Archive

The crew of four aboard the Sunreef 80 luxury crewed power catamaran, Blessed, knocked it out of the park for our clients’ group of 8 crewed yacht charter vacation in the Virgin Islands. When asked for feedback about their charter, our clients responded with, “We had the time of our lives.”

The guests, a party of four couples, had this to say about the Blessed crew; “Captain Tim’s knowledge of the Virgin Islands and ‘what to do’s’ was a great help. Julie is an exceptional chef. All 8 guests, one with special diet request, are well traveled and could not say enough about the quality and presentation, whether breakfast, lunch or dinner for 7 days. The meals were healthy and truly a culinary delight. Nina made excellent drinks based on individual requests.”

“I would be remiss if I did not mention crew dynamics. Tim, Julie, Lucus and Nina’s  work ethic, professionalism,  demeanor and care for guest comfort was 10 out of 5 stars.  They collectively made the Blessed the Blessed.”

The principal charterer, David, said, “The boat was as described or better. Discussions with Steve McCrea during the planning and selection phase made for a confident decision and ultimately the right choice. Ed Hamilton out worked their competitors. We described our interest, scale and budget. Steve McCrea provided a focused response that allowed us to make the right decision. Your competitors do not put in the same level of effort. You have a good thing going.”

Captain Tim & Chef Julie have been a dynamic charter team for the last 25 years. Hailing from Colorado, Captain Tim Miller has been a SCUBA dive instructor since 1979, teaching SCUBA on his worldwide travels with extensive experience throughout the Caribbean leading safe, relaxed and unforgettable snorkeling and diving adventures. Chef Julie Brown moved to the Virgin Islands from sunny California. Her culinary style specializes in the elegant balance of nutritional foods and fine wines featuring aromatic combinations of the freshest fish & meats, vibrant tropical fruits & vegetables and mouth watering desserts all prepared with an outgoing personality ensuring that every meal aboard Blessed is a delightful adventure in itself. Rounding out the Blessed crew is Nina, who is an experienced stewardess and certified mixologist along with engineer/first mate, Lucas, a licensed yacht master, advanced SCUBA diver and water sports enthusiast. Together, the Blessed crew strive to provide guests the best vacation ever.

Blessed offers a luxurious and modern feel usually experienced on larger, more expensive megayachts. Relax on the plush lounge areas on the foredeck or take in the incredible 360 degree views while enjoying the jacuzzi on the flybridge. Inside Blessed, you’ll find an open concept salon with bar area and 5 spacious, exquisitely designed cabins that include private on-suite heads and can accommodate up to 10 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the Caribbean Virgin Islands.

One of our recent June departures was a tandem charter made up of a the Captain-Only private crewed yacht, the 45′ Lagoon Catamaran Rapscallion, and a Moorings 52.4 Monohull Bareboat which was a perfect combination for this Family of 12.

The Matriarch of the Family, Sue, had been dreaming of doing a BVI charter with her two daughters, their husbands and five grandkids since she last chartered with her Family in 2009. Fast forward 16 years and her dream finally came true.

Yacht charter options that can accommodate 12 people comfortably in the BVI are limited. Originally, Sue reached out to us to charter a bareboat monohull (as she’s a true sailor) which her, her Skipper and her grandkids would stay aboard while her two daughters and their husbands would stay on land at a hotel, hoping to try and meet up with the bareboat around the islands. Because the logistics of that plan involved a lot of moving parts on a daily basis, instead, we were able to find an option that would allow the adult children to enjoy a relaxing vacation somewhat separate but still with the bareboat monohull where their kids spent maximum time with GrandSue. Captain Jamie Still and Rapscallion were the perfect addition and really made this highly anticipated Family vacation something everyone will talk about and remember forever.

