F.

Charter yacht Best Revenge 5, March 2011

We had a wonderful time aboard Best Revenge 5 with Johny and Kelly.

Johny & Kelly were exceedingly friendly, accommodating and attentive. No detail went unnoticed or unattended. Johny was always smiling and upbeat and Kelly was sweet as could be.

The catamaran Best Revenge 5 was very comfortable, exceptionally clean, and full of fresh air.

The food was 5-star quality - every meal was delicious

Did you enjoy your time in the British Virgin Islands?
- Absolutely, Johny did a great job in giving us options and taking us to some amazingly beautiful, fun, exciting places.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- I can't imagine how it could have been better.

Kevin W.

Yacht Sublime, March 2011

The crew made the airport pickup and drop off incredibly easy for us, they were ready with food and were always attentive to what we wanted to do during the trip. Brian was great about presenting multiple options for the day.

The food was fantastic? The paid close attention to what the kids wanted to do and were a wealth of knowledge on local history, facts and figures. We really enjoyed snorkeling with Stephanie who has a background in marine biology.

Sublime is a beautiful boat with plenty of room to be comfortable. We liked the fact that there is a bathroom for each bedroom. They obviously take great pride in the condition of the Sublime.

The food was awesome? Way beyond our expectations. They really took the time to review our preferences

It was our first trip to the USVI and BVIs. Brian picked nice out of the way places to visit which is a plus with a Captain that has worked in the area for 15 years.

David T.

Crewed Catamaran Adeia, March 2011

How did you find your crew, Leon & Michelle; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
-Absolutely

Was Adeia comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
-Yes

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Extremely

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
-We let them create the itinerary and it was fabulous

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
-Your follow-through after the booking separates you from other brokers. Good job

Cliff W.

Yes Dear, March 2011

Ian & Jody were absolutely great ! Could not have been better!

Was Yes Dear comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Absolutely. Much better than I had imagined.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Fantastic Chef! Wonderful food at all meals.

Did you enjoy the itinerary in the Caribbean Grenadines?
- Yes. Recommend it highly.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
Wish I had come to you first! I can't imagine a better boat or crew. Everything was perfect.

Dr. John H.

Catamaran Best Revenge 5, March 2011

Johny & Kelly: were the best crew we have had in four trips. We are sorry to hear they are leaving after this year. Jonny knows a few secret activities that none of the previous three captains knew. We had a blast!

Best Revenge 5 catamaran: Great boat, beautiful, spacious the ultimate in luxury cats.

The food: I wish I could cook like that from a boat galley. We went out one night for dinner ashore and regretted it. The food was miserable comparatively.

The BVIs: We were able to adjust our itinerary at our whim. Jonny was very flexible and accommodating.

Sailing Directions: Service was top notch. I can't think of anything to improve on.

Cheny Y.

Yacht Sayang, February 2011

What a wild ride! Spectacular sailing in the safest of hands in the most beautiful of boats! There was sun, sea sand- and oh the wind! Thank you for showing us these islands, for sharing the luxuries of your boat-and for perfect evenings at the end of each exciting day. Delicious food and whatever drinks took your fancy that particular sundown. You did it all with effortless grace. As Arnold would say - we'll be back!

The boat was meticulously maintained and the sleeping accommodations were comfortable and clean. Ratna is an attentive chef and very good cook. We ate all of our meals on the boat.

Since this was our first time in the BVI's, we left the itinerary to Paul and were not disappointed with his choices. We had some terrific sailing days on this beautiful monohull boat.

Paul is an accomplished sailor and we had some great "rail in the water" sailing. Very comfortable boat even in brisk winds. My wife and our guest, Wendy, felt very safe.

Afternoons of sailing with the rail in the water, spray in our faces and utter confidence in the captain's skill and judgment. Incredible meals night after night. Perfect experience, perfect vacation. Next year?

Bill & Becky C.

Yacht Tiputa, February 2011

Luc & Frederique were amazing. We felt like family by the end of the trip. We have continued to keep in touch since. Tiputa was impeccable. Clean, comfortable and welcoming. The crew always made us fell right at home.

Frederique and Luc are the perfect team in the galley and on the seas. The food was high quality and diverse. The kids ate everything she made. Some of our favorites were the bbq fish, lentils, and desserts. The presentation was so beautiful and every meal was great. They went all out.

We did enjoy our itinerary. We came and sailed as we pleased. We avoided some bad weather by moving on to brighter stops.

John you have been great to work with thru this planning process. We would certainly use your services again.

Wendy B.

Crewed Charter Soul's Calling, January 2011

Alex and Carla were extremely attentive and accommodating and very friendly. Tom and I have been sailing in the BVI seven times previously, and we can honestly say that the time spent with Alex and Carla far surpassed our expectations.

Carla and Alex kept the boat immaculate, without appearing that they were constantly cleaning. The food was also beyond our expectations; Carla is a wonderful chef.

BVI itinerary: Again, this is the area in which Alex excelled. He showed us snorkel spots that we had never been to before - pristine coves. Itinerary was fabulous and the water toys were so much fun!

The first night's sleep-aboard was perfect. We ended up missing our connection from Puerto Rico, due to a delay in Phila because of de-icing issues. By the time we arrived at Village Cay Marina, it was around 7:00, but Carla and Alex had a welcome drink and appetizers. They had also made us dinner reservations at a delightful Italian restaurant within walking distance. In the morning we unpacked and took a nice walk around Road Town, and then began the sail right on schedule.

John, your service was above and beyond what we expected. You followed up on every detail during the planning process. Thanks so much!

Tom & Florence D.

Charter Catamaran Adeia, January 2011

Overall we had a great time on the boat. Leon and Michelle were wonderful and the boat was extremely clean and well-maintained. Not only were they extremely professional but we also found them personally interesting.

Leon was great at understanding our needs even though we weren't sure ourselves what they were. They took us to amazing places some which were off the beaten path which we really enjoyed! The food was delicious and Michelle was a great cook.

We are extremely happy with the experience.

Lorne B.

BVI Catamaran Soterion, January 2011

We could not have asked for a better match! Sasha and Tara are fabulous! We hope we get to sail with them again.

Reann C.

Sailing Catamaran Pentesilea II, January 2011

First of all, let me just say that this was one of the best vacations that we have ever been on and we will definitely do it again! If you had to rate this trip on a scale of 1 to 10, it was a 15! Travis and Rosemary are two of the nicest people we have ever met and they were very friendly, attentive and accommodating.

Pentesilea ll was fabulous in all areas. We all gained at least 5 to 6 pounds so that tells you how good the food was and the presentation was beautiful! The itinerary was perfect and we loved every, single place we went.

The service that we received from Sailing Directions, especially with John, was wonderful - our questions were always answered to our satisfaction and in a very timely manner. John was so helpful in working out our time frame-even though we had to change it 50 times - he was so patient and understanding!! Of course we will do another charter with Sailing Directions on the Pentesilea ll with Travis and Rosemary.

You may use all of our comments on the website - please do. One last remark - Rosemary and Travis - YOU ROCK! Thanks for all of your help - we will be in touch again.

Collette & Bob T.

Yes Dear, January 2011

How did you find your crew, Ian & Jody; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Ian and Jody are the BEST! We are trying to plan another vacation with them in 2013!

Was Yes Dear comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes all of the above. Very cozy!

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- The food was better than the restaurants we were paying lots of money for. We want the recipes!

Did you enjoy the Caribbean itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Yes. I guess we lucked out on the weather so it was nice, calm waters. My favorite place was the Monkey Point. The snorkeling was superb!

Ashley J.

Sailing Catamaran Soterion, December 2010

The crew, Sasha and Tara, were not only friendly, attentive and accommodating, they were personable, congenial, caring, professional, very knowledgeable, easy-to-get-along-with, down-to-earth. They were wonderful!!

Was Soterion comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes, all the above. I wasn't crazy about those steep steps going down to our cabin, but I survived them. Sasha was the detail man for keeping her clean!!

The food was exceptional and the menu varied & beautifully presented. Tara's use of fresh products was always something to which we could look forward.

The itinerary in the BVIs was great. Sasha always knew the out-of-the way places and great places of interest and to snorkel. He guided us to some specific places we wanted to go and others from his own knowledge.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve? - John, your service was always immediate when we had a question. Everything handled with efficiency. Your web site is excellent. I told Sasha and Tara that I was very happy to see a couple real live people picking us up after all these months of online conversation.

I'd be hard pushed to think of anything we would have changed. We've told all our friends about the trip and rest assured if anyone shows any interest at all in chartering, we'll see that you're the first they contact. I hope the above speaks for our vacation of a lifetime!

Betty R.

Yacht Charter Soul's Calling, December 2010

Alex and Carla were exceptional, we felt like they were family; they were very accommodating. Alex was great with my college-age boys keeping them active and entertained. We loved Carla she was very accommodating to what we want to eat and took great care of us.

The boat was great very clean and well ventilated Alex takes great pride in having the boat in top shape. We would charter again with Sailing Directions and I will recommend to my friends Soul's Calling.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Lets put it this way we all had to come home and go on a diet

Did you enjoy the British Virgin Islands and the area you sailed?
- Loved it.

I have traveled a lot and I would say this trip to the BVI on Soul's Calling was on of the best trips that we have been on and best family trip ever. We were so pleased with everything. The boat, the islands and Alex and Carla were exceptional. It was a great experience one that we will never forget.

Martie M.

Yacht 5 Star, December 2010

Captain Hugh was amazing! He was very friendly and attentive. He became a part of our vacation as a friend, not just the Captain of the yacht. Hugh was very good at being a part of the fun, but also slipping away and allowing us some down-time on our own as well. Everything he did facilitated an experience beyond our expectations! Hugh is a skilled and confident Captain and host - our highest praises all the way around!

Was 5 Star comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- What a beautiful, well cared for boat! The 5 Star is as comfortable as they come! With air conditioning available when we needed it and multiple well placed hatches to open in the evenings to catch the beautiful tropical breezes, we never had a moment of discomfort aboard. The well placed fans en suite helped moved air around if/when it was needed.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Holy cow! Hugh is quite the master chef! We live in a resort town with exceptional 5 diamond dining available to us year round, and Hugh's cooking rivaled that of our finest resorts! His menus were customized to our pre-trip requests and he always had healthy and delicious snacks available in case we became hungry between meals after a long day of snorkeling and exploring. Everything was fabulous!

Did you enjoy your itinerary in the BVIs?
- Absolutely! Hugh was completely flexible with our itinerary and matched our desire to relax, sight see and do some sporty sailing as well. We even changed things up on him a little bit by adding in a few parties on St. John at private residences at the beginning and end of our trip, and he was game. Each day was a new adventure, and the ability to change our itinerary at any given time was indeed a key factor to our enjoyment of the trip. We like to go with whatever the day brings us, and that is exactly what Hugh allowed us to do.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
Yes, very much so. We appreciated the ease and professionalism provided to us by you. We also appreciated your honesty and knowledge of the yachts you broker - it made our decision that much easier. Thanks for all for your assistance and professionalism. Our experience on 5 Star was pure bliss!

I have attached a few photos - it's always tough to whittle down to a few favorites from the hundreds of shots we took! It's so beautiful there, there's always a vista to shoot. We had a lovely time with Hugh; it was all we had hoped it to be and then some. To say Hugh and the 5 Star exceeded our expectations is an understatement. We left the BVI's having had an exceptional experience, and gaining a great new friend in Hugh as well! We have so many stories and fabulous memories - we are grateful for such a unique experience.

Pamela L.

Catamaran Free Ingwe, December 2010

We very much enjoyed Matt and Melissa. Matt had lots of ideas about places to go and things to do and he was very friendly. Melissa was an AMAZING cook and blew us away with her healthy and outstandingly delicious meals.

Free Ingwe was very comfortable and clean. The BVIs is a beautiful location. Gorgeous snorkeling and diving. We loved the Baths and the Soggy Dollar Bar.

Sailing Directions was very helpful and responded promptly to all e-mail questions we sent. We are happy with the service.

Overall we really loved this experience and we are so happy we did it.

Kelsey T.

Charter Yacht Mustang Sally, December 2010

Doug and Wendy were VERY hospitable. They enhanced the trip and were so accommodating to do anything that we wanted. The trip was all about us. They were GREAT.

Mustang Sally couldn't have been better. We were extremely pleased with our accommodations and the cleanliness. Windsocks were attached to the windows at night so we always had a breeze in our cabin. Perfect!!

Wendy is an excellent cook! She took into consideration our preferences and she fixed delicious meals as well as appetizers. We couldn't have been more pleased.

Doug considered what we were interested in and set the itinerary to meet our desires and expectations. Plus he was very knowledgeable of the history which made the trip more interesting.

We were happy with the service from Sailing Directions - thank you for all the help getting our traveling itinerary together.

Mustang Sally exceeded our expectations for our charter. We had been on one before so we had high expectations. Doug and Wendy were wonderful, professional, experienced hosts and we would definitely recommend them to anyone who is thinking about a charter in the Caribbean.

Libby G.

Catamaran Soul's Calling, December 2010

Alex and Carla were terrific! They were both friendly, attentive and accommodating all the time. They were fun to spend time with and we didn't feel like they were hovering. We all spent New Year's Eve together at Trellis Bay.

Soul's Calling was very comfortable, very clean and well-ventilated.

The food was more than enjoyable! Carla is an excellent chef and very creative. The presentation of every meal was restaurant quality.

This was a trip that I've wanted to do for about 8 years. I tried hard not to have too many high expectations. But I have to say that I was not disappointed at all with any part of the trip (except the flights home to the cold!). We're telling everyone we know about this trip and highly recommending it.

Peggy R.

Catamaran Quest, December 2010

How did you find your crew, Cameron & Rhonda; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- All of the above. The most personable crew we have had in the BVI.

Was Quest comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- I sailed on Quest in 2003. The catamaran was as clean and well appointed as ever. Certainly no complaints.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Very much so. Rhonda is a great cook and worked hard to make our meals enjoyable.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed, the British Virgin Islands?
- Yes. Having been there before made it very nice Cameron made sure we were quite comfortable despite the Christmas winds. We love the BVI.

If you want a great vacation with a wonderful crew who is fun and accomodating, consider the Quest with Cameron and Rhonda. It will be one to remember!

Randy D.

Yacht Charter Priorities, November 2010

The cruise on Priorities was above and beyond all expectations. It truly was a heavenly week. We have many photos and have run out of superlative adjectives to describe the food, the places, the experience and above all, the attentiveness and caring that we received from Rich and Lisa. They are extraordinary.

I will follow up with more details, but we thank you for your recommendation for Priorities. It was the best week for all of us!

Christine M.

