Virgin Island Sailing® has been providing exceptional yachting vacations for over 30 years. We are the world’s premiere yacht charter broker and our job is to find you the perfect charter yacht, anywhere in the world, and at no cost to you! Whether you’re looking for a family-sized bareboat catamaran charter in the Caribbean, a fully-crewed luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, or a cabin-only charter in Tahiti or the Seychelles, we’ll help you find the perfect yacht charter for the vacation of a lifetime!
Each of our Yacht Charter Experts have worked in the charter industry for 15-30 years and we have extensive experience working with all of the major crewed yachts and charter companies. We are also avid charterers ourselves and we frequently choose to vacation aboard crewed and bareboat yachts. This unique experience gives us the “inside scoop” and allows us to provide you with unbiased and objective insights, and to ensure you have the vacation of a lifetime that’s perfectly customized for your group.
To inquire about a yacht charter vacation, or if you have questions, please call or email us. It is our pleasure to serve you.
Phone: 800-382-9666 | 941-966-9387
Email: CharterExperts@VISailing.com
Watch this video and learn more about what makes Virgin Island Sailing® rise above the competition.
We will do all the research to find the perfect yacht for your group. One
stop shopping of 21 charter companies.
Our insight to the numerous yacht options, their current condition and
special offers enables us to easily narrow down your search and recommend
the best yachts.
We visit the bareboat companies yearly to inspect their yachts and
facilities. We also monitor their quality of yacht maintenance and service
through our clients’ charter reviews and our personal charters.
We will proactively provide vacation planning details and will ensure your
charter is planned and executed from start to finish!
If any issues are not satisfactorily resolved while on vacation, you
contact us…an extra person on your side!
If your charter is cancelled by the charter company and they do not have a
comparable yacht, we will pay 20% of your original charter fee towards
another charter yacht booked through Virgin Island Sailing®.
Melody’s expertise with all types of yacht charter vacations is unmatched! She has been part of the VI Sailing team since 2005 and as of October 2017, transitioned to the additional role of company owner in order to be in the forefront of the industry. She first started chartering in the Virgin Islands in the 1980’s and has continued regularly since then. She started her yacht charter career in 1993 at The Moorings. Since then she has assisted thousands of clients with their vacations and yacht ownership. Melody’s family owns Myett’s in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, where she has spent several months at a time. She has frequently met with clients, inspected yachts and of course, enjoyed the Caribbean atmosphere. Additionally, she has chartered in St. Martin, Grenadines, Belize, Bahamas, Tahiti and Australia, and is a member of CYBA and MYBA.
Casper has been chartering sailboats in the BVI since the early 2000’s, from multiple charter companies and crewed yachts to ensure Virgin Island Sailing® offers the best yachts. He transitioned into ownership in 2017 after Hurricane Irma to ensure the company’s success.
Specializing in Bareboat Charters
Joann is a true charter expert, having an almost 20 year career in the yacht charter industry! She has been an essential part of the Virgin Island Sailing® team since 2005 and has an impressive following of repeat clients. She has a great relationship with over 20 bareboat charter companies whom she is in constant communication with. Joann formerly lived on Tortola for 4 years while working for the Catamaran Company and experienced first-hand the requirements of delivering a flawless charter. She travels to boat shows or the Caribbean yearly to inspect the newest yacht models for her clients. Joann also loves chartering for her own vacations!
Susan specializes in Bareboats, Captain Only and Crewed Yachts. With her indepth knowledge of this variety of charters, she is able to seamlessly ensure clients choose the best yacht and charter package for their vacation.
Susan lives in sunny Florida and has been in the yacht charter industry for 10 years. She has chartered in 12 destinations all over the world including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Thailand and Tahiti, and most recently in Key West, FL.
Susan grew up sailing with her family in the Netherlands. She has always been passionate about traveling and exploring new places. She loves meeting people and learning about different cultures.
Let Susan’s professional and personal experience guide you in planning an unforgettable charter.
Newsletter Feature: Get to Know Your Yacht Charter Expert, Susan Jervis!
Tell us a little bit about you?
I live in sunny Florida and have been in the yacht charter industry for 10 years. I’ve chartered in 12 destinations all over the world (some more than once).
