ALTESSE

Nick + Amy,
When we think about this trip we will most remember your hospitality! We felt welcomed from the first Zoom call. You graciously understood our mission — a week to relax, sail & dive. Your extra care in helping a "seasoned" couple was appreciated. What a joy that we can still continue to dive. This is truly the trip we enjoy the most — but with you at the helm & the kitchen — it was even more special.
Having a cigar buddy for Bob was the best! Such a great way to end a day.
May God continue to bless you.
~Bob & Alice

To Nick and Amy, our wonderful hosts for this magical week.
How can one describe perfection? Your skills in sailing, cooking, navigating include arranging perfect weather and perfect seas?! That is talent!
We could not be more happy with this fun and restorative week. You thought of every possible accommodation in advance and brought us to unexplored horizons. We are now happy to call you friends of our family and can't wait to hear about your adventures in Tahoe & Minnesota. Please come visit us in the Narragansett Bay and let us host you on our albeit small boat, maybe to be named Eagle Ray after the ray we spotted in Jost van Dyke.
~BVI Guests

Amy + Nick —
Thank you for curating unforgettable memories. Your kindness and attention to detail made for smooth sailing along the way. I never thought I would find myself on a boat in the Caribbean. I am grateful that the adventure led my family to you. You both helped support all of our adventuring needs. The culinary delights were unparalleled and the jokes a lovely addition to every convo and interaction. Thank you for sharing your brightness and cheer with us.
~Brig

I can’t say enough good things about Nick and Amy. Amazing hosts with world class skills and experience. They could be successful wherever they wanted to be. We were all glad they chose BVI so we could find them.

Nick gave us a lot of options and chances for input but he had pretty well learned what we were looking for, so had a great master plan to start with. We followed his basic plan and adapted as needed. It is hard to fit in as many activities as we did, but it worked out very well.

Nick is the easy going skipper that everyone likes, but behind his easy going attitude, he has a master plan with all the details and lots of skills to be self sufficient. Because of that, everything was both fun and smooth and comfortable.

Amy is perfectly pleasant, a wonderful hostess, and an amazing chef. We are a family of foodies and she impressed us all day after day with unexpected delights. She also kept the boat meticulously clean and cheery.

The two of them work extremely well together and are an excellent role model. They did the work of four people and made it look easy. I’m not just saying that.

The food and beverages went way beyond expectations and I don’t say that lightly. The little touches make a huge difference and both Nick and Amy have considerable skills in that area and don’t just follow a recipe. They adapt to their ingredients and conditions to make things that just feel right. I have experience other “good” crews before, but they are special.

Essentially every wish was granted unless a specific item or ingredient could not be found in the BVI and then Nick and Amy would come up with a better alternative and teach us something. It’s not a good day unless you learn something new. All of our days were good. All of our experiences were great. Nick and Amy became like old friends.

It was my third charter in BVI, my wife’s second charter and our kids first. We honeymooned in BVI 37 years prior and it was the best experience of our lives, which we wanted our kids to experience. This recent charter is now the new best.

I would recommend this crew to anybody, especially if you are adventurous, as the extra diving skills and activities are hard to find. If you are not particularly adventurous in the water, the cruise in paradise with fantastic food is still amazing.
~Frank

We could not have been any happier! Kennon the captain went beyond our expectations to make sure our drinks were full and our comfort was concern #1. Stephanie's meals were off the hook. She made us feel like we were at home the entire time! Unbelievable! Off the hook! Every morning the crew was up way before we were, making sure the coffee was hot when we came up. The breakfasts were way more then we could have expected! I can't even begin to explain the flavor, the presentation was amazing. Table was set to perfection, napkin folding was always fun to see. I just can't say enough how great it was.
We had one of our people that had a aversion to spicy. Stephanie made him a separate version of the same thing we all had to make sure he was happy. She took some food allergies for others and designed the menu around them. Again off the hook! I would put her up against some of the best chefs! We will be hard pressed to find a better crew. They work so well together, totally seamless and effortlessly.

Kennon and Stephanie, Thanks to you both fo making this such an amazing trip! Everything about this week exceeded our expectations - the views of private coves, the amazing meals, the shared stories and conversations all made it a trip to remember. You two make a great crew and we hope to travel with you again sometime soon!

Kennon and Stephanie, This has been a week we will remember forever! The absolute perfect vacation. You made us feel so comfortable from the minute we boarded. You are an amazing team. So in sync with each other. I could go on and on about the food...every meal, appetizer and dessert was beyond delicious and beautiful. If they gave Michelin Stars for charter chefs Stephanie would get 3 stars!! You really motivated me to up my game. And Kennon is the best Captain, bartender and napkin folder (thanks for the lesson). We loved our afternoon floating cocktails. Seriously, thank you for everything. Can't wait to sail with you again!

