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VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 12/05/2023-12/11/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Alvin Ross
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Kokomo
Virgin Island Sailing® Team
Please answer the following questions about your experience working with the VI Sailing team.
Rating of VI Sailing Team: 5
Is this your first time booking with a charter broker? No
How was your experience working with your broker to book the yacht? Very Easy
After booking the yacht, how was your experience working with the Concierge Team? Very Easy
How would you describe the information provided in your Vacation Planner?
Check as many as apply: - Thorough
- Informative
- Easy to Understand
How would you rate the frequency and content of communication from our team? Good Amount of Communication
Additional comments about working with the VI Sailing team to plan your vacation?
I've worked with VI Sailing 5 times. Always very good. They were especially helpful during the Covid issues we had with a prior charter. So when we booked this charter there was no hesitation on who to call. We will always use them.
Thanks again
Al Ross
Would you book your next yacht vacation with Virgin Island Sailing®? As I stated, yes
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/30/2023-12/07/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Robert Fetterman
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Watercolor
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
Excellent, with kudos to Rosie!
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
Excellent, with kudos to Noz!
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
Excellent, with one or two minor exceptions honestly declared up front.
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
Yes, but a charcoal kettle on a $1M yacht was annoying, inconvenient, and mounting was precarious.
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes, and still had that "new boat" (2023) smell.
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
1. Difficulties with our designated yacht required a last minute substitution (same model, newer) resulting in delayed onboarding, but staff completed a last-minute turn-around still allowing for a much-appreciated 1st night aboard. We applaud their efforts.
2. Hidden, frayed generator wiring disabled the gen unit and some electronics which couldn't be remedied by phone consult, but the charter company rendezvoused with us mid-route and effected a successful repair. We only lost a couple hours.
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
We enjoyed the cultural uniqueness of Abacos settlements and how easily we could transition the narrow islands from sea-side to ocean-side. We found the cruising area more leisurely and less expensive than BVIs, but with less wind during the same time of year (burned more diesel).
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/30/2023-12/07/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Robert Fetterman
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Watercolor
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
Excellent, with kudos to Rosie!
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
Excellent, with kudos to Noz!
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
Excellent, with one or two minor exceptions honestly declared up front.
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
Yes, but a charcoal kettle on a $1M yacht was annoying, inconvenient, and mounting was precarious.
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes, and still had that "new boat" (2023) smell.
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
1. Difficulties with our designated yacht required a last minute substitution (same model, newer) resulting in delayed onboarding, but staff completed a last-minute turn-around still allowing for a much-appreciated 1st night aboard. We applaud their efforts.
2. Hidden, frayed generator wiring disabled the gen unit and some electronics which couldn't be remedied by phone consult, but the charter company rendezvoused with us mid-route and effected a successful repair. We only lost a couple hours.
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/30/2023-12/07/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Robert Fetterman
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Watercolor
Virgin Island Sailing® Team
Please answer the following questions about your experience working with the VI Sailing team.
Rating of VI Sailing Team: 5
Is this your first time booking with a charter broker? Yes
How was your experience working with your broker to book the yacht? Very Easy
After booking the yacht, how was your experience working with the Concierge Team? Very Easy
How would you describe the information provided in your Vacation Planner?
Check as many as apply: - Thorough
- Easy to Understand
How would you rate the frequency and content of communication from our team? Good Amount of Communication
Additional comments about working with the VI Sailing team to plan your vacation?
Details like seasonal cruising ground extentions eventually were answered and allowed by charter company in direct comms, while team apparently could only quote restrictions from published boilerplate.
Would you book your next yacht vacation with Virgin Island Sailing®? Yes, if chartering in an unfamiliar destination, or with a fleet not previously used.
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/28/2023-12/06/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Lockwood
Boat Name: Good vibrations
Virgin Island Sailing® Team
Please answer the following questions about your experience working with the VI Sailing team.
Rating of VI Sailing Team: 5
Is this your first time booking with a charter broker? No
How was your experience working with your broker to book the yacht? Very Easy
After booking the yacht, how was your experience working with the Concierge Team? Very Easy
How would you describe the information provided in your Vacation Planner?
Check as many as apply: - Thorough
How would you rate the frequency and content of communication from our team? Good Amount of Communication
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/27/2023-12/05/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Alan Russell
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Seas Another Day
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
On arrival day, we got to the marina after office hours. Our sleep-aboard was prepared and provisions that arrived earlier were properly unpacked and stored. The dock-crew was very helpful to quickly orient us to basic operations of the generator, air conditioning, and bathroom/plumbing systems.
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
Very thorough. Not rushed. Hit every system (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, bilges, dinghy, sailing lines/halyards, winch operation, navigation, VHF, stereo, watermaker, and all safety systems.
They provided a basic tool kit, cellular phone, navigation map, and newest edition of cruising guide.
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
This yacht was brand new. Apparently we were the 2nd charter. But in many ways, it seemed we were the first to use it. Yacht was extremely clean, inside & out.
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
We primarily only prepared breakfast onboard. Looking through the supplies, it seemed to be well supplied. However the knives were very poor. I'm not expecting a full chef's kitchen. But I do expect to be able to cut a lime without working hard. In this sole example, the knives provided were insufficient.