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
The main thing I like to do outside of work is travel and explore new places. I’m also currently obsessed with plants and my collection keeps growing. I love taking my dog with me wherever I can. Her favorite is the beach.
What is your favorite thing about chartering?
Waking up to a different view every morning while drinking my coffee and watching a different sunset every night while drinking my margarita. I love the sound of the waves when the sails go up and the engines turn off while lying on the trampoline.
Where is your favorite place you have chartered?
Society Islands of Tahiti. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen above and below the water. I even took an amazing helicopter tour over Bora Bora. The BVI will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the first place I ever chartered and the place I’ve sailed in the most often. I also got married at the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda in 2014.
Where is a place where you have never chartered, but would love to?
I would love to charter in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. From the giant land tortoises to the natural granite formations on the white sand beaches, it sounds like paradise!
What led you to this career?
I grew up sailing with my family in the Netherlands. I’ve always been passionate about traveling and exploring new places. I love meeting people and learning about different cultures.
People would be surprised if they knew:
People would be surprised to know that I was born in the Netherlands and English is my second language.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
Anywhere that will allow me to bring my dog and have my toes in the sand.
Specializing in Crewed Yachts
Ellen has been matching clients with the perfect Crewed Yacht for over 30 years! Having lived on St. Thomas USVI until 2018, she had a unique ability to build relationships with the best crews, and could promptly inspect yachts and meet new crews. Her knowledge of the yachts and area is unsurpassed! Ellen is an expert Charter Broker, highly skilled at locating the best charter yacht for her clients and ensuring a seamless experience. As an active member of the Charter Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) since 1992, Ellen knows the industry inside and out. She has served on the CYBA Board of Directors for many years in roles including Treasurer and Ethics Adviser.
Specializing in Crewed & Mega Yachts
Emily is one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and involved Crewed Yacht Charter Brokers. An Officer on the Board of Directors of CYBA (the Charter Yacht Brokers Association) since 2009, she has served as President, Vice President, on the Ethics Committee, Environmental Committee and is the Liaison between CYBA and the British Virgin Island Charter Yacht Society (CYS). Emily began her Crewed Yacht Charter Broker career in 2003 and has been an integral part of the Virgin Island Sailing team since 2011. She travels to the Caribbean regularly to inspect the crewed yachts and interview the crews, and communicates with them daily. She has an in depth knowledge of all of the yachts and she personally knows the crews that she recommends. Emily also loves yacht chartering and sails in the Virgin Islands and other worldwide locations as much as possible.
Newsletter Feature: Get to know your Crewed Yacht Charter Expert Emily Mack!
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I love music (playing and listening) and love to cook. Mostly these days I find my spare time consumed by my daughter.
Where is the best place you’ve chartered?
I love all the places I’ve chartered. Stand outs are the history of Greece and the stunning beauty of Sweden.
Where is a place where you have never chartered, but would love to?
Almost too many to count – Antarctica, South Pacific…and on and on…
Before working at VIS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I was a lobsterman for years, I was an oyster tender for a scuba diver in Maine over the winter months, and I worked in high school Special Education.
What led you to this career?
Completely fell into it. There was an entry level opening at a yacht charter brokerage, I submitted my crazy resume and it was crazy enough to get me hired.
People would be surprised if they knew:
That I got engaged on charter!
Where is your favorite place to eat?
Cafe Miranda in Rockland, ME (a small, eclectic restaurant with a hugely varied menu).
What do you like most about working for VIS?
I love sending people on their dream vacation – and I really like our team and how we’ve grown.
Specializing in Crewed Yacht Charters
Growing up around water her whole life, it was natural for Lisa to find a career where she shares her passion for water-life with others. Lisa started boating for pleasure at the age of 15 on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and now on the ICW and Atlantic Ocean in Florida. She and her friends expanded their boating fun by taking charters to the USVI and BVI starting 1998 and has been chartering ever since.
Tell us a little bit about you?
Growing up in Maryland, surrounded by waterways, I had a great childhood fishing, boating and wading in creeks! I have 3 brothers so everyday was an adventure. My love for being on or in the water grew as I got older. I eventually met friends that had experience chartering with family in the Virgin Islands. We all planned a group trip of our own in 1999 and I’ve been going on charters ever since! This is the one vacation I go back for over and over and over again! I have traveled to other places like Hawaii, Italy, Croatia, Tenerife but nothing compares to my experience and love for the Virgin Islands.What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Beach days, leisure bike rides, boating on the ICW with friends.