One of the daughters said, “Captain Jamie Still and the Rapscallion were absolutely fantastic! Dreams came true when Captain Jamie agreed to tandem with a boat guided by my mom (lifelong sailor at 86), her skipper friend, and 5 grandchildren, all in their 20’s. Captain Jamie’s boat accommodated the daughters and our husbands and we had a deluxe experience. The kids could come over for meals or a break from the tighter quarters of the monohull. We loved all the sails and moorings! We really enjoyed prime snorkeling spots, quiet spots with isolation and beauty, contrasted with lively stops for dinners and drinks out. We really got the best of all worlds. Finally, Jamie’s daily video display of what the itinerary and timing would be, and communicating that information to everyone on WhatsApp, was super effective and allowed the parents to not have to coordinate everything. Jamie’s final thank you complete with maps, itineraries and photos was an unexpected treat! This was truly a dream trip, especially for our Matriarch who had been dreaming of this experience since 2009. Endless thank you’s!”

While this type of tandem charter is a bit unusual, the Captain-Only crewed charter paired really well with the bareboat monohull and allowed this family to make wonderful memories while all being together.

Captain Jamie Still is a highly experienced captain with over 15,000 miles of sea voyaging and sailing experience. He is known for his attention to detail, a commitment to safety, and excellent boat handling skills. Captain Jamie is a strong leader who puts the needs of his guests first, and he takes pride in providing a luxurious and memorable experience for everyone aboard. Operating as a Captain-Only crew, Jamie does provide concierge-type services for things like provision assistance, hassle-free coordination of excursions and reservations along with deep local knowledge of cruising grounds, exclusive snorkel spots and onshore activities. One of the daughters on this trip said this about Captain Jamie: “Though chartering the cat wasn’t in our original plan, thank goodness we found you and the Rapscallion. You’ve been super flexible and accommodating while also leading the way to some of the best spots in the BVI.”

Rapscallion is a Captain-Only crewed sailing catamaran in the British Virgin Islands with ample areas around the deck to enjoy the sun or shade including a u-shaped forward cockpit, large aft cockpit where you can enjoy al fresco dining and a flybridge with bench seating and padded sun beds. Inside, there are 3 fully air-conditioned queen cabins that include private on-suite heads with separate showers and can accommodate up to 6 guests.

While the options for barbeoat monohulls in the BVI are limited, there are still a few companies that charter them and the Moorings is one of them. The Moorings 52.4 Exclusive barbeoat monohull is a Beneteau design that couples comfortable livability with high-end sailing performance. The Exclusive model is 1-3 years old and is equipped with the latest yacht technology and upgrades along with 4 double en-suite cabins comfortably sleeping up to 8 guests with room for two more in the convertible salon.

On a recent crewed yacht charter aboard the Lagoon 620 Luxury Crewed Catamaran Foxy Lady, in the British Virgin Islands, Captain Rob and Chef/Mate Becky Willows proved to be a perfect match for an all adult group of 8 close Friends.

When it comes to a crewed yacht charter, selecting the right crew is often more important than the boat itself. Who you spend your much-anticipated vacation with can make or break it. That’s why matching guests to the right crew is so key to a successful crewed yacht charter vacation.

Our Clients said, “The description of the boat was extremely accurate, but what we appreciated was Steve’s understanding of who we are and what crew we would match with best. The crew worked with us to ensure we got to do every single thing we wanted to do. The meals were unbelievable, exquisite, gorgeous, delicious, colorful, varied – greatly exceeded expectations.”

A successful crew match is no stroke of luck. Our brokers regularly attend Crewed Yacht Charter shows where they personally inspect the yachts and meet the crews and they also spend a lot of time reviewing client feedback from previous charters which are invaluable in matching clients to the right crew.

Captain Rob and Chef/Mate Becky hail from South Africa and are avid travelers but their 8 years of chartering in the BVI makes their deep knowledge and experience of the area invaluable. While Rob is an astute Captain and grew up racing dinghies and sailing bigger yachts, he loves to be in the water too showing guests the incredible beauty that lies beneath he waves. Becky, a food lover her whole life, is adept in the kitchen where she produces varied and exciting cuisine bur is also a quite capable sailor herself. Together, Rob and Becky are a super team.

