Testimonials

Daniel and Carolina were gracious hosts to our foursome. We love to sail and Daniel does as well! The captain and first mate were sweet, kind and gentle with us. We saw amazing wildlife and Carolina’s food was amazing.

Before making our final plans for this trip we looked at boat and crew reviews. Captain Andy and Chef Linzi were so highly recommended that we only considered them and Seas the Day.
They lived up to and exceeded all of our expectations.From Captain Andy’s knowledge of sailing to Chef Linzi’s incredible talent for delicious meals and presentation. She acknowledged all of our preferences and individualized so everyone was pleased.
Captain Andy created an itinerary based on the information we had given him and he was spot on. He really knows the area and we got to experience the BVI’s from an expert. We had great sailing days and we all felt safe and confident in him as our Captain!
We cannot say enough about the two of them and the experience that we had. The boat was very comfortable and as 4 couples we never felt crowded or in each other’s space.
This was an incredible vacation and Andy and Linzi were a huge part of it. Can’t recommend them enough!!

The Moorings – BVI January 2025 – Bareboat Charter: Leopard 5000 Catamaran

The Moorings facilitated what turned out to be one of the best sailing adventures ever for me and my crew as we chartered the BVI’s in January 2025.

If you are a bareboat skipper like me — long before that exhilarating moment when you hoist the halyard and harness winds that will carry your ship to new adventures at sea — you will have invested many hours of due diligence to find your best chartering options.

This review is written for skippers who prize excellent customer service and access to well-maintained fleets of shipshape vessels and at competitive rates. The review is more detailed than I would typically write, but only because The Moorings deserved recognition for effectively addressing the types of small details of a charter that can loom large on the open sea if not properly handled before casting off.

This was not my first bareboat charter with The Moorings, but it was the best by far. The passengers and crew consisted of Cousins sharing an annual outdoor adventure together. At the conclusion of the voyage, each person highlighted favorite elements of the cruise and shared thoughts on where to go next year. There was a brief pause, and then a voice stated, “I doubt we can ever
top this!” All heads nodded in agreement.

Our sailing adventure at The Moorings began with superb customer service. The Moorings staff provide friendly, responsive followup to initial inquiries without applying undue pressure to close a sale or upsell amenities. Always courteous and attentive, the frontline staff and booking agents guided me through a streamlined process to set up the cruise. When booking hotels, transportation and accommodations for hospitality, I generally prefer to handle the details myself whenever online portals are available. Thankfully, The Moorings has a
system that allows secure access and fairly intuitive navigation. In spite of this, I managed to create a problem (accidental dual booking) that required extra effort to unwind. At no point did Moorings staff convey impatience or annoyance as they carefully untied the knots I had made. Moorings calmly coordinated billing and booking staff to restore my dignity and personal Moorings account to working order. As a bonus, the sharp eye of Vacation Planner “Sam” discovered that I was eligible for a credit of $625 (available for repeat charter captains).

We hit a second snag on The Moorings booking portal as my crew attempted to load their travel and transfer data. The portal access to complete the short list of presail prep tasks was problematic. Again, a quick call to The Moorings staff resulted in a reliable work-around and timely task completion for all. With our paperwork checked off, payments secured, provisions ordered, my crew turned its attention to The Moorings online resources for cruise planning. I highly recommend a perusal of these excellent guides for training, orientation, vessel ops/procedures, and recommended cruising itineraries. Particularly for passengers or crew who
are new to sailing, a few hours invested in these well-written pages will go a long way toward dissipating fear, uncertainty, doubt and frustration among those on board.

Our first encounter with a live human from The Moorings was our shuttle driver who
transported us from the Airport direct to The Moorings base. Congenial and well spoken, our
driver was on time, waiting for us conveniently right outside the door of the BVI Customs & Immigration Office. The airport shuttle itself was a spacious Mercedes van, clean, comfortable and affordable at $25 per person. I recommend booking this service through The Moorings as it keeps land transport logistics on track for smooth transfer to The Moorings where you and your passengers can check in and relax.

The waiting area for arriving guests has greatly improved from my first visit to The Moorings. Back then, we were simply happy that the business had survived Hurricane Irma. The harbors all around BVI were filled with sunken vessels and unidentified wreckage in the treetops and barren slopes onshore. The suffering a year after the storm was palpable.

Pleased to say that in January 2025, The Moorings marina is fully recovered, bustling with dozens of shiny new sailcraft moored along wide docks. We were warmly greeted and escorted through garden walkways to a shaded waiting area overlooking the pool and docks. Staff provided complimentary welcome beverages for my crew while I completed final paperwork and security deposit at the front desk.
The check-in process at the front desk with Moorings and easy-going professional staff was refreshingly free of delays, hassles or confusion. By comparison, a routine checkout at the grocery store is more complicated than finalizing the charter paperwork for my charter.