Thank you Stephanie and Kennon for serving up our favorite vacation ever! You are an amazing team. You love the your job and your respect for each other is always evident! We can't imagine going to the BVI's or anywhere on vacation with you. You thought of everything..and then some more. Wish we had more time. Thank you Thank you Thank you

This crew deserves and yacht deserve a 20, not a 10! The boat was perfect for our group, 3 experienced and 4 non-experienced sailors. The Cat ride was far gentler than the monohull yachts I’ve sailed in the past. Such a great platform for a relaxing sail for everyone aboard. Stephanie and Kennon exceeded ALL expectations. They were always a step ahead of us on everything. They never missed a chance to help or serve regardless of what they had plate at that moment. Kennon was a rock-star regarding the itinerary, he listened to our wish list and made every day happen. Not to leave Stephanie out on this praise, she was also an integral part of our trip schedule. Her suggestions based on experience and knowledge was invaluable.

Thanks Kennon and Stephanie for making our trip so comfortable and fun. We really were blown away by the level of service and pampering we received. The food we had on the boat far exceeded what we had on land in the restaurants! Kennon was such a great dive master and captain and a better dinghy driver than we have ever seen. Make sure you keep up the signing and mandolin playing, Kennon! Thank you!

This was a trip we will never forget - we have never been so pampered and so well cared for. The food was excellent and Stephanie was so careful to watch for all our food issues. The way Kennon and Stephanie quietly served us graciously and looked out for every need was such a blessing. It will be rough returning to normal life after this week of paradise. They truly know how to show people hospitality. Thank you for an unbelievable week!

Kennon and Stephanie made the trip! The food was incredible but Stephanie brought such a calming energy to the boat. Always so lovely and helpful. Loved hanging with them in the evening as well. They were both so helpful with the water sports. Kennon made an obstacle course and it was so much fun to feel like a kid again. They are both so knowledgable. It was an unforgettable trip. Hope to see them again!

Being on the water sailing and seeing all of the beautiful sights was awe inspiring and soul enriching But, it would not have been really as awesome had it not have been nearly as awesome had it not been for Kennon and Stephanie. I cannot think of one need or desire that they didn't cheerfully meet. Loved getting to know them both a little because they are both such genuinely pleasant and interesting people. Trip would not have been nearly as great with out them!

Kennon and Stephanie are incredibly wonderful - so knowledgable, easy going and focussed on making sure that everyone has an amazing time. Stephanie is a fantastic chef and our meals were absolutely amazing! Kennon's focus on finding the perfect spots to tuck in while effortlessly navigating three various weather was incredible. Many thanks for your incredible customer service, level of care, camera detail and kindness throughout the trip. Too many laughs and great experiences to mention here but this is one of our favorite family trips. Thank you. We love you both!

My family sailed with another family on the Ventana for one week in the USVI. Michelle with Epic was fantastic throughout the selection and planning process and her insight was invaluable and much appreciated. We will work with her again and have already recommended her to other friends. The Ventana is a Lagoon 52 foot catamaran and the boat was perfect for our group. I can’t say enough good things about Captain Kennon and Chef Stephanie. From the food and beverages to the service and itinerary, it was all phenomenal and we felt completely pampered for the entire trip. They worked tirelessly so that we could relax, adventure and truly enjoy our time on vacation. We commented that it seemed not just a job for them but a true joy for them to ensure that we were happy and having fun. We would love to sail with them again!

Rating of Yacht & Crew:
(5 Being the Highest)5

Was the yacht comfortable and clean?
Yes!

Was the yacht well ventilated?
Yes

Was the crew friendly and accommodating?
Yes. The crew was great! Kennon and Stephanie are awesome. We couldn’t have a better crew. We had both kids an adults. And everyone would say they are the best!

Was the food good and well presented?
Yes. It was delicious. You will not go hungry. Everything was made from scratch. We ate like kings and queens. We had a couple picky eater and one with a food allergy. The chief accommodated for everyone.8. Additional comments about the yacht and crew?
Cannot say enough good things. They were great.

Cruising Area. Did you like the area you chartered in?
Loved it. Each stop had something different but still beautiful

Kennon and Stephanie,

This trip has exceeded expectations on every level. The boat is beautiful and the islands and water are spectacular but the crew of Kennon and Stephanie is what topped the charts! They are amazing taking care of every need, want and thought – they listen and try to do What they can to make the trip perfect and he succeeded at every turn. This was a special trip for Bob and Norma and it became a trip of a lifetime for all of us. We are forever grateful and this will stay in our memories forever!

 

Kennon and Stephanie,

Thank you for exceeding expectations on every level. This bucket list trip was almost never happened was so many obstacles thrown away. We were positively thrilled when we actually stepped on board Ventana. And the thrills, surprises, and moments never stopped after we landed. Thank you Stephanie Kevin for everything. You are the best crew we could have asked for. Everything was outstanding! Meals were five star. Experience was six star! Hugs!