All other kitchen resources used (coffee maker, toaster, blender) all performed great!
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes. Each hull had a deck hatch and each cabin/head had window hatches with screens. And the build layout of the Bali 4.4 allows for extreme ventilation with side windows, aft-opening wall, and forward opening cockpit door and full-size windows.
Ventilation was never an issue.
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
Navigare proved to be an exceptional charter company. Staff was insightful, helpful, and friendly.
I would have appreciated a map review of the sailing grounds, including known hazards not likely well mapped on chartplotter. This could be best done as a video for advanced preparations. I found one from a competitor. Speaking of videos, a video orientation for each boat in the fleet would be helpful...to again pre-orient these details (and watch as many times as needed) prior to arrival. There's alot of detail to soak in during the morning orientation.
I would welcome the opportunity to charter again with them!
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
This was our first experience in the BVI. The cruising grounds over-delivered on already high expectations. There's so much to do! And the overall size of the cruising grounds allows for many boaters to evenly distribute throughout the island attractions, versus centralizing on a few spots. We primarily utilized the mooring balls and found all locations (except outside Spanish Town harbor) to be sufficient.
We'll definitely be looking to come back soon, with friends and family.
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/27/2023-12/05/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Alan Russell
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Seas Another Day
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
On arrival day, we got to the marina after office hours. Our sleep-aboard was prepared and provisions that arrived earlier were properly unpacked and stored. The dock-crew was very helpful to quickly orient us to basic operations of the generator, air conditioning, and bathroom/plumbing systems.
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
Very thorough. Not rushed. Hit every system (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, bilges, dinghy, sailing lines/halyards, winch operation, navigation, VHF, stereo, watermaker, and all safety systems.
They provided a basic tool kit, cellular phone, navigation map, and newest edition of cruising guide.
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
This yacht was brand new. Apparently we were the 2nd charter. But in many ways, it seemed we were the first to use it. Yacht was extremely clean, inside & out.
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
We primarily only prepared breakfast onboard. Looking through the supplies, it seemed to be well supplied. However the knives were very poor. I'm not expecting a full chef's kitchen. But I do expect to be able to cut a lime without working hard. In this sole example, the knives provided were insufficient.
All other kitchen resources used (coffee maker, toaster, blender) all performed great!
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes. Each hull had a deck hatch and each cabin/head had window hatches with screens. And the build layout of the Bali 4.4 allows for extreme ventilation with side windows, aft-opening wall, and forward opening cockpit door and full-size windows.
Ventilation was never an issue.
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
Navigare proved to be an exceptional charter company. Staff was insightful, helpful, and friendly.
I would have appreciated a map review of the sailing grounds, including known hazards not likely well mapped on chartplotter. This could be best done as a video for advanced preparations. I found one from a competitor. Speaking of videos, a video orientation for each boat in the fleet would be helpful...to again pre-orient these details (and watch as many times as needed) prior to arrival. There's alot of detail to soak in during the morning orientation.
I would welcome the opportunity to charter again with them!
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/27/2023-12/05/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Alan Russell
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Seas Another Day
Virgin Island Sailing® Team
Please answer the following questions about your experience working with the VI Sailing team.
Rating of VI Sailing Team: 5
Is this your first time booking with a charter broker? Yes
How was your experience working with your broker to book the yacht? Very Easy
After booking the yacht, how was your experience working with the Concierge Team? Very Easy
How would you describe the information provided in your Vacation Planner?
Check as many as apply: - Thorough
- Informative
- Easy to Understand
How would you rate the frequency and content of communication from our team? Good Amount of Communication
Additional comments about working with the VI Sailing team to plan your vacation?
This was my first overall charter experience. And had no prior exposure to working with a broker. The entire service team was exemplary in every way. In my specific case, I had to cancel my original booking, then cancel my rebooked trip. So this "first" experience for me required so many different lines of communications with various members of the VIS team. I'm very pleased with the level of professionalism to guide me through all phases of the booking process.
I will give VI Sailing my highest recommendations.
Would you book your next yacht vacation with Virgin Island Sailing®? Absolutely!
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 11/18/2023-11/28/2023
Name on Your Reservation: David Brown
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Fortunate Sun
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
Yes
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
Medium
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
Yes
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
Yes
Was the yacht well ventilated?
No
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
Very helpful and easy to communicate with.
Cruising Area
Did you like the area you chartered in?
Yes
VI Sailing Concierge Team
Charter Dates: 12/05/2023-12/11/2023
Name on Your Reservation: Alvin Ross
Are you the Lead Charterer or a Guest? Lead Charterer
Boat Name: Kokomo
Charter Company & Yacht
Please answer the following questions pertaining to the charter company and the yacht you chartered.
Rating of Charter Company & Yacht: 5
Upon arrival and during your charter, were the staff of the charter company friendly and accommodating?
Yes. They called the day before to offer transportation from the airport and ferry terminal. Also to make sure our plans were still the same.
Did the staff do a good job familiarizing you with the yacht and its equipment?
The boat was perfect!! The walk through and information provided was thorough.
Was the yacht clean and in good working condition?
Spotless and in perfect working order.
Was the yacht's cooking and cleaning equipment sufficient?
Yes
Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes
Additional comments about the charter company and yacht you chartered?
Everything was very professional and well run. Will use them again.