Charter Yacht Hypnautic, November 2010

Pete and I were happy to be part of Tom and Mel's maiden voyage aboard Hypnautic. Not knowing what to expect they quickly made us feel at home. The rain was against us the first few days but Tom and Mel made it seem as if the sun was still shining. Mel's cooking keep us looking forward to each meal and pleasantly surprised. We felt safe in the hands of Tom, we never wanted for anything. The service was top notch. Thank you for making this such an enjoyable and memorable experience!

Pete P.

Catamaran Priorities, October 2010

We had a terrific time. Wendy and Chad were a delight. It was also great to see Rich, Lisa and Reggie. Lots of fun.

- How did you find your crew, Chad & Wendy; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
Yes. Flexible to schedule and agenda changes. Nice. Not intrusive but interesting to talk to.

Everything on board Priorities was up to the usual high standard.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Yes. And we especially appreciated how Wendy was able to accommodate the children with simpler fare.

Did you enjoy your itinerary in the British Virgin Islands?
- Yes. A small touch of rain at the beginning. But beautiful weather, sailing, snorkeling, and scenery.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Very high standards. Very attentive. Well done.

We would be happy to be a reference.

Glen W

Charter Priorities, August 2010

We had the BEST time! I'm so glad you steered us to Rich and Lisa. We are hoping to use them again next summer.

Rich and Lisa were wonderful. As my 20 year old son said, "I knew we were going to have a captain and helper, but I didn't know they would be so nice and do so much for us." Rich and Lisa were friendly and professional, giving us private time and space during meals but chatting with us and sharing their knowledge of the BVI during other times. And Lisa was so accommodating - always seeing to our needs by mixing drinks, operating the dinghy for water sports and transportation, telling us about hiking paths on the various islands, keeping an eye on drying laundry, maintaining a supply of dry towels, etc. They were a great team.

Priorities was very clean and comfortable. Lisa worked hard behind the scenes keeping the cabins and common areas clean and neat. The boys, who were sharing the bunk room, had problems with their air conditioning the last night (I guess someone inadvertently turned the control off?), but otherwise everything was fine.

The food was unbelievable and very well presented. Who says you need a huge kitchen to turn out a nice meal? It amazed me that Rich could turn out meals with the variety and complexity that he did in that small and compact galley. It was so nice to eat outside and every night Lisa had a different table arrangement. And the food itself was beautifully plated and tasted great.

Did you enjoy sailing the British Virgin Islands? Yes we did. It was a very relaxing routine we settled into - breakfast followed by hike/snorkel/kayak, sail to new spot, more snorkel/swim/kayak, lunch, sail to another spot enjoying cocktails en route, snorkel/swim/water sports followed by a snack, sail to nighttime anchor spot with last swim/snorkel, and then get cleaned up for a wonderful dinner followed by dessert and after dinner drinks. I think we saw all the highlights of the BVI: top snorkel spots (Indians, Monkey point), famous resorts (Caneel Bay, Little Dix Bay, etc), top bars (Soggy Dollar, Foxy's, Willie T), and beautiful quiet areas like Sandy Spit and Little Harbour. It was a really nice mix and we felt fortunate that Rich and Lisa knew the area so well.

We were very happy with Sailing Directions' service. We are hoping to book with Rich and Lisa again next summer, but earlier in the summer when the popular bars (for the young people in the group) are open and have more people. You can be sure that we will pass the word among our friends about our great experience and send them your way if they are interested in a charter vacation.

We chartered a boat with a captain in Greece and while that was a fun experience, the captain was just a captain. Priorities was several levels above that experience!

Alma W

Catamaran Free Ingwe, July 2010

Matt and Melissa were great. They certainly took the time to learn what types of activities we liked and were accommodating.

Free Ingwe was very comfortable and had good ventilation. The food was enjoyable and had nice plating presentation.

We did enjoy our itinerary in the Virgin Islands, sailing from St Thomas.

Did you have a good experience having your small child onboard? - Great! Our toddler did much better than expected and the crew was mindful of her and interacted with her just as they did the rest of us. They played with her and made her feel relaxed and welcome.

Kelly W.

Charter Tonina, June 2010

We had a wonderful time aboard Tonina. Peter and Karen were incredible hosts. Just an unforgettable vacation.

Stephanie I.

Solstice, Bahamas Yacht Charter, June 2010

Cliff and Liza were all of the above a more so. This is our second time on the Solstice and look forward to cruising again with Cliff and Liza.

The food was fabulous. We were able to do everything we planned, which was fantastic.

John's service was over the top. You guys are doing a great job. If and when we do decide to charter again we will definitely use your service and I have already recommended you guys to others and will continue to do so.

Pam B.

Charter Catatonic, June 2010

We had a wonderful vacation. We would recommend Missy & Rick and the Catatonic to all our friends. The food was wonderful, Missy did a great job. Missy & Rick were very knowledgeable about the islands and culture. Missy is a wonderful hostess and a great cook. We had complete confidence in Rick, sailing at night was a blast!

Pete & Judy N.

Sail Soul's Calling, June 2010

Alex and Carla were so great! We felt like we were part of their family and that they were part of ours. We enjoyed spending time with them and hated to leave. They are welcome in our home anytime.

Soul's Calling is a beautiful boat and well suited to handle 3 couples. The spaciousness of the decks never made us feel confined in any way, and the boat was always kept in perfect condition.

Carla was magnificent. Everything was just as we wanted. The meals were well thought out and the food was very good - much better than any restaurant.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed? Absolutely - but I think it would be tough to find a bad itinerary in the BVI!

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve? Everything was handled very professionally

Our trip was perfect! Our kids, their dates, and the two of us consider it one of the best, if not the best, trips we have ever taken.

Bill F.

Yacht King's Ransom, June 2010

We had a fantastic time on board King's Ransom. We have chartered boats in the past but this yacht was the best so far - there is no room for improvement. We were travelling with our 3 children and the crew loved being around them and a lot activities were organized. We really enjoyed it.

Mikael S.

Sailing Secret Oasis, June 2010

Jacques and Janette were the best.. everything they were supposed to be and more!! Our entire group loved them. We have some new friends and even invited them to stay with us in the States.

The Secret Oasis was clean and comfortable...my bed felt as good as my bed at home.

Omg the food!! Gourmet cooking at its best! The food was plentiful, out of this world, and beautifully presented. It was amazing to see Janette prepare a feast and serve all 8 of us at the same time. She would even cook something different for the non meat eaters in our group.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed - the British Virgin Islands? Absolutely, Jacques added Monkey Point to the itinerary for the best snorkeling and it was amazing. Jacques knows exactly where to go and can customize to your groups needs.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve? John was always quick to respond and to answer all my questions. He took the stress out of traveling.

Mary Jo V.

Catamaran Adeia, June 2010

We really enjoyed our time with Leon and Michelle. We were very flexible with the itinerary and we were able to do and see all that we wanted to. It was beyond question one of the most enjoyable vacations our family has ever experienced.

Was Adeia comfortable, clean and well ventilated? Yes. The Adeia is immaculate.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented? Michelle is a wonderful chef....and Leon is very good on the grill.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed (Caribbean Virgin Islands)? Every day was perfect.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve? John is very helpful in answering what must have seemed like a thousand questions. There were no "surprises" when we arrived. We appreciated your attention to detail.

Tina & Gary M.

Sail Soul's Calling, May 2010

Alex and Carla were phenomenal! We felt like royalty - they anticipated our every need - and yet also felt like they were old friends. I don't know if I could ever sail with anyone else after this week with Alex and Carla. He knows that boat inside & out and made our vacation the best we've ever been on, bar none.

Carla's cooking skills were great - we felt like we were eating at a high class restaurant at every meal, and no meal on shore could compare to her cooking. Alex is extremely personable, friendly and fun. And Carla? Let's just say we wanted to take her home with us! I highly recommend this crew and hope we can sail with them again some day. What a great couple. I miss them already.

We loved the boat, found it extremely comfortable, clean and well ventilated. Alex and Carla take very good care of the yacht. If we have the opportunity to do another catamaran trip, we want to do it on Soul's Calling -- with Alex and Carla. We hated to end our vacation.

As stated before, Carla is more a chef than a cook. She took into consideration everything we said we liked and cooked accordingly. And yet made everything healthy as well. Our son-in-law even ate foods he's never cared for before and loved it! She has a way with food that makes it all wonderful. We were very impressed with the quality of meals Carla was able to turn out in the boat's kitchen. She's a keeper! And Alex does great on the grill as well.

We loved the itinerary! Alex seemed to know exactly what we wanted to do and created an itinerary that fit us perfectly. It was perfect.

We were very happy with Sailing Directions' service and will recommend you to our friends & relatives. Thank you for helping us with this memorable vacation!

This was absolutely the best vacation we've ever had. For years we've placed a Windjammer trip taken 10 years ago as our #1 vacation. It has now been surpassed by our week aboard Soul's Calling. I can't imagine that you have a better catamaran or crew than Alex & Carla on Soul's Calling.

Carol M.

Ad Astra, May 2010

I can't think of anything that would've improved our experience. Barry and Bridget were unbelievable, just so competent. They were pleasant to be around, thoughtful, accommodating, great with the kids. We had wonderful weather and some beautiful stops in the BVI. They found places the kids would enjoy as well and worked with the menu to accommodate the kids very well. They were flexible and laid back with last minute changes. It made it extremely relaxing for us.

Bridget made a cake and decorated with a Happy Birthday sign and balloons. It was a fun birthday trip. They really went out of their way with all the details. Bridget was an excellent cook and shared some of her tips so I can try at home. We are trying to see when we could go again and would definitely want to go with Barry and Bridget.

Thank you for connecting us with such a perfect match!

Tabitha F.

Yacht Sayang, May 2010

Thank you for the wonderful sailing experience and tour of the BVIs. Becky and I couldn't have picked a better place to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary (and Becky's 50th).

Ratna's preparation of our meals were a delight and the presentations were beautiful, and the food delicious. Because of Paul's knowledge and experience in the area he knew exactly when and where to go making the trip very enjoyable. The snorkeling at Monkey Point was phenomenal, the best we have ever experienced. The Baths at Virgin Gorda were breathtaking. Your consistent response to our every need equaled any Five Star Hotel service.

Thank you for making our 25th anniversary an unforgettable celebration in one of the prettiest places we have seen. We will probably be back with friends so that we can share the wonderful sights the BVIs have to offer.

Bill & Becky C.

Catamaran Charter Soul's Calling, May 2010

I recently went on vacation in the BVIs on Soul's Calling. I just wanted to let you know that we had an amazing top of the line, first class trip.

Alex and Carla were excellent, every (EVERY) aspect of them exceeded what I imaged they were going to do for us. Carla's cooking??? AMAZING, I still can't get over how that women cooks in a kitchen half the size of mine. Her sweet personality and desire to make our trip unbelievable was evident throughout our week. Truly an amazing person, I absolutely fell in love with her!!! Alex was top notch, so unbelievably talented with the boat, with the weather, with the equipment, with the islands, with the drinks, even with the salt and pepper. Alex was a great tour guide, with so many side-facts about the island, it was just an added bonus to have his knowledge at every new port, every new bar, every new fish we saw. UNBEATABLE Crew!!!!!!! I truly can't say enough about those two and how much of an asset they are to that boat!!!!

Soul's Calling? Amazing, it far exceeded the pictures that I saw, or the video... which was such a pleasant surprise. She is a beautiful, comfortable, roomy, first class catamaran. I forgot most of the time we were even on the water... As far as vacations go, this was thy most amazing trip and Souls Calling, Carla and Alex were the reasons behind it. Please let them know how much my husband and I enjoyed our time with them, please pass on to the owner of the boat, that without a doubt, he/she can rest assure that Alex and Carla represent the Soul's Calling, and the BVIs in the most respectful and professional way, and that they are a true asset to the water.

We had a great vacation, and are already planning for our next one. Believe me when I say, we will hunt down Alex, Carla and Souls Calling for our next adventure!!!!!!

Kobi & Bubba C.

Wild Thing II, April 2010

Richard and Adele are fantastic and special people and although the BVI's are beautiful they pale in comparison to the experience we had spending time with Richard and Adele.

Wild Thing II was spotless when we stepped on for the first time and it remained that way the entire week. We were never crowded, always comfortable, and the many choices and forms of ventilation made it very nice.

The food was over the top. Adele never wavered in her efforts (we took photos of all of our meals if that tells you anything).

Did you enjoy your sailing itinerary in the British Virgin Islands? - Yes, and the best part was that Richard always shared with us the conditions and the options regarding such on every occasion. We did exactly what we wanted to everyday.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service? - John, you were the best. I could not imagine you doing anything better.

Richard is the ultimate gentleman and Adele could not have been more beautiful and caring for our family and friends. There was not one single moment over the entire week that made it seem like they were working, as if it were a chore or a job, their care for us and desire for us to have a great week was so genuine and natural. A true talent so very few people possess.

Kenny J.

Charter Priorities, April 2010

Rich and Lisa were just great, I've never had so pleasant an experience and felt so comfortable during the vacation, it was like been with close friends, kind, friendly, helpful.

The catamaran is just great, excellently maintained, clean at the beginning, during and end, everyday, the crew took care of the yacht so well, is just like been home but on the sea.

They surprised us every day with the meals and was not only with dinner, was in every meal, breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, deserts were always a big plus, just amazing how excellent the meals were taking in consideration the food was made in the catamaran, flavors honestly better than some 4 diamonds or Zagat restaurants.

They accommodated perfectly the table, always nicely decorated, no need to go outside of the boat to eat, you will not find those plates elsewhere, the kids loved the food and they also prepared and adjusted for the preference.

Sailing the BVIs is just a wonderful and pleasant experience, with Rich and Lisa, is just marvelous and unique. The sailing was always smooth, even few days when waves were 4 foot high. All places we stop were awesome - clear water and in all types of blue and green tones. There was all kind of activities to do, for adults, for kids, for athletes, for relaxation.

Great snorkeling for the kids, nice white beaches, pleasant harbors. The kids enjoyed the tubing and my 7 years old twin boys even stood up on the water ski's, Rich and Lisa just have a nice method that also made me participate on the fun. It was their first time experience doing water-skis, looking at their faces, was such a happy experience, I will never forget these memories.

Sailing Directions' services were as they should be - timely responses, secure, knowledge of the boat and helpful for all the Q&A's. We highly appreciated it.

Bernerd D.

Catamaran Free Ingwe, April 2010

Matt and Melissa were wonderful. We got along well and enjoyed hanging out together when they weren't catering to our every need! We wouldn't consider ever chartering from another crew!