Much of this credit is due to the intelligent design and orderly presentation of essential docs, checklists and reference information expertly compiled in what I will call the Embarkation folder — Impressive! Thoughtfully configured for ease of navigation and understanding, this handy piece is smartly written and a breeze to read, with no sloppy excess jargon, just crisp clear communication. In charters at other marinas, I am accustomed to sorting loose check-out lists of scattered info. At The Moorings BVI, there is no more combing through the stack to find critical contacts and harbor protocols. Captains no longer need to shuffle multiple pages to find the checklists of vital equipment & supplies. Any Captain who has set sail amid a disorganized paper pile — only to discover the boat hook failed to make the checklist upon arrival in destination harbor — will certainly appreciate The Moorings well organized inventory of vital equipment & supplies along with helpful guidance for proper maintenance & operation of boat systems. Bottom line, The Moorings has smartly invested expertise in effective planning to provide maximum peace of mind for captains dedicated to safety and convenience for all concerned.
The Moorings is the best I have seen in this regard.

Upon finishing a fine poolside lunch on embarkation day, my crew was ready to check out the catamaran reserved for our charter. We found “JR” as dock staff to be thorough, good-humored, quick but not rushed. He was especially patient on review of technical questions and operations, helpful in assuring all systems were in top condition and fully functional.

Provisioning did not go as smoothly. Traditionally this has been an area where improvements are needed. This voyage no exception. For convenience, we used the provisioning service available through The Moorings. I would still recommend using the service, but caution you to take the time to confirm all contracted provisions are aboard prior to casting off. My crew failed to complete their assignment to confirm inventory (beyond checking to see if there was coffee onboard). On the positive side, we were pleased to find all perishable items were already placed in fridge when we boarded to inspect — this has not been the case in the past. Upon closer inspection, we found many items ordered were not available, marked “not available/refund”; and “substitution” on the provisions manifest. Upon our arrival in Peter Island
for the first night, we conducted a more thorough inventory. Unable to locate the protein items foundational to three of our dinners planned aboard, we decided to head back to base in the morning to find the missing supplies. Thankfully, “Judith” at the marina provisioning store was accommodating and understanding when we approached for remainder of missing food items the next day. To our mutual relief, a
complete bag of all our missing items was still sitting in the freezer at the store. Fresh food quality was generally acceptable for all items except hot dog buns were stale, one fresh vegetable and one fresh fruit item were found to be ripened/moldy beyond safe use.

We also discovered shortly after disembarking from the base marina that rear seat cushions on the port trampoline lounge were missing. A shipwright quickly located the missing cushions and installed them while we resolved the provisioning issue at the base store.

Few captains enjoy returning to port after launch due to errors and omissions in disembarking protocols but the retreat was much more bearable thanks to the pleasant demeanor of the provision store staff. Our stress was further reduced by The Moorings complimentary valet docking service. Within a few minutes of hailing the dockmaster, a dockhand skimmed to our position in the harbor, boarded our vessel and quickly brought her to the dock. Within an hour we sorted out the issues and happily cast off for the other side of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

And what a splendid sail we had! I will never forget the thrill when we finally hoist the main and unfurled the jib for the Frangipani, a brand new Leopard 5000 Catamaran on her maiden voyage!

A sleek and powerful beauty at 50″ in length and 26′ beam, her luxurious accommodations include capacious salon and kitchen with gas stove, oven, two freezers and a refrigerator; aft shade deck with beverage cooler and electric grill; shaded foredeck with beanbag chairs for lounging; sprawling sundeck up top on the port aft quarte; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth stereo system pumping yacht rock through all areas of the boat (or by selected zone, if one prefers). Five spacious cabins are each complemented with a private bathroom. The boat has terrific AC and each cabins enjoys individual thermostat controls.

Never before have I sailed a boat in such shipshape Bristol fashion: Not a single thread amiss on sail or sheet; nary a fingerprint, water spot or smear on any of her chrome and glass surfaces; Cabins, heads all clean and odorless with new mattresses, pillows and linens; every switch, light and pump working without fail; all safety equipment and gleaming kitchen utensils, pots, pans and dinnerware fully stocked and ready for use; lines properly coiled and kept. Even the bilges were as immaculate as a bilge can be!

As I completed my initial walk-through, the perfection overwhelmed me almost like an out-of-body experience. I summoned the greenhorn crew to ensure they understood and appreciated the moment: “Gentlemen, this is as close to perfection as you are likely to experience on any sailing vessel in this lifetime. Enjoy!”; Our hearts were full of gratitude.