Foxy Lady is a very spacious and comfortable sailing catamaran with ample areas around the deck to enjoy the sun or shade including a large aft cockpit where you can enjoy al fresco dining. Inside, there is a large salon with luxury seating to relax in the cool A/C along with 4 spacious and comfortable cabins that include private on-suite heads with separate showers and can accommodate up to 8 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the BVI.

BVI Yacht Charters 2024 Lagoon 40 Bareboat Catamaran, Bubbles Up, provided an excellent platform for our Clients’ Family of 4 to explore the British Virgin Islands on their first 10 day bareboat charter.

Our Clients’ post charter note said, “Hi Lynne – just wanted to express our gratitude for your help with our first bareboat charter. We had a fantastic trip with perfect weather. With 10 days, we were able to explore so much of the BVI, but also take our time in a few places, including 2 nights in North Sound (Bitter End Yacht Club and Deep Bay / Oil Nut Marina), 2 nights in Anegada and 2 nights at Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke. I brought my kitesurfing gear and got in 3 excellent sessions, including at a deserted island (Sandy Spit new Green Cay / Little JVD) and some wave riding on a reef break at Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada. Best trip ever! Everyone loved it and we’re already thinking about what’s next”

This Family is hooked on bareboat charters just after their first one as they are already thinking about Croatia in 2026.

Bubbles Up offers 4 cabins, all with on-suite heads. With a spacious aft cockpit and large forward sun deck, there is ample outdoor space to relax on the water. This yacht is ideal for families, couples with guests or a group of Friends. It would be perfect to celebrate a milestone occasion or just a much needed vacation getaway in the BVI.

Another great crewed charter aboard the Foutaine-Pajot Allegria 67 Colibri. Captain Graham, Chef Kristiann, and Stewardess/Dive Instructor Matilda took great care of our many time repeat clients, providing them with an all new view of the British Virgin Islands on a luxury crewed catamaran.

Our Clients said, “We have been to the BVI many, many times, however, somehow you managed to make it a whole new experience. You made every day special, fun, and exciting. Every meal was a beautiful presentation, and 5 star level experience. Getting to know you all has been a real treat. We loved our beach time, playing games, and sharing laughs.” – Ken & Sherree

Captain Graham and Chef Kristiann have lived on four continents and visited over fifty countries. Their experiences have taught them that great vacations are made up of many small details. They find great pleasure in working as a team and creating lasting memories for their guests. Stewardess and Dive Instructor Matilda, is the newest addition to Team Colibri and loves sharing her knowledge of diving and marine life as well as inspiring guests to try new activities.

Colibri is one of the few crewed sailing catamarans that has a small jacuzzi on the foredeck, an expansive covered flybridge area for outdoor lounging with 360 views along with 4 spacious and comfortable cabins that include private on-suite heads and can accommodate up to 8 guests on an all-inclusive luxury yacht charter vacation in the BVI.

One of our Customers’ had this to say about their recent luxury crewed yacht charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands aboard the Oyster 885 – Ayni:

“Awesome trip aboard a brand new Oyster 885 was chartered through Ed Hamilton Yacht Brokerage that exceeded way beyond our greatest expectations. It was a family trip including two teenagers, Jane and Kate, to celebrate my 80th birthday. Ayni was everything and more including a crew who were from South Africa, Greece and New Zealand, and who became really good friends. Captain Adonis was special and provided many opportunities to sail the yacht and decide where to go.  Nadia prepared many terrific meals from locally sourced ingredients, that we still talk about. In spite of Irma that effectively destroyed many parts of the BVI’s, it didn’t do anything to the beautiful blue water, sun, sand and wind. Most importantly the assistance of Steve McCrea was extremely important as we navigated through several contracts before he found this final boat 4 weeks before our embarkation as the one under contract had mechanical issues before coming from Europe for the winter season in the Caribbean. His ability and attention in working with us was outstanding. In the end, Jane said that she never thought sailing with parents and grandparents could be so much fun!” – Fritz Rehkopf

Book a Yacht Charter Vacation Now!

Call us at 800 621 7855, email us at info@ed-hamilton.com or ask us to suggest some specific boats that fit your requirements!