The boat was great. Comfortable beds and it was nice having a private bathroom in each room. The boat was kept very clean at all times.

The food was so good that my pants were tight on the trip home! It was 5 star in all ways possible. Great presentation to boot! We ate at a restaurant one night on Cooper Island, and it was so disappointing compared to the food we ate aboard Free Ingwe.

We loved the sail and all the islands we visited in the BVIs.

Courtney M.

Catamaran Charter Moon Shadow, April 2010

Ronald & Anya were fantastic! Can't imagine finding friendlier nicer people to spend a vacation with.

Moon Shadow is an awesome boat and Ron and Anya kept it absolutely neat as a pin. We were totally comfortable the entire trip.

Anya must have been cooking since she was 5 years old - everything she served was excellent.

Having the ability to go to places you can't get to if you cruised or even stayed on the islands was such a great experience. Only thing to stress is pack- then unpack and leave half at home!

Rick G.

Yacht Sayang, April 2010

We had a wonderful time sailing with Ratna & Paul. They are a lovely couple, and very concerned that their guests are well taken care of. The pride in their boat shows by the way they care for everything onboard. We are so pleased that we had this time down there again, and they introduced us to some great tucked away places to explore! After watching Paul carefully set sail and master this beautiful craft we felt extremely comfortable and safe with our place here. Once we were harbored, the meals were perfectly blended to meet our activities and needs for the day. Forget dining ashore - no one can match Ratna's gourmet meals! Also having been here to the BVI twice before, this trip took us to new levels - and island stops we have never known.

We'll let you know when the next trip comes up, because we definitely want to return with our whole family. Thanks again for accommodating us so well.

Jeff & Gina H.

Catamaran Catatonic, April 2010

Rick and Missy were phenomenal! We couldn't have asked for more delightful people. Not only were they extremely confident about the area and the ship (we felt very safe - in good hands), they were incredibly nice to be around. We enjoyed every minute with them!

Catatonic is a nice ship, she was good to us. All the meals were excellent! They are both excellent cooks.

We especially were grateful to have Rick at the helm, and be able to get over to Anegada! It was a real treat!

We would highly recommend Catatonic; and especially Rick and Missy to anyone seeking a crewed charter in this area! Wow!

Chris V.

Secret Oasis, April 2010

Our crew, Jacques & Janette, were tops. Very courteous, attentive and more than accommodating. By the end of the trip the were part of our group. We were all one happy family.

Secret Oasis is a very comfortable vessel. Most of us were shocked by the size and the room we all had for sleeping, dinning and the showers and heads where much larger than any of us expected. The boat was spotless. Very clean, bright and white. Cabins were cleaned daily, beds made and all polished up each and every day. A/C was awesome at night, very cool as most liked it. Few times during the day the below cabins were a bit warm but that was due to not running the AC while we were topside (no need).

Janette is tops and should have her own cooking show. Everything was from scratch and home made. Breakfast was to order, lunches were great and the appetizers and dinners were 4-5 stars every night. Lamb, fish, chicken, steak and more. Presentation was also extremely well done. Jacques had fresh drinks going all day and night as well so no guest was ever empty handed.

We hit Norman, Peter, Cooper Islands along with Virgin Gorda, Cat Bay, Anegada and Yost Van Dyke. It was a perfect trip and one that our crew made special for us each and every day. Everyone needs to see and experience the BVI's.

John you were great. Got all the details we needed in a very timely fashion. Would absolutely use Sailing Directions again upon booking any future trips. All 7 guest would at anytime be a reference for anyone. Best time of our life.

Mike V.

Pacific Wave, April 2010

Dear Lynn & Mark
We leave you rested and full of memories to keep for a lifetime! From the moment we stepped aboard until our day of departure you made us feel so welcome and comfortable, attending to our every need.

Thank you for allowing John to share the helm (he was in his glory), for filling us with your amazing meals, and showing us the beauty of both the US & British Virgin Islands. It was such a pleasure to get to know both of you, and we thank you for sharing Pacific Wave with all of us.

If you ever bring Pacific Wave to Nantucket please let us know perhaps we can return a bit of your wonderful hospitality.

John C.

Yacht Sayang, April 2010

What an amazing way for us to start our honeymoon. The food was outstanding and being a chef, get Ratna do make her lamb, so good. When on the open water you want an amazing captain and Paul totally fits the bill!

We had a blast, from every place they recommended, these guys know their stuff. We cant wait to come back again. We have a huge love for sailing and this is the real deal. The boat is so clean and beautiful and you really make us feel like friends.

Thank you for everything and for so much fun and adventure. Mitch loved to snorkel, you see a lot. Five thumbs up!!!

Damien & Tricia M.

Yes Dear, March 2010

Jody and Ian were fabulous! They worked non stop from the time they got up until the time they went to bed. Despite the fact they were working non stop, they were friendly, relaxed and ready to meet all of our needs.

The food was outstanding, and the boat was immaculate and well ventilated throughout the trip. Ian was great with the kids and always up for our diving and water sports requests. He was also flexible and helpful in planning our itinerary.

Thank you for your assistance in chartering the Yes Dear! We appreciate your timely follow up and we were very pleased with your service.

Mike & Kelly S.

Tachyon, March 2010

John and Megan (crew) were awesome! Made us feel so comfortable from the very minute on board. Felt like they were extended family by day 3. I have stayed at many nice resorts and I would from a service level put them up against the Ritz. Seriously, I am picky, they were that good.

Was Tachyon comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes to all. Megan did an amazing job from behind the scenes. I almost never saw her cleaning and yet everyday, beds made, bathroom clean.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Better than expected. What she did out of the kitchen is unbelievable! Every person in my family gained weight this trip!

Captain John's knowledge of the area was incredible so yes! I peppered him with so many questions about the area and sailing and he was extremely helpful!

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- John, I thought you were very responsive to all questions, it was all good!

Robert G.

Charter Tonina, March 2010

Peter & Karen were very friendly, and we enjoyed sailing with them. They became part of our group. They were able to answer questions about the islands we went to and it was great visiting with them.

Tonina was comfortable, clean and well ventilated. Karen keeps the yacht clean, and we respected their guidelines. The evenings were fun as we played cards and Bananagrams.

The food was delicious. It was nice that they had snacks available as well as beverages throughout the day. We enjoyed every meal we had.

Unsure of exactly what to expect, we had a great time sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and hiking some of the islands. Don't think I would change anything if I did it again. It was very relaxing. I would definitely recommend them to others. We have been on a windjammer as well as a cruiseliner but we enjoyed this the most. We are considering taking our kids who are 15 and 17 in the future.

I will definitely recommend you to anyone considering doing this. We had a great time on the cruise - thank you!!

Nancy O.

Kalikobass II, March 2010

How did you find your crew; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Exceptional in every way. Great boat and crew and would highly recommend.

Was Kalikobass II comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Could not have been better.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Not only was it enjoyable but some of the best food I have ever had and I eat out at fabulous restaurants a lot!!!

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Yes could have had a little more wind in the beginning but other than that it was great.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
- Very happy.

Ged P.

Reaction, March 2010

A wonderful time was had by all. From folks who had bareboated several times to those who had not been on a sailboat for my than a couple of hours, the trip was absolutely fantastic. Ian and Polly were two of the most attentive, friendly, accommodating and interesting persons we have had the pleasure to get to know for a week. Of course, we had to be told by others about their receiving a special award last year. I know that brokers and friends will be sorry to see them leave the BVI but certainly wish them the best. We were so fortunate to be one of their last charters. My hope is that the replacement crew will be just as lovely and welcoming as this couple. That is a very tall order!

Ian was an excellent captain and made great decisions about our itinerary keeping the weather in mind. He found lovely spots for the girls to snorkel and tube. We had lovely sunsets and smooth sailing all week.

How do you begin to describe Polly's cuisine? We thoroughly enjoyed dining at Chez Polly every meal. She paid close attention to our preferences and presented very attractive and delicious meals all day long. The lovely cocktails and snacks were the perfect finish to a day of sailing, snorkeling, kayaking and relaxing. Polly's baking skills are superb. My husband commented that there was absolutely no place on shore that compared favorably to Polly's cooking, presentation and charm.

The Reaction was quite comfortable with the large salon perfect for 2 families with children. We never felt cramped or too hot. The crew kept the boat very clean and encouraged good sailing practices for all. The AC was used most nights; sometimes it got a little cool, so I would suggest additional blankets.

The Reaction was a great Cat. There is some age on the boat and it probably needs a cosmetic update. This isn't a criticism as the boat was absolutely the right choice for our families.

We enjoyed the itinerary and understand that some accommodations had to be made because of weather. Also, our son was in his own boat with 3 other teen age boys and we wanted to pick safe moorings where they could be nearby. Ian was very helpful in navigating our course with the boys.

We were very happy with the assistance we received from Sailing Directions. Our inquiries were responded to in a prompt and helpful way.

Carol D.

Mustang Sally, March 2010

Doug and Wendy were amazing! They were warm, welcoming, funny, intelligent, patient, extremely accommodating, and very attentive to all our requests and crazy whims.

Mustang Sally was a good size boat for 6 people. There was plenty of room for everyone inside and outside the boat. Wendy kept it very clean and they provisioned it with all the amenities one would need for the trip. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, sunscreen, etc. The quality of the sheets and towels were superb.

Wendy was an amazing cook! She did a wonderful job of creating a variety of interesting, delicious, and beautifully presented food at every meal. They also had plenty of snacks and healthy options for everyone.

The itinerary was very well planned and strategically executed so we all had the chance to do our favorite activities. The British Virgin Islands is absolutely stunning.

Sailing Directions did a great job with listening to our needs and pairing us with a perfectly matched crew and boat. John was very attentive and quick to respond to all our questions.

Mary Jean S.

Oteka, Sailing Cruise, February 2010

Captain Patrick and crew were very friendly and attentive, just perfect. And very very nice with the kids, always happy to teach them how to sail, to help the little one to swim. Lovely!

Was Oteka comfortable, clean and well ventilated? - Yes.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented? - Amazing !

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed? - Yes

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve? - Everything was perfect.

Philippe L.

Charter Yacht Hypnautic, February 2010

Wow - What a week! We've wanted to do this trip for a long time. So glad we chose the Hypnautic with you both as the crew. We came here as tourists and left feeling like "belongers". The highlight of the trip was definitely Anegada. The sail up there was so peaceful. You gave us chills while hoisting the sails and playing amazing grace. We can't praise you enough for the fabulous food Becca. Tom's knowledge intrigued us - "google" fits him to a tee! You both give us hope to pursue our dream of owning our own boat. Diving was superb! You not only rescued many people / things on this trip - You rescued us from the pressure of our lives and the cold weather.
Lisa and Jon W.

WOW!! That sums up the last week! We had a fantastic trip. Your rescue skills were amazing, food was great - sailing was fantastic. You can tell how much passion you have for the sea. Follow your dreams the rest will come! Carpe Diem!
Nate and Teresa B.

Great week. Thank you for your hospitality. Good food, lots of laughs, great sailing.
Jeff and Connie V.

Stacey G.

Top Secret, Sailing Catamaran, February 2010

The boat was very nice! The AC worked great at night, the beds were comfortable and the rooms are accommodating.

The food was excellent with great preparation. It was very fresh and portions were considerable size.

We feel like we experienced a lot more than we did on our previous sail. Jason was very spontaneous and seemed to be very educated on areas to take us that were not crowded and worth seeing. The itinerary had the perfect amount of sail / relaxation time and I felt we got to snorkel and swim a lot. The idea of staying close to the airport helped us a lot and yet we never stayed in the same place twice. Perfect!

Greg H.

Catamaran Catatonic, February 2010

We had a really GREAT time. I am speaking on behalf of the 2 families. The catamaran is very comfortable, up to our expectations.

As for the crew, Missy and Rick seem to be made for this, always caring and eager to arrange dives and other activities. Our son Victor is not easy to manage and they perfectly handled the job, with kindness and professionalism. They are discreet and helpful, and very knowledgeable about the area and inhabitants that they genuinely love. Knowing several charter crews in the French west indies, I can reasonably state that Missy and Rick are far above.

Food was good, surprisingly enough from a US cook (I am kidding). We are definitely poised to come over next year spending a week with them. Thanks for your help throughout the process.

Antoine C.

Sailing Charter Soterion, February 2010

Was Soterion comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Oh yes...we had to snorkel every day to work off the calories! Nikki has a remarkable skill in the galley and Ben in very good at servicing our table and making sure we had everything we needed.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Absolutely! We went to Anegada on this trip which was fabulous! Every place we anchored was different than the night before and the trip last year!

This trip was even more relaxing than last year, despite the fact that we started with rain and choppy seas. Ben and Nikki made sure we were taken care of and helped us weather the foul weather. We had a blast with them on Anegada exploring reefs and finding a ton of conch on the ocean floor and our picnic on the beach. Anything we wanted to try, they were willing to make it happen! We will definitely do this again next year in January! It is now required.

Reann C.

Yacht Charter Soul's Calling, February 2010

We have had a fantastic time last week and I would like to thank you for helping us in selecting Soul's Calling as our charter boat.

Alex and Carla are absolutely amazing and have made every possible effort to make our time there the most enjoyable possible, with so many kind attention to ours young kids that they have mentioned this time as their best vacation ever! Alex and Carla gave the nicest attention to our 4 children and made sure they also were having a great time (lots of water toys and activities on board). The best crew you could possibly dream of having. Always available and great attention to detail. Not imposing their presence and also very discrete, ensuring to us some great family time.

I have to add that both my wife and I have been very happy with everything Alex and Carla did (and succeeded) to make our vacation the best possible.

I could not find anything wrong to mention.

This was our first yacht charter and we now know that we will be doing this again and again in future years and vacations. As Alex mentioned to you, we have already set a timeframe to come back next year with them and Soul's Calling.

Soul's Calling was very comfortable, very clean and perfectly ventilated. Great size boat for a family of 6. Soul's Calling is nicely decorated (I would even say quite elegant for that type of boat) and in excellent condition.

I told Alex and Carla Soul's Calling should have several stars in the Michelin red book! Food was excellent and always fresh. If anything, it was too good and led us in eating more than we would have wanted to.. The table was always very well presented with a different presentation for every meal.

Itinerary was perfect, and an excellent combination of sailing time / beach time. Alex adapted itinerary to our daily moods, weather and wind. He definitely knows the area very well and that is a great plus.

Benoit L.

Adeia, BVI Charter Yacht, January 2010

The answer to each of your questions below is very simple! The trip on the Adeia, with Leon & Michelle was the greatest adventure of our lives! The boat was first class, clean and spotless, the food unbelievable each and every meal! However the friendship and attention we received from Leon and Michelle was the most rewarding! All three couples said it was the best vacation of our lives, and would encourage all of our friends to take this trip, we are already looking forward to our next adventure with them on the Adeia.