Seeing is one thing, actively living and sailing is another. As we put Frangipani through her paces, she did not disappoint. I could go into detail about this magnificent boat, but there are plenty of other resources specific to the Leopard 5000. My intent here is to share observations that may help other captains make well -informed decisions for a charter in BVI where The Moorings may be concerned.

From a skipper’s perspective, the helm on the Leopard 5000 is a dream, equipped with sophisticated NAV monitors and three power winches all within easy reach. The winds during our tour were brisk nonstop, with steady breeze at 25 knots and gusts up to 33 on the windiest day. Swells were about 6 feet on the choppiest afternoon, but Frangipani cruised it on a quartering run with ease and agility. When catching a mooring ball with green deckhands, she can be a lot of boat to handle amid heavy swells/ gusts. A camera on the bow, accessible via the Nav screen on the
bridge, is a helpful feature on the approach. Thankfully the helm on this boat is designed for a captain with a landlubber crew, with every operational line, sheet and halyard at easy reach. Three power winches within arm sweep of the helmsman provide sure and steady control of the rigging.

Sailing Frangipani was true bliss!

All in all, we had a marvelous time aboard the Frangipani and disembarked with sincere appreciation for the superb service and impressive accommodations provided by The Moorings. As my crew said,; “Don’t know how we will ever top this!”; but I’m certainly willing to try.

Until then, may your sailing adventures be filled with warm friendship, fair winds and following seas!

— StarboardPhil

First time sailing the BVI’s. So, so happy we chartered through Moorings and landed on the Knotty Toddy! Captain Richard and chef Shelly exceeded all expectations! Their knowledge and experience of destinations were perfect and the food was 5 star. We had the best week and had so much fun with Richard and Shelly. The boat was immaculate as well. We could not have asked for a better experience. Can’t for another adventure on the Knotty Toddy!
Mike T

1st time traveler, I would use the Moorings again for our next trip. They were responsive with requests while on our trips, fixed issues with our boat, and even sent some folks out to help us when needed. 5 stars for sure!

While avid travelers, boaters, and outdoor adventurers, our family had never done a multi-day boat or cruise. We took our family of 4 (teen and pre-teen) on our first fully crewed charter in the BVI in December. Anis and Tery took such great care of us. Each day laying out options for adventures and locations, Tery providing delicious food throughout the week. What a wonderful experience! We all had such a great time, relaxing and site seeing in this beautiful part of the world. We will definitely be back, and crew with Anis and Tery again!

This was our second voyage on Seas The Day. We enjoyed sailing with Andy and Linzi so much the first time that we booked another trip with our same group of friends. We have an absolute blast touring the BVI’s and I suppose it can be done in many different ways. Some people use a cheap charter or even sail their own boat. In my opinion there is no comparison to sailing with Andy and Linzi on Seas The Day. One of the reasons we love this trip so much is we don’t have to plan or think about much of anything. We are truly carefree. Prepared meals for breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunset Nibbles(appetizers & drinks) Dinner reservations off of the boat, car reservations, mooring ball reservations, etc etc. All taken care of by Andy and Linzi to make sure it’s an effortless and memorable time.

We chartered a 45 foot crewed catamaran for 7 days. This was, by far, the best vacation I have been on! Our Captain, Anis, and cook/steward, Tery were simply the perfect crew! Expert handling in some difficult conditions, combined with a local knowledge of the best places to go made Anis a captain I will always seek out. The food Tery prepared was gourmet from start to finish with each meal topping the previous. The two made a team I hope to return to every time I go.
The facilities and the equipment were top of the line. It is obvious no expense was spared to make the operation smooth and safe. The itinerary was well thought out and offered us every opportunity we asked for. We wanted some seclusion, some lively areas, some snorkeling, some kayaking, some hiking and, of course, sailing! The Moorings and Anis/Tery delivered on all accounts. There was not a single thing I’d change.
We had 2 couple on the 45 foot and had plenty of room. A third couple would be fine, but tighter. We toured Anis’ new 50 foot and could easily see 4 couples enjoy that space!
Thank you Anis, Tery, and The Moorings!!

There is no equal- Seas the Day with Captain Andy and Chef Linzi spoiled us once again. I can’t imagine doing the BVIs without them now. They made our second trip even better than our first somehow. Prepare yourself to let go and let Andy and Linzi take care of the worries. Don’t ask what you’re doing the next day- because that’s now allowed. Everything is a surprise, and that’s rare in today’s scheduled world. Forget about making reservations for meals- you will want to move Heaven and earth to make sure you don’t miss a single meal or “Nibbles” with Chef Linzi. Cheeky crew, and we loved every second- again.