What is your favorite thing about chartering?
That every trip is different! There are so many islands to fit the mood of the day. I love a flexible itinerary.
Where is your favorite place you have chartered?
BVI
Where is a place where you have never chartered, but would love to?
Greece
Before working at VIS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Auto detailing… I was really good at this and learned to tint windows too. No one would ever guess this about me!
What led you to this career?
Volunteering at the International Boat Show in Annapolis MD. I was on a catamaran the entire show collecting visitor information and fell in LOVE with sailing cats!
People would be surprised if they knew:
The auto detail thing 🙂
Where is your favorite place to eat?
Currently, Louis Bossi. I’m Italian so…..
What do you like most about working for Virgin Island Sailing®?
The VI Sailing team! They are so friendly and truly are experts in the industry. I learn from each person every day which only fuels my passion for this career even more!
Specializing in Crewed Yacht Charters
Newsletter Feature: Get to Know Your Crewed Yacht Charter Expert, Kelly Coughlin!
Tell us a little bit about you:
I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where sailing became a big part of my life early on. I fell in love with windsurfing and later started to learn to sail. I have always enjoyed being on the water. I eventually moved to St. Thomas for several years to work for a yacht charter company. I also crewed for yacht deliveries down as far as Grenada. I then came back stateside and began my career as a charter broker, which has led me to go sailing in places such as Croatia, Greece and Turkey.
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
Cycling, traveling, organic gardening, painting, creating handbags from upcycled materials. Everything interests me.
What is your favorite thing about chartering?
My favorite thing about chartering is of course being on the water. It’s also incredible to have the opportunity to sail to many different locations and meeting likeminded adventure seekers.
Where is a place you have never chartered, but would love to?
I would love to charter in the South Pacific.
Before working at VI Sailing, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Before VI Sailing I was working for other charter companies and took a break and decided to go to Whitefish, Montana and work on a horse ranch for the summer months. However, the most interesting job I have had is doing what I am doing now.
What led you to this career?
I started to crew on yachts for delivery from Florida to the Caribbean and up along the eastern coast of New England. I fell in love with the idea of booking yachting trips for others.
People would be surprised if they knew this about you:
With all of the places I have been and things I have experienced, many people find it surprising to learn that I am a bit conservative.
Where is your favorite place to eat?
My favorite place to eat is a Seaside Fish House located on Cape Cod.
Kimmy assists clients with all their pre-charter paperwork and questions. You will appreciate her attention to detail and excellent customer service skills.
Marketing Specialist
Once again VI Sailing did an excellent job with our charter planning and procurement! If you’re looking for a charter concierge service you’re are at the right place. The VI Sailing team will make sure your trip is trouble free!
– Terry Osborn, April 2021 USVI
Our excellent charter experience was the result of a very professional, prompt and courteous “crew”. Emily Mack at VISailing, the yacht crew, and the support team made the entire process easy, understandable and straightforward. We would recommend them to anybody seeking an excellent sailing adventure.
– Miriam Ungar, April 2021 USVI
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (“Terms”) CAREFULLY AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, REMEDIES AND OBLIGATIONS AS WELL AS A SECTION GOVERNING THE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF DISPUTES. THESE TERMS ALSO CONTAIN A LEGALLY BINDING RELEASE, WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK. By creating a username, a login, clicking submit, using the services of Charter Experts, LLC d/b/a Virgin Island Sailing® (“Broker) or by accessing Broker’s website, you agree that you have read, and acknowledge your acceptance of these Terms. The Terms are subject to change at any time without notice at Broker’s sole discretion. Additionally, any transaction for which you have made payment shall be governed by the form of Terms in effect at the time of such payment notwithstanding any subsequent changes hereto.
If you are obtaining a quote, information, booking travel for and/or securing or procuring a Charter (as that term is defined in Section 1 below) for more than just yourself, all references below to “Charterer” or “you” (and derivations thereof) shall be read to mean you on behalf of yourself and each individual within your group for whom you are obtaining a quote, information, booking travel for and/or securing or procuring Charter.