The catamaran was very clean and plenty of space for 3 couples. Michelle is an excellent chef. The meals were beyond our expectations. They were very friendly and attentive to our every need or want. It was the BEST vacation we've ever had & they made it so special for all of us. If anyone is thinking about doing a catamaran trip...We highly suggest to go on the Adeia. You won't regret it. We now have two new very special friends in our lives. We saw some of the most beautiful places in the world with them. Leon knew exactly where to go.

John I also want to thank you for your wonderful help and guidance, if not for your direction we would have booked another yacht and I can't imagine how the service and friendships could have been better.

Carole & Reggie C.

Charter Tonina, January 2010

Peter and Karen were awesome! I truly could not imagine a better crew. We can't say enough great things about our trip. They are both wonderful crew which made our trip beyond awesome. I would like to have your recipe for the warm chocolate dessert, the lemon mousse and the stuffed chicken if you don't mind sharing. All of the food was fabulous. I wish I could grill as well as you do, Peter!

I don't think there are enough superlatives for our experience, but I have put some below. Peter and Karen are fabulous, their sailing superb, and the experience sublime.

How did you find your crew, Peter & Karen; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- All of the above - they were fabulous, attentive, unobtrusive, friendly, considerate

Was Tonina comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Beautiful space, impeccably clean, and very comfortable

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Absolutely amazing what Karen can whip up! We were never wanting for food or drink.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Peter and Karen are truly a treasure on this one. They took us to beautiful bays and locations - one felt like we were insiders on all the best places to go in BVI. Simultaneously, they were mindful of the changes in water and weather patterns to permit a smooth sail and docking in placid or calm waters.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
- John, you were very helpful.

Penny T.

Catamaran Adeia, January 2010

The sailing charter was fantastic - we all enjoyed every minute. Leon and Michelle were excellent hosts. They took care of us from start to finish and were always aware of our needs. They both helped us with snorkeling and with very little guidance from us, they organized the itinerary and made changes as needed to take account of the weather etc.

Leon is an extremely competent Captain, knows every detail of the ship and its systems. He is also a very experienced sailor who understands the weather and really knows his way around the islands. Michelle is a 1st class chef. Every meal was superbly prepared and presented. Michelle is also knowledgeable of the ship and is an excellent crew person.

Robert M.

Yacht Charter Soul's Calling, January 2010

The entire charter experience on Soul's Calling with Alex and Carla was excellent. It was a great way to spend my 50th birthday, and we will absolutely recommend your company and this boat / crew to other friends. I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed the trip!

Alex and Carla were fantastic. They truly made the trip. After about an hour, our entire group felt like we had known them our whole life. The service was first class in every respect. Alex seemed to know exactly what we all wanted to do and offered us numerous options each day. Carla was constantly offering us treats, drinks and wonderful food. Although we offered to assist them, they refused to allow us to lift a finger the whole week.

Alex's enthusiasm was contagious! He was willing to do as much or as little as we desired. They truly mad the trip special, including a surprise birthday party for me with pirate costumes, streamers etc. It was a wonderful experience spending a week with Alex and Carla.

We had a lot of different requests for the crew, such as deep sea fishing, fly fishing for Tarpon, snorkeling , unusual drinks, visiting certain restaurants and places etc., and they were happy to accommodate every request.

Soul's Calling totally exceeded my expectations. It was larger, nicer, cleaner and more luxurious than the pictures illustrate. Carla and Alex kept it spotless the entire trip. We had a small problem with diesel fumes in one cabin the first night, but Alex fixed it the next day, and it was fine the rest of the trip. We loved the boat, and the flexibility to visit so many places.

The food was excellent and presented as if we were in a first class restaurant. My compliments to Carla, she is a wonderful cook. We had a wide variety of meals, all which were excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the hors oeuvres that she provided as well. We are a very picky group when it comes to food, and Carla exceeded our expectations.

The Virgin Islands itinerary was perfect. Alex gave us multiple options each day, and encouraged us to see as many places as we wanted. We had one passenger with a slight sea sickness problem, and he worked around her with shore visits to make sure she had fun and was comfortable. I felt like we saw all the right places in the BVI in a relatively short amount of time. I would do the exact same route the next time!

The service was impeccable. There is no way to improve upon Alex and Carla's hospitality and service. John from Sailing Directions also did a wonderful job. It was an easy trip to book, and all of the appropriate information was provided ahead of time.

We are definitely considering another charter and have highly recommended Souls' Calling / Alex and Carla to several friends. We will definitely use Alex and Carla again on our next charter.

Alex & Lisa R.

Catamaran Quest, January 2010

I am writing to share with you the wonderful time we had aboard Catamaran Quest. We spent twelve glorious days beginning January 18. The catamaran is quite comfortable, the scenery spectacular and the snorkeling and scuba diving world class.

But what really made the trip was the outstanding service provided by Jeff and Faith Olen. Jeff was an extremely proficient and conscientious captain. He is very knowledgeable about the catamaran, the islands, as well as the best places to be. For a beginner snorkeler, I felt Jeff paid a high attention to our safety. And he was attentive to our comfort in terms of where we harbored each evening.

Faith is a very excellent chef, preparing creative, interesting and healthy meals that were enjoyed by all. We are very much fond of healthy cuisine and I have an extreme allergy to shellfish. Faith was very attentive to these factors and we enjoyed every meal she prepared. We felt very fortunate to have someone of Faith's ability and her desire to please. We could not have asked for more.

I am sure that many people are quick to write if they have any objections at all. I wanted to make sure you knew how fortunate you - and your clients - are to have on board a wonderful team like Faith and Jeff.

Ed & Elizabeth H.

Belline II, January 2010

Our charter with the Belline II with Walter and Simeon was fantastic.

How did you find your crew, Walter & Simeon; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Walter and Simeon were perfect hosts.

Was Belline II comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes. Never needed or used the A/C

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Gourmet, fantastic, terrific - Gained a million pounds

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- The trip was perfect

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
- Your service was very attentive and direct. Made it very easy.

Jack & Judy I.

Sayang, BVI Sailing, January 2010

Greetings from Tortola
We are just about finishing a lovely holiday in the BVI. Thank you for recommending Sayang and her lovely crew.

We had good weather and sailing conditions were wonderful. Paul is a very careful skipper and they both take a lot of pride in their boat, which is wonderful to see. Ratner cooked us superb meals.

The cabin was just what we wanted, plenty of space. The electric devices for the heads were fantastic! We loved the little beach bars, did not eat on shore much, as frankly, we preferred Ratner's cooking.

Clive & Faith W.

Yacht Charter Soterion, December 2009

John -- Sorry for the delay in getting back. We had a phenomenal trip. My family and I tried to think of anything that we would change, anything that was a disappointment, anything that we could recommend to improve the experience and have not been able to come up with a single thing.

I have answered the questions you provided, but they do not fully convey how much we enjoyed the experience. Thank you for your own terrific service. We will be recommending Sailing Directions, and you specifically, for a long time to come.

Ben and Nikki were incredible. From the moment we arrived, they were warm, friendly, fun, accommodating. We felt like they were part of the family by the time we left! I'm am sure that is it critical for all captains and crew to make you feel at home aboard the boat, but I cannot imagine a better couple to spend a week with in the entire Virgin Islands!

Soterion is a great boat. The staterooms are all very comfortable and surprisingly roomy. The boat was immaculate, the temperature and ventilation was always just right. We liked the way it was appointed with the rich wood accents and with the large table out on the back deck where we ate all of our meals. We never once felt cramped or confined. Perfect!

The food was of gourmet quality virtually every meal. Nikki is an incredible cook -- lobster, sea bass, steaks, baked stuffed chicken, Cornish game hens -- it was like dining at a 5-star restaurant. We especially liked the snack trays put out before every lunch and dinner, with fruit, vegetables, cheeses, unique appetizers. And we were especially appreciative of the fact that Nikki tailored the meals to our preferences after we spoke prior to the trip.

The itinerary was terrific -- Ben did a great job adjusting our original plan to the things we liked. The second night was especially memorable, mooring in an idyllic cove all by ourselves, with white sand beaches and a 9,000 acre national park as backdrop.

Our contact at Sailing Directions, John, was extremely attentive and helpful. I was very impressed that I could leave an email late at night and wake up first thing in the morning with a reply. We referred friends to John and their experience was equally positive.

So basically, yes I would definitely recommend to anyone a cruise with Ben and Nikki. As for your recommendation on the Village Cay Marina hotel, it worked out very well for us. The rooms were more than adequate, and the convenience of that location is unsurpassed.

Ken & Judy S.

Top Secret, Sailing Vacation, December 2009

This was truly a trip of a lifetime. We can't stop talking about what a great time we had. Jo & Jason were wonderful and felt like part of the family by the end of the week. We have kept in touch and would definitely request them if we were to be lucky enough to take another trip.

The British Virgin Islands were beautiful and we enjoyed all the stops on the itinerary.

The food was gourmet quality and we are missing it immensely now that we're back home! The Top Secret was a beautiful boat, very clean and well-appointed. Thank you for some wonderful memories.

Kelly R.

Yacht Charter Soul's Calling, December 2009

We had a wonderful time. Alex and Carla were fantastic. Alex really takes his job seriously but is a lot of fun at the same time. He has a lot of local knowledge so you go to places we would not have gone to on our own. Carla is a wonderful cook and a very nice person. The boat was amazing and had all of the comforts of home. All in all we would rank the crew, the boat, the trip as a 10 out of 10.

Jim F.

Yacht Charter Soterion, December 2009

Our trip was incredible! Ben & Nikki exceeded even our extremely high expectations! They were beyond friendly, attentive and accommodating - I am not even sure how I can put into words our satisfaction with the crew.

The Soterion was clean, comfortable, well ventilated and offered a good selection of onboard activities.

The food was absolutely incredible - from the first moment we stepped on to the boat until our last cocktail and brunch it was out of the this world... needless to say we are all extremely disappointed with the food back in Ohio even at the finest of restaurants after spending a week with Nikki cooking for us!

The itinerary was great - the areas we sailed to were perfect and Ben was EXTREMELY accommodating to our ever changing minds.

Sailing Directions provided me with exactly what I was looking for in a relaxing week in the Caribbean, guiding me to the perfect yacht and the world's finest crew - THANK YOU!

To end my email, it is important that you know Nikki & Ben are the reason we will do a charter again, whether they are cruising the BVI's the Med or Alaska we will go to where they are so THANK YOU for helping me select the correct yacht and crew.

Thank you John and feel free to use me as a reference at ANY TIME!

Robb S.

Yacht Charter Moon Shadow, December 2009

Moon Shadow is a really wonderful, great, clean, roomy, comfortable boat. The food was great.

Sailing Directions was prompt (very important to me) and helpful.

Robert A.

BVI Sailing Charter Soterion, November 2009

I will try in a few words to tell you how fantastic our past week has been, but I really don't have the words to describe how wonderful it really was!

First off, Ben and Nikki are two of the most incredible, friendly, professional, kindest and entertaining people my family and I have ever had the pleasure to be around. Everything seemed to go like clockwork from our perspective, although it was obvious that much work and preparation was done behind the scenes by our crew.

Even at that, they always had time to accommodate our every wish and it seems that we were always having fun. The Soterion was immaculate and the accommodations superb. The meals prepared by Nikki were elegant, delicious, and although she always served more food than any normal 8 people could possibly eat, we seldom returned anything but clean plates to the galley!

The itinerary was just perfect from our perspective, starting with a night off Norman Island with snorkeling at the Indians the following morning. A beautiful sail through drake's channel around to Sandy Cay the next day, with a side trip via dinghy to swim at the bubbling springs ended a perfect Day 2.

The water sports were a huge hit, and even I managed to slalom ski 3 or 4 times behind the dinghy, and I hadn't skiied in 15 years or so! Ben was a great instructor and very patient with all of us as we skied and wake boarded our way from Sandy Cay to Guana Island and on to Gorda Sound!

Ben and Nikki made my 60th birthday one to remember, with my favorite, carrot cake! It was truly exceptional, and they outdid themselves by having to prepare a Thanksgiving feast the next day, which was as good a Thanksgiving dinner as anyone ever had!

So basically, yes I would definitely recommend to anyone a cruise with Ben and Nikki. As for your recommendation on the Village Cay Marina hotel, it worked out very well for us. The rooms were more than adequate, and the convenience of that location is unsurpassed.

Ed B.

Charter Yacht Hypnautic, November 2009

Captain Tom and Chef/Admiral Becca were a fabulous contribution and integral to our "trip of a lifetime". We were greeted upon our arrival with smiling faces and a friendly welcome. After the grand tour of our sailing yacht, we had drinks in hand and munchies too--a sign of the generous attentiveness and delectable food to come throughout the week. Some time along this phase, our bags had disappeared to our cabins without us lifting a finger or noticing they were gone. So, I guess we could say that from the first 20 minutes aboard Hypnautic, Tom and Becca had already unintentionally wowed us and that experience continued throughout the week. Further, their command of the vessel was superb at all times. Their knowledge and experience was readily apparent and we always felt at ease about the most basic unspoken necessities of being on a boat for a week--our safety and wellbeing.

We are so pleased we chose Hypnautic. First, the Hypnautic has a beautiful decor scheme that presents an air of spaciousness that we did not expect. We were enchanted with the idea of the Hypnautic's king suite when we were researching our choices, and it definitely lived up to our expectations. The floor plan of Hynautic allowed each couple in our party complete privacy (or quiet time for a quick nap). Each of us woke up in the morning refreshed and commenting how comfortable the mattresses and the 100% cotton bedding was for a restful nights sleep. By the way, the air conditioning works like a champ, even for a hot flash girl! Again, we are very pleased we chose Hypnautic. The vessel is in great shape and shows no signs of the wear and tear one might expect of a charter yacht. We just loved Hypnautic and will be booking her again sometime soon!

Chef Becca presented wonderful food our entire trip and even promised to give us some of her secret recipes. Each morning's breakfast, mmmmm! Fresh fruit galore, omelets, pancakes... Oh, and the Creme Brulee French Toast... Oh my, so good! The lunches were also perfect, from the turkey wraps on the first day to our Cheeseburgers in Paradise on our last day before disembarking. And, then we got to look forward to Chef Becca's dinners each night. She set the bar high on her first night and just kept the hits coming! Wow! Each evening we looked forward to experiencing Becca's creative appetizers, fresh organic salads and excellent main courses.