From start to finish, an amazing crewed charter. 7 nights BVI…Anis and Tery, the captain and first mate, were amazing. The hospitality, local area knowledge and complete professionalism was the absolute best! Every day was a new adventure and Anis and Tery exceeded all expectations. Highly recommended charters. If u can pick a crew, pick Anis and Tery! We did the 45 foot cat…Anis and Tery are moving to a 50. Such a great trip.

What can i say!! The Moorings providing one of our very best holidays…EVER! The Funky Miracle, hosted by Captain Robin and our lovely hostess Sophie treated us like Kings and Queens! Our journey through the BVI was expertly crafted and every detail was considered to create amazing memories! The boat was immaculate and professionally maintained, and Sophie created delicious and thoughtfully prepared meals throughout our trip. Our island excursions were also awesome, but being on the boat with Robin and Sophie was the highlight for us all. We can’t wait to return to the BVI in the future, and recommend Funky Miracle to anyone who wants to experience a 5-star adventure!

Second straight year on the Jolly Mon. Calvin and Katie are supurb. Sailing the BVI is incredible and the food and service made me feel like the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Caviar and Champagne included. It’s a special place and the Moorings know what they are doing.

I can’t say enough about the Moorings. The staff is attentive, friendly, and extremely helpful. This was our first charter yacht trip and the Moorings made it so easy. The power yacht we rented was perfect and included everything we needed. We ordered provisions ahead and it was all loaded on our boat before we even boarded. The islands were absolutely picture perfect. Anchoring and balls everywhere. Trip of a lifetime!

I just came back from a Moorings catamaran crewed ship. It was a wonderful experience and the most beautiful of my trips. The captain (Francesco) and the chef (Nika) were fabulous and very accommodating and all six of us had the best time. I would highly recommend this trip and can’t wait to do it again.

We just came back from our Moorings trip. 50ft Catamaran that was a beautiful, looked brand new and very luxurious. 3 couples and there was probably room for 40-50 people to sit or lay out so there was plenty of room to be together or find a spot to sit alone. Our Captain Franchesco and our cook Nika were fabulous. They were both very diligent about safety and the food was not only delicious but presented like we were in a fancy restaurant for all 3 meals. Awesome experience! Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Fantastic crewed charter, from start to finish! Captain Wayne and chef Kathryn did an amazing job, and were fun to hang out with.

My husband and I (and another couple) chartered a 42’ sailing catamaran with the Moorings in the British Virgin Islands for 5 nights. We stayed on the boat the night before our trip commenced which made it easy to get organized and ensure our provisions were sufficient. Captain Dale was our skipper and handled the boat expertly (above average winds, 22-24 knots). He knew the islands, made arrangements for marinas and dinners and was a friendly sailing companion. Highlights included snorkeling, the baths at Virgin Gorda, resort at Scrub Island, entertainment at Leverick Bay, watching football at Foxy’s Tamarid Bar and drinks at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke. Perfect weather, lots of sun and strong breezes, will definitely do this trip again.

Cap Andy and Chef Linzi are the absolute best! I don’t ever leave reviews, but this is worth the time for me just to ensure someone knows how great this experience was with them! Cap Andy is extremely professional and qualified. His skill set is very strong and understands the seas and the area about as well and anyone could. Chef Linzi has an unreal way about her in the kitchen. She is extremely helpful and kind and always willing to do anything you need. This power couple is so impressive that I have booked this trip twice in 2 years. If you are looking for a crew to take you around the BVI’s, I wouldn’t look any further.

My family did a week long charter on a Moorings Power Catamaran (Crewed Yacht) with Captain Jos & Chef Chevone and we truly had the time of our lives! I cannot say enough good things about Jos & Chevone. I truly shed a tear when it was time to depart.

From the very start, their hospitality, generosity, and professionalism was unparalleled! Jos and Chevone made us feel like family and took such great care to ensure we had the trip of a lifetime. I truly couldn’t say enough great things about them & The Moorings. A 10/10 experience and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!

In terms of rooms/space/comfortability – our group (6 adults) felt very comfortable and at ease in terms of space. There are plenty of spaces to hangout on the boat, the bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious, and you have all of the amenities of a home, except on the water!

In terms of a Power Cat vs. Sailing – we decided to go with the Power Cat since our family is more familiar with Power Boats and it was perfect for us!

Truly an incredible trip and experience and we are so excited to do it again soon! Couldn’t recommend this more!!!

Weather and scenery were beautiful! We had our own captain in our group, which was great. The boat was fantastic. The beds could be a bit softer as well as the linens, and more towels provided for the 10 days.
We loved all of our stops and yummy food along the way. We had an issue with a toilet, but moorings took care of it right away.