These Terms shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with any other agreement by or among Broker and Charterer. To the extent they cannot be so construed, then in the event of any direct conflict between these Terms and any other agreement by or among Broker and Charterer (including but not limited to the agreement executed by Charterer for a Charter Reservation (as that term is defined in Section 1 below), these Terms shall prevail.
Broker retains the Broker Fee as compensation in arranging your Charter Reservation. The Broker Fee varies based on the amount and type of Charter and/or services provided by Broker. By making a Charter Reservation, you accept and agree to the relevant cancellation and no-show policy of the Charter Provider set forth in the Charter Agreement. Cancellation and no-show policies vary for each Charter. Carefully read the Charter Agreement and additional information provided to you by Broker. It is expressly agreed by Charterer that the Broker Fee is earned at the time the Charter Reservation is made. Late payment, wrong credit card or debit card details, invalid credit or debit cards, or insufficient funds are for your own risk and account, and you will not be entitled to any refund of any prepaid amount unless the Charter Provider expressly agrees otherwise under the Charter Agreement or in some other signed writing.
Broker expressly reserves the right to cancel your Charter Reservation if full payment is not timely received as set forth in the Charter Agreement.
You understand Broker is not the source or supplier of the Charter or other travel services you requested and acts solely as a broker for the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers. You agree that the Charter Provider and Charter Suppliers whose names appear in the information supplied to you are those who are solely responsible for providing the Charter you purchase. You consent to and request the use of the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers and agree to not hold Broker responsible should any of them: (i) fail to provide the Charter or travel services you purchased, whether or not such services are listed in the Charter Agreement or otherwise, (ii) fail to comply with any applicable law, or (iii) engage in any negligent act or omission that causes you any sort of injury, damage, delay or inconvenience.
By using Broker’s services, you waive and release any claim against Broker, its affiliated and subsidiary companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents, arising out of or in connection with any loss of or damage to property or injury to any person caused by reason of (i) any defect, negligence, or other wrongful act or omission, or any failure of performance of any kind, by any Charter Provider, Charter Suppliers, or any other provider of sea, airline, hotel, ground transportation or any other travel provider connected to or otherwise associated with the Charter, (ii) any claim for inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, mental distress or other similar claim, (iii) any delayed departure, missed connection, substitute accommodation, termination of service or change in fares or rates, and (iv) overbooking, flight or other travel cancellation, lost or misconnected personal property, or any claim arising out of the air transportation portion of your travel, and (v) or any other claim arising out of or otherwise related to the Charter Agreement or services provided by the Charter Provider and the Charter Suppliers.
Excepting only liability that directly arises from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Broker, you will not hold Broker responsible for any injury, damage or loss you may suffer while on a Charter, whether incurred on the Charter or in connection with any other rental, purchase, excursion or activity, regardless of the relationship of any of the foregoing with the Charter Provider or the Charter Suppliers.
You will review your Charter Agreement and travel documents for accuracy upon receipt. You understand that it is your responsibility to review the accuracy of all details in the Charter Reservation provided to you, and that you may contact Broker if you have any questions.
You assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of your destination(s), and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability, and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s).
You understand that Broker recommends purchasing travel insurance to cover certain risks inherent in travel such as supplier bankruptcy and the inability to travel due to a medical or personal emergency.
Broker has no special knowledge regarding the Charter Provider’s or Charter Supplier’s financial condition, unsafe conditions, health hazards, weather hazards, or climate extremes at locations to which you may travel during or otherwise in connection with your Charter.
If, despite the limitation above, Broker or the Broker and Charter Releasees are found liable for any loss or damage which arises out of or in any way connected with any of the occurrences described above, then Broker, Charter Provider, Charter Supplier and the Broker and Charter Releasees will in no event exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of (a) the Broker Fee, and (b) One-Hundred Dollars (US $100.00).
The foregoing limitation of liability reflects the allocation of risk between the parties. The limitations specified in this section will survive and apply even if any limited remedy specified in these Terms is found to have failed of its essential purpose. The limitations of liability provided in these Terms inure to the benefit of Broker and/or its providers.
The foregoing does not affect any liability which cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.
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