And, by the way, kudos to Captain Tom's grill mate skills. He knows how to make sure Becca's perfectly marinated or seasoned meats melt in your mouth. To put it plain and simple, Chef Becca has a delightful repertoire of recipes and we can't wait to get back and have some of our favorites again and more! Overall, we were so spoiled on our trip--coffee ready in the morning, breakfast on the table when we were ready for it, lunch at just the right time in between stops, and dinner at our leisure...and never wanting for a refill of a drink in your hand (sodas, beers, mixed drinks)--those were asked to be replaced before you even knew you were almost empty. We have been home for almost a week and still wake up thinking of what Chef Becca's meals will be today--but oh, back to reality! Ugh!

Captain Tom met with us after our first hour or so aboard Hypnautic to hear what things/places we already may have known about or researched that we wanted to see, explored our preferences for the types of places we might like to see, pointed out some places on the charts that we might like to consider, and helped us put together an itinerary we'd like to follow for our trip through the BVI (Plan A). Captain Tom's knowledge of the area was very helpful to us. His knowledge of the inlets, moorings, and timing of getting to the places we were going was invaluable (example avoiding the day charter/ferry rush at the Customs offices so we could have extra time to shop in St. John in the afternoon AND get to our next mooring for the anchorage best to see an unencumbered view of the sunset). Superb! As the trip unfolded, Captain Tom suggested a diversion here or there to consider and helped us tweak the itinerary (Plan B or C...) to add some places as we could. This flexibility allowed us to get to ALL of the places we wanted to go and more! We could not have been happier!!

As we researched and looked at crews and yachts to consider for our trip, Sailing Directions services became invaluable to us. John was able to share his first hand knowledge of the yachts and their staff from the perspective of someone who knows these folks personally. Coupling this knowledge with our requirements made booking our trip very smooth and left us confident in our choices. Also, the value we received through Sailing Directions having accurate published rates, compared to other sites having no rates, or rates that had not been updated was a plus. You've probably heard the phrase, "It's like have a friend in the business", well we didn't have a friend in the business, but feel like we do now. Our Thanks to John and Sailing Directions.

We will charter again with Sailing Directions and with Hypnautic, Captain Tom and Chef/Admiral Becca. Many of our friends have inquired about our experience and want to go at some time. Also, I've blabbered how great the experience was for us with strangers in the airport, hotel lobby, store, etc. --hey, they asked why I had such a great tan in November!). You have a cheerleader customer!

The trip exceeded our expectations at every turn. We will continue to tell friends, family, neighbors, and strangers, about our BVI experience and look forward to seeing the BVI again soon with the help of Sailing Directions, Captain Tom, Chef Becca and Hypnautic.

Stacey G.

Belline II, November 2009

Thanks so much for your graciousness and making us all feel so welcome in your home - it was a trip of a life time!

Thanks for an amazing experience - the dives were incredible. I hope we see you again soon.

We had an amazing time. Your hospitality was first class!

Amanda L.

Charter Priorities, August 2009

Dear Rich, Lisa & Reggie
Thank you so very much for a memorable holiday. You're truly wonderful hosts with the skill for making everyone feel special.

Food was sensational and Lisa's service was impeccable.

We also enjoyed very much Reggie's company.

Enjoy the rest of the season!

All the best

Glen W.

Sail Catamaran Sabore, July 2009

Colin and Penny were friendly, attentive and accommodating. They are a good team and provided excellent service. Knowledgeable of the boat, local waters, interesting facts and generally easy and fun to be with.

The food was excellent, well prepared and presented. Penny accommodated the varied dietary requirements needed for my daughter who is a health food nut and my youngest son who lives largely on chocolate chip pancakes and any complex carbohydrate like mac and cheese.

Our itinerary was great. Colin and Penny gave us the opportunity to customize to our liking, and provided excellent local advice. I have sailed the BVI six times, and found some new and interesting places (Great Dog and Guana and Anegada).

Sabore was in great shape. We had a great time.

Tom & Kim N.

Catamaran Catatonic, July 2009

John & Alexis, our crew, were both excellent. We had lots of ideas of what we wanted to do and see and John was very helpful in ensuring that we were able to accomplish these. Alexis was lovely and looked after us all very well.

We were pleased to have a DVD player and Wii (teenage daughters).

- Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Definitely! We had not expected such excellent meals and were pleasantly surprised by the standard of cooking and use of fresh produce.

- Did you enjoy your sailing itinerary in the Caribbean Virgin Islands?
Yes. There was nowhere we wanted to visit during the trip that we were not able to.

Cindi M.

Charter Yacht Sabore, July 2009

We had an absolutely fantastic time again, probably even better as we knew what to expect, I really don't think I can add anything different to last years comments, Colin and Penny make sure that it's an amazing holiday for everyone in every way, and there's absolutely nothing to find fault with, it was such a pleasure to spend 9 days with them!

Jane S.

Diadem Sailing Catamaran, June 2009

Wendy and Chad were perfect! They were very friendly and yet at the same time professional. They were not intrusive yet seemed to anticipate our every need. They were so knowledgeable about sailing that we were completely at ease.

Diadem exceeded our expectations! It was very clean, very comfortable and except for one night, very well ventilated.

The food was delicious and in perfect proportions! Wendy is a great cook.

Yes, the area we sailed was perfect. Some of the areas we had been to before but enjoyed revisiting them. We snorkeled at some amazing places.

When we were swimming and climbing around the rocks at the Baths on Virgin Gorda, Joe took a tumble and hit his face quite hard on a rock. Chad had given us a walkie talkie to let him know when we wanted to return. What a God send! We called Chad and his swift response and immediate application of ice made it possible for us to continue with our trip. No doctor or hospital was necessary. Joe was quite swollen and bruised for about 2 days, but all ended well. Just wanted to let you know that Chad (and Wendy) responded, in our minds, correctly and with great speed. He checked Joe's reactions and made the decision to continue our trip. We really appreciated their calm demeanor and expertise.

I was extremely happy with you and Sailing Directions and the plans that were made - your company surpassed our expectations! We would definitely book with you again.

Alta D.

Catamaran Hypnautic, June 2009

Sorry for the delay, I haven't had much time at the computer since returning from our trip. As for our feedback, I, along with my family were 100% pleased with every aspect of our trip from the first time you and my husband spoke months back, your email updates and reminders, to our last day aboard the Hypnautic.

Tara and Sasha were great captains, chefs, tour guides, and friends for the week. The boat was very clean and comfortable.

Our itinerary was perfect. Sasha and Tara seemed to pick up quickly on what we enjoyed and took us to some amazing places. They were both very informative as to the information of the islands and each area they took us to.

We'll definitely recommend Sailing Directions and Sasha & Tara aboard Hypnautic to friends and family. Our hopes and dreams are to win the lottery so we can enjoy years of sailing vacations, if those perfect numbers come in for us, we'll be giving you a call soon.

Thanks for all your help, we had a great time!

Greg & Cathy R.

Ma Ha Sailing Charter, June 2009

It was a wonderful trip and we were lucky to have Anna and JP. JP was very knowledgeable of the area and of sailing / operation of the ship and Anna was a wonderful second mate / chef. They were excellent to accommodate a 16 and 18 year old with wakeboarding, tubing, juggling etc and keeping their attention while still treating the adults to a heavenly experience.

Ma Ha was very clean and change of linens during the week was an unexpected treat.

The food was especially good. Even with the 8 of us liking different things and some being picky eaters, we all ate and savored each thing put in front of us, amazing.

The British Virgin Islands are a great place for fun and relaxation. We most definitely enjoyed the itinerary and area.

Booking the trip with Sailing Directions was very easy and communication was excellent. A little late hearing from our crew just the night before leaving and but that discussion was much appreciated and had valuable information.

The crew did every thing they could to ensure we all taken care of and got the most from the trip. JP and Anna set the standard extremely high for a next time. An exceptional trip, more than we had imagined!

Jody, Wade, Pat, Carole, Donna, Melton, Emily, and Caleb

Adeia, BVI Sailing, May 2009

The crew, Leon & Michelle, were great. Very accommodating and friendly. We were very happy with them.

Was Adeia comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Beautiful and nice boat!

Michelle is an excellent cook, the food tasted great, was presented well. We had our three boys with us and she quickly adapted to accommodate their large appetites.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed in the British Virgin Islands?
- It was perfect!

We realized that the crew could make the vacation great or not - we were very happy with the crew, the boat, the food and the itinerary.

Cheri C.

Charter Tonina, May 2009

Peter and Karen were awesome! I truly could not imagine a better crew. We can't say enough great things about our trip. They are both wonderful crew which made our trip beyond awesome. I would like to have your recipe for the warm chocolate dessert, the lemon mousse and the stuffed chicken if you don't mind sharing. All of the food was fabulous. I wish I could grill as well as you do, Peter!

Tonina was perfect. Peter and Karen kept it spotless.

Karen is a fabulous gourmet cook and Peter is a "grill master". We couldn't wait till out next meal.

Peter is so knowledgeable about the area and took us to exactly the type of place we wanted to go.

If we go again it will definitely be with Sailing Directions. I was very impressed with John finding us a new yacht right away after ours was cancelled.

Our whole family thought this was one of our very best vacations. Take care and thanks for the wonderful trip. Our family will never forget it.

Marcie J.

Ma Ha Sailing Charter, May 2009

Our crew was fantastic... Jean Pierre certainly knows and has the passion for sailing and the waters.... they were both very friendly and really nice... Anna spoiled us with her meals.

Catamaran Ma Ha was great...loved the boat and very clean...

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Oh yes...Anna cooked us some really great meals...we loved it....and so nicely presented...picture perfect....

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- We loved every island we went to...all beautiful in their own way....we got to see all we wanted.

This sailing trip has been our dream for a very long time.. this vacation is our best ever....this definitely is a dream come true...thank you for everything...

Lorenzo & Gelsa S.

Encore Catamaran Charter, May 2009

Ron and Anya were a perfect crew for us. I would give them an A+ for being friendly, attentive and accommodating. We all had a great time.

Encore was very well cleaned and ventilated.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Again an A+. The only downside was I gained 5 lbs. Anya is a super cook!

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- The crew was very flexible. We all loved all the spots we went to all week.

Overall this was a PERFECT vacation.

Bill M.

Diadem Sailing Catamaran, May 2009

Diadem was a very clean and well presented charter boat the accommodation were great and so was the decor. The ship has many open hatches and great ventilation. We had a mechanical issue with an AC unit one night but Chad was attentive and fixed it the next day. Overall a great experience.

Wendy is an outstanding chef, her meals were just the right size and the presentation was tremendous. Her dishes and meals were original and very well done. Considering she is cooking on a boat with four burning and limitations it was truly amazing. Each meal was very well done and we ate very well. Her originality and thought into a meal were superior.

We had a tremendous sail and itinerary on our trip it went very well, great combination of seclusion and peace. Very restful and peaceful yet we had some excitement and exercise also so it was great. Some of the best anchorages that could be imagined.

Chad and Wendy are a great couple, team and people that are fun to be around and very enjoyable to talk with.

Mike R.

Solstice, Bahamas, April 2009

We have nothing but wonderful things to say about our cruise aboard Solstice in the Bahamas. Cliff and Liza were absolutely wonderful! They were both accommodating and professional, friendly and enjoyable to be around. We feel like we have made friends for life with them.

Cliff was a very competent and skilled captain; we were always comfortable and enthralled by his choice of locations and activities.

Liza was an excellent cook and hostess. The meals were fabulous with endless variety and choices. Each meal was a study in taste, appearance and gastrointestinal delight!

The Solstice was a pleasure to be aboard. Our staterooms were very comfortable and Liza and cliff kept them clean and neat every day. The entire boat was comfortable and very fun to be aboard. They provided an ample supply of towels and toys and there was always something interesting to do and see. Time was also allowed for just laying around and soaking up the sun and sea.

It was the best vacation we have ever been on and we would not hesitate to recommend Cliff and Liza to everyone we know. The only part of the cruise that was sad was when it ended. We are forever indebted to them for providing a cruise that went way beyond the call of duty.

Debi & Randy A.

Encore, March 2009

Just arrived home and we had an excellent time, can't wait to do this again already! Thank you for all your assistance with booking this trip, dealing with you has been a pleasure.

The crew definitely went the extra mile! Would HIGHLY recommend them to all our friends!

When we booked this trip we had never done a crewed charter before - we would highly recommend this - we had to do no thinking, working or worrying - Ronald had everything covered, and as far as Anya; you can't get a better chef, we had planned on eating out more but her cooking was so good that we ate on the boat a lot more than we had planned.

They are very ambitious people and also very responsible, they definitely made our trip. We originally were disappointed that the original crew we had picked were not available and had our doubts about Ron and Anya as they were so young but after a couple of hours all doubts had disappeared!

Ronald changed everything and anything we wanted on a moments notice. Our wishes were always met and exceeded. We will miss them and if they ever come to Canada will have a place to stay and friends waiting for them.

Encore was very clean and Ron and Anya had all the cabins cleaned each morning - beds made, washrooms cleaned and new linens! I was very surprised they do so much for you.

Anya is a terrific chef, her culinary skills are out of this world and the food was also plentiful!

Yes we enjoyed our itinerary in the British Virgin Islands - and when we weren't happy with where WE chose to go Ronald had no hesitations on moving to a new location.

Very happy with Sailing Directions and will definitely use your services and recommend you to our friends. You made booking all this easy!

Cathy M.

Matira, March 2009

Caroline and Gaultier were absolutely fantastic - I think they really made our trip special for us. They both worked so hard and were extremely accommodating. Caroline is an excellent cook - we enjoyed everything.

Matira was very comfortable and I am so glad that we chose this particular yacht - it was beautiful and we all enjoyed having our own large stateroom. The wood interior is a step above the other boats we saw.

I can't say enough about the food - it was delicious and beautiful. We had great meals from morning to night. Caroline was also very accommodating for the guests with special food likes / dislikes and so nobody felt left out from having a special meal.

Did you enjoy you itinerary in the British Virgin Islands? - Yes very nice!

I was very happy with Sailing Directions' attention to detail - thanks.

Gretchen F.

Priorities, March 2009

We have never enjoyed a charter more and we attribute this in large part to the crew of Priorities. They were professional, friendly, and fun but never intrusive. Both Rich and Lisa were attentive beyond all expectations from the exquisite food preparations that accommodated to a "t" the needs and requirements specified on the preference sheet, to the beautifully appointed and impeccably maintained staterooms during our stay on board. The activity (or lack of!) and venue selections exceeded expectations.

Priorities is an absolutely impeccably maintained boat with fine linens, great entertainment options onboard (games, movies, music, comfortable reading spots) appreciated air-conditioning and good ventilation.

Although it cost us all a few self-inflicted pounds, there was not a single meal or snack that wasn't top-notch, expertly prepared and presented. Rich's years and training as a chef render him a Miracle-maker in the restricted galley space the yacht affords.

Lisa is a wickedly good and talented mixologist who does not err on the side of pressing alcohol consumption too hard. Their wine selections were good. The fresh flowers and table settings lent extra, unexpected elegance. Here again, Lisa's training and knowledge as an event planner and florist made transitions from play to meals as seamless as they were gracious.

We enjoyed the Virgin Islands - familiar territory to all of us and always wonderful. What was particularly impressive, was given the up to 35 knot winds and choppy seas going on during our sail, we were never uncomfortable, our anchorages were beautiful and calm and we were able to get some fine and safe snorkeling in. We were confident we were in good hands on a well maintained vessel with a knowledgeable crew.

Sailing Directions was responsive, thorough and lined us up with precisely the caliber experience I had hoped for - in fact the entire experience well-surpassed my expectations.

To anyone who may be interested in Priorities but may have reservations about the 2nd mate crew member, Reggie the Golden Retriever, I can only say that his presence enhanced our trip. Rich and Lisa adore the dog but their attention to him and his needs never interfered with their attentiveness to us as guests. They have him on a routine that is entirely unobtrusive to guests onboard. Their attention to cleanliness is so thorough you can't find a stray dog hair onboard! Miraculously Reggie doesn't smell, drool, beg or bark or get underfoot - a truly rare and well-trained beast!

With Rich and Lisa you leave Priorities hoping that you have made new friends in the crew - nice, intelligent, fun people - that you will soon see again.

Sally W.

Lone Star, Caribbean Charter, March 2009

I can tell you one thing; the F. family had a fantastic time aboard the fabulous Lone Star!! They couldn't say enough positive things about the crew, the boat, the overall experience; I know it was a trip they'll never forget. They particularly enjoyed the snorkeling, delicious food, and exploring the islands. The crew were exceptional and met / exceeded all their needs and expectations, they're still talking about the whole experience! I know Mr. F. was pleased with the variety of activities and the crew's interaction with his 3 children. The kids were delighted with everything your crew had to offer and everyone felt very relaxed upon their return.

They want to thank you and your crew for such a wonderful time!

Crystal W

5 Star, March 2009

Hugh and Alison made this a truly wonderful experience in every way. Aaron and I consider them good friends after our week aboard 5 Star

The 5 Star's accommodations exceeded our expectations. The light wood, spacious and modern layout of the boat made us feel as though we were in a small apartment in London and not below deck. The tempurpedic was phenomenal as well and allowed for a very good night's rest.

We went home with a bunch of the recipes that Hugh and Alison used during the charter. We were surprised that such wonderful food with elegant presentation could come out of a galley kitchen.

the itinerary was very enjoyable because it was flexible and we visited almost all of the islands in one week and managed to get in a full moon party at Trellis Bay.

I was very pleased with John at Sailing Directions' attentive service and methodical follow up. If I asked him to call or return an email, he would do so right away to alleviate any concerns that I had. Additionally, since I was under severe time constraints prior to the charter, I appreciate his patience in my failure to respond in a timely manner.

We had a fabulous time sailing on the 5 Star! Thanks so much for your help and we will be in touch once our schedule allows us to visit Hugh and Alison again.

Jennifer L.

Wild Thing II, March 2009

Everything about the trip was wonderful. The catamaran was very clean and well maintained. The meals that Amy prepared were extremely well presented as well as delicious. Teo and Amy were always professional and friendly. I believe our entire party had a great time and would highly recommend this catamaran charter.

Laura P.

Safari, March 2009

Ed, the care and warmth you have invested in our journey has been as welcome as the first happy hour or Ian's appetizers that satisfy and offer promise for the delectable meal ahead.

Your knowledge and competency kept us all feeling safe and ready for whatever unfolded. Your guided tours and tales of the islands were great. I felt how sincerely you wanted us to have a great time and you delivered!

Ian, the fruits of your skilled labor will stay with me longer than I care to contemplate. Your ability to keep our ravenous children fed and entertained was remarkable. You are a rock star to them and a friend to us. Thanks for the memorable and healthy meals and good cheer.

P.s. What a fine boat! Perfect for our family!

John L.

Can Can, March 2009

The trip was great; Nikki and Ben made it happen for us. They are two exceptional people. We relied on them for just about everything and they came through. When we look for a crew for our next trip in 2010 you can be assured that if they are available we will want Nikki and Ben to be our crew.

The food was superb. The sailing was fun. Even in the 10 ft swells and high winds (in the Leeward Islands) we found our time on Can Can rewarding.

The service from Sailing Directions was excellent.

Tom M.

Ad Astra, March 2009

How did you find your crew, Barry & Bridget; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Very professional, attentive. Clearly enjoyed their jobs and kept an immaculate ship.

Was Ad Astra comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Very clean and well ventilated.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Absolutely.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Took our overall expectation and provided a great trip with very unique stops. Only disappointment was the inability to venture to St. John (US territory)

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Yes, John was very professional.

Mark F.

Ma Ha, February 2009

Justin and Lauren were wonderful!! Friendly, attentive, accommodating, very knowledgeable about nature, fun, polite, enthusiastic, and yet low key and very easy to be with.

Justin involved us in the itinerary and he and Lauren had great recommendations for snorkeling, sight seeing, beaching... Justin found coves that were quiet and private which we really appreciated. The sailing was magnificent and we were so confident in Justin and Lauren's expertise.

Our family of four planned this sailing adventure for my daughter's senior year in high school. We have traveled as a family to Europe, the islands, and many destinations out West, but I have to say that our week aboard Ma Ha was a profound experience of family bonding.

The sailing and sights were spectacular! Every meal was a delight! Each day was a marvelous adventure, whether sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, wakeboarding, hiking, swimming, beaching.. Justin and Lauren took wonderful care of us and we are so grateful to them for this precious week of freedom and fun!

We were very happy with Sailing Directions' service. Everything went smoothly with John. He responded quickly and thoroughly and was never pushy. We will certainly recommend John, Ma Ha and Justin and Lauren!

Aimee S.

Secret Oasis, February 2009

We loved the crew!!! They couldn't have been more accommodating. Jacques put together an itinerary that suited us perfectly and then remained aware of what was going on and made changes accordingly.

He was fun and fun loving while making sure we were all very safe. Every evening when we moored, he would check with all of us to make sure we were happy with the mooring ball. He made sure we moored where we would get good cross breezes yet not be in choppy water.

Janette put together a meal plan that suited everyone and everything was executed beautifully. She made sure we were all taken care of but never made us feel like she was hovering over us. It was the perfect balance. They participated with us at our request and everyone on the boat now considers them personal friends.

Secret Oasis is a wonderful boat. It was clean, clean, clean... made even more so every day by Jacques and Janette as they cleaned up after us. The beds were comfortable, as were the heads and showers. And everything on this boat has rounded edges, so we didn't get bruised up (we've left every other boat we've ever been on with numerous bumps and bruises).

The food was amazing. Janette is creative and really, really cares that everyone likes what they are having.

The itinerary in the BVI was fabulous and Jacques worked to have those sails up as much as possible, which we all loved!!!

I was very happy with Sailing Directions' service. We will definitely use your services again. I don't plan to sail with anyone other than Jacques and Janette for as long as they are sailing the BVI!

Elissa B.

Obsession, February 2009

We had a fantastic time onboard Obsession. Arno and Petra were the most perfect crew - nothing was too much trouble they made us feel at home from the start.

The boat and accommodation was very good very clean and the air conditioning was on all the time if you required it.

The food was fantastic homemade bread and cakes and each meal was delicious. The Virgin Islands and the itinerary were marvelous we enjoyed every minute of it.

In our opinion there isn't much more that could be done to improve anything. We recommend Arno, Petra and Obsession to any and all of our friends and hope to be able to come again ourselves. We cannot rate the charter highly enough!

Rosemary D.

Charter Tonina, February 2009

How did you find your crew, Peter and Karen; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Peter and Karen were all of the above and then some! We were treated like their guests and felt very cared for at all times

Was Tonina comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Very comfy, clean and well ventilated. I would be happy to answer email questions regarding Tonina from any prospective guests!

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Outstanding food - beautiful presentation

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Absolutely; we did everything on my "bucket list" and then some! I have been planning this trip for 10 months - in this case reality more than exceeded the anticipation and expectations!!!

Shelley B.

Wild Thing II, February 2009

Our trip was enjoyed by one and all, everyone wanted to stay longer.

Teo and Amy were excellent, some of the best food we have experienced, consistently of a high standard.

Ian L.

Charter Tonina, February 2009

How did you find your crew, Peter & Karen; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Yes, especially Peter, he was lots of fun!

Was Tonina comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes!

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Yes!

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Yes, we were very appreciative of Peter changing up the planned schedule due to weather issues. This allowed us to go to areas and islands that we would not have gotten to visit.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Great service! Thanks for working to get us a new charter boat when our original lease cancelled on us!

Brandon M.

Ma Ha, January 2009

Justin and Lauren were terrific. What ever they get paid it is not enough. Their ability to take a foreign family into their world, make them feel welcome, safe and attend to their every need, 24/7, is a talent few will ever posses. They have this talent and use it from the initial meeting at the dock to the last hug goodbye.

Ma Ha was a floating Ritz Carlton. Hard to fathom a floating 4 star hotel with 24 hour room service and a bar that never closes. Very clean, Lauren and Justin make it look easy, but they rarely ever stop.

Even when they are asked to relax with us, as was often the case(we enjoyed their company, they were always taking care of our adventure and ensuring our comfort and safety.

From Lauren accompanying dad and the boys on our first 3 scuba dives to Justin taking the girls to the beach and towing us all on knee boards and tubes. Air conditioning was zoned for custom comfort. If you wanted fresh air, turn off the air and open up both hatches to catch the breeze.

My wife is a great cook and I will defer to her. Several times she was heard singing the praises of Lauren and her ability to serve up wonderful dishes 3 plus times a day, including deserts and food for one vegetarian. We all enjoyed the food.

Justin customized the itinerary totally to fit our individual needs. His knowledge of the area, having grown up locally proved invaluable. He is welcomed as a local. Lauren was also a great help with her knowledge and advice.

- Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
Very much so. As you know John, we put this trip together with fairly short notice. Your availability and help were key to the planning of this trip. Thanks.

John H.

Can Can, January 2009

Ben and Nikki were incredibly awesome! They could not have been more accommodating or attentive to our groups needs! We found them to be so friendly and easy to get along with! On a scale of 1-10, I would give them a 20+!!!! I am not kidding!!

Nikki is an amazing chef! Her food was very well presented and she and Ben work as a well oiled machine together!

Can Can was very comfortable, very clean and absolutely gorgeous!

- Did you enjoy your sailing itinerary in the British Virgin Islands? Very much. Each area we visited was different and Ben was very interested in what we wanted to do and see and had great suggestions and always open to our input.

This vacation was more than we ever could have expected! It was absolutely the MOST relaxing vacation we have ever experienced in our marriage.

Ben and Nikki were so attentive and always seemed to know what we needed and their service and hospitality was remarkable! Even though we were with 2 other couples, there was so much space that we all had time to relax and unwind and enjoy the vacation our own way.

Reann C.

Stenella, January 2009

We had a fabulous time on Stenella. The crew was amazing! They are an incredible team. The combination of their technical skills (sailing and cooking) and their worldliness made the trip 100% perfect. They bring their stories and delicacies into play constantly. This made for fascinating conversations, wonderful and exotic food, and a very entertaining atmosphere.

Stenella was very comfortable, clean, and surprisingly well-ventilated. The boat has AC, but with the hatches open we really did fine with just the sea air flowing through the various rooms.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
"Enjoyable" is a huge understatement. KC creates masterpieces at EVERY meal. I can honestly say that there wasn"t one dish she made that wasn"t incredible and loved by all of us. We threw them a curve-ball just before the charter started when my daughter was recently diagnosed as Gluten intolerant. KC did a masterful job of concocting "Megan-friendly" meals or side entrees so that my daughter would be well fed and able to enjoy eating with the rest of us.

The itinerary was outstanding. We didn"t have a list of must-see destinations, instead, we chose to rely on the expertise of our crew to take us to places where we would have fun and enjoy exploring. Since they have been sailing in the BVI"s so long, they have contacts everywhere. When we would go ashore some place where a cab or reservation was required, Andy would call ahead and the arrangements would all be taken care of ahead of our arrival.

We love snorkeling and Andy was a terrific resource for this. He would either anchor the boat in an area where we could simply jump in from the boat or zip us to a nearby snorkeling area in the dingy. He would also snorkel with us and point out where to see the interesting sights.

Sailing Directions did a terrific job throughout the process. Your recommendation of Stenella was spot-on. The boat and crew were a perfect fit for my family. I honestly can"t think of anything you could do differently to improve the process.

Roland & Karen S.

Hypnautic, January 2009

The crew, Sasha and Tara, are A++ across the board.

Tara is a whiz. She presented a fine combination of the light / healthy with the more heavy / decadent dishes. Very creative and tasty meals. She was very attentive to our personal likes and dislikes and adapted to what she discovered about us while on-board. Sasha is also pretty good in the kitchen with his signature steak dishes.

Hypnautic is comfortable, clean and well ventilated. Sasha and Tara keep a clean boat. We enjoyed the itinerary in the Virgin Islands.

Captain Sasha and Tara are wonderful, talented and interesting individuals who love what they do. Both are exceptional in assisting and guiding dive trips. Anyone interested in diving as part of the charter would be well-advised to charter the Hypnautic for access to these two highly skilled and passionate individuals.

Greg K.

Adeia, January 2009

Leon and Michelle were wonderful hosts! Very friendly and accommodating! This was our forth trip to the BVI and enjoyed it very much.

Adeia was our favorite boat out of all four that we've chartered! Very comfortable, berths were big and spacious?very clean and in pristine condition.

The food was wonderful and healthy?a nice change from many trips. Seafood was very good and not something we typically get to enjoy in the Midwest.

Leon did a great job with the sailing. In fact, this was the most that we've actually sailed out of all of our charters. We got to revisit all of the "hot spot" but they really had some nice, quite, secluded locations. Nice touch!

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
- Everything you did was perfect?nothing that I could recommend improving.

Thad V.

Wild Thing II, December 2008

Our trip was great! Teo and Amy were outstanding and helped make our trip, as my daughters said, the trip of a lifetime.

Wild Thing II is a beautiful boat and was very comfortable. It was clean and well ventilated. Amy and Teo were constantly tidying up and cleaning.

Our crew were very accommodating and went beyond our expectations. They're a good team and work well together. Amy's cooking and meal presentations could not have been better. I think we all gained five pounds. They were fun and we enjoyed their company very much. Amy gave the girls some good cooking tips and always had a smile.

Teo entertained us one night playing the guitar and singing. He's very talented and was interesting to talk to. The girls enjoyed his rope tying instructions.

The itinerary was perfect and well thought out. We were taken to areas that I have not seen and gave everyone about as much as we could experience in eight days.

The snorkeling was very enjoyable and Teo went beyond the call of duty taking my daughters and their friend skiing and tubing. He also was kind to accommodate my daughters and friend out one night, which I know he did not have to do. We were comforted knowing they would be safe and well taken care of.

As far as Sailing Directions service goes, things were very organized and helpful. You have a first class organization and I will make referrals.

Randy J.

Charme, December 2008

Christopher and Alexis were very nice to us - I can't think that we could have been better cared for. Food was fantastic, great variety. We loved where we went. We would recommend Sailing Directions to our friends.

John I.

Catatonic, December 2008

John and Wendy are both and enthusiastic. They were perfect for us.Wendy went above and beyond expectations. In spite of my food intolerances she made the same meal for everyone but altered mine to meet my needs. I always felt included in the main meal.

Catatonic was comfortable and clean. Ventilation was a challenge a couple of days but John took care of things.

The itinerary that we scheduled with John was better than thought possible. John made the difficult possible.

Cindi M.

Tachyon, December 2008

Our crew were very attentive and accommodating. We could not have asked for a better crew to take care of all of our needs. Eric went over our destination every day and gave us many choices of what islands to visit; he was very informative and very accommodating.

Jacque was always fixing us gourmet meals, we had something different for each meal and had coffee waiting for us when we got up each morning / I really miss that. They both went above and beyond our expectations.

We fell in love with Tachyon. We were all comfortable in our cabins and having our own bathroom. Eric and Jacque were very respectful and gave us a lot of space; it was like they were not even there some times.

When we got back from our daily shore excursions and in the morning, the boat would be sparkling and the ice chest would be stocked full. They cleaned up after us all the time, but we never saw them do it. The weather was perfect and the hatch provided us a cool breeze to sleep by.

The food was excellent. Jacque went above and beyond our expectations with the meals she provided. If we did not see it with out own eyes, we would have thought Jacque's meals came from a gourmet kitchen. She ensured it was presented beautifully and explained how it was prepared and what ingredients were included in each dish. A couple of nights Eric fired up the BBQ and cooked our meal to perfection. It was great.

I completely enjoyed the itinerary. Eric asked us what we were interested in doing and gave us options of which islands would provide those activities. Knowing that Conrad enjoyed riding motorcycles, he mentioned that somebody told him you could rent quads on Jost Van Dyke. Brad and Conrad had a blast on the quads and were able to see the entire island from dirt trails. Jacque took us snorkeling in many of the places we stayed at, which I enjoyed very much. We all had an opportunity to do a little of what was interesting to us.

I am very happy with Sailing Directions service. I appreciated the reminders for the payments and also the understanding if the payment was a couple of days late in the mail. John kept in close contact with me up until a couple of days before we flew out to St. Thomas. I asked a lot of questions that could have been answered by reading the web site, but John was very patient with me and provided as much information as he could to answer any and all of my many questions.

Debbie C.

Diadem, December 2008

Diadem is a very comfortable boat, with a lot of living space. The crew, Chad and Wendy, are very friendly and helpful with everything.

Wendy is an excellent cook; I wish I could take her home. We can recommend Chad and Wendy as crew because with them you feel safe and comfy.

Thank you - we had a wonderful vacation on Diadem with Chad and Wendy!

Christian P.

Bareboat Voyage 500, December 2008

Our skipper was excellent. He was always working and had no problem assimilating into our group. He gave us a long leash and let us do what we wanted when we wanted to do so. Most importantly, he was always sure to make us safe and accounted for. More importantly, he was local born and raised. I can't say enough about how great this was. He knew everyone, made sure we were taken care of. He even called friends for simple things such as "What's the best dive site today?" or "What's the line on this restaurant for tonight?".

- Was the Voyage 500 Standard-E comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
Yes. We enjoyed the boat very much. All amenities expected were provided, save perhaps a corkscrew that we donated to the boat.

- Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Again, our skipper was excellent in sailing the itinerary I outlined. Before we set sail, I had a pretty good plan or where I wanted to go. Without hesitation, the answer was no problem. Moreover, he was very interested in actually sailing, rather than motoring everywhere, even for short sails. This is what we had hoped for.

- Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
Absolutely. Everything went off without a hitch. Great trip.

Brian C.

Matira, November 2008

We had a wonderful trip! Gaultier & Caroline were very friendly, attentive and more than accommodating.

Matira was immaculate (the most beautiful of all our trips) and they made sure to run the air as requested.

The food was beyond enjoyable, and beautifully presented, and plentiful! The itinerary was exactly as we wished and Gaultier knew all the best spots!

We were completely satisfied with Sailing Directions and are considering another trip. Thanks again!

Lisa T.

Charme, November 2008

We loved Christopher & Alexis. The minute we arrived we knew we would fit right in. Alexis is a great first mate and chef jumping all over to accommodate us and assist her captain. Christopher could not have been nicer and made us feel right at home. They gave us our space and joined us when appropriate.

Charme is a very comfortable boat. The food was perfect for us - healthy and for my son different flavors he actually tried, which was great for me to see

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Christopher and I worked out a great route.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service / is there any way we can improve?
- Working with you guys was easy and I have no complains just great memories - a real family trip and memories I will never forget! Thank you.

Caroline B.

Mustang Sally, November 2008

How did you find your crew, Doug & Wendy; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Doug and Wendy are exceptionally nice people and are great at their jobs. There was not one dull moment or bad meal and their company really made our trip.

Was Mustang Sally comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Very much so, it was great.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- It was amazing; every meal was thoughtful and well prepared. Wendy is a great chef.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Absolutely!

Kelly S.

Encore, November 2008

The service we received from Sailing Directions was first class.

Encore was clean comfortable and spacious. Most importantly Alex and Carla ensured that our holiday exceeded our expectations with their commitment to ensuring we all had a great time, as well as being such good company on and off the boat.

Alex and Carla were marvelous and could not have been more helpful. In every respect they helped to make our week onboard Encore the holiday of a lifetime

The food was consistently excellent and beautifully presented throughout the week. Every day was varied yet carefully planned to provide the right activities at the right time

Many thanks for all your help - a truly memorable experience.

Craigie M.

Flamboyance, November 2008

Our trip was everything I hoped it would be! It was an amazing, memorable and very special family vacation, and we unanimously agree that we all want to do it again! Jim & Patti couldn't have been nicer and more friendly, while giving us plenty of space and remaining always very professional.

Flamboyance was very clean, comfortable and well maintained. Even without air conditioning, we were quite comfortable sleeping.

Patti worked very hard and made lovely meals! Her presentations were very nice, and she made special effort to accommodate everyone's tastes.

The itinerary and islands were perfect. Jim found us lovely private beaches, and great quiet places to spend our nights.

I spent my 50th birthday on a completely empty beach at Virgin Gorda, with only my family and it was a dream come true.

Better yet, Patti made us a special birthday / Thanksgiving dinner, and we didn't have to do a thing except enjoy. I'll recommend Flamboyance and Sailing Directions to anyone that holds still long enough to listen!

Valerie N.

Secret Oasis, October 2008

Matt and Burg were beyond excellent. They cared for our every need and some that we didn't know we had. They were friendly, always smiling and contributed to our holiday in every way. At the end of the holiday they were more like close friends than crew. They did a fantastic job!!

Secret Oasis is a great boat. Plenty of space, well kept, clean and comfortable.

Burg did a great job with the food. She kept everyone happy with great tasting, well thought out and planned food. We didn't have one meal that was less than excellent!

Our itinerary was fun. We were delayed a day due to the hurricane but Matt helped us plan a route that allowed us to see most places, have fun with all the water sports and also get plenty of diving in. The sailing was fantastic and Secret Oasis was a great boat to help on.

Sailing Directions were excellent with their support and response to any questions I had. Very professional given the issues we had while we were in the BVI with the weather. David J.

Charme, August 2008

Our family just returned from St. Thomas yesterday, and I just wanted to tell you what an incredible week we had. The vessel was outstanding, beautiful, roomy and nicely appointed. Our captain Christopher was terrific and Nicole was a sweet heart, not to mention a fantastic chef.

We fell in love with them both and miss them much. We saw amazing things while snorkeling (sea turtles, octopus, really cool eels, and a zillion other colorful fish and coral). The weather was perfect and sailing was dream like.

Catamaran Charme cradled us to sleep in the evenings. Our daughters (14 year twins) were amazed and completely content with everything and that's big! I knew we would have a great time but I must say our vacation far exceeded my expectations. We hope to do it again next year. Thank you for everything.

Jonna B.

Can Can, July 2008

The trip was wonderful! CanCan is a great boat - more comfortable and roomy than I imagined. Whitey and Max were outstanding hosts. They know the best spots to snorkel and dive. Two non-divers are now very comfortable in the water. The food was amazing - every meal was so delicious. Plus we had a lot of laughs. A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable time! The best vacation ever!

Thanks so much for all of your help putting this together. If wouldn't have happened without you!

Rita M.

Sabore, July 2008

Yes we had a fantastic time. It definitely rates as the best Smith family holiday to date!

Colin and Penny were great, very friendly and helpful, very easy to get along with and lots of fun, we all really enjoyed their company.

Sabore was an excellent boat, equipped to a very high standard, and very comfortable.

Penny is a great chef. The food was perfect, just the right quantities, very tasty and well presented, a great balance of flavors, and Penny was very perceptive to everyone's likes, wants etc, and always willing to adapt had there been a need, but it was wonderful just as it was.

The itinerary was great. It being our first time, we let Colin and Penny guide us, and their experience shone through, every anchorage and mooring was amazing with lots of opportunity to snorkel and swim, kayak, and Colin always willing to tow us behind the dinghy on various contraptions!! He was also a great dive instructor.

I was really happy with Sailing Directions services, you've been very helpful, John, and have always responded very promptly to all my queries / questions.

We're all very keen for a return visit to Colin and Penny on Sabore next year, so I'm sure I'll be in touch with you again once summer is over!

Jane S.

Encore, July 2008

We had a wonderful week in the BVI and of course it was in great measure due to Anna and Paulo. Encore was perfect for us and it had all of the amenities advertised. It was in perfect shape and extremely well maintained. Anna was great with her menu and food presentation. She was attentive to details and making everything look perfect. The itinerary was very good with the different places that we visited.

Ramon C.

Aurora, June 2008

Well, we returned home last night after an incredible week with Chad and Wendy, and wanted to give you our feedback.

Our week with our family aboard the Aurora was absolutely fabulous. When we arrived the boat was spotless. The sleeping rooms were airy and comfortable. Chad and Wendy were gracious, fun, easygoing, extremely attentive, patient and wonderful hosts. Wendy's meals were delicious and beautifully served. She is utterly delightful and vivacious. Chad was not only a great skipper, waiter, snorkel guide, wake-boarding and tubing leader, but an all-around nice guy. They make a great couple and a great crew.

The week was spent sailing all around the Virgin Islands (mostly British). We anchored each night in quiet, lovely spots. We came with no agenda and simply asked Chad and Wendy to take us wherever they wanted. Each day we saw new and different sights and experienced new things.

We could not have been happier with the experience, and would highly recommend it. We hope to return sometime soon.

Steve and Diane Z.

Charme, June 2008

Dare and Leigh Ann were great. We could not have asked for a better crew. They made us feel so comfortable (and special) aboard Charme. They also went out of their way to make sure our two children had a wonderful experience on the boat.

The food was outstanding - far exceeded our expectations! We have eaten at great restaruants throughout the USA and Europe, and the food and presenentation abaord the Charme was a 10+.

The boat is important but the crew can make or break the trip. Charme is a very nice boat but Dare and Leigh Ann made it a very special trip.

Henry P.

Catatonic, May 2008

How did you find your crew, Brian & Jennifer; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Excellent crew. The crew is a very important part of a charter they can make it or break it. Brian and Jen definitely made our trip.

Was Catatonic comfortable, clean and well ventilated?
- Yes the A/C worked perfectly

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Awesome food gained about 10 lbs

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
- Yes. We arranged the itinerary on a day to day basis

Steve K.

Charme, May 2008

We had an OUTSTANDING Trip...!!! Thanks for all your help!

Richard & Leigh were tremendous! They were smart, hardworking, fun, and incredibly knowledgeable about the islands, snorkeling areas, dive sites, bars and restaurants... They were absolutely incredible hosts! Music on board was wonderful and Dare's bartending skills were award winning!

Charme GREAT. Clean, very comfortable, with lots of room to move around. The rooms were larger than we expected and worked out great for our family.

Food was always excellent, plentiful, and always very nicely presented.

We sailed more than expected and covered more island than we had anticipated. We never felt rushed and for our first time in the islands we all felt like we had the opportunity see so much in such a short period of time.

Great job John / Sailing Directions. Really appreciated your prompt service and quality guidance.

Mark M.

Hypnautic, April 2008

Justin and Lauren are very friendly and were attentive to our every need while on the charter. They offered suggestions on various activities and knew the local area very well so that we always felt comfortable.

Hypnautic is clean and in overall excellent condition. Air conditioning and natural ventilation was used at various times during the trip and under our control for the optimum in comfort.

The food was absolutely amazing. Lauren and Justin both do a tremendous job with preparing and presenting wonderful dishes for all meals even though resources (large appliances, room, etc) are quite limited on a boat. All meals were well thought out and we were asked if we had a preference or a concern with any meal that was planned.

The itinerary was perfect... A wonderful blend of relaxation, exploration, adventure, and shopping. We were even able to achieve all of our open-water dives necessary for full PADI certification under the excellent guidance of Justin and our divemaster Lauren. We sailed to almost every island in the USVI and BVI and one day had an amazing whale spotting adventure where we watched two humpback whales breaching for almost an hour.

The ability to have diving as part of our charter and the fact that it was included in the overall cost was an important factor in our choosing Hypnautic over other boats that we looked at.

Your help with setting up the charter and what was provided through Sailing Directions was great. We will and have recommended Sailing Directions and Hypnautic to other friends and family so expect some inquiries in the near future. We would highly recommend the Hypnautic to anyone interested.

This was definitely a vacation to remember and we thank you and especially Justin and Lauren for making it so memorable.

Kirk N.

Secret Oasis, April 2008

I wanted to tell you about my personal highlights of the trip:

1. Having a captain and chef aboard was wonderful. The food was always a treat and always topnotch. Having a captain allowed us to do and see twice as much, as he knew where to go and what to avoid.

2. Our Red Strip Regatta at Bitter End Yacht Club was a blast and a lot of laughs. A beautiful spot as well.

3. Everyone on the cat got along and had fun. Our whole crew and boat crew were a great match.

4. Sailing to and from Anegada. Both days we started off with low winds in the forecast. Both days we had fabulous sails with great weather.

5. The boat! What an amazing yacht. The sound system was Bose and there was a nice set of speakers under the first spreader. My favorite spot was lying on the hammock in the bow with the remote in my hand. We had a great selection of music and I could control the volume from the hammock. Our state room had a very large bed that allowed me to stretch out (I am 6'6"). We ate in the stern deck area at a table that accommodated us all.

6. The three dives we did were awesome. The highlight of course was the wreck of the Rhone.

We truly had a trip that exceeded all my expectations. Everything came together and we are very thankful for such an epic adventure in the BVI's. We highly recommend Sailing Directions for assisting in the planning phase. Special thanks go to Denis and Rita for all their hard work and for all the fun and great days on the azure waters of this very special place.

Craig & Bridget R.

Tachyon, April 2008

We had a wonderful week aboard Tachyon. Jac and Eric couldn't have been more accommodating. The layout of the boat was great and perfect for 6 of us. It was a new-ish boat, clean and comfortable. They gave us lots of options on where to go and what to do. The food was excellent and plenty of it.

We would recommend the Tachyon to anyone. Thanks for all your help.

Peg S.

Viking Dream, April 2008

Mark and Sally were very friendly and accommodating. They were waiting for us when we arrived and were very willing to tailor the trip to our preferences. For example, we wanted to watch a sailboat race in St. Barth and they made sure we were able to see it. They also let Ralph take the helm, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

The Viking Dream's cabins were very comfortable and clean. The rest of the boat is spotless and nicely decorated. She's a beauty.

The food was incredible. Absolutely delicious, plentiful and beautiful to look at. We requested mostly fish and shellfish - and that's what we got. I don't think I've ever eaten so well for a week.

We thought the Leeward Islands were great. We went to three different islands (St. Barth, St. Martin and Anguilla) and stopped at several secluded and beautiful spots. We also did a lot of sailing (usually several hours per day). But two of our group prefer the BVI (where they went on a past sailing trip) because the snorkeling is better and the water calmer.

The trip was incredibly relaxing -- the motion of the boat, the endless view over the water, the attentiveness of the Duncans. I have been recommending a charter to everyone I know.

Pamela H.

Secret Oasis, April 2008

Dennis & Rita were absolutely phenomenal. This is one of those "Trip's of a lifetime" that I want to repeat again and again.

Secret Oasis was beautiful. Very comfortable at night with the A/C. Rita did a beautiful job cleaning the cabins.

- Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
Being a cook myself, I was absolutely amazed with the skills she possesses. I can't believe the quality of food that she generated in a galley that size. I couldn't have done it in a full size kitchen. Another nice thing was she took the kid's palate into consideration and made meals that they would enjoy IN ADDITION to cooking meals for the "grown ups" AT THE SAME SEATING - a very nice touch!

I love the fact that one can have such a flexible itinerary.

Not to beat a dead-horse but I can't tell you enough how good Dennis and Rita were to us. As a team, they "gel" very nicely - they have a synergy that was impressive.

Stephen M.

Solstice, April 2008

We all had an amazing time on Solstice. Cliff and Liza did an incredible job and everyone had a blast. We will be sure to recommend them to other friends in the future.

Craig S.

Secret Oasis, April 2008

Denis and Rita were a wonderful crew. They checked in with us by email many times before we arrived to be sure all was ready, for food, meals and on board entertainment (movies, games, etc...) Then when we arrived they would let us know the plan of the week and day and be sure that it was good. We truly had a bonding experience at sea. My husband said his favorite thing about the boat was the crew!!! They went out of their way to make it a perfect week.

The yacht was beautiful, new and clean. There were plenty of places to go to get away and plenty of family places. Although we did sit a lot in the salon while Rita cooked, especially during breakfast. We also, gathered at the dinner table a lot during the day just to hang out. We felt there was plenty of space for 10 guests and 2 crew. A great yacht for small kids.

We also loved having an air conditioner. We never had stayed aboard a boat with an A/C before. Plenty of clean sheets, towels and beach towels.

We all fought about which meal was the best. But agreed the best dessert was the Devils food chocolate cake with the raspberry sauce until we had the Chocolate Fondue!!! William loved the crepes!!! The Lobster Salad was my favorite and the Roast Pork with the Peaches was voted in the top by Abigail, William and Doxey. But the last night with the different skewers was the prettiest.

Rita worked the food around the kids also. She made a kids meal if it was something they would not like.

The food, the sailing, the swimming, the doing nothing... Everything was great! We had such a wonderful time. Denis and Rita really made us feel welcome.

Catherine D.

Seas the Moment, March 2008

We had a fantastic time and were sad to have to return especially to 6" of new snow.

Our crew was Matt and Melissa and they were unbelievable. Mel's cooking was to die for. Both were very professional yet knew how to strike a balance and have fun with us. If I owned a boat I would want them as my permanent crew. They took care of the boat like it was their own.

The boat was perfect. Brand new, couldn't have been better.

The food was unbelievable. Both presentation and taste were as good or better then most high end restaurants we have eaten at. Certainly better then any restaurant we ate at in the Caribbean.

Everywhere we went was great. I liked that we could be flexible and stay in a spot if it was perfect for us or move on if we wanted.

Sailing Directions was great. I wouldn't change a thing. This was one of the best vacations we have taken.

Liz N.

Ocean's Seven, March 2008

Everything about Ocean's Seven and the crew was fantastic. The boat was spotless and the layout very spacious. Andy and Jules were tremendous hosts in every way - friendly, amazing food, great with the kids!

This was our first boat experience and Kelly, Alison, James and I all had a great time!

Paul G.

Can Can, March 2008

Marco & Robyn (the crew aboard Can Can) were very attentive and accommodating.

Can Can was comfortable and very clean and well ventilated. The itinerary was excellent and accommodated our needs and desires.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Very happy and well coordinated.

Marco is an excellent captain and very knowledgeable of the area and history. He was able to make our excursions safe and fun and always up for an activity. Robin would take pictures of us while we were doing activities.

David W.

Double Feature, March 2008

Our trip to the BVI was in a word - Fabulous! We all had a great time. Jonny and Kelly were delightful could not ask for more gracious hosts!

The catamaran was perfect, clean and well maintained. Jonny was very helpful in planning our days and never steered us wrong. The food was awesome. Great credit goes to Kelly for the wonderful meals created in the small galley.

Booking was easy and you were always helpful when answering questions. Feel free to use my name as a reference. Anyone considering a vacation should seriously look into sailing in the BVI!

This was the best vacation I have ever had. Would love to do again next year.

Judy C.

Solstice, March 2008

We all had an amazing time on Solstice. Cliff and Liza did an incredible job and everyone had a blast. We will be sure to recommend them to other friends in the future.

Craig S.

Aurora, February 2008

We had a great trip. Everything about it was tops. We particularly enjoyed Chad and Wendy, who were very professional but welcoming and relaxed. Perfect mix. Thanks for your help. In essence, we rate them 10 + on everything!

Chad and Wendy were perfect hosts. Extremely professional and attentive. Plus, they mixed right in with our group as if they belonged. We enjoyed them thoroughly.

Aurora was excellent. Clean, comfortable, roomy on deck, good beds, all-in-all, a great boat.

Wendy's food was absolutely delicious. She continued to delight us with each meal throughout the week.

We love the BVI, which is where we sailed the entire time (with a couple of stops in USVI.) It's truly one of the most beautiful areas of the world. Our itinerary was good - we made it up as we went.

Jonathan B.

Wild Thing II, February 2008

Overall, we can honestly say that this has been the best vacation we have ever had. The whole process right from the planning stage was easy with the help from you John and Sailing Directions. Once there we had a superb crew and catamaran. In our group of six we have at least four people who have traveled extensively and they all say that this has been one of the best vacations they have experienced. We fully expect to try this again at some later date. Thank you!

Our crew was top notch! Stewart and Samantha were absolutely fabulous. They did everything possible for us which made the trip very enjoyable.

Wild Thing II was very comfortable, clean and well ventilated. We did not find fault with anything.

The food was more than we could ever have expected. Everything we asked for was available and absolutely delicious.

Our itinerary was just great for us. We had input every step of the way which was what we wanted. We saw and experienced many enjoyable islands and activities.

Your service to us was very helpful and we were kept well informed through the whole process. This is what we like and we all agree that it met all our expectations.

Our trip was wonderful. Thank you for all your work in helping us plan our vacation.

Donna C.

Toucan Play, February 2008

Ian & Jody were awesome. They provided all that we asked for and some things that we didn't know to ask for. Ian was always willing to take us wherever we wanted to go and Jody's cooking was unbelievable. No need for restaurants.

The boat was great. Ian & Jody cared for it like it was their own. All was very neat and clean.

The food was delicious. Jody served a good variety that was always tasty.

- Did you enjoy the itinerary in the British Virgin Islands? It was beautiful.

- Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service? Your service was great.

Overall, our trip was wonderful. Ian & Jody went way above to keep us happy. Anything we asked for was provided. I wish we could go back next week.

Amy S.

Zingara, February 2008

What an incredible week, sun, sailing super crew! Many many thanks to John, Rachele, Tom and Karolina for a lovely relaxing holiday. Looking forward to coming back.
Ashleigh B. & Howard G.

John, Rachelle, Tom and Karolina, Thank you for a truly fabulous week. Everything was just great. I will be looking at Zingara for our next family trip. Night dives and all.
Jeff B.

Zingara 2008! Fabulous!!! Great weather, great crew, over the top cuisine, wonderful service. Many thanks John, Tom, Rachelle and Karolina.
Best wishes, B. Family

Captain John and the sterling crew. We have had an exceptional and fabulous holiday on board. The congeniality of all was above and beyond. Come and see us in Naples. We welcome you all.
Suzie & Graham L.

Simply unbelievable! This tops all of our sailing trips! The cuisine was top notch! The crew wonderful, visuals once again divine and Captain John entertaining as well as best in the captain class. Sorry to leave, great memories forever.
Brent & Alex S.

Castellina, February 2008

Michael and Colleen were fantastic and could not say enough positive about them and there efforts, would highly recommend them to others and will try to get them for our next adventure. Please feel free to use us as references and we hope they had half as much fun as we did.

Our group has sailed many times in Mono-hulls this was our first Cat experience, liked the extra room and comfort. The boat was clean and serviced daily very well, the air flow in the boat is well thought out, very comfortable.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Yes we enjoyed eating on board as much or more then we did on shore.

Great wind, great weather, only problem we had was time too short as is the case with all vacations!

Pat B.

Aurora, February 2008

Time to run through our trip with you; it was one to be remembered.

Chad and Wendy are happy, fun people to be around, so to have them as our Captain, Cook / First Mate combination was a holiday in its self. They know their way around a boat so every thing is pre organized and things are being done with out you noticing it.

Aurora is a well appointed catamaran. Chad and Wendy keep it fresh, well ventilated and clean. Wendy's galley should have a star, she is a natural, we asked for food to be light and tasty and that's what we got; nothing was too much trouble.

We had our own ideas about where we wanted to sail (from St Martin), and these ideas did tend to change from time to time during the charter, I think I could say no captain would have anticipated such a quick moving itinerary but for our crew no problem, we kept on getting what we asked for.

And to the question 'would you recommend this combo to a friend', well there was an in-house fight between Cris and I who would get the boat for the Christmas holidays, in the end, Cris won.

Thanks to Sailing Directions for great organization and comfort during the planning stages of the charter. Chad & Wendy thanks again, we will see you both again before too long.

Bernie C.

Fidelity, February 2008

It was a pleasure for everyone. Owen and Mary recognized our interest in helping / learning / sailing and I think this involvement was appreciated by all of us.

We certainly enjoyed the "tiller time " (or "wheel time " in Fidelity's case) and manning the lines, and Owen's knowledge and natural abilities as a teacher greatly contributed to this facet of our trip.

Fidelity was as close to perfection as one could come in a mid-sized charter vessel, in my opinion. Having separate / private baths for each cabin was one reason my wife liked this yacht. It was quite comfortable, very clean, and exceptionally well ventilated. The large bimini over the cockpit offered welcomed protection from the sun and occasional rain shower.

The food was nicely presented and very enjoyable. It was equaled only by the sailing experience!

I was very pleased with your service and attention to detail.

Don D.

Can Can, January 2008

In our 4 trips to the BVIs, Marco and Robyn were the best crew by far. They were highly professional, friendly, accommodating, and even went out of their way to make it a fun adventure for our 3 year old.

Can Can was spotless and everything worked well. The taller cabin in the main salon was an improvement over other sailboats.

We enjoyed every meal. Robyn did a great job managing the balance between highly charactered foods and kid-friendly foods. There was also a large diversity of choices, as well as perfect snacks.

Sailing Directions was completely on top of it.

Adam G.

Aurora, January 2008

We had an unbelievable experience aboard Aurora. I had not responded yet in hopes I can find the time to go into great detail how wonderful Chad and Wendy were. Our experience with you and Sailing Directions could not have gone better. I will try to fill you in in great detail as soon as I can. For now let me say if you or Chad and Wendy need any one to use as a recent charter referral please do not hesitate to have your prospective charterer call me direct. I would be more than happy to pass on how outstanding the whole experience has been.

Todd N.

Viking Dream, January 2008

We had a wonderful time on the Viking Dream and with Mark and Sally in the BVI.

The crew and boat were great and the BVI has been confirmed as a outstanding sailing and cruise region.

How did you find your crew, Mark & Sally; were they friendly, attentive and accommodating?
- Extremely well in all regards. They took care of us in any condition. Very professional sailors and sea people and warm crew members, helping to integrate the complete group.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented?
- Also extremely well, in a let's say demanding European environment! Sally, and also Mark, did a great gastronomic job.

The Virgin Island region has very good conditions. Beautiful and differentiated scenic areas, nice beaches and wind - a first class cruising area.

Were you happy with Sailing Directions' service?
- Yes. We are glad to have contacted you and about your Viking Dream proposal. Everything has been clear, precise and fast.

Joan P.

Antillean, January 2008

John and Heidi were friendly, attentive, accommodating and more.
The Antillean was clean and well ventilated.
The food was excellent.
We enjoyed the itinerary.
Your service was appreciated.

